TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography

Latest Posts

Traditional Karate Training Equipment

Published by travel67

Kiyohide Shinjo training with awamori jugs.

9th Dan Uechi Ryu master Kiyohide Shinjo training with Sanchin jars.

Okinawan karate has several training techniques that are designed to strengthen and condition the body using simple everyday objects. Sanchin are heavy jars that are gripped with the fingertips. Makiwara is a striking post the top of which is often wrapped in leather or straw. It is similar to a boxers punching bag, but with a smaller target.

10th Dan Shorin-ryu Karate Master Sokuichi Gibu training with makiwara

In the photo below Gaja-sensei demonstrated how a simple bucket of stones was used for fingertip conditioning. He thrust his hand in so hard and fast, the force sent some stones flying out of the bucket.

Uechiryu Karate 9th dan Takehiro Gaja – Fingertip Conditioning

Here’s a short clip showing a few different techniques by various masters including Kiyohide Shinjo.

Leia Heider Portfolio Shoot – On location (Part 1)

Published by travel67

Leia Heider Model Portfolio – On Location

For Leia’s portfolio we shot both in the studio and out on location at the beach. A couple of simple natural light shots with the sun giving some nice backlighting on the hair.

Leia Heider Model Portfolio – On Location

645D Price Reduction

Published by travel67

Pentax 645D

The U.S. price for the Pentax 645D has just dropped a massive 1800 dollars. This may tempt some to jump from full frame 35mm to something a little bigger, it also could be seen as an indicator that a Pentax 645D II is on its way. Rumors are it could be 60 megapixels, a larger sensor (although not FF 645), and priced significantly higher than the original 645D.

Pentax 645D at B&H for US$6996.95

Pentax 645D at Amazon US via Adorama for US$6996.95

Joe the Farmhand

Published by travel67

Joe the Farmhand

Joseph was always the second strongest kid working on the farm. The other boy was the son of Jonathan and Martha Kent.

Vary your Angles (Part 2)

Published by travel67

Taj Mahal – Details

It is said that God is in the details. Once you’ve got your wide angle establishing shots, step in close and take a few pics of the smaller things .

Taj Mahal – Details

Kiyohide Shinjo 9th-dan Uechi Ryu Karate.

Published by travel67

Kiyohide Shinjo 9th-dan Uechi ryu karate.

On April 30th, I took portraits of Kiyohide Shinjo. He is a 9th-dan Uechi Ryu karate master and a nine-time all-Okinawa kata and kumite champion. He dominated karate to such an extent he was known as the Okinawan Superman.

Kiyohide Shinjo 9th-dan Uechi ryu karate.

Shinjo-sensei has conditioned his body to be able to withstand huge blows without sustaining damage. He can smack his knuckles, fingertips and toes into pretty much anyone or anything.

Kiyohide Shinjo 9th-dan Uechi ryu karate.

Shinjo sensei put on his serious face for the portraits, his whole body tense and ready to strike. I’m pretty sure opponents who witnessed this face were just about to lose their fight and quite possibly consciousness.

Kiyohide Shinjo 9th-dan Uechi ryu karate.

This was the second time I have photographed Shinjo-sensei, the first time was in 2006. Read my Island Icons interview with Kiyohide Shinjo for Okinawa Living Magazine.

Knockout

Published by travel67

Joe hits back

Joe working out his aggression. He certainly gave the image a little bit of extra punch.

Pentax 645D
HD PENTAX-D FA645 MACRO 90mmF2.8ED AW S

Leia – 80’s Cover Girl

Published by travel67

Leia 80’s Cover Girl

A final image from the studio session for Leia Heider’s portfolio. I wanted a completely different look, but didn’t have time to change the makeup or hair after the Princess Leia shot. Instead we removed the flowers from the hair, she put on a sweater, and I shot the image back in the studio. I toned the images slightly differently in Lightroom and Photoshop, so hopefully people will be impressed by the shot, rather than realize it was taken during the same session.

Model – Leia Heider

MUA – Summer Johnson-Makeup Artist
Hair Stylist – Aiasha Orick-Fleurantin

Pentax 645D
HD PENTAX-D FA645 MACRO

Vary your Angles (Part 1)

Published by travel67

Taj Mahal at Dawn

I was talking to a student on last weekend’s Photography Fundamentals workshop about the importance of varying your shots. If you’re taking pictures for yourself it will add some interest to your photo album. If you’re working professionally, it will give photo editors and image buyers more options. Sometimes they need a photograph in a particular orientation, at a certain time of day, and shot from a specific angle. If you’ve only taken one pic, the chances you’ve got exactly what they’re looking for is going to be very small.

Taj Mahal at Dawn

Aino with Umbrella

Published by travel67

Aino with Umbrella

Model – Aino Shimoji
MUA – Mallika Sharma

Pentax 645D
HD PENTAX-D FA645 MACRO 90mmF2.8ED AW S

Lighting – Traditional wagasa umbrella background. Beauty dish powered by Profoto Pro-7a as the main light. Small softbox as low fill. Medium size strip softboxes on both sides adding rimlight (powered by Profoto compacts). Strobes triggered with PocketWizards.