Old Man of the Sea
On a hot day in Okinawa, Michael was delighted to be made to stand for photos dressed in a wool sweater and heavyweight fishing gear.
Author: travel67
Lego Friends
Recently there has been a giant upheaval in the miniature world of Lego. After decades of the figures all being the same height and shape, there is a new group known as “Lego Friends”. After themed lego sets for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter, you might guess the new figures would have a passing resemblance to Chandler and Joey. Instead, these Lego Friends are an even more bizzare creation, they’re little girls. The girls are actually taller than the men, they’re less boxy, and they have manes of flowing hair. They also have more natural skin tones (unless you live in Springfield, where bright yellow faces are perfectly normal). Is Lego playing to gender stereotypes? Is it giving up on tradition to make a quick krone? Or is it simply evolving and introducing Lego to more discerning children? Except for a worried looking policeman, the arrival of the girls to Legoland has brought nothing but smiles.
Grandfather of Anarchy
Which makes Michael the great grandfather of a certain biker gang…..
Sabani Boat Race in Ginoza, Okinawa
A few shots of the sabani boat race from Kanna Beach in Ginoza last Saturday. Scorching sunlight made for a sweaty couple of hours walking on the beach. On days like this you really want to be in the water, but it was great to get some photos of these beautiful, traditional craft.
Michael the Grey
Michael was the first choice for the roles of Gandalf, Moses and Dumbledore. He declined all offers saying the jobs would provide very little as a challenge to him as an actor. He hopes to broaden his range by playing Fantine in an off-Broadway production of Les Misérables.
Horsing Around
Evening beach shoot with Leia and Makoto. Model – Leia Heider Horse – Makoto of Mihara Horse Club of Okinawa Assistant – Pete Leong whose presence literally brightened up my evening.
Hidden Gems
Still organizing my images from India. Trying to get everything sorted, starred and keyworded before I head off on my next overseas trip. Some photographs have immediate impact, usually the close up portraits with eye contact. Other more subtle images may fall through the cracks the first time I look through the thumbnails in Lightroom particularly if they don’t fit my usual style of shots. Just came across this image, a snapshot I took while wandering along the street during my final day in Jaipur. I happened to look down an alleyway, saw this couple, and took a pic. It’s very different to my other photographs (it looks like something one of my photographer friends Alfie Goodrich or Matt Brandon would have shot) which perhaps is why I missed it the first time, and love it now.
Stars over Cape Zanpa, Okinawa
Out at Cape Zampa last night to try and get some pics of the Perseid Meteor Shower. Saw a few meteors fly by but I don’t think you can spot any in this shot. Plenty of stars though!
Morijio, or mori-shio (盛塩)
Morijio, or mori-shio (盛塩) is a little mound of salt found outside some homes and businesses. Salt is a traditional spiritual purifier in Japan, which is why you see sumo wrestlers throwing it into the ring before bouts. These pics were from my visit to Kyoto last fall.
July 30, 1978
In 1972, Okinawa rejoined Japan. Six years later, on 30th July 1978 traffic rules reverted, so that once again cars drove on the left. A small memorial beside the 730 Crossing on Ishigaki island, serves as a reminder.
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 