Upcoming Photo Tour! Hamahiga Island, Okinawa Japan

3/30/12: See you tomorrow! Rain or shine, we go. Bring an umbrella just in case.

I wanted to officially announce Kai-Umi Photography's upcoming tour. We will be meeting on Hamahiga Island for a sunrise - mid afternoon photo session.

Date: Saturday, March 31st at 0600
Location: Hamahiga Island

This is a perfect location as it faces the east, and of course, the sun rises on the east and sets in the west. Hopefully the weather will cooperate but I will be going rain or shine! To photograph the sunrise we need to be on scene at 0600. There is a covered gazebo that is a good meeting point. Gazebo is on the water side of the parking lot. Here are a few map shots for your reference. You can click on each image for a bigger view. Hope to see you there!

Cross the red bridge towards Ikei Island, turn right to cross the Hamahiga bridge. Once you hit the "T" make a left. Go to the end until you reach the Hamahiga hotel driveway (Do not enter the hotel driveway). Make a sharp right on a small road into the residential area. Follow the signs to Shirumichu.

Follow the highlighted route to Shirumichu. The signs are easy to see and are in English.

Dirt parking lot and covered gazebo.

Family photo taken next to parking lot.

Please leave a comment or e-mail me if you have any questions.

Chris G.Rose
www.kaiumi.com

7. Nakagusuku Castle

We spent the day scouting out a good location for the upcoming Kai-Umi Photography Tour and ended the day at Nakagusuku Castle. This easy to reach castle is within a couple miles from White Beach. The weather started out cloudy but cleared up for the sunset. This place is fairly small but makes up for it on a climb to the top. My favorite part about the castle is the hill that it sits on. Something about a castle that is on top of a hill. I like it! Anyway, here are a few of my photographs taken this past weekend. 

Sometimes you got to get a little creative

If possible, try to get an S curve in your photographs

Stairways are cool

Castle on the hill

6. Kurashiki Dam, Okinawa Japan

The sun was out today! Living at the Sunabe Seawall area is a blessing because the water is amazing when the sky is blue. Once the sun came out, we had to get out of the house and take pictures. Without hesitation, I thought Kurashiki Dam would be a good place to photograph. I never seen any pictures but the fact that it is a dam kind of intrigued me. The place is pretty cool but be warned that it is smelly. The dump is about one mile away and it was very obvious. Here are a few of my favorites from today's photography tour.

Leading the viewer up the photograph.

That big mountain on the right is a pile of trash at the dump.

Try to get something interesting in your foreground (purple flower).

No fishing!

Despite the foul odor of trash, this place was a neat location for photography. I would recommend this place for a quick photo trip outside the Kadena area. Approximately 2 miles out gate 3.

Chris G. Rose
www.kaiumi.com

5. Sunabe Seawall, Okinawa Photography

If you mention Okinawa to anyone, they will usually talk about surfing, diving, and watching the sunsets at the world famous Sunabe Seawall. Some of the cafe's and restaurants offer great vantage points for photographers. The "all you can eat curry place", the "Transit Cafe" or the "Hokulea Restaurant at the Beach Hotel" are a few that have amazing views to watch and capture the sunset. The Sunabe Seawall is a beach oriented community that offers plenty of photo opportunities! Here are a few of my favorites.

That says, "Okinawa"

Surfers Paradise!

Southern end of Sunabe Seawall

New Seawall

On a clear day you can see the Kerama islands

Shortly after this photo was taken I seen his Dad paddle in on a surfboard. I told the Dad I took a picture of his son and I would send him the photo if he provided an e-mail address. Just a small way to spread your business and kindness.

Chris G. Rose
www.kaiumi.com