15 Photos of Fukugawa Waterfalls Revisited

An Attraction in Nago Okinawa

These falls are part of Nago City few travelers get to see.

It's been close to five years since I made the trek.  These images were processed today.

It took a bit of photo editing, to prepare them for some travel sites.

The traditional Okinawa tiled-roof building serves as a rest stop.

It may be found, on the trail at the lower entrance to the waterfalls.

Reaching the falls from the trail at the top can be dangerous so, is not recommended.

Those, not good at navigating via Google Maps, may get directions at Map It Okinawa.

Pleasant weather, this time of the year, makes this an enjoyable nature hike.

A light jacket, sturdy walking shoes and, some insect repellent, would be the way to go.

The walk only takes about fifteen minutes but, I spend half an hour doing photography.

There's no telling, what kinds of creatures, you might spot in the jungles.

Birds, butterflies and, humongous banana spiders, are some of my favorites.

Recent typhoons may have turned this trickle of water, into a raging river.

Places along the trail may require visitors, to get their feet a little wet.

A walking stick might be a good idea, to keep from falling off of slippery rocks.

A few spots along the way, the trail may be non-existent and, climbing is necessary.

There's something about trekking in nature that relaxes the body.

Just, don't get too comfortable, climbing on wet rocks; they can be dangerous.

In places along the way, you may have to decide, which side of the stream, to hike on.

Like flowing water, I tend to take the path of least resistance.

Younger generation folks, may sprint, and splash, ahead of me. That's fine.

It's always fun, to experiment with slower shutter speeds, shooting flowing water.

If, you didn't bring along a camera, at least take some smart-phone photos.

Ferns, fallen trees, vegetation, flowing water and rocks, are great for composing images.

Cloudy days, are the best, for this type of photography. There's no sun glare.

A dreary day, when the beach is out of the question, is perfect for this trip.

Most people will hear the waterfall before it comes into sight.

It's not the largest fall in Okinawa but, it certainly is beautiful.

Whenever I visit waterfalls, I like to photograph from different angles.

On a sunny day, it's best to wait for some clouds to block the bright sunlight.

Moving around, gives you a chance to compose various images.

When reviewed on a computer monitor later, it's easy, to throw the worst ones away.

Sometimes, an editor wants, space to write or advertise. It's their money.

So, I'll make a composition, such as this. I certainly, don't like the image.

Show me the gold and, you can have it.

From the right side of the waterfalls, I had to shoot through some vegetation.

People who want privacy might think, this is a good place to jump into the water.

Just, don't be swimming around naked, when I show up for a frontal shot!

Fukugawa Falls on Google Maps

Warnings and directions at Map It Okinawa.

Photography Tips: Creative Background for Flowers

Carry an Inexpensive Backdrop

 

 

Recently, I was asked how dark colors are created in backgrounds of flower photos.

And, I promised to do a post explaining the simple technique, I use.

Being it's St. Patrick's Day, I'm in a bit of a hurry, to get out of the office.

There are things to do, like get the green tux out of the closet.

So, this will be a relatively short photo tip.

Most artists, would probably choose a different color for a backdrop.

When, I use black, it's usually to get the flower standing out, for identification purposes.

Were I making this image to sell, I'd certainly use a different color in my composition.

This photo shows the scene in the background and, my contraption for changing it.

Mounted to a tripod with giant rubber bands, is a clipboard and black background.

The color of the backdrop, doesn't have to be black.  Pink, white or blue, would do, too.

The good part of a clipboard, is you can clip any color you want, to them.

Construction paper would be ideal but, I like to use things that last a bit longer.

The black and white materials, you see, are actually, cheap plastic cutting boards.

One, got donated to me and, I think I paid less than a dollar for the other.

 Ideally, another person, to hold your backdrop, would accompany you for the shoot.

Then, you don't have to go rigging up a tripod, to assist you.

A human, can tilt the backdrop forward, back, left or right, to give you the best light.

And, even help stop the wind, from shaking your subject around.

 Here's the less-than-a-dollar clipboard, lying naked on the pavement, for you.

When, I bought the thing, I thought it was a nice color.  I'd go for blue, next time.

So far, I haven't found any flowers that look good with red as a background. 

Some folks, don't think, I look so good in a green tuxedo so, I only wear it once a year.

Now, you know how to shoot flowers with different backgrounds.

There's no sense, in me hanging around after this gets published.  So, I'll do beer ! 




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Before Taking Your Clothes Off Tonight Read This !

It Could Have Made the Silly Sign Page

 

This was the first photo I shot on the way to the 2013 Sabani Boat Race.

The ferry ride from Okinawa to Zamami Island can get boring if you don't know what to do.

Most people hangout in the air conditioned compartments, not me.

On the upper deck, out in the fresh air, is where I like to be.

When I saw the sign, DO NOT TAKE OFF CLOTHES, I had to shoot it.

They must have had a problem with people getting naked up there, in the past.

 It got me wondering.  Where did they think they were, in Europe or something ?

Now That I Have Your Attention

 

 

 

There's something funny going on these days with the internet thingy.

Fooling around with the social networks gets some traffic on websites so, we all use them.

The Facebook dude, I like to call Zuckerberganator, is really alright, sometimes.

And, the folks over at Twitter, spread a lot of information, too.

Being an old guy, though, I can't sit all day squinting at the little tweets and shares.

It's been around awhile now, that Google+ thing and, I just started using it.

Some of the guru dudes I met online are saying things like this:

It looks like the Googlenator will gobble all the other social networks-up.

 Before you go to sleep tonight join me over there.

Then, it'd be alright to take your clothes off and have a good night's sleep.

The real Silly Signs may be seen in THE DOOZIES

"Naked" Matsuri Got Me Wondering

Tonight, or early tomorrow morning, I'll be headed up to the Unjami Matsuri (Festival) in Ogimi Okinawa, Japan.  Here's a photo from last year's Unjami. 

It was an OFF year, I guess you'd call it.  No big mystery events took place, as far as I know.

But, this year is the ON year.  There is a portion of the festival, men can't witness. 

Women, only, get to go all the way up the mountain for some sort of ritual or ceremony.

Last month was the ON year for the guys up in Ada ( SHINUGU MATSURI ). Only males were allowed to go up in the mountains for their rituals.  None of us got naked. 

Not many guys are really into naked men.  Not in my social circuit, anyway.

Researching for the Unjami Matsuri 2011 I came across something on Google Books that I had never seen before.  MATSURI: THE FESTIVALS OF JAPAN P.148  By Herbert E. Plutschow,  Patrick Geoffrey O'Neill

They say stuff like, "Unjami, festival of Ogimi-mura, Okinawa prefecture and the 'naked' matsuri discussed above".  YIKES !

Now, I realize that the government of Japan outlawed some of the naked stuff that used to go on at festivals of yesteryear in Okinawa, Japan.  Maybe, what goes on in the mountains stays in the mountains. 

So, "Naked" Matsuri got me to wondering. 

I wonder what's going on up in the mountains of Ogimi tomorrow.

So far, I haven't been able to get a lady willing to pack a camera and climb the hills to get the whole story. 

I wonder if the folks up in Ogimi believe in bearded ladies !





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