Sometimes People Get in the Way

Rituals on a Seashore

A priestess, at an annual event called Abushibare (畦払) is centered in this photo.

The challenge, for me: Get an image of her, isolated from the crowd.

It's sort of a religious ceremony so, I couldn't do what I did last night in a crowded bar.

Yell, "Get out of my way everybody. I gotta pee."

Besides, I know some of those folks with cameras and they're trying to get good photos, too.

From my position I couldn't zoom-in for a good shot so, I went wide angle, to shoot everyone.

Moving around a bit, I managed to catch the priestess and her assistant, from an angle.

But, this wasn't exactly the type of composition, I was aiming for.

Off to her other side, I was able to capture some good elements of the rituals.

She was talking to the spirits, making offerings and, the wooden sailboat was in the scene.

The plastic cup in the boat, contains some varmint snails, that will be sent out to sea.

Those rascal cameramen, just wouldn't get out of my picture but, I kept quiet.

When I did my photo editing some sand and vegetation, made them disappear.

With a bit more touching-up, I'll have a nice printed photo, to give the subject, this year.

Should she ask, how I managed to get the other photographers out of the image, I'll tell her.

"It was easy. I shoveled sand over them until, they all got covered up."

Once that sailboat is launched at sea, the rituals are completed and everyone goes home.

Before departing, I went and spoke to the priestess, which kind of surprised her.

She was friendly, smiled and tried to give me some of the offerings. I politely declined.

Last year, I decided to walk back to my office and, it was quite a hike.

This year if, she tries to give me some of the sake, I may accept. Somebody can drive me home !

You May Also Like:

Cultural Event: Abushibare (畦払) Getting Fields Rid of Vermin

That Time Jerry Hit Me with the Sliders

Three Cameramen Walk into a Bar

One was from Oklahoma, one from Wisconsin and, I'm right here.

It wasn't for the purpose of drinking booze or, anything like that.

We heard a rumor, they served Black Angus cow meat there so, that's why we went.

First, I offered to pay for the lunch because, I had money.

But, the senior guy, insisted on buying for everyone.

Out of respect (maybe) I said, "Alright."

The other two guys, ordered regular size  burgers.

In the past, I had been cautioned about the double burger.

It's way too much for the average person, to eat.

So, that's what I ordered. I don't like being average.

If, you stop and think about it; that's too easy.

Of course, everyone was done eating, before me.

It was quite a filling meal and, took some doing.

Jerry, the guy from Oklahoma, decided to shoot me.

He's actually some sort of preacher, I'd say.

But, he don't mind hearing me cuss so, he's OK.

Don't worry. There was some pretty women in the place.

The gentlemen side of me won't cuss around ladies.

I just pretended, I was a normal person and, ate.

And, Jerry, fired away with his Fuji camera.

These Aren't My Photos

After, he downloads the images, Jerry does some photo processing, to spiff things up.

He likes to play with the sliders, the editing program gives you, for adjustments.

So, the images, of me eating sliders, got tweaked with sliders, too.

He sent them to me and, it gave me an idea. Put them on my blog if, he would consent.

Even though, the subject is me, I don't own the copyright to those images.

So, before posting them, I had to get the photographer's permission.

Look up Jerry TheDissenter on Facebook, to see more of his work.

Then, come back here and let me know something.

Do I look better, eating the sliders on full color or, black and white ?

Wordless Wednesday AUG 3 2016

Guest Photo and Words from a Long Time Friend

Hilarious Email Arrived

 

 

Just before quitting time last night, my email went "PING."

It was from Myron Akana, a dude from Hawaii, who spends lots of weeks in Okinawa.

Subject: This One's for You !

Right away, I emailed him back, asking for permission, to use this photo and his text.

He replied, almost instantly and, saved me a buncha writing tonight.

Text of the Email

 

 

Haisai Mike!

I shot a photo yesterday that reminded me so much of you.  Rob "Okinawa Soba" Oeschle told me he learned a lot from you.  And I did too.  You taught me that good professional photographers shop for their equipment at...Home Depot.

Cheers!

