TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography

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Okinawa – International Destination Weddings

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Pre-wedding 645Z 1/60 2.8 ISO400

Okinawa is a popular wedding destination for mainland Japanese, and more recently couples from Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China. I teamed up with the Marine Bijou wedding chapel, and model Yuki to produce some stock imagery that I can use in future projects.

Marine bijou wedding chapel, Kise Beach Palace resort, Okinawa

I shot with the Pentax 645Z allowing me to provide clients with huge data files if needed. For the “pre-wedding” images I used only natural light then switched to Profoto strobes in the chapel and on the beach.

Marine bijou wedding chapel, Kise Beach Palace resort, Okinawa

Outdoors in the blazing sunshine, one assistant (Chris) held the Profoto B1 in a white softlight reflector, while another assistant (Cody) held a large Lastolite diffusion panel that put Yuki into soft shade.

Kise Beach Palace resort, Okinawa, Japan

The strong tropical sunlight really brought out the colors in the ocean, while the diffuser and powerful strobe allowed us to avoid harsh shadows.

Kise Beach Palace resort, Okinawa, Japan

I got a great series of images so a huge thanks to Marine Bijou, the make up artist, Yuki the model, and assistants Chris and Cody.

Kise Beach Palace resort, Okinawa, Japan

If you’ve found this blog because you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Okinawa, then you can either go through a resort facility such as Marine bijou, or contact a wedding photographer directly: Pete Leong Photography or Adam L Photography.

Or you could just forget about hiring a photographer, and have the bride take selfies….

a Cirque ~ Clown Macbeth ~

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Traditional dancer or the Udui Haru group

I’m starting a new project documenting the traditional dancers of Okinawa. The first group I have met with is Udui Haru and their teacher Keiko Miyagi. The group were part of a performance of Macbeth on Friday along with the theater group Ryukyu Cirque.

Traditional dancers or the Udui Haru group

The director of the production is Makoto Inoue, who also plays the role of Macbeth. Dancers Riko Sugama, Hitoshi Tamaki, and Chinatsu Higa play the roles of Lady Macbeth, the gatekeeper, and King Duncan.

Traditional dancers or the Udui Haru group with dancer Riko Sugama

The performances are at the National Theater Okinawa, in Urasoe on Sept 19, Dec 17 and Feb 6. Curtain up at 7pm. Well worth checking out, a unique blend of Shakespeare and the traditional Okinawan arts.

Riko Sugama as Lady Macbeth and Makoto Inoue as Macbeth – dress rehearsal for a Cirque ~Clown Macbeth ~

Nao by Aldebaran Robotics

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Nao an autonomous, programmable humanoid robot by Aldebaran Robotics.

Along with Pepper, Aldebaran Robotics produce Nao, an autonomous, programmable humanoid robot. Nao is far more advanced than it’s younger sibling. At around US$8000 dollars, it is not really a consumer product, but an innovative way to study robotics. Nao has taken over from Aibo as the robot of choice for educators, and teams of Nao compete in the Robot Soccer World Cup.

Nao an autonomous, programmable humanoid robot by Aldebaran Robotics.

Of course, Nao is far from human. In fact, as I told the robot at the Softbank store in Tokyo, “You’ll never be a real boy”.

Nao made his opinions on the matter quite clear…

Nao an autonomous, programmable humanoid robot by Aldebaran Robotics.

Pepper by Aldebaran Robotics

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Pepper a humanoid robot by Aldebaran Robotics

Pepper is a humanoid robot by Aldebaran Robotics and SoftBank Mobile. They are currently on display at a few special Softbank stores in Tokyo.

Pepper a humanoid robot by Aldebaran Robotics

Pepper will go on sale in Japan in 2015 with a price tag of around US$2000 dollars. This is a lot of money for a household gadget, but amazingly cheap for high-tech robotics. It is a fraction of the price of Paro the robotic seal or Aibo the robotic dog.

Pepper a humanoid robot by Aldebaran Robotics

My guess is that there will be some kind of obligatory monthly wifi contract you need to sign up for when purchasing Pepper. This would provide updates for the robot and be the main source of income for Softbank.

Pepper a humanoid robot by Aldebaran Robotics

Total Immersion – Action Asia Magazine September/October 2014

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Action Asia – Okinawa: Japan’s deep south

The September/October issue of Action Asia magazine is now on sale (print and iPad) and has a four-page feature on scuba diving in Okinawa. It’s always good to see your writing and pics in print, especially when it will help boost tourism to Okinawa.

Action Asia – Okinawa: Japan’s deep south

I have several more features for other magazines coming out over the next few months, but until they’ve been published I can’t say when, where, or the subject. Stay tuned 🙂

Tsutomo Nakahodo 10th dan Shohei-ryu (Uechi-ryu).

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Tsutomo Nakahodo 10th dan Shohei-ryu (Uechi-ryu).

Tsutomo Nakahodo 10th dan Shohei-ryu (Uechi-ryu). Photographed at the Naha Budokan Sept 1st 2014. Nakahodo sensei is the 58th Okinawan karate master I have photographed, it’s been a busy few years!

Tsutomo Nakahodo 10th dan Shohei-ryu (Uechi-ryu).

