Makoot Exhibition @ Ashitano Gallery

Last week Saturday (I know, I'm late), I attended the opening party for a Makoot exhibition at Gallery Ashitano. Most Corners members came out, as well as Kasatani-san and Daisuke from PR-y. In addition to the dolls, there were also pictures exhibited a some Makoot dolls that traveled around the world, in Canada and Sri Lanka amongst others. Sorry about the late notice, the exhibition ends next Tuesday.

The atmosphere was very good, and things livened up when a due played some music on the violin and cello. I leave with a picture of the show.

Quantum Suicide - Video

I have much more to write, but luckily for me this can easily be done quick and dirty. Check out the music video by Osaka's own Union Trouble. I shot the stills on this one (as well as providing the on-the-ice camera, but there isn't much merit in that since I wasn't holding it). Enjoy!

PR-y Atelier Corners: October 4, 2012

Along with Kasatani-san and Miyuki-san, I went to Atelier Corners for the first time in a few months, this time expressly to shoot pictures. The plan is to release another book next year, although the concept   is not decided and it will probably branch out a little.

It was great to see everyone again, and the atmosphere did not change much from last time. Although I have been there a number of times, I did notice a few dynamics between the people that I had not seen before; whether these are recent or I was blind to them before, I'm uncertain. The artists were pretty excited at first, and there was some hearty laughter from all in the first hour. With time, things calmed down a little, although Hiroki's enthusiasm did not diminish. He really enjoyed taking pictures with my camera, and you can see lower what his favorite subject was.

By the way, from tomorrow Oct. 6 until the 16th, there is a photo exhibition at the Ashitano Gallery by photographers and other people who took their Makoot dolls around the world and took pictures of them in different places. The opening party is on the 6th, from 3pm. Most Corners artists will be there and I'll try to swing by after my son's first Sports Festival.

Enjoy!

Mami was happy as always

Makoto washes the cups as Hiroki plays
in the background 

New Corners keychains

The nicest smile I've ever seen on Koji

A little break (or dance?) for Koji

Good friends

Is this Makoot doll going to make it to an exhibition?

Humm, what score to use?

Photo by Makoto

Photo by Hiroki, my legs!

Awaji

My friend Cindy from Austrade invited my family and some of her other friends to her cottage on Awaji Island last Sunday. When we boarded the bus in Sannomiya, we met some of the other guests, and everyone got a little worried when we got off the highway and some rain started falling. But in the end, we got sunshine the whole through, we some cloud cover while some of us were down at the beach. What a fantastic day. Thank you, Cindy.

Here's a shot from the beach, about the only time the sky looked half menacing. Enjoy!

Body Art: Capoeira - Suzuki-san

Last Thrusday I met with Suzuki-san from my capoeira group to continue my series Body Art: Capoeira. We took the shot in Utsubo park, one of Osaka's biggest downtown parks. The shot went relatively well, with him doing a macaco, and me using my SB-800 in Repeat Mode - Commander along with my two SB-600s. I often forget to bring small things on photo shoots, and this time the item was pretty unexpected (although maybe predictable): insect repellent! As we were setting up, and between pictures, allowing my strobes to cool down, they devoured his arms and my legs! Luckily the next day there were no signs. Here's the shot, I hope you like.

Whipped Clouds

Perhaps due to the heat, but cumuli in Japan are something to witness. They can get so big, enormous, gargantuan, they are dizzying at times. No wonder most Miyazaki movies, Laputa: Castle in the Sky to name this one only, features the puffy clouds in one scene or another. Actually, in Laputa, the aforementioned castle, a sort of flying Atlantis, is hidden in a such a cloud, and access is rendered almost impossible by the howling winds and distorted magnetic fields.

With the recent days' heats, those fluffy clouds are out in full force. To me, along with the cries of the cicadas and the refreshing feeling of kakigori, cumuli exemplify Japanese summers. Here are two shots of the giants, and a sunset scene. Enjoy.

Fotografika IV: Nostalgia

Soho's Fotografika IV is starting in two weeks, and I will once again participate. This time around the theme is 'Nostalgia'. If you have the time, come out and check the pictures. With a good mix of international photographers, it should prove pretty interesting, as always. The only hint that I'll give about the picture I will present is that it's from a photo shoot I did in recent months that was mentioned on the blog. In the meantime, here's the invitation.

DJ Shadow

Last week Monday I went to see a DJ set by DJ Shadow. Most of the music was brand new, by friends and acquaintances of his. Contrary to many gigs, photos were encouraged and we can upload some on his website. It's free publicity for him and me, and here some snaps I took: this wasn't a gig for me so I spent most of the enjoying the great musical trip instead of taking pictures.

Art Photo Shoot

The photo shoot last Thursday went well. With my umbrellas and external flashes, I was able to get the results needed by the customers. As predicted, the paintings with gold proved the toughest, but everyone was happy with the results. With my customer's approval, here are three shots from the 3 different artists. In order they are: Masafumi Tanaka, Takuru Miyamoto and Yusuku Umakawa (no website)

Not All Photo Shoots Are Created Equal

Tomorrow I'll replace my friend Christophe on a photo shoot. One of his friend is creating a web site to sell art and they need pictures of the said art. Most shots will be pretty straightforward, but there are two lacquered pieces with gold leaves which will present a challenge. If time allows, we'll do some environmentals; I especially look forward to those!

As a result, I'm bringing most of my arsenal. I don't know who'll complain the most: my back or the people on their morning commute!

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