Myron

Caption for the Photo

 

Ahhh, one of my sisters in the craft of photography! You can always tell the pros by (1) their multiple expensive and sophisticated cameras, (2) their multiple, sophisticated and BIG lenses, (3) their fancy flash attachments, even in bright sunlight, (4) their casual yet functional attire, complete with floppy hat and folding brim, (5) their huge gadget bags full of essential gear, and (6) their reckless courage to take whatever chances are necessary to get the perfect shot, such as standing on the top of a flimsy aluminum ladder...without any other signs of support. She makes me proud to be a professional photographer! LOL. Photographers...we stand out above the crowd!

Closing Comments

  

 The ladder would be more comfortable, is she wore flip-flops.

The story of how Myron and, I met in person is here. 

Flicker has more of Myron's and Okinawa Soba's photography.


Related Post:

Photographer's Interview and an Excerpt on How I Nailed the Queen

 

Editor's Picks for the Month of April 2013 (Photos)

Contest Judges Selected These 3 Photos

 

April is always a busy month for photographers in Okinawa, Japan.

There isn't much time left at the end of the day to process photos for contests.

 It's always nice to see the judges select a few for recognition.

The story behind each photo and camera information may be seen via title links.

The photos are at much higher resolution on the website.

Sunny Day in March

The Iris and the Dragon's Tongue

Black-tailed Gull at Red Beach Okinawa

Field of Cosmos in Kin Town: Editor's Pick

This photo got an Editor's Pick in a contest for the month of February 2013.

It was taken as I was walking behind Nature Mirai, in Kin Town on the way to shoot the full moon.

 It's been so busy around here, I forgot all about photo contests, for this month.

So, I was kind of surprised when I discovered this photo went anywhere.

To make a short story long, there's something I have to tell you.

Remember that Lunacy Before the Full Moon thing I was talking about ?

Crazy Things Happen Before the Full Moon

Before I got to this field of flowers, I ran into some other photographers.

They were at another field of cosmos, taking photos of a pretty girl.

Shawn Miller, I met a few years ago and, he has been a guest photographer here a few times.

Chris Wilson, I've been following online, for quite awhile but, had never met in person.

Shawn introduced us and we shook hands.

Then Chris asks if he can take a photo of me. Being the shy person I am, I had to think quick.

So, I said "Sure, if you let that pretty girl stand next to me."

Click Click Click 

He starts shooting horizontal, vertical, left and right.

There had to be a dozen or, two shots taken of us in that field of cosmos.

It would have been nice if I had a hairbrush.  I wasn't prepared for modelling, ya know.

We have email contact now.  But, I bet there is plenty of editing to do with those photos.

That girl, Rie, he probably didn't have any trouble developing her photo.  She's a beauty.

Now, my scraggly-looking face may take some work.

When I go out to shoot the moon, I'm not the ideal photographic subject.

Chris promised me a photo from that night.

It would be a lot easier to just crop me out of the picture.  I can't complain.  

Kin Town's Cosmos got an Editor's Pick !

Checkout Chris Wilson's Travel 67 Website

Banana Leaves in the Rain: Photos

Somebody has to stop the rain in Okinawa, Japan.

Outdoor photographers have minimum daily requirements for sunshine.

The sun isn't shining and it's raining so, here's what you get, today.

The photo above, was taken from the underside of a banana leaf.

Here is what it looks like out from under the leaf, in the rain.

Banana leaves make terrific umbrellas, as long as they haven't been shredded by a typhoon.

 

As a special bonus, after shooting the banana leaves from both sides, there it is.

You get to see what a banana tree looks like in the rain, too.

Around here, we get to see banana trees, everyday and probably take them for granted.

There all all sorts of things banana trees and the leaves have been used for.

Just for the heck of it, I dug this up for those who enjoy cooking

Around the World: 10 Ways to Cook With Banana Leaves

Shoot.  If it doesn't quit raining soon, my landlord will be missing one of those banana leaves.

I forgot my umbrella !

Visit my website for today's Feature Photo

Shop Amazon - Top Holiday Deals Event

Disclosure About this Blog in Japan: It Falls Under US Laws

The United States of America Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

requires me to tell you some legal stuff about this blog.

Like, if you see any product advertised here and decide to buy it, um, I get paid by the advertiser.

