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Studio Workshop / Profoto D2

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Yesterday I had a 1 on 1 workshop with Mina who wanted to learn some more studio photography techniques before she leaves Okinawa next month. After the dark and smokey Star Trek shots in September we decided to go clean and bright.

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This was a three-light setup. Two strobes were pointed at a white background, and the keylight was a  Profoto D2 with a 3×4′ softbox.  Large flags stopped any spill from the background lights hitting the subject. Our model was Kelley, and makeup and hair was done by Audra Presika. We first went will a beauty look that was reminiscent of Daryl Hannah in Splash.  We then switched to an 80’s glamour look, that with the addition of a prop gives us some (somewhat tardy) commercial images for the  Motorola Dynatac.

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A more up to date bit of kit was the new Profoto D2 1000W light. Unlike my Profoto B1 this is a mains powered light, so is designed for studio rather than location use. It has fast recycle times, fast flash durations, and unlike my old Profoto compacts, or the Profoto 7a power pack it has an integrated wireless receiver.  I could therefore trigger the D2 with the Profoto Air Remote and have the background lights in slave mode. I really like the improvements in the controls compared to the B1. Overall a great bit of kit, and this will become the heart of my studio system. Would love a second one in the not too distant future.

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Thanks Mina, Audra, Kelley, Yuki, and Zac for a great studio workshop. The ’80s never looked so good.

 

Holiday Bazaar Print Sale

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This year I’ll be selling my fine art prints of Okinawa and Japan at two events in November. Each print is made with 100% cotton Hahnemühle fine art paper, and archival pigment inks, to produce a lifetime of viewing pleasure.

Cape Zampa
Water lily, Nymphaeaceae, water lilies, flower
Cape Manza, a popular diving spot, Okinawa, Japan.
Spratelloides gracilis – Silver-stripe round herring shoal / bait ball at Cape Maeda, Okinawa.
Spratelloides gracilis – Silver-stripe round herring shoal / bait ball at Cape Maeda, Okinawa.
Spratelloides gracilis – Silver-stripe round herring shoal / bait ball at Cape Maeda, Okinawa.
Scuba Diving Okinawa, Japan
Maeda Flats
Wakasa – traditional Japanese umbrella. Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan
Cape Hennazaki Lighthouse – Miyako Island, Okinawa, Japan
Idea leuconoe – The Paper Kite, Rice Paper, or Large Tree Nymph butterfly , Aka Island, Kerama Islands, Okinawa, Japan
World’s largest tug of war. Held on route 58, close by Kokusai Street
Kyoto, Japan

November 4th to 6th I’ll be at the  AAFES Holiday Bazaar on Camp Foster. With so many vendors it’s a great event to visit. There are usually specials games and prizes on offer to keep things exciting over the three days.

On Saturday 19th November 9AM to 5pm  I’ll have a print sale at my home in Motobu. This is perfect for people who don’t have base access, and for those who want to come and eat Yuki’s banana bread.

Chris Willson Photography in Motobu on GOOGLE MAPS

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If you’d like to learn more about the prints click on the Prints tab.

Robot Restaurant, Shinjuku, Tokyo

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Looking for a surreal experience that combines J-pop, anime,  taiko drummers,  carnivale, and robots. Of course you are.

The Robot Restaurant is located in Kabukicho, the entertainment district in Shinjuku. The target audience was once the salarymen, but now it’s packed with international tourists.

There are four  90 minute shows every evening. It begins with guests gathering together in the bar area, where a “robot” band plays Michael Jackson, The Eagles and Sting. My guess is that they originally played the themes from Astro Boy, Gundam  or Doraemon.

Robot Restaurant, Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Robot Restaurant, Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo

After all the guests have arrived you are ushered into the theatre. The main performance takes place in four 20 minute segments with  10 minutes breaks  which allow the cast to change, and the robots to reset. The guests meanwhile can refill on drinks and popcorn.

Robot Restaurant, Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Robot Restaurant, Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo

The show itself is a bit like watching a live action mixture of Power Rangers, Transformers,  and Japanese music video. It should have been moronic, but everyone was having a great time. It doesn’t seem odd that you’re waving glow stick and booing at the space ninja woman who is trying to defeat the undersea creatures.

