Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Today Some Telephone Poles and Power Lines Got Moved

Before and After

Here's an example of something you may come across in your travels with the camera.

It was impossible to photograph the weekend's events, without seeing lots of overhead wires.

Not someone who likes to spend hours photo editing, I had to find a simple solution.

Telephone poles, wires and satellite dishes can be big distractions in your photos.

With something as simple as Adobe Elements, they can be removed.

Before: Power lines and poles

After: Telephone poles and wires removed

It Takes a Bit of Practice

Extreme makeovers are something, I wouldn't recommend for beginners.

There are many YouTube videos and tutorials available online and, they are free.

A few links to some sites, I visited today:

How to Remove Objects from Photos with Photoshop Elements

Photoshop Elements Clone Stamp Tool

Removing Antennas and Power Lines With the Spot Healing Brush

Video from YouTube: Using the Healing Brush in Photoshop Elements

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Weekend Highlight: Shinugu (シヌグ) Festival in the Village of Oku

gif, men, parade, riyual,drums, flags, barefoot

Two Years of Plotting and Planning

This is another one of those, not widely advertised rituals that I have been itching to see.

It only takes place in this northern location, once every other year.

Researching the event two years ago, we learned, it had just been held, weeks earlier.

The crowd, seen in the above photo, is heading to a sacred site.

The procession is moving along a secluded street, to the beat of drums.

They are carrying a wooden tub, containing an elderly man from the village.

A bit of the martial arts, keeps evildoers and bad spirits, at bay.

Plenty of good spirits have been consumed, leading up to this part of the event.

And, many more spirits will be utilized throughout the remainder of festivities.

Depending on which source you believe, there are a few versions of what is being chanted.

"Ii kui kui, Been kui kui and, Hi kui kui" are some of the interpretations, I have gotten.

That's followed by "Ya-sa-sa or, Eiyaa-saa."

The rituals are held at the end of the harvest season.

Dances, prayers and chants are offered in the hope they will provide future prosperous times.

See and hear some of the Shinugu Matsuri of Oku Village in this Video:

Read more about the festival at the Ryukyu Shimpo

5 Animations from a Sports Day in Japan

Normally an October Event

A school sports day, is called an Undokai, in this part of the world.

There are so many schools, holding sports days, things start happening in September.

Have a peek at some of the activities, I witnessed today.

Kids were jumping rope in unison under blue skies with flags, flapping in the breeze.

There was some sort of relay race using bamboo poles and an exercise ball.

These children were either celebrating a win or, had just given up and, having some some fun.

Catching these runners, passing the baton is always a challenge for the cameraman.

It's funny, some of the music, you hear, for these dances.

One time, it might be something that sounds like the Prime Minister of Russia's music.

Then, the next thing you know, they start playing Turkey in the Straw stuff !

The best part of an Undokai, for me, is always the Eisa.

As soon as, I shot this scene, it was time to get out of the hot sun and download cameras.

Next Sunday, there will be Sports Days in two different villages, for me to attend.

It will be fun, shuffling from one school to the next without hurting anyone's feelings.

These Undokai things are huge family events and, grandpa is expected to attend them all.

RELATED POSTS:

Scenes from a Junior High Undokai

Secondary School Athletic Meet

3 More Motion GIFs from an Okinawan Undokai

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) on the Okukubi River

When they headed up the river, they were all sitting on the boards.

It was sort of like they were kayaking upstream.

Close to 6PM, as I was heading back to town, they came paddling back down the river.

This series of images was captured at f/11 1/100 ISO 100 with 25mm of lens.

It looks like, I may have to try one of those SUP's one of these days.

Here's all you need to learn the basics.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Butterfly Images: Peacock Pansy

Tatehamodoki (タテハモドキ) in Japan

Walk along the banks of the river and these orange butterflies seem to be everywhere.

They are a dull brown color when the wings are closed.

With opened wings, during wet season, they appear to have eye spots staring at you.

The Latin name for this species is Junonia almana.

They may be found throughout Southeast Asia, India and Japan.

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