Above the Crowds, Kyoto

This was taken near the top of the gates, after a long stretch where I barely saw anyone. At the base, the path was crowded. Phones out, people moving quickly, trying to capture the same moment from the same spot. I noticed a small dirt trail off to the side and followed it instead. It led through bamboo and up into the forest, and I walked alone for close to ninety minutes. When I came back down, the gates were nearly empty at the top. Each turn felt quieter than the last. As I descended, the crowds slowly returned. Eventually it felt busy again, and I put the camera away. This frame lives somewhere in between those two experiences.