Robot Restaurant, Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Robot Restaurant, Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo

At around ¥8,000 yen a ticket it isn’t cheap, but if you’re looking for the cooky Japanese otaku experience,  put on your Mazinger t-shirt and head for the Robot Restaurant.

 

Naked in the Rain

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Ohara Hadaka Matsuri a.k.a. the Ohara Naked Festival took place in heavy rain on the 23rd of September.

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

To clarify “naked” is clearly not an accurate description with the participants wearing far more than the fundoshi loincloths seen at the Okayama Hadaka Matsuri.

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

As this is a traditional Shinto festival a priest gave blessings, and somewhat unusually two arrows were launched into the ocean.

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Teams carried mikoshi (portable shrines) down to the ocean.

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

It was clear that the mikoshi were heavy and the teams looked exhausted as they shouldered the wooden beams.

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

After dunking themselves and the shrine in the ocean waves they returned to the beach, and managed to raise it above their heads.

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri, Chiba, Japan

All images shot with the Pentax 645Z and the 25mm lens. Glad both the camera and lens are weather sealed because they were subjected to rain for half an hour.

London

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“Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”
— Samuel Johnson

Following in the paw prints of a notable Peruvian, we arrived in London at Paddington Station.

Paddington Train Station, London, England, United Kingdom

Paddington Train Station, London, England, United Kingdom

We took the subway  metro  underground across the city to Trafalgar Square. At the top of his column, Horatio Nelson looks out over the city he saved from the Franco-Spanish fleet.

Statue of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, Trafalgar Square, London

Statue of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, Trafalgar Square, London

On the banks of the Thames is the memorial to the Battle of Britain with the words of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

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Battle of Britain London Monument detail of the bronze carving by Paul Day. Showing pilots scramble to their Spitfires during WWII. Victoria Embankment, London

There’s a fascinating blend of old and new. The Morgan Motor Company still embraces traditional styling.

Morgan Aero 8 Sports Car on The Strand, London, England.

Morgan Aero 8 Sports Car on The Strand, London, England.

But London’s double decker buses have evolved with time.

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Double decker red buses in front of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

The city’s skyline has transformed with the arrival of the Shard,  the “Walkie Talkie,” the “Gherkin,” and the London Eye.

The Shard tower by the Thames River Southwark, London

The Shard tower by the Thames River, Southwark, London

London Eye ferris wheel overlooking the Thames River, London, England.

London Eye ferris wheel overlooking the Thames River, London.

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The Lloyd’s Building, Lime Street,  London

The money raised  by the National Lottery has had a remarkable effect on the success of the British Olympians, but it has also meant that many museums in the UK have no entry fees.  Without spending a penny, you can go and experience chilling creatures at the National History Museum,

T. Rex at the Dinosaurs exhibit at the Natural History Museum, London, England.

T. Rex at the dinosaurs exhibit at the Natural History Museum, London, England.

or the National Portrait Gallery.

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Eyes of Tony Blair former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, part of oil painting by Alastair Adams at National Portrait Gallery, London, UK

For me the highlight of London is always strolling down the Southbank soaking in the city. It was great to show Yuki the sights and meet up with some old friends.

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 Millennium Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

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View from the London Eye ferris wheel overlooking the Thames River and Houses of Parliament, London, England.

And remember, be on the lookout for the occasional villain…

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Jaguar F-Type at Windsor Castle

they all drive Jaguars…

Kyoto Workshop – April 1st-7th 2017

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Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama , Arashiyama , Kyoto

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama , Arashiyama , Kyoto

Ryoan-ji Zen Temple home to famous stone garden, Kyoto, Japan

Ryoan-ji Zen Temple garden, Kyoto, Japan

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Omizutori Shrine, Kyoto

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Japanese tea in the gardens of Kinkaku-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.

Kyoto Workshop      April 1st to 7th,  2017

An amazing photographic experience in Japan.  6 nights and 7 days exploring Kyoto and creating stunning images.

