Yonaguni Blue
On some dives when you are looking for hammerhead sharks all you find is Yonaguni Blue. You can’t see the bottom or distinguish anything else in the crystal clear waters. Your senses are filled with the sound of your breathing through the regulator and the big blue.
Pentax K5
SMC Pentax DA Fish-eye 10-17mm
Ikelite Housing
Anemone Fields
At one of the dive locations there was a huge field of anemones with a multitude of clownfish. I wonder if there had once been vast groups of anemones like these on mainland Okinawa, which have since disappeared due to pollution or their removal for aquariums. This colony seems to have done particularly well in the clear, but rough seas off the coast of Yonaguni.
Yonaguni Pony
The ponies are Yonaguni’s most famous residents. They live on the cliff tops, huddling against the wind and rain that lashes the island.
Yonaguni Pony
Kihachiro Aratake
Kihachiro Aratake was the captain of the dive boat for most of my dives. He still dives occasionally, but most of the guiding duties now go to his son Shotaro and the other dive staff.
Kihachiro Aratake
I noticed that Aratake-san always wore the same dive watch, a special edition “Apnea” Omega Seamaster. It was designed for Omega by Jacques Mayol. Aratake-san said that Jacques had given him the watch on one of his several visits to Yonaguni. After Jacques Mayol’s death an underwater plaque was placed off Yonaguni’s coast in his memory.
The Yonaguni Monument is a monolith just off the coast of Yonaguni. Discovered by local diver Kihachiro Aratake in 1987, it appears to have structures that have been carved into the rock. Masaaki Kimura of the University of the Ryukyus studied the underwater topography and came to the conclusion that rather than a natural formation, it is the remains of an ancient civilization that has otherwise been erased from history.
Divers enter through a short tunnel and then find two columns that reach up to near the surface.
Yonaguni Monument - Couple Stones
Divers then make their way around the loop road to the lower and upper terrace. The rock has been cut / fractured at right angles, with step like structures between levels.
Yonaguni Monument, Okinawa - Upper Terrace
A triangle shaped pool may have once been the foundations for a building. Holes in the edges of the triangle could have been used to hold the main uprights.
Yonaguni Monument, Okinawa - Triangle Pool
And finally you reach the turtle sculpture. I had been expecting it quite small so I was surprised to find it close to 10 meters across. This was why in the images I wanted to have a diver in the shot (Kihachiro Aratake’s son Shotaro) to show the scale.
Yonaguni Monument, Okinawa - Turtle Sculpture
After each dive there is a friendly discussion about whether the ruins are natural or manmade. My opinion is that they’re natural, but many others were sure that we were looking at some version of Atlantis created thousand of years ago by a lost civilization, or even aliens.
A few iPhone photos from Yonaguni. Hammerhead sharks and the underwater ruins of a lost civilization.
Light Painting Workshop with Trevor Williams
Another quick announcement. On May 4th and 5th Trevor Williams is returning to Okinawa to teach a 2- day Light Painting Workshop.
Come join me for two nights of fun and photography. I would like to introduce the magic of light painting and night photography. The first night we will be covering long exposure and night photography essentials. Learn how to make an image rather than take an image. Use time and light to build up your picture from a black canvas in to exactly what you envisioned.
You’ll then be prepared for the second night which will focus on light painting and other creative techniques. I will reveal some of my secrets and show you step by step how to create amazing light paintings. You’ll also learn how to make custom tools and use them creatively.
Light painting and night photography has a certain magic about it. When the shutter closes you will find your self running back to the camera to see what you have captured. Friends and family will be stunned by the images you’ve been able to create. After the weekend you’ll have the knowledge and skills to go out and start painting Okinawa with light.
Trevor Williams
Class is from 4PM to 10PM on both days. Course fee is US$150. The workshop will take place at my home / studio in Ishikawa and in the Uruma City / Yomitan area. I will start taking bookings for places in March.
Light Painting Workshop with Trevor Williams
Going Retro Mini Workshop with Trevor Williams
Just a quick announcement so people can put the date in the diary. Trevor Williams will be holding a “Going Retro” mini workshop on May 3rd 2012. Trevor will take people through the process of creating the look, setting up lighting, image selection and then editing.
Time is 6PM to 10PM. Location is my home / studio in Uruma City, Okinawa. Class fee is US$50. I will start taking bookings for places in March.
Going Retro Mini Workshop with Trevor Williams
Going Retro Mini Workshop with Trevor Williams
*fish on soft coral Kadena Steps, Okinawa
Shawn Miller plays with his lego
A second test dive with the underwater camera housing at Kadena Steps. Shawn “Shellman” Miller performed the role of dive buddy, model,gear checker, and snake charmer.
Shawn and the Sea Snake
Luxurious shower facilities are available at all dive locations 😉
Roadside shower facilities.
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 