Climbing Mt. Fuji at night – Part 2

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Japanese climbers set off at dusk from Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida Trail) 6PM

At 6PM I left the 5th Station and started the climb up Fuji. There were many other hikers on the trail, including several larger groups with a leader at the front and an assistant at the rear.

Direction sign on Fuji Subaru Line ( Yoshida Trail ) Night climb 6.20PM

Following the trail is very easy. It’s well signposted and there are plenty of people around. By 7PM it was dark, but I’d brought with me a great new LED Lenser headlamp
and a spare flashlight. I’d also brought my full size tripod, the 645Z, and three lenses so my pack was a little on the heavy side.

Direction sign on Fuji Subaru Line ( Yoshida Trail ) Night climb 7PM

Hauling all my camera gear up the mountain did mean that I could get some interesting light painting shots on the climb. The sign above was lit with the flashlight, while the background had a 30 second exposure.

The following shot was a three minute exposure as a group of hikers wound up the trail past me. The leader and assistant had the red LED stick and the green LED globe. The other hikers between them were using white LED headlamps.

Lights of hikers on Fuji Subaru Line ( Yoshida Trail ) Night climb 10PM

At 12.30 I passed through a torii gate at one of the huts. I set up the tripod and for 70 seconds captured the headlamps of hikers flowing up the mountain.

Headlamps on Mt Fuji. 12.30AM

I’d brought plenty of snacks with me, but if you wanted or needed to there was hot food, chocolate bars and potato chips on sale at the various huts on your way up. Of course it was about double the price you’d pay at a convenience store, but you are halfway up a mountain.

Hot food at the mountain huts on Fuji.

At one hut I met freelance sound engineer Matt. A great guy who’s travelled the world working for iconic rocks bands and the occasional magician. We chatted as we hiked until we reached the summit just before dawn.

Dawn at the summit of Mt Fuji. 4.57AM

I watched the sunrise, and then spent an hour walking the rim of the crater. From the opposite edge to where I’d ascended you could view the shadow of Fuji stretching out across the lowlands. A little before 7AM I began to head down the mountain. It was possible to jog (scree run) down the descent route. It was great that progress was so quick because the cloudless sky and lack of vegetation meant it got hot very quickly.

I made it back to the 5th station just after 9AM, and booked a place on the bus to Shinjuku. While waiting, I saw other hikers arriving about to begin their ascent. It was then I realized that I’d definitely made the right decision to trek up in darkness, because this Englishman doesn’t want to go up Fuji in the midday sun.

View of Fuji’s shadow from the summit of Mt Fuji 5.50AM

Climbing Mt. Fuji at night – Part 1

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Bus from Shinjuku Station to Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

There are several ways to climb Mt. Fuji. I’ll describe what I believe is perhaps the best and easiest option. During the July / August climbing season, you can get a bus from outside Shinjuku train station all the way to the 5th station on Fuji. Book tickets at the office which is next to Yodobashi Camera. You catch the bus from the “extraordinary bus stop” just a few meters away. A one way ticket is 2700 yen and it takes about 2 hours 30 minutes from Shinjuku to Fuji.

Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida Trail) at dusk.

The 5th Station on Fuji is already up in the clouds at 2304 meters. I arrived just after 5pm so that I could take photographs in the late afternoon light, but many night climbers will opt for a bus that gets in at 18.55, or on weekends 20.15 or even 21.55.

Walking poles on sale at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Many hikers will buy a walking stick that that can be branded at the various huts on the way up. I was already carrying enough gear, so I didn’t bother.

Japanese climber laces up boots at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Hiking boots are advisable for the climb, they provide support for the ankles and on the descent they reduce the number of stones that get inside. You’ll also need some warm clothes for higher altitudes especially if you’re hanging out on the summit awaiting sunrise. If the weather forecast is for wind and rain then I’d advise picking another day or having good waterproofs. A flashlight is a must, more on this in the next post.

Komitake Shrine at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Before you leave the 5th Station stop by the Komitake Shrine which is located behind the souvenir shops and cafes.

Talismans on sale at Komitake Shrine at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

You can grab some talismans to protect you on your way up the mountain, or just take one last look at Fuji before you begin your climb.

View of Fuji from Komitake Shrine at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

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Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate. Photographed at the Naha Budokan on September 1st 2014.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Higaonna is the founder and Chief Instructor of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation. He is also a Living National Treasure.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Described by some as the most dangerous person in Japan in a real fight. Morio Higaonna produced a blood curdling kiai (shout) when demonstrating techniques. He was also a lovely humble man, who was praised the project, and encouraging in what we are undertaking. His smile grew over the brief photo session as I kept asking him to punch again, or do a different technique.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo – Part 3

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Kawauchi-san, Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

After getting a few portraits and some general overview shots, I started looking for other angles. At one junction, where the mikoshi make a 90 degree turn, I noticed there was an elderly man watching the proceedings from the upstairs window of his home. I waved at him, pointed to my camera, and a few minutes later I was also watching the festival from the upstairs window.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

It turns out Kawauchi-san has lived in the same place since he was a kid. He watches the parade every year, and was quite happy to have some company for a little while.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

It was great to be able to look down on proceedings. I was able to capture a good selection of images I wouldn’t have been able to get otherwise. I even had enough time to shoot some video.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

A huge thank you to Kawauchi-san for happily letting a stranger into his home, and even giving the stranger a bottle of cold tea on a hot day in August.