All posts filed under: Japan

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.

Beach Shoot – Ursula

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Late Sunday afternoon, a small group of photographers, models, a make-up artist and I gathered on the beach in Okinawa for an almost impromptu shoot. Urusla, the wife of photographer Eboh, is simply stunning. She’s a fantastic model who knows how to produce great dynamic shots. I first went wide with the 645D 55mm lens to emphasize her stature. I switched lenses to try out the 67 105mm on the 645D body, while Ursula put on a shawl. I had been wondering if the 67 lenses would be a good match for the 645D body. I was pleased with the results of the test shoot with Bear, but a quick focus check on Ursula’s eye really blew me away. That’s not just a self-portrait of the photographer, but a mini landscape! A big thanks to Ursula for modeling and Kim Clay for make-up. More images from the shoot in future posts…

Island Icon – Kyoko Nakamoto

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Dreams of Paradise Kyoko Nakamoto is an Okinawan artist whose paintings of “Paradise” show a world of beauty and vibrant colors where childlike inhabitants live simple, happy, and equal lives. When did you start painting? As a small child, I scribbled and painted all over the walls of our house. My mother never got angry, perhaps because we were living in a rented house. During high school, I knew I wanted to be a painter. However, when I went to university, I set aside my ambitions and chose to study business rather than art. After graduation, I got a job at an insurance company, but three days a week, I kept my dream alive by going to night classes at art school and slowly improving my skills. After ten years, I quit my job selling insurance and began working as an illustrator for magazines and packaging. Two years after that, I achieved my dream and became a full-time painter. Was it hard to suddenly start a new career? Of course, it was a tough decision. …

Shuri Castle Portraits (645D)

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Dropped by Shuri Castle early this afternoon to take some photos. Unfortunately the sky clouded over and scaffolding covered half of the building. I did however mange to get a couple of portraits of the girls in traditional Okinawan costume that pose with visitors to the castle. After a couple of days with the camera I was comfortable enough using it for these opportunistic shots. I quickly opened up the aperture with the thumb dial to blur the background, moved the girls into some open shade and took a couple of photographs of each girl. I just realized that I never showed the girls the preview images after I took the shots. I hadn’t even considered it! It was only 30 minutes later when I sat down with a cold drink that  I even looked at the pictures I’d taken. I think this is a case of delayed chimping. Must remember I’m shooting digital not film 🙂  I will however make a couple of prints and drop them off next time I’m at the castle. …

Japanese Gentleman

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It’s interesting how I (and perhaps many other people) have completely different reactions toward cigarette smokers and pipe smokers. The reality is that they are both inhaling tobacco, the only difference is the delivery system. I saw this smartly dressed, Japanese man at Matsuyama castle. If he’d been smoking a cigarette I probably wouldn’t have approached him, but he was carefully packing tobacco into the bowl of his pipe. I went over and we talked as he smoked his pipe. The scene was very similar to the one with Gandalf and Frodo at the start of the Fellowship of the Rings. After our conversation, I asked if I could take a couple of photographs. He was more than happy to pose for a couple of shots, and then with his pipe extinguished he continued on his way. A lovely encounter with a charming man.

Matsuyama Castle, Ehime

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Matsuyama Castle is one of the other main attractions in Matsuyama City. From the city center, it is a short walk uphill to the castle. For those who believe only horses should sweat, there is a ropeway and chairlifts. Cherry blossom was in full bloom during my visit, and when the clouds cleared I managed to get some nice shots. (If you walk up to the castle before the chairlift opens you can even take photographs free from the crowds.)

Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama City

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Dogo Onsen is the oldest hot spring in Japan, and a special bath for the royal family. According to legend, a white heron once dipped its injured leg into the spring’s warm waters and was miraculously healed. White herons can be seen on the pillars around Dogo Onsen, on yukata worn by guests, and most famously on the roof. The onsen building is delightful, an island of ornate wood and tile  in a sea of concrete and asphalt. Dogo Onsen was the inspiration for the bathhouse in Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. Just as in the movie, it is an enchanting place to visit. (If you haven’t seen the film, rent, borrow, or buy a copy. It’s very good.) For ¥250 you can go for a guided tour of the onsen, but unless you are very shy or have tattoos, there are far better options. For just ¥400 you can bathe in the Kami-no-Yu bath. For ¥800 you can bathe in the Kami-no-Yu bath and follow this with tea and senbei. The best option is for …