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Here’s looking at you Babe.

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Pigs in Shades

Pig wearing Shades

A few porky pics, showing the love many Okinawans have for pigs. To be more precise, that love is usually when Miss Piggie is in a bowl of ramen, or a can of spam.

Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam...

Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam…

I believe the owner of this truck sells “ham”burgers, but I would like to believe it is actually the vehicle of the Hogfather a superhero that saves pigs that are on their way to the Okinawa Ham factory.

Pig Mobile

Pig Mobile

Not sure what the police pig enforces, but I’ve heard he has no time for squealers, and he’s sometimes described as a bit of a boar.

Pig Police

Pig Police

Surf’s Up

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Surfing Sunabe Seawall -Okinawa, Japan

Surfing Sunabe Seawall -Okinawa, Japan

As a tropical storm approaches Okinawa, it’s time to grab your surfboard and carve up the waves. If you can’t surf, then you can always photograph those who can. You just need a long lens, a pair of Oakley’s, and a laissez-faire attitude to having all your camera gear covered in sea spray.

Fotoshisa - Pete Leong

Fotoshisa – Pete Leong

Diving at Cape Maeda

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Oceanic Nebulua Cluster

Oceanic Nebulua Cluster

A couple of shots from yesterday’s dive at Cape Maeda. It was packed with tourists snorkeling out to the blue cave, but deep beneath the surface, it’s much quieter.

Not sure what the species in the  top photo is, it looked like a small anemone that was yet to have a tenant. The anemone in the image below, however,  already had an irate looking occupant. 

Anemone Fish

Anemone Fish

Profoto Pro-7 Ringflash

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Profoto Pro-7 Ringflash

Profoto Pro-7 Ringflash ( Image by Profoto )

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them,

One Ring to light them all, and in the studio blind them.

Used Ringflash test - It works!!

Used Ringflash test – It works!!

A week ago I bought an old Profoto Pro-7 Ringflash on Ebay. Steven over in Denmark mailed it off to me and it arrived this morning. First thing was to check that it actually worked by shooting the dog. Ringflashes create a unique style of light that is popular for some types of fashion photography. If you look at Bear’s eyes you can see the distinctive ringflash catchlights. It can also be used as a fill light to make sure there are no deep shadows.

 

Unjami Festival on Kouri Island, Okinawa

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Unjami Festival - Kouri Island, Okinawa

Unjami Festival – Kouri Island, Okinawa

Yesterday, August 25th, was the Unjami Festival on Kouri Island, Okinawa. It is a time to give thanks to the gods. Wearing wreaths of ryukyu botanzuru (Clematis taiwaniana var. ryukiuensis) village elders lead the prayers and offerings.

Unjami Festival - Kouri Island, Okinawa

Unjami Festival – Kouri Island, Okinawa

At 96 years old, Kaneshi Fusae is the most senior of the village elders. Participants and spectators at the festival received some mochi (sticky gelatinous rice cake).

Unjami Festival - Kouri Island, Okinawa

Unjami Festival – Kouri Island, Okinawa

After offerings of paper money and Awamori rice liquor at the shrine, 79 year old Toguchi Ayako lead the way down toward the sea.

Unjami Festival - Kouri Island, Okinawa

Unjami Festival – Kouri Island, Okinawa

More prayers  as we crossed the little road that rings the island.

Unjami Festival - Kouri Island, Okinawa

Unjami Festival – Kouri Island, Okinawa

And then finally, on a bluff over looking the ocean,  Toguchi-san gave the final blessings.

Unjami Festival - Kouri Island, Okinawa

Unjami Festival – Kouri Island, Okinawa

Kaneshi-san was all smiles, another festival completed.

Unjami Festival - Kouri Island, Okinawa

Unjami Festival – Kouri Island, Okinawa

Lego Friends

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Original Lego Miniifigures

Original Lego Minifigures

Recently there has been a giant upheaval in the miniature world of Lego. After decades of the figures all being the same height and shape, there is a new group known as “Lego Friends”. After themed lego sets for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter, you might guess the new figures would have a passing resemblance to Chandler and Joey. Instead, these Lego Friends are an even more bizzare creation, they’re little girls.

Lego Friends Arrival

New Girl in Legoland

The girls are actually taller than the men, they’re less boxy, and they have manes of flowing hair. They also have more natural skin tones (unless you live in Springfield, where bright yellow faces are perfectly normal).

Is Lego playing to gender stereotypes? Is it giving up on tradition to make a quick krone? Or is it simply evolving and introducing Lego to more discerning children?

Except for a worried looking policeman, the arrival of the girls to Legoland has brought nothing but smiles.

Lego Friends Arrival

Making Friends

Sabani Boat Race in Ginoza, Okinawa

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Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

A few shots of the sabani boat race from Kanna Beach in Ginoza last Saturday. Scorching sunlight made for a sweaty couple of hours walking on the beach. On days like this you really want to be in the water, but it was great to get some photos of these beautiful, traditional craft.

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Michael the Grey

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Michael as Gandalf / Dumbledore / Moses

Michael as Gandalf / Dumbledore / Moses

 

Michael was the first choice for the roles of Gandalf, Moses and Dumbledore. He declined all offers saying the jobs would provide very little as a challenge to him as an actor. He hopes to broaden his range by playing Fantine in an off-Broadway production of Les Misérables.