These are a couple of images taken from the same shoot with Liz. Along with a change in make-up, the light illuminating the background and the light shining on the hair had purple and pink gels. The main light on the face was a beauty dish which creates lovely soft light and donut-shaped catchlights in the eyes.
Every time I see the first of these photos I start humming “Don’t stop believing” from Glee.
Again, a big thank you to Liz, Eboh, Kim and Wendy.
Here are a few images from another studio shoot I did with Eboh a couple of weeks ago. It’s very interesting working as part of a team, and I’m pleased with the images I got. The caption for the second shot could be “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you’re my only hope.” And giving credit where it’s due, here are the credits:
Model: Liz Craig
Make-up: Kim Clay
Hair: Wendy Richardson
Lighting: Eboh Ajeroh
Fantastic group of people to work with.
Life by the BBC Natural History Unit (Blu-ray)
Today, June 1st, sees the U.S. release of “Life” the latest series by the BBC Natural History Unit. If you’ve already seen Blue Planet, or Planet Earth you will be well aware of just how good these productions are. I grew up on these programs, they inspired me to study ecology at university, they inspired my love of travel, and now they inspire me to get out into the world and take photographs. I can not recommend them more highly.
Both Blu-ray and DVD versions come in two variations Life (narrated by David Attenborough)
"We Can Do It" poster
Kim Clay is a professional make-up artist living on Okinawa. Normally she isn’t the one in front of the camera, but a couple of months ago Eboh and I took a few photographs of her testing out a retro glamour look. Here’s a shot inspired by the poster above.
Make-up artist Kim Clay
Tokyo Megacity by Richie & Simmons
Tokyo Megacity, written by Donald Richie with photography by my friend Ben Simmons, is now available from Amazon Japan
Pilgrimage Routes of the Kii Mountain Range Pages 1 & 2
Pilgrimage Routes of the Kii Mountain Range Pages 3 & 4
Pilgrimage Routes of the Kii Mountain Range Pages 5 & 6
Photo Essay published Okinawa Living Magazine, June 2010
Location Portraits by Cathy Joseph
Location Portraits
Although the photography is excellent, this is not a coffee table book but an instructional guide on how to take portraits outside of a studio. Advice is given by experts in various fields including travel photographers, photo journalists and those who specialize in corporate portraits. As with other books published by Rotovision, Location Portraits includes the technical details for each shot including camera, lens, film etc and where relevant lighting diagrams.
Unfortunately this book is no longer in print but it is still available new or used and is well worth checking out. (There are used copies on Amazon for less that $4!) Enjoy.
Teppan and Popo are two freestyle dancers who are bringing American funk and hip-hop to Okinawa’s streets.
The New Okinawa Dancers
“Teppan” (Tetsuya Yamauchi), “Popo” (Masato Ishikawa) and “Taiga” (Taiga Ishioka) have been friends since elementary school. They grew up in the small, laid-back seaside city Ishikawa, and while most of their classmates were more interested in baseball or basketball their passion was street dance.
They formed their own dance team “Sound Terror” and their slick moves have taken them to competitions and events across Japan, and recently to the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2005, they set up their own SKF Dance Studio in Ishikawa, teaching freestyle dance classes to a new generation of kids with big dreams.
Teppan and Popo talk about their inspiration, their dreams and their love of dance.
Where did you learn to dance?
“We went to various classes while we were at high school. Teppan studied hip-hop, Popo was into locking, and Taiga did breaking. After six months, we quit the school classes and started dancing together as a team. Our styles have changed with time and now Teppan does popping and both Popo and Taiga do breaking.”
What’s the difference between locking, hip-hop, popping and breaking?
“Locking is usually done to soul or funk songs from artists like James Brown. It involves the dancer moving his arms rapidly and then locking them suddenly into a static position. Hip-hop is more about footwork, with the dancer moving to rap music. Breaking is based on the floor, with the dancer doing things like spins and fast leg work. Popping is done by the dancer relaxing and contracting muscles rapidly in time with the music giving the sudden jerking motion you see with moves like the robot.”
What or who inspired you to start dancing?
“Popo watched the Okinawa pop group Da Pump and wanted to copy the dance moves they were doing. He encouraged first Taiga and then Teppan to start dancing. In junior high school, we were in the soccer and basketball clubs, but by the time we reached high school we were just into dance.”
Are there any famous dancers you admire?
“Of course, Michael Jackson. We’re not so keen on his songs or the guy in general, but he was a really cool dancer. Of the more recent performers, guys like Usher are really good but, I guess, our favorite would be Omarion.”
Do you dance to any particular kinds of music or bands?
“We use many different types of music including hip-hop, techno and a lot of break beats. We’re really into Daft Punk, but also dance to DJ Shadow and rappers like Snoop Dogg and Outkast. To be honest, we don’t dance to that many Japanese groups I guess the only exception is Rhymester.”
What have been the recent highlights in your careers?
“In 2006, we won a fan award at the MTV Japan Dance Delight competition. In April 2007, we went to London for the Red Bull World Dance Beat Battle as the representative for Japan. Next year our goal is to win the Battle of the Year in Osaka.”
What are your hopes for the future?
“It would be really great if dance became a mainstream sport just like basketball and soccer. Although we love teaching, I think most of all we want to showcase our skills. Hopefully we can keep on performing to more and more people in Okinawa and around the world. “
Where can people see you dancing?
“Twice a month on Saturday evenings from six to nine the SKF crew performs under the Ferris wheel in Chatan. Also if you come across posters or flyers for dance events in Okinawa and you see “SKF” then we’re going to be there. Come check us out.”
Interview first published in Okinawa Living Magazine, January 2008
One of the most famous tourist attractions in Beppu is to tour the 8 different “hells” or jigoku. You could easily argue that they are commercialized tourist traps with enormous souvenir halls and roped off walkways corralling you around the pools. However it’s also worth remembering that a large proportion of Japanese domestic tourists are elderly so the smooth wheelchair friendly layouts provide an accessible taste of volcanic activity. The decision to add some forlorn looking zoo animals was misguided, and may frustrate / irritate some visitors.
So here are the 8 hells:
Yama Jigoku, Mountain Hell, Beppu
Umi Jigoku, Ocean Hell, Beppu
Oniishibouzu Jigoku, Oniishi Shaven Head Hell, Beppu
Kamado Jigoku, Beppu
Oniyama Jigoku, Beppu
Shiraike Jigoku, White Pond Hell, Beppu
Chinoike Jigoku, Blood Pond Hell, Beppu
Tatsumaki Jigoku, Geyser Hell, Beppu
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 