We will be visiting iconic locations including temples, shrines, bamboo groves and traditional gardens. There will be monkeys, geisha, and a model (Yuki) in yukata and kimono.  6 nights and 7 days exploring and photographing Kyoto and the local area. We will also take side trips out to the castles and skyscrapers of Osaka, and the temples of Nara.

As members of the workshop you’ll be doing more than just playing follow the leader. We’ll be learning as we shoot, capturing great images at each location. I’ll be bringing speedlights and a Profoto B1 so that we can add our own splash of magical light when desired. In the evenings you’ll have the opportunity to review images and work on your favorite shots in Lightroom.

  Price US$1800 (deposit US$500)  

Price includes accommodation in a business hotel in Kyoto for six nights (individual rooms with breakfasts), entry fees. Does not include transportation to Kyoto (flight to Osaka Itami, Osaka KIX or Kobe then train/bus to Kyoto), lunches or dinners. 

Class Size: Max 8        Location: Kyoto, Nara, Osaka

Instructor: Chris Willson  (& special guests)   Model / Interpreter: Yuki Willson.

Interested in joining us? Contact me via Facebook or email Chris@travel67.com to receive more information, and how to secure your place.

Deer in Nara Park among the cherry blossom. Nara, Japan

Deer in Nara Park among the cherry blossom. Nara, Japan

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Tōdai-ji 東大寺 Eastern Great Temple, Buddhist temple in Nara Japan.

Umeda at Dusk, Osaka

Umeda at Dusk, Osaka

Osaka Castle with cherry blossom, Osaka, Japan

Osaka Castle with cherry blossom, Osaka, Japan

Isao Yagi 9th dan Motobu-ryu Ryukyu Bujutsu Moudi

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Motobu udundi is the ancient martial art of the Ryukyu palace guards. Its techniques were kept secret, and reserved for those who would risk their lives for the royal family.

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Isao Yagi 9th dan Ryukyu Royal Family Martial Arts Bu Mai Moidi Motobu ryu Gassen Tuidi School

On September 15th 2016 we visited the beautiful dojo of Seihan Shiroma  in Sashiki Town.  Sadly, Shiroma-sensei passed away in 2012 at the age of  71. We were never able to photograph Seihan Shiroma, so it was touching to meet his widow and be introduced to his top student Isao Yagi.

Yagi-sensei now imparts the knowledge taught to him by his master to students at the Shiroma dojo. It was an honor to be able to photograph him as part of the Karate Masters Portrait Project.

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Isao Yagi 9th dan Ryukyu Royal Family Martial Arts Bu Mai Moidi Motobu ryu Gassen Tuidi School

Motobu udundi blends te (the precursor of karate) kobudo (weapons) and Ryukyu dance.  In other dojos I had seen nunchaku, bo, sai and other weapons, but this was the first time to see a master demonstrating the use of various swords.

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Isao Yagi 9th dan Ryukyu Royal Family Martial Arts Bu Mai Moidi Motobu ryu Gassen Tuidi School

I’d read that the movements in Okinawan dance could be used to hide fighting techniques, and Yagi-sensei deftly demonstrated. He showed first on his student, and then on James, how the graceful circular hand motions of Ryukyu dance can be used to catch then trap an opponent’s hand.

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Isao Yagi 9th dan Ryukyu Royal Family Martial Arts Bu Mai Moidi Motobu ryu Gassen Tuidi School

After taking the portraits, Yagi-sensei said he’d show us some techniques that can be used to defend yourself from armed attackers when you’re weaponless. His two students then in quick succession attacked him, the first with nunchaku, the second with swords.

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It all happened so fast that I didn’t realize what happened until I could view the photos on my camera. Both men rushed him with weapons swirling. He waited for the right moment, sprang towards them, and disarmed them. The glasses of the second student went flying as he was brought to the ground. If the attacks and swords were real this would  have been the least of his worries, as he’d have been dispatched by his own blade.

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A huge thank you to Yagi-sensei and  everyone at the Shiroma dojo for making us welcome.

