The Fable of the Porcupine

(not photo-related)

It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together to keep warm. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions. After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. 

So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth. Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. They learned to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive. 

The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities. 

The moral of the story is: Just learn to live with the Pricks in your life!

Images for My Child

I read in a new father's book that young children's brains get more stimulated by black and white images that by colour ones. I found this a little surprising, but apparently the high contrast is what catches their eyes and activates deeper perception. To this end, I've been looking at shooting geometrical shapes to then turn them into B&W. Using Nikon's 'Multiple Exposure' function (take more than one shot, and they're all stacked in-camera), I shot some blinds late this afternoon. But I must admit to prefer the colour version. I may print the B&W for my son, but I present you the colour versions.

Taken around 4:00pm

Taken around 4:35, which explains the gold colour

Then this evening, using graphic software, I played around with some shapes and colouring, inspired by an ad in the train for a graphic school if my memory serves me well. The original artist is much more talented than I am. Do you find this a little too psychedelic for a baby? I would definitely try to have friendly faces, as some of them do look perhaps a little creepy or scary. But as a first attempt, I'm pretty happy with it.

Street photography in Osaka

Yesterday I went way down south in Osaka to bring a print for a photo contest I'm entering. The topic is "Parents and Children", and I'm submitting the picture of my wife and Kazuma 5 minutes after birth. With a grand prize of 200,000 yen, that'd be a nice contest to win!

After, as I was by bicycle and had my camera, I stopped a few times (and I really do mean a few times) to take some shots. Here are my 3 favorites, which could be better, but oh well. Enjoy!

Kazuma Story of the Day

OOIIIII!!!

Who's calling? Oh, it's you. Whad'ya want?

I'm bored, let's make bubbles.

Uh... yea... I think I'll pass.

KCA Polar Bear Swim 2011 Report

Layout by yours truly, pictures by a bunch of people. Enjoy!

Merci Patrick

I told you about the amazing Paris-Brest my friend Patrick made for my wife and I. Actually, we still have a little left. Here's the second to last one before they're all gone. The patisserie doesn't usually have them, but right now they have something similar, a choux praliné au caramel, with some orange flavor inside (second row in the middle). The next time I pass by either shop in Motomachi, Kobe or Kita Shinchi, Osaka, I'll have to try some!

Natural Light

Uh? What's going on?

Oh, it's you with the camera. OK, I'll give you a shot.

Here's my pensive look. Done? OK, back to sleep.

Kansai Canadian Association Polar Bear Swim

On January 1st the Kansai Canadian Association held its annual Polar Bear Swim at Maiko beach, west of Kobe. The strong winds notwithstanding, 15 or 16 of us braved the cold and big waves to take the dip. In addition to Canadians and Japanese, some Americans and a Czech national joined us. I handed over my camera to a friend for the swim shots, and I made a stupid mistake (sync flash speed) and the lens protector fogged up, so the actual swim shots are overblown, which gives them a dreamy feel. All planned of course... Enjoy!

Yes, it was windy!

Gerard likes his cameras; forgiven for being a Canon man

Welcoming speech

I like this one quite a bit, good one Kanji-san

Everyone, remember sandals next year!

Still alive!

Post-swim snacks and drinks

Getting ready to hit the warm pool

Too hot! Hot tub!

Gerard's impression of Jaws

This is the life

A little idea of the waves

Home Sweet Home

Kazuma Alexis is home, after spending the first week of his life in a hospital. The adjustment in smells, light and temperature makes it for him to sleep as peacefully, but he's not terrible in sense.

In the company of good friends

Finally able to shoot him with natural light

Before picking them up, I stopped at Gregory Collet to pick up some amazing Paris-Brest, a special order to friend the chef patissier there. Sooo gooooood. Merci, Patrick!

Gotcha!

AH-HA! You thought I stop posting pictures of my boy, uh? If you thought so you're probably childless, because of course MY kid is the cutest. It's pretty amazing how much they change in just a few days. His head is shaping up nicely, he cries less, doesn't wake when doing his thing or us changing him, and he can be awake without crying or drinking. Actually tonight he became pretty active once he woke up. Here's his little story.

Before waking, he was practicing his baby-fu with Morpheus

Woah, enough practice, this is tiring!

It ain't easy waking up, though!

Oh! What's that?

It's daddy with his big camera! Hey dude, whazzup?!?