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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Island Beverage
After our sunset swim on the 2nd day of our recent trip to Ishigaki Island in the far south of Japan in the East China Sea, we got cleaned up and headed over to the outside barbecue restaurant for dinner.
Figuring that I should order a beverage befitting the tropical island we were on, I got the nondescript cocktail above. Fumie also got some kind of cocktail, and Anthony got a big guava juice...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 66 mm — 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
It was somewhat of a surprise to find out that the menu essentially had one item, yakiniku – 焼き肉, “barbecue dinner” – and more than somewhat of a shock to find the price (over $100 per adult!). Ishigaki is known for its beef, and at the time we were certainly knowing our hunger, so we went ahead with it.
Let me just say that at the time, I particularly appreciated those that month who had sent me a little something in thanks for my Lightroom plugin efforts. Dinner was on you, so thanks!
With Japanese yakiniku, you cook the food yourself over an open flame at the table....
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/60 sec, f/5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Yakiniku
in action
Sometimes the fat dripping off the meat causes a flameup, but in this case, perhaps because it was outside, the flameups were more... how shall I put it.... lively.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/80 sec, f/5, ISO 360 — map & image data — nearby photos
Lively!
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/80 sec, f/5, ISO 640 — map & image data — nearby photos
Whoa.... Maybe Stand Back a Bit
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 48 mm — 1/80 sec, f/5, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Three-Alarm Fire!!
Clearly, I needed something to put out the flames...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 58 mm — 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
A Little Something to Quench the Flames
“Ishigaki Dark Beer”
And just in case the beer wasn't sufficient to handle the flames, I arranged for some inclement weather.
As we were eating the evening weather seemed perfect, but as we were donning fire helmets and manning pick axes to tackle the barbecue fire, a few tentative specks of rain carried by the wind found their way to us.
I thought it was absurd, but at just those few specks, the staff started unfurling the big umbrellas that covered the (now almost completely empty) eating area...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 26 mm — 1/30 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Over-Reaction
( that's just a little pun, get it? )
The staff then moved our table under the umbrella, and brought blankets we could drape over our laps, and hand umbrellas, just in case. I thought it was quite an over reaction, but....
As you might expect, the staff knew what they were doing and I was clueless, because before long it was pouring. I got plenty soaked during the 1-second dash from the big umbrella to under another, to get this shot....
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/60 sec, f/4, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Tropical Downpour
One of the staff took a picture for us...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 52 mm — 1/50 sec, f/4, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Enjoying the Experience
photo by a member of the staff at the Fusagi Beach Resort, Ishigaki Japan
Oddly, the moment we finished dinner, the rain stopped completely, so we didn't even need the hand umbrellas to return to our room.
It had been a long day, starting with a sightseeing drive through the country, a visit to a secluded beach, the dynamic windy weather at the lighthouse at the island's northern-most tip, and the sunset swim when we returned.
That's a big day for anyone, especially a six-year-old boy, who was soon out like a light...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200 — full exif & map — nearby photos
Conked Out
We soon followed, thereby ending a wonderful day that was also wonderfully photogenic and memorable.
Tomorrow starts Day 3.....
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I've just released a new plugin for Adobe Lightroom, Video-Asset Management, allowing a modicum of video management from within Lightroom.
I spent much of the last several weeks working on a custom-metadata plugin that looked to be really great, until I ran into a Lightroom bug that totally killed the project (and my spirits).
Then, I had a moment of inspiration where I relized that in this age where more and more cameras and cell phones are offering video capabilities, it would be really useful to manage those videos from within Lightroom, along side the images from the same event. This moment of inspiration came when someone gave it to me.... I have a wonderful grasp for the obvious, at least after someone points it out to me. 🙂
See the plugin's home page for more....
