All posts filed under: Japan

Akita Kanto Matsuri

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I flew from Naha to Haneda, then jumped on the Shinkansen to Akita. There are cheaper way to travel (as I would learn later in my trip) but I needed to get to Akita before the festival got going in the evening. I dumped my big bag at the hotel then rushed out to try and get some shots of people preparing for the festival. Akita Kanto Matsuri is a lantern festival so I wanted a shot of a local, preferably in traditional dress, and with lanterns. Dripping with sweat, I made my way around the back alleys until I found just what I was looking for.  Kids, lanterns, and beautiful golden light. So here it is, one of the first images from my trip.

Island Icon: Edo Heinrich-Sanchez

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Voice for the Oceans Edo Heinrich-Sanchez is devoted to protecting Okinawa’s environment and promoting its culture. Edo Heinrich-Sanchez was born in the Caribbean, but  grew up in the Canary Islands and the United States. He first came to Okinawa in 1981 as a F4 Phantom mechanic on Kadena Air Base. After his career in the military, Edo returned to the United States to study photography at the Colorado Institute of Art, and then broadcasting at the Metropolitan State College of Denver. In 1990, he moved back to Okinawa, and since then, he has been teaching, producing TV shows, and feeding his greatest passion－protecting Okinawa’s environment for future generations. Has your background in broadcasting helped you while on Okinawa? “The most recent project I have been involved in was working as a producer for a TV series titled Fantastic Festivals of the World. Episode number 11 was based on the kyu-bon and eisa festivals in Okinawa.　The series was shown on the Discovery Channel and is still aired regularly. In December 2005, the Okinawa episode won the …

Location shoot: Horse riding in Okinawa

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There are huge differences between shooting in the studio and shooting on location. Above all, it’s the degree of control. In the studio you can easily adjust the direction, quality and strength of light. You can make micro adjustment to the model’s poses, and then shoot, check and reshoot until you get it right. Yesterday was a wonderful example of having to relinquish control. With heavy clouds, sporadic rain, and several large horses, you have to work with what the conditions and the equine models will give you. Luckily things all came together. The overcast skies produced a nice even light, and the horses were kind enough not to throw Liz off their backs, or knock me (and the camera) into the water. Huge thanks must go to Liz Craig for modeling, Kim Clay for makeup, Pete Leong and Eboh Ajeroh for assisting, and above all Eve Carey, Makoto, Sly and Sky of Mihara Horse Club.

On the bookshelf – Lonely Planet’s Discover Japan

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A few months ago I did a quick review of some of the various guidebooks to Japan, you can read the post here. A new  “IN FULL COLOR” guidebook to Japan titled Discover Japan has just been published by Lonely Planet so I thought I’d get a copy. There are many more photos than in the standard Lonely Planet guide to Japan, and they  even used ( and purchased ) an image I took on my trip to Yakushima. As in the previous review I checked out the section on Matsuyama. There are 4 pages of text, with two photos. The text highlights the three main attractions in the city, but  publishers could have done a better job of matching photos with the text e.g. after a long description of Dogo Onsen there is no photo. The page layout is also a little strange with the “If you like…Matsuyama” sidebar hidden on the next page amongst information about Nagasaki. I turned to the section on Okinawa. Here the quality of  both the photos and the information varies. …

Island Icon: DJ Keith Gordon

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Feeling the Beat Keith Gordon is a DJ and musician, who combined dance beats with traditional Okinawan music to create Ryukyu Underground. After graduating from college in the United Kingdom, Keith Gordon backpacked around the world working as a club DJ. In 1997, he settled in Okinawa, and had his record collection shipped from home. Keith developed a passion for Okinawan music, and with American Jon Taylor, he formed Ryukyu Underground, producing a fusion of Okinawan, western and world music. After 3 successful albums, which have met with critical acclaim, he continues to find inspiration from the world’s music. What are your musical influences? “Coming from the UK, I grew up hearing bands like The Smiths and The Cure. At around 16, I got into hip-hop artists such as KRS-One, Jungle Brothers, Eric B, and Public Enemy. My tastes widened and I started to listen to older stuff that a lot of these hip hop artists sampled – such as James Brown, Roy Ayers and Donald Byrd. I guess it’s this stage of funk, soul …

Beach Shoot – Liz

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On Sunday, as the  sun dropped lower in the sky,  I switched focus from Ursula to Liz. (I shot Liz in the studio a couple of months ago, you can see the images here.)  For lighting Eboh brought a studio strobe with battery pack and a smaller hot shoe strobe. Both were triggered wirelessly using PocketWizards.  This was the first time I’ve used studio lights on location, and it was interesting  balancing the light from the strobes with the natural light. Keep the power of the strobes low for a more natural look as in this shot. Or crank up the power of the lights, and produce a brighter look more similar to what you see in advertising. Thanks to Liz for being a great model, Kim for make-up and Eboh for lighting. Looking forward to working with you all again soon.