Another great karate event organized by James of the Dojo Bar in Naha, Okinawa. Participants performed 100 kobudo (karate with weapons) kata (set forms) starting just after dawn at Kira Kira beach in Nishihara, Okinawa. Simultaneously at dojos around the world other karateka were taking part in the event. A great morning at the beach, well worth the early start 🙂
Lotus, an iconic British motoring brand. Makers of lightweight sports cars including classics such as the Esprit and Elise. The most famous Lotus was the white submersible driven by Bond several decades ago, but they are still building amazing vehicles and competing in F1. Rudding Park Hotel was a great backdrop to take a picture of the car before we headed out into the Yorkshire Dales.
It’s sugarcane harvesting season in Okinawa. It’s a tough job working in the fields cutting down the stems, loading onto giant trucks, and taking them to the crushers (juice extractors).
Learning about the different types of Ryukyu textiles, dyeing techniques, and clothing design is another project I shall begin in the near future. Many changes happening in 2015, which means that blog is going to be a little sporadic for the first few months of the year. Stay tuned 🙂
Male model Kelvin Mesmin wanted to update the images in his portfolio. Agents like to have a selection of recent images to show clients. We spent the day shooting and got a great set of pics. I shot with the Pentax 645Z, so I can give the client the highest resolution files. I used generator powered (Profoto 7a) lighting in the studio, and then the Profoto B1 to add some magical light on location.
On Friday I photographed 9th-dan master Yoshimasa Matsuda and his son Hirokazu Matsuda at Naminoue Shrine, Naha City, Okinawa. On January 31st Matsuda will receive the rank of 10th-dan. Naminoue Shrine is the most famous shrine on Okinawa. The fact that Matsuda is a local resident and supporter of the shrine meant we were given permission to use it as a background for the photographs.
Tokyo Skytree, at 634m the world’s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower. At least it was in 2011, but no doubt it will not keep the position for long. After taking the shinkansen from Nagaoka to Ueno I had intended on having a relaxing lunch, before taking the train to Narita. However on arrival at Ueno Station. the sky was crystal clear, and I could clearly see the Skytree. I ignored the hunger pangs and jumped on the Ginza line to Asakusa. Spent 20 minutes shooting on the banks of the Sumida River, then jumped back on the metro to Ueno.
James, Sam and Fumiya, practice kobudo on Toyosaki Beach, Okinawa.
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 