Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Cute Little Gals with Drums for Travel Photo Thursday

Packing up and heading to another island reminded me of these photos I took back in 2008 about this time of year.  So, I'm posting them for Nancie (LadyExpat) and her TRAVEL PHOTO THURSDAY. 

Doc (GOYA REPUBLIC) and I were driving around on our weekly photo excursion and decided it was high-time we visited another island.  Some islands around here can be reached by car and causeways.


We were on a causeway heading towards Hamahiga Island, Henza Island, Miyagi Island and Igei Island, one of those islands (What do you think I look like, a Tour Guide?), I can't remember, when we heard these drum beats.

Everyone in Okinawa, Japan recognizes the sound of those drums and it means somebody is doing Eisa Dancing, somewhere.

We're not used to hearing these drums or seeing Eisa on a roadside between islands, not during the month of May, anyway.  We whipped a U-turn on the car, grabbed cameras and went to see what we could shoot.


Back then, my Pentax was brand new.  I was still trying to figure out all the buttons and wheels on the thing and cussing at the horrible, harsh mid-day lighting. 

There could have been dog and pigeon poop all over the places I was rolling around on trying to compose a "Cute Little Gals with Drums Dancing on an Island Scene", it didn't matter to me. 


These are the kinds of scenes you can't set up a tripod and have everyone pose for you.  Folks might think you're some kinda nut.  You might have to get in your friend's car smelling funny; it's all in a day's work.

What we figured out, once I regained my senses, was this was an opening ceremony to celebrate the beginning of Golden Week in Japan.

It means Festival Season in Okinawa kicks-off into high gear.  As soon as I get off the boat, coming back from the Lily Festival on Ie Shima Island, it'll be Golden Week.  I'll be shooting festivals, somewhere, all over this island from now until November.  Whether they have cute little gals with drums, or not, I'm going to be busy with my cameras.  Wu Hu Hu !

VISIT BUDGET TRAVELERS SANDBOX FOR MORE OF THIS WEEK'S TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY





20 comments:

Muza-chan said...

Oh, so so so cute!!!

I know how frustrating it is going to a photo session with a brand new camera ^_^

RyukyuMike said...

Muza-chan,
That gives me an idea. Next time, just send me your new camera and I'll give you an old one. Save a lot of frustration and I won't mind helping out out!
Seriously, I think it's time to start looking for a decent external flash for this kind of shooting. Then a bigger camera bag and.......

Jim said...

If you're giving away an old camera Mike, send it my way. Muza's got plenty!
Good pics and yes sometimes you've just got to grab those shots any old how, even chancing the dog poop.
I got a sequence of photos taken in the Drakensberg you will like.
http://holesinmysoles.blogspot.com/2011/04/travel-photo-thursday-april-28th.html

RyukyuMike said...

Jim,
I can tell you've had some experience in these matters, rolling around in whatever it takes to get the shot.
Who's your driver?
Speaking of Muza-chan, I think, maybe, she's a test driver for Nikon. Seems like she gets a brand new camera every few months. Don't it?

Evan said...

Great photos? What is Golden Week?

RyukyuMike said...

Evan,
My bust. I should have made a link explaining Golden Week. Standby, I'll be talking about it next week, with fresh photos and links.

Leigh said...

What a terrific bunch of photos with those kids. I love their outfits. Even with the excuse of a new camera you did really well!

Jessie V said...

amazing colors! that blue sky...wow!

Chattavon Bratts said...

Very cute kids! And they look so talented!
-Bob from Vagabond3.com

strux said...

Very cute! Beautiful pictures too.... I love the bold colors of their costumes.

Unknown said...

These are great....nothing like little kids dressed up in traditional costumes.

Thanks for posting to Travel Photo Thursday.

RyukyuMike said...

Leigh,
Thank you. Not my favorite lighting in those shots but, sometimes you have to make-do.

RyukyuMike said...

Jessie,
Yup, the sky was what had this old man rolling on the ground in order to catch it as background.

RyukyuMike said...

Bob, Strux and LadyE,
Thank you all. Travel Photo Thursday has become a weekly routine and I enjoy the visits to every travelers blog I've met there. Filling my Friend Feed up to overflowing!

Cheers,
Mike

Jorie Pacli said...

Oh yeah and I would definitely want to pose with those beautiful kids...
Brilliant pics! Makes me want to just squeeze in between and dance to the beat with them...hahaha Btw, give me your old camera, Muza won't be needing it...lol Cheers!

Here's mine btw: http://jorietravel.blogspot.com/2011/04/travel-photos-thursday-rain-oculus.html

RyukyuMike said...

Jorie,
LOL, We gotta stop pickin on Muza-chan; she may own Nikon!
Get to your post as soon as I return. Hoppin on a boat, shortly !

Cathy Sweeney said...

Oh my gosh, they are really cute little girls! What great shots of them in action with those drums. So colorful! Love these photos.

RyukyuMike said...

Cathy,
Thank you, those little gals dancing and their colorful outfits are what makes photography like this fun,for me!

Muza-chan said...

LOL! I don't own Nikon, but I do own a Nikon... and indeed, I wouldn't want another. Too many hardware options would distract me from taking the actual photos... >_<

RyukyuMike said...

Muza-chan,
We'll have to talk to those Nikon folks about making you their Nikon Lady !