Author: travel67

Mushama Festival, Hateruma Island (Part 3 -The Gods)

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Festivals in Okinawa’s southern islands (collectively know as the Yaeyama Islands) are similar but not identical to those on the main island of Okinawa. Shishi lions and ryukyu dancers are common to both, while it seems only the Yaeyama festivals include the god Miroku (white mask) and the rain god Fusamarah (red mask). The images of the man dressed as the rain god Fusamarah show how the presence of the American military has slowly made it’s way into the everyday lives of Okinawans even on the most remote islands. Local farmers are particularly fond of army surplus uniforms, they must be particularly rugged, cheap, and ubiquitous to have become almost standard equipment for Okinawans working out in their fields.

Matsuri Exhibition – Like, Tweet, Share, Blog, Thumbs up and +

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Only a few days to go until my solo exhibition in Tokyo! I will be at the Pentax Forum everyday, 10.30 to 18.30, from September 19th to September 26th (unfortunately I’ll miss the last few days as I’ll be back in Okinawa).  Please come along, check out my photographs, and say hello. Above is the map to Pentax square from Shinjuku Station. You can also copy and paste this address into google maps: 東京都新宿区西新宿1-25-1 There will be 29 big prints and 5 huge prints on display. It’s a really exciting adventure putting on a big exhibition, and I hope as many people as possible can stop by. It’s free to see the show, you won’t even be forced to buy any camera equipment by the Pentax staff. What I need now is for friends to spread the news, so as it says in the title, please Like, Tweet, Share, Blog, Thumbs up and + this post. Actually, what I really need now is for Typhoon Sanba to change course so my flight isn’t cancelled, but …

Mushama Festival, Hateruma Island (Part 2 -The Ladies)

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A few shots of the ladies at the Mushama Festival on Hateruma Island. Although the biggest festivals in Japan can sometimes be raucous male dominated events, the smaller local matsuri are a great opportunity for the whole family, young and old, to take part in celebrating traditions and give thanks. I wonder if, on the other side of the world, there’s a Japanese photographer wandering around a village fête in rural England photographing the local bake-off, morris dancing, and a gurning contest.

HD PENTAX-D FA645 MACRO 90mm F2.8 ED AW SR

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Pentax has just announced a new lens for the 645D system, the HD PENTAX-D FA645 MACRO 90mm F2.8 ED AW SR.That’s a ridiculously long name for a camera lens but all those letters are actually quite important and go a long way to explaining the price tag. HD – new high grade multi layer lens coating FA 645D – As with the new 55 and the 25mm lens the image circle is that of a full frame 645D sensor so you can use it on both the current 645D and (in theory) on a future full frame 645D camera MACRO Ability to focus very close allowing 0.5x magnification of the subject. 90mm A good short portrait lens length. Fits nicely between the 55mm and the 150mm (I currently use the 67 105mm lens with an adapter for this range) F2.8 A large aperture for a medium format lens  gives the option of shooting with a shallower depth of field and faster shutter speeds. ED (Extra-low Dispersion) Optically excellent glass. Clearer, sharper images. AW (All Weather) …

Nunchaku by the Numbers

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Masakazu Kinjo demonstrates that there’s more to nunchaku than just swirling them around the body. Use the end to jab and break your attacker’s ribs. Trap the attacker’s wrist between the two shafts of the nunchaku. Use your forearm to bend and twist the attacker’s arm. The step into the attacker to to take control. From here onwards it’s the simple and painful application of leverage. Twist locked arm and apply further pressure to elbow as required.