Pentax K-1 Exhibition, Tokyo

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Today, September 14th, the Pentax K-1 photo exhibition begins at the Ricoh Imaging Square in Shinjuku Tokyo.  The staff at the gallery just sent me some pics of the images on the wall including my photograph of Sam wearing a suit and tie.

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The exhibition runs until September 26th so if you’re in Tokyo please stop by and check it out. The Ricoh Imaging Square is in the Shinjuku Center Building just west of the (world’s busiest) train station.

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Shinjuku Center Building is a pretty generic skyscraper but it’s right next to the far more recognizable Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower モード学園コクーンタワー.

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Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower モード学園コクーンタワー

A huge thanks to the people at Pentax and Ricoh Imaging for selecting me to produce work for their exhibition. Thanks also to the model Samantha Armistead and makeup by Audra Pesicka.

For those interested here’s the technical details:

Pentax K-1 with at 28-105 lens at 105mm ISO100 f8.0 1/200 sec

Main light Profoto softlight reflector white powered by Profoto 7a 1200w generator.
Fill light Profoto medium softbox
2 rim lights – 30x120cm strip boxes powered by Profoto compact 300w

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Lighting set up for the Suit & Tie shot      (www.lightingdiagrams.com)

I’m going to swing by the exhibition later in the month when I’m up in Tokyo shooting a festival. Always a pleasure to see my photographs printed huge and up on a wall. Hopefully I’ll also be able to meet up with a few fellow photographers while I’m up there 🙂

Blue skies in Paris

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The opening image should really be of a blue Parisian sky, but I couldn’t resist showing the Mona Lisa selfie shot first.  The lady has a less than serene grin but a spot on  “Mona” hairstyle. Awesome.

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Le Tour de France cap with Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile at Place Charles de Gaulle, Paris, France

A heatwave had settled on Paris as we arrived. Clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid-thirties. Flashing billboards in French reminded people to drink water. Yuki and I  happily walked around all day. Unlike Okinawa, there was low humidity, so sweating cooled rather than drenched you.

Coquelicots by Claude Monet at The Musée d'Orsay museum, Paris, France

Coquelicots by Claude Monet at The Musée d’Orsay museum, Paris, France

I was surprised to find that you could take photos in many of the cities museums. Crowds in the Musée d’Orsay and at the Louvre were busy snapping away with phones, video cameras and DSLRs.

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Egyptian hieroglyphics on Sarcophagus of King Ramses III, at The Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Turns out the ability to shoot at ISO6400 is useful when you want to get a pic of decapitation on the side of a sarcophagus.

Palace of Versailles, Château de Versailles, Île-de-France, France

Palace of Versailles, Château de Versailles, Île-de-France, France

At Versailles we got to see how the rich lived before they too were decapitated.

Palace of Versailles, Château de Versailles, Île-de-France, France

Palace of Versailles, Château de Versailles, Île-de-France, France

It was such a pleasure to see beautiful architecture, sculptures, and paintings. Along with differences in building materials, and damage from wars, Japan’s culture of renewal and replacement means that there are relatively few buildings that survive the centuries.  It was a pleasure to bask for a few days in the sunshine and culture of France.

Les Invalides - Dôme des Invalides, tomb of Napoleon I, Paris, France

Les Invalides – Dôme des Invalides, tomb of Napoleon I, Paris, France

I guess we can finish with a blue sky in Paris. 🙂

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

“Star Trek” Studio Fundamentals Workshop

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Fantastic Star Trek themed Studio Fundamentals Workshop yesterday. We started talking about the differences between speedlights and studio equipment, continuous lights v strobes, monolights v power packs.

When looked at the simple one-light set up I use for the Karate Masters Portrait Project then took it to the next level with some indoor rain and a fisherman’s sou’wester.

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Studio Workshop BTS by Ashley Michaels

 

In the afternoon we worked up to a 4-light setup, and even used a bit of smoke for good measure.  A super fun day filled with friends, coffee, cakes and the occasional flash of brilliance.

Happy 50th Birthday Star Trek! Live long and prosper.

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Learn more about our workshops by clicking on the workshops tab.