Latest Posts

Ceramic Knives

Published by
Kyocera Ceramic Knife

Kyocera Ceramic Knife

My younger sister used to work in Sheffield’s steel industry, which makes the following comment almost heresy. I just bought a ceramic knife.

Although they’re both usually white, a ceramic knife is very different from the dull plastic utensil you’re given on planes or at picnics. Constructed from zirconium dioxide the blade is hard and it’s edge is very, very sharp. On Okinawa where you live in a mix of humidity, rain and salt spray, steel doesn’t stand much of a chance. Knives, cars, lawnmowers, and bicycles are quickly reduced to junk. (Prizes to those who spotted the pun in the last sentence.)

Although the knife is more brittle than a metal blade, (you’ll break the tip if you try to lever the lid off a can of paint) it’s still an impressive piece of engineering. Until recently, I’d always associated high-tech ceramics with the Space Shuttle, but now it is companies like Kyocera who are at the cutting edge of technology.

Okinawan Orchids

Published by

Orchid Abstract

The first thing you notice when you arrive in Okinawa are the orchids. They greet you at the airport, then in the hotel lobby, and if you’re staying somewhere nice, in your room.

They are also a common gift, when you might otherwise give a bunch of flowers. When people start a new business, move house, or even hold an exhibition it’s quite common to see an impressive display of orchids.

If you want to see a large variety of orchids on Okinawa, check out Bios Botanical Gardens in Uruma City or the Tropical Dream Center located in Expo park a short walk from the Churaumi Aquarium.

Fun in the Sun

Published by

Great Photography 101 workshop last weekend. Saturday was all about the fundamentals, looking at how we can better control aperture, exposure and composition, then on Sunday we explored the Yomitan peninsular to practice our techniques.

Shirley got this great shot of a couple posing at Cape Maeda. I like the way she’s positioned the couple away from the center of the frame for better composition, and captured the decisive moment as they both smile for their own photograph.

Maeda Couple by Shirley Martin

And here’s a shot of me demonstrating that you sometimes have to get down to the same level as your subjects.

Adan & Chris by Shirley Martin

As one of Japan’s most famous diving and snorkeling spots it was not surprising that on a gorgeous day in August there were plenty of people enjoying the water. I took at quick photograph of the scene, and when looking at the image on the computer it reminded of the Where’s Wally books. (Where’s Waldo in the U.S.)

Divers and Snorkelers at Cape Maeda

I put the full size image up on Flickr, scroll around the screen to check out everyone having fun in the sun.

Adan Fruit in Okinawa

Published by
Adan Fruit

Adan Fruit

Adan trees are a common sight along the beaches of Okinawa. They seem to tolerate the salty soils and buffeting winds better than almost any other plant. At first glance, the adan fruit is often mistaken for a pineapple. I don’t know any people that eat it, but it does seem to be a popular treat with the island’s crab population.

Disabled Parking Spaces in Japan

Published by

Parking spaces for the disabled in Japan

There are a growing number of parking spaces for the disabled around Japan. In fact, with the exception of historic buildings, Japan seems to be quite accessible for those with limited mobility. Car rental companies usually have a variety of vehicles specifically designed for wheel chairs or even with seats that rotate and lower the passenger. As would be expected the train system in Japan is excellent for disabled travelers. Hotels, likewise, have disabled parking and many hotels have disabled accessible rooms. (I believe it is mandatory for larger hotels.)

One thing that some people in Japan have yet to understand or value, is that disabled parking spaces are only for people who need them. Unfortunately, they are used by able-bodied people when car parks are almost full, to reduce the time walking to the front of the store, or when the disabled parking space is in the shade. I’ve seen it done by both men and women, old and young, rich and poor.

The repercussions for using disabled parking in Japan appear to be non-existant. People aren’t punished financially through fines, or socially by having other people point out that what they are doing is repugnant.

The photograph above is a case in point. I’m walking into the Sports Depo store, having parked in an almost empty large car park. As I approach the door, the vehicle on the right zooms into the disabled parking space by the doors and out pops a young Japanese man and woman in their twenties. They begin walking away from their car towards the store. As they come near me I ask them in Japanese if they are okay. They look confused. I tell them if they want I can go and ask the staff at the sports store if they have a wheel chair they can borrow. More confused looks. I point out that they are using the disabled parking space, and that I assume they’re disabled. They realize what I’m going on about, but are seemingly unaware of sarcasm. They say, no we’re fine, and carry on into the store.

Clearly sarcasm wasn’t the right way for me to have handled this, but maybe the guy will think differently next time. He may not care about the morality of the situation, but he might not want to risk the chance of being hassled by someone.

I’m not advocating dressing up in a Batman costume and becoming a vigilante, but if the general public pointed out to other members of the community that things like dumping trash in the bushes or parking in disabled parking spaces was unacceptable we might make where we live just a little bit better for everyone.

The Contender in the Canon Corner

Published by

Michael Taylor - Fighting for Canon

Michael Taylor - Fighting for Canon

When I started studio photography I was fascinated with the catchlights in the eyes of models. I’d have my face pressed up against posters in department stores working out whether the photographer used a beauty dish, a parabolic, or clamshell lighting. Recently I’ve been looking at rim lighting, which is why I was standing staring at the Harry Potter posters as I left the cinema. Rim lighting can be used to accentuate form, which is why it really worked with the shots of Michael.