Or, if I do a product review on something and get a freebie from the company, I'm supposed to let you know. That way nobody can say I tricked you into buying a piece of junk that I got for free.

Most of the junk I have, I paid for but, I have been known to collect old furniture from friends to furnish a house or, my new office. Sometimes, I buy brand new stuff.

The Photographer's Market, I got five years ago and, I just found out the 2013 edition is on sale.

 

The Writer's Market 2013 from Amazon is on sale before publication, too.

Any photographer or writer who is in the business of making money should have these books in their library.

They get a five star rating from me but, mine are a little bit too old for a book review.

US laws, which I fall under (sometimes) say I have to disclose this stuff, to you.

If you buy one of those books or, anything else, from any advertiser on this blog

THE ADVERTISER PAYS ME !

(yawn)

This Disclosure Statement will be reviewed by my free legal advisory board as soon as they sober up and may be updated periodically to comply with US Laws and the people who fall under them in Japan. 

Travel and Photo Bloggers and All My Friends BEWARE: SECURITY TOOL

There's a vicious little devil that took over one of my laptops this week. It almost ruined my, normally cheerful personality. It definitely set me back a few months in production when I'd prefer to only stay a few weeks behind. Security Tool, be on the lookout for SECURITY TOOL. It will ruin your day!

This is not a joke and this is not gonna be a humorous post. This worm, virus, malware or whatever you want to call it has me enraged enough to pack my bags and hunt it's inventor down like the rabid vermin he or she is.

The PC it infected is still alive but, it's not well, yet. I don't know if this program can get into a Mac.

Anyway, here's how it started. One morning about a week ago this Security Tool warning popped up. It looks sort of like some Windows Alert because it uses the red, white and blue Bill Gates sorta-lookin' theme.

It tells you some spyware, virus or worm has infected your computer and it is attempting to obtain your credit card numbers, passwords and all kinds of stuff.

Then, it offers to remove everything for $79.99.  I suppose it would ask you to pay by CREDIT CARD if you fell for the scam. I don't know for sure because I'm not old enough to have a credit card, yet (HAH).

Well, after you ignore the warning a few times, it starts popping up more frequently and giving you all kinds of alerts. Pretty soon it was telling me I had something like 42 viruses and worms trying to take my life savings, passwords, PIN numbers and anything else you can imagine that has to do with money.

Before long, you can't do anything with your PC. The pop ups won't go away. Maybe, if you give them the $79.99 they'll go away for awhile. I wasn't buying it. I Googled "SECURITY TOOL".

My Google Search confirmed it was a scam and people around the world were having problems removing the worm. Then, I started looking at all the instructions at different sites telling you how to remove it.

That's where I got the idea to use my Smily Face Photo above for this post. You'd need a degree in computer programming with a minor in geek-speak to perform the operation on your computer if you follow the instructions the Security Tool Removal sites give out.

Somehow I came across my old buddies at CNET.  They have a download that gobbles up the problem.
It has about a three and a half star rating but, it gets rid of SECURITY TOOL for you, pronto. It got rid of a few other gadgets that I use, too!  So, I have to reinstall some spyworks and Japanese translator tools I use in my line of business but, that probably wouldn't effect the average travel/photo writer or blogger.

The tool that gets rid of SECURITY TOOL is a free download called STOPZILLA and it worked for me. But, I uninstalled it, too. It works a little bit too well for me.  My recommendation: Bookmark this.

UPDATE: AN ALERT READER FROM STUMBLEUPON NAMED Sjonie SENT ME THIS LINK. GO THERE AND FIND AVAST! FREE AND NEVER HAVE THE PROBLEM!

Photographer’s Interview and an Excerpt on How I Nailed the Queen

It happens around this time of the year, a big Parade and Ceremonies to reenact the crowning of the Ryukyu Kingdom’s King and Queen and I bust my fanny trying to shoot the Queen.

PHOTO Taken Nov 1, 2009

Well, there you go. I nailed her but, not exactly like I wanted to. You know what I mean. It’s her eyes; they aren’t in the position I’d have preferred to catch them in. If she’d only have turned her head a bit more to the right. I would have nailed her perfectly. What did you think I meant; nails and a hammer?

