The Fashion Mogul
Yuki runs a multi-billion dollar fashion business, but in secret also designs superhero costumes for The Wild Bunch. She insists on no capes.
Model – Yuki Lynn Lukasiak
Makeup Artist -Summer Johnson
The Fashion Mogul
Nishihama Beach, Hateruma Island Yaeyamas, Okinawa, Japan
Nishihama Beach on Hateruma Island. Fine white star sand, few people, clear water. Fantastic.
(If we’re being pedantic, it’s arguably better to call it Nishi Beach or West Beach as hama means beach. This is why you should probably say Shuri-jo or Shuri Castle, and not Shuri-jo Castle. )
Nishihama Beach, Hateruma Island Yaeyamas, Okinawa, Japan
Airi The Rocket Scientist
Airi is leading the team to put an Okinawan on the moon. She is considering harnessing the rotational forces of a super typhoon to slingshot the rocket into space.
Model – Airi Frances
Makeup – Summer Johnson
Mushama Harvest Festival Hateruma Island
Festivals in Okinawa’s southern islands (collectively know as the Yaeyama Islands) are similar but not identical to those on the main island of Okinawa. Shishi lions and ryukyu dancers are common to both, while it seems only the Yaeyama festivals include the god Miroku (white mask) and the rain god Fusamarah (red mask).
Mushama Harvest Festival Hateruma Island – The god Miroku
Mushama Harvest Festival Hateruma Island – Shishi Lion
The images of the man dressed as the rain god Fusamarah show how the presence of the American military has slowly made it’s way into the everyday lives of Okinawans even on the most remote islands. Local farmers are particularly fond of army surplus uniforms, they must be particularly rugged, cheap, and ubiquitous to have become almost standard equipment for Okinawans working out in their fields.
Mushama Harvest Festival Hateruma Island – Fusamarah rain god
Mushama Harvest Festival Hateruma Island – Fusamarah rain god
Matsuri Exhibition, Pentax Forum, Shinjuku Tokyo 19/9 to 1/10 2012 (closed Tuesdays)
Only a few days to go until my solo exhibition in Tokyo! I will be at the Pentax Forum everyday, 10.30 to 18.30, from September 19th to September 26th (unfortunately I’ll miss the last few days as I’ll be back in Okinawa). Please come along, check out my photographs, and say hello.
Pentax Forum, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Above is the map to Pentax square from Shinjuku Station. You can also copy and paste this address into google maps: 東京都新宿区西新宿1-25-1
“A” is the Shinjuku Center Building. The pink area on the right is Shinjuku Station. Between is the very distinctive Tokyo Mode Gakuen Tower.
Tokyo Mode Gakuen Tower (Next to the Shinjuku Center Building)
Pentax Forum is on the middle basement level so you need to descend one set of stairs from street level.
There will be 29 big prints and 5 huge prints on display. It’s a really exciting adventure putting on a big exhibition, and I hope as many people as possible can stop by. It’s free to see the show, you won’t even be forced to buy any camera equipment by the Pentax staff. What I need now is for friends to spread the news, so as it says in the title, please Like, Tweet, Share, Blog, Thumbs up and + this post.
Actually, what I really need now is for Typhoon Sanba to change course so my flight isn’t cancelled, but that’s another story…
In the studio – Jovanna
A couple of images from a fun retro shoot with Jovanna. Makeup by Audriana Danielle. Styling by Jovanna Flor.
In the studio – Jovanna
Mushama Festival, Hateruma Island
A few shots of the ladies at the Mushama Festival on Hateruma Island. Although the biggest festivals in Japan can sometimes be raucous male dominated events, the smaller local matsuri are a great opportunity for the whole family, young and old, to take part in celebrating traditions and give thanks.
I wonder if, on the other side of the world, there’s a Japanese photographer wandering around a village fête in rural England photographing the local bake-off, morris dancing, and a gurning contest.
Mushama Festival, Hateruma Island
Mushama Festival, Hateruma Island
Mushama Festival, Hateruma Island
HD PENTAX-D FA645 MACRO 90mm F2.8 ED AW SR
Pentax has just announced a new lens for the 645D system, the HD PENTAX-D FA645 MACRO 90mm F2.8 ED AW SR.That’s a ridiculously long name for a camera lens but all those letters are actually quite important and go a long way to explaining the price tag.
HD – new high grade multi layer lens coating
FA 645D – As with the new 55 and the 25mm lens the image circle is that of a full frame 645D sensor so you can use it on both the current 645D and (in theory) on a future full frame 645D camera
MACRO Ability to focus very close allowing 0.5x magnification of the subject.
90mm A good short portrait lens length. Fits nicely between the 55mm and the 150mm (I currently use the 67 105mm lens with an adapter for this range)
F2.8 A large aperture for a medium format lens gives the option of shooting with a shallower depth of field and faster shutter speeds.
ED (Extra-low Dispersion) Optically excellent glass. Clearer, sharper images.
AW (All Weather) Dust and water resistant seals, protect you from the elements
SR (Shake Reduction) Reduces motion blur when you’re shooting without a tripod. Great for street photography and festivals.
A couple of caveats with this lens, the same ones that I had with the 25mm lens. The first is it’s heavy. At 1040 grams for just the lens it’s going to give your arms and back a real workout. The second is the cost, at around 4000 dollars, it’s a serious investment in a very serious piece of glass.
Hopefully I’ll get to test the lens out in the coming weeks, and I’ll be better able to give comment on this bohemoth.
In the Studio – Glenda
Studio session with Glenda who showed off her natural beauty and then her feline side.
In the Studio – Glenda goes Catwoman
Mazakazu Kinjo & Kenta Kinjo – Ryukyu Kobudo
Masakazu Kinjo demonstrates that there’s more to nunchaku than just swirling them around the body. Use the end to jab and break your attacker’s ribs.
Mazakazu Kinjo & Kenta Kinjo – Ryukyu Kobudo
Trap the attacker’s wrist between the two shafts of the nunchaku.
Mazakazu Kinjo & Kenta Kinjo – Ryukyu Kobudo
Use your forearm to bend and twist the attacker’s arm. The step into the attacker to to take control.
Mazakazu Kinjo & Kenta Kinjo – Ryukyu Kobudo
From here onwards it’s the simple and painful application of leverage. Twist locked arm and apply further pressure to elbow as required.
Mazakazu Kinjo & Kenta Kinjo – Ryukyu Kobudo
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 