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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 38 mm — 1/160 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Sunset Swim
The best part of any travel for Anthony, it seems, is getting to swim in a pool, and after the busy second day of our trip to Ishigaki Island in the far south of Japan, Anthony finally got his visit to the pool. I played with him at first, but as the sunset approached, I grabbed the camera...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/3200 sec, f/3.2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Underexposed
Metering somewhat for the bright sun left the rest of the frame underexposed, which allowed what little color there was in the sky to be exaggerated.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 50 mm — 1/1000 sec, f/5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Fusagi Beach, Ishigaki, Japan
Meanwhile, with the setting sun, Anthony got cold and retreated to warmer climes...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Snuggly
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 135 mm — 1/640 sec, f/4, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Normally Exposed
The sun got dimmer as it dipped into the haze, so the exposure could be closer to normal, so the shots above and below are closer to how it actually looked.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 130 mm — 1/500 sec, f/4, ISO 560 — map & image data — nearby photos
It's moments after this shot that the boat seen in yesterday's post came motoring along.
As I said yesterday, it was boring compared to the previous day's sunset, but relaxing.
Half an hour later, I went back out to the pier from the previous night (which in the day looks like this), and tried a dusk shot...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/20 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Dusk at Fusagi Beach
Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan
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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm, cropped — 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Mild Sunset and Cliché Boat
From the Fusaki Resort Village Beach, Ishigaki Island, Japan
Our second sunset on Ishigaki, much less interesting than the first, but soothing and calming after a long day seeing the sights, playing on the beach (Part I, Part II), and climbing short mountains.
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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/160 sec, f/18, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Hirakubo Lighthouse
Most northern point of Ishigaki Island, in the far south of Japan in the East China Sea
Well, thought I'd be releasing a new plugin for Adobe Lightroom today, but ran into a roadblock that killed it at the end. Sigh. So, I've decided to take the evening off from plugin development and get back to my story of our recent trip to Ishigaki Island. It's part of Okinawa Prefecture, but is 400 miles further south-west from the main Okinawa island, just shy of Taiwan.
It was a short but photogenic trip. Today's story picks up in the afternoon of Day 2, with Day 2's morning already posted, as well as a mid-day trip to a secluded beach (Part I · Part II). The beach was about half way up the 13-mile-long peninsula that makes up the north-east of the island, and so we continued along toward the end of the peninsula to the Hirakubo Lighthouse.
The weather was iffy, with a threat of rain at any moment. Above the lighthouse was a rocky hill, upon which the dynamic weather made for some powerful wind.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/400 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Heading Up Into the Gloom
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 55 mm — 1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Hold On To Your Hats
it's windy!
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 35 mm — 1/1250 sec, f/3.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Anthony Did Dinosaur Play
explained here
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/160 sec, f/10, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Looking West: Wind-Whipped Gloom
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/160 sec, f/10, ISO 560 — map & image data — nearby photos
The “Karate Kid” Pose Seemed Popular Here
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 125 mm — 1/500 sec, f/13, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Ishigaki's North Shore
to the east of the Lighthouse, where the weather seemed much brighter
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 90 mm — 1/500 sec, f/5, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
To the South: Rain and More Gloom
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 75 mm — 1/500 sec, f/7.1, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
( there's just something about this one that I like )
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/500 sec, f/7.1, ISO 1250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Pretend Dinosaur Nap
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/500 sec, f/22, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
These Rocks Were His Dinosaur House
I actually liked the lighting and the wind (though it wasn't as windy as this incredibly windy day on Amami Island), but after a while the clouds parted and the sun came out, and everything changed...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — 1/500 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Sun is Coming This Way!
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 120 mm — 1/500 sec, f/7.1, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
Bright!
but still windy
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/500 sec, f/7.1, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Heading Down
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/800 sec, f/7.1, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Sun-Filled Photo Op
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — 1/800 sec, f/7.1, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Taking Some Shots Herself
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/500 sec, f/7.1, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
Looking West Again
quite different than the earlier shot
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/500 sec, f/7.1, ISO 450 — map & image data — nearby photos
The Sun Brings Out
Some of that Emerald Blue
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/500 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
One Last Shot Before Heading Out
The little five-car parking lot is sandwiched between two tall hills, the shorter of which we had just been on. The taller of the two was off limits, with a fence and an “Entrance Prohibited” sign in front of a well-worn path heading up...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/1250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
No Entry
( but here's a well-worn path for your convenience )
Having seen the sunset from a different Lighthouse the previous evening, we wanted to get back to our hotel to see the sunset from its beach. There are few other pairs of locations farther apart on Ishigaki Island than our hotel and were we were now, so we hopped in the car and hightailed it back...