Interview: Matador Travel’s Lola Akinmade interviewed me  for an article HERE via email with the following:

Questions:

1. How long have you been a professional photographer?

2. What – or who – got your initial interest going in terms of photography?

3. What were your first photographic experiments or experiences?

4. How would you describe the work you do now…wildlife/nature photography? Are you involved in the commercial world also? Any stock photography?

5. What 3 tips would you share for amateur photographers who are interested in pursuing your style of photography?

6. What got you interested in wildlife photography?

7. Which other photographers - old or contemporary - inspire you most?

8. When you are approaching subjects to shoot, how do you set about it? Do you chat and explain what you’re doing? Or shoot first, ask questions later?

9. What’s the craziest or most inspiring encounter you’ve had in general?

10. What kit do you use / carry with you / can’t do without (camera make, lenses, flashguns etc.)?

11. Finally, what else are you working on right now and what are your ambitions for the future in terms of your photography work?



Well, the queen’s photo from last year, gearing up for the Coronation Ceremony and trying to figure out a way to nail the Queen a little better this year, all reminded me of question #9 and I’m pasting my response to that part of the interview here:

Lola is one of my favorite photographers in the whole world.  If you get a chance visit her WEBSITE  and say “Hi”. One day, maybe we'll get her to come over here for a real Professional Photographer’s Interview !

Look at What I Stumbled Upon !

UNBELIEVEABLE GOOD FORTUNE !

This is a scene I literally stumbled upon around 1PM yesterday afternoon.

Months of preparations, visits to the remote location, translators helping, interviews with the locals, researching online, nothing prepared me for this.

Saturday night we drove to the village of Ogimi. We scouted out the area in the rain as the sun was going down.

In a little Mom and Pop store I found sake. I asked the woman at the checkout which was the most popular with the locals and bought a bottle.

We asked about the village office and discovered it was still open. We got a ride there in an air-conditioned van. It was quite a distance away and I'm glad we didn't have to walk in the rain.

My translator met with some officials. She gave them the sake and they put it on the table with the sake and beer they were drinking.

Real nice folks, they shared some drinks with us while we asked lots of questions about the events that would take place Sunday. The Unjami is a Festival held only once a year. I like to know what's going to take place and where so I can get the best photos possible when it happens.

We camped out under a bridge right alongside the ocean. The place had a great breeze and felt better than air-conditioning when I'd been there before.

It rained on and off all night long. It was dry under the bridge but I almost froze to death. It was cold.

I cat-napped on and off all night long. It rained on and off all night long.

It was good to see the sun come up. I wanted it to get back up in the 90's like it usually does. I like it hot even if I do cuss the heat occassionally, I'd rather be hot than cold.

It warmed up pretty well after sunrise but, still rained on and off through the morning.

We had three seperate districts to visit in the village to catch all the festival events.

It was pretty much a gaggle of photographers stumbling over each other at every event I went to throughout the day.

A mad dash here, rush to get there and set up a camera to shoot from the best location. Then, just when you think you're all set, another dozen idiots with cameras show up. And they screw up your preparations. You move, adjust and recompose. And another dozen idiots show up.

Then there was a mad dash back towards town where the main event would take place in a harbor.

No parking was available. Streets were blocked off. No problem, we drove back to the outskirts of town. We'd park under the bridge where we slept and walk back into town.

That's when I stumbled upon this scene. No other photographers were there.

To be continued.....

Twice Within a Week

It's been awhile since I've updated here. I've been too busy researching and typing on other people's blogs and neglecting my own.

It started paying-off, though. Twice in the past week my photos and attempts at writing have hit online travel magazines. This photo of a Mud Festival, along with another of dragonboat races got published at http://www.apogeephoto.com/

Another version of my Bullfighting in Okinawa was published 3 days earlier in a travel and culture online magazine http://www.nihonsun.com/2009/07/03/bullfighting-in-okinawa/

One thing I've learned, recently is that this internet thing, I'm always complaining about is a pretty handy tool when it comes to making contacts. You can meet all kinds of professional writers and photographers, help each other out, get published and avoid getting caught in scams (Which there are plenty of, out there).

To all my friends, photographers and writers: Thank You and have a good week !