DiCe-K PiCtUReS

Snowboard Photos App 2

2011-12-13T19:53:00.002+09:00

Heart Films introduced my app on their website too! Yey! Thanks!

Check the website out!

Snowboarding Photos App

2011-12-12T19:50:00.000+09:00

My iPad app was introduced in Transworld Snowboarding Japan.
Awesome!

Click here to check out Transworld Snowboarding Website!

Snowboarding Photography App Released!

2011-12-11T13:53:00.001+09:00

I would like to announce that my app has been released.

It's basically a photography app but specifically for snowboarders who wants to get an image of riding and photographers who has been having a hard time to choose a lens.

It's made for iPad only. If you have any other devices, it won't work.

Absolutely free.

Enjoy!

click here!

kingsnowmag.com

2011-12-07T15:11:00.001+09:00

Introducing an online snowboard magazine called KingSnowMag.com.

I went to a trip with a few Canadian riders to Hokkaido in February and one of riders Chris Rasman got interviewed in the mag. Check it out!

Posted in Instagram

2011-11-28T15:25:00.000+09:00

Aki Hiraoka

Scotty Lago

Takumi Suzuki

Tadashi Fuse

Taro Koeiji

Masai

Showed them in the Instagram

2011-11-09T21:03:00.000+09:00

Zizo Kazu Kitayama

Logan Short

Sled owner Zizo Kazu Kitayama

Film maker Taro Koeji

Jake Welch

Skye Sheele

Goro Komatsu

Takafumi Konishi

Chris Dufficy, TJ Schneider, Simon Chamberlain

Owl in Rutherford

Myself and Zizo Kazu Kitayama

Kazuhiro Kokubo

Eero Niemela

Paavo Tikkanen

Kris Wilson and Bella

Matt Belzile

Tadashi Fuse

Skier's sled

Sachi Tanaka

Joni Malmi

Team Flow

Markku Koski

Iikka Backstrom

Jake Blauvelt

Cholo Burns

Tadashi Fuse

Takafumi Konishi

Team Forum

Tadashi Fuse

Kazuhiro Kokubo

Goro Komatsu

Akifumi Hiraoka

Donn Hore

Tadashi Fuse

Scotty Lago

David Melancon

Devun Walsh

Team Atomic

Chris Dufficy

Tadashi Fuse

Mikey Penderson

Kazuhiro Kokubo

Tadashi Fuse

Yoshinari Uemura

Kazuhiro Kokubo

Alterna Films 13 O'Clock

2011-10-25T09:13:00.000+09:00

Last over 10 years, Alterna Films has been continuously supporting riders and leading a part of snowboard industry. Still killin' it. Respect.

Scenes from 13 O'CLOCK... from Alterna Films on Vimeo.

#duffdawgy

2011-10-20T09:36:00.000+09:00

I just had a chance to select old photos for something else and found stunning photos of very famous Canadian pro snowboarder Chris Dufficy. He became a movie star when he was little and has kept pushing his limit ever since. He was chosen a member of Forum 8 in 1996 as known as the dream team. He is also known as big smile. He is talented, gentle and loyal.

I am honored to get known Duff.

Trick your color recognition

2011-10-19T11:51:00.000+09:00

Surfboard Collection

2011-10-09T16:18:00.000+09:00

It was much colder in this morning than I left to Canada about a week ago.

Brought back two surfboards from Canada. Now I have a chubby Biscuit 5'4", a gifted J1 5'8", a Canadian Skull Skate surfboard 6'3" and another gifted Chipy 9'6". I have one more 9'0" in Canada which originally given to my wife but never used.

A short Canada trip

2011-10-08T16:11:00.000+09:00

Gubacho and friends

2011-09-28T16:03:00.001+09:00

Car Danchi 5 Teaser

2011-09-26T15:57:00.003+09:00

Check out the teaser of Car Danchi. Yes, Car Danchi is back.
The movie makes me want to ride any time soon.
That's the root of Japanese snowboarding culture!

and come to see Neil Harmann and his crew members on October 1st at FOLIO in Jinbocho, Kanda, Tokyo.

The ending of September, Shonan Beach and Typhoon

2011-09-24T15:58:00.000+09:00

Hurley Pro

2011-09-22T15:00:00.001+09:00

So sick. I wished I was raised where waves were.

Smells like autumn

2011-09-18T15:52:00.000+09:00

Photostream

2011-09-16T11:50:00.002+09:00

dicekmaru's photostream on Flickr.

iPhone App Attempt #1 Japanese iTunes Only

2011-09-15T08:29:00.003+09:00

みなさ〜ん、iPhone専用アプリ第一弾を作りました！無料なのでダウンロードして、感想を聞かせてください。ストレッチなどに使うタイマーですアプリです。色々な人にガンガン伝えてください!

http://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/id463748628?mt=8

Ending Summer in Shonan

2011-09-10T09:13:00.018+09:00

Daughter and her best friend.

They are having great times in the school, after school and holidays.

At Abusan the Izakaya bar in Shonan local area.

Saw Sura the legend skate/snowboarder and his son.

Young bloods and dads.

It's been a long board condition in September.

This is one of the biggest event in Shonan called Surfskate.

People here are No Music nor No Skate nor No Surf, No Life.

3/4 bowl session.

So many skaters were incredibly good.

Zizo the photographer showed up and chilled out with us a bit.

Yosuke the pro snowboarder and his son Yamato were there and having a great time.

So many people, so much energy!

Lovin' it.

View of Shonan Beach

2011-09-08T09:01:00.023+09:00

Every morning Shonan Beach shows me a different view.

Clouds, ocean, winds and Enoshima all look different.

I like clouds in the morning.

Sun reflects and makes it really cool.

Clouds also gives you the distance and depth of field.

The ocean is usually calm.

Raven vs Black Kite.

Only 4 days in year, sun goes down behind Mt.Fuji.

Hi-Tech robot Murata-Seisakujo.

He is quite often on TV commercial.

Another day of sunset.

Glassy ocean.

Thunderclouds have been inviting lots of rain this year.

Small but fun wave.

I had two great days in last 12 years.

A Happy & Spoiled French Bulldog Gubacho

2011-09-05T08:44:00.045+09:00

Everybody liked this photo in Instagram.

Someone says his legs are sexy.

His ordinary stretch pose from front.

After a long walk, he positions on sofa for all day .

It's called Radio-Taiso.

It's pretty known as a Japanese morning exercise.

Don't know which action intrestes Gubacho.

Coco as the Italian Grey Hound.

Sometimes he thinks he rules.

Found him in a spotlight and a pile of clothes on the bed.

Looks like the other photo but more regal.

Everybody liked this photo in Instagram as well.

His legs still make me laugh thou.

Me and Gubacho have an unique shape of ears.

Getting toasted by morning sun.

Loving it.

He doesn't like to be called his name by no reasons when he positions in the best spot.

Don't care what Gubacho thinks. I still rule in this house.

Exhausted by morning sun again.

His only one favorite toy.

More Shonan Beach Pics

2011-08-30T11:02:00.000+09:00

from sick riders in BC

2011-08-30T10:18:00.004+09:00

A memento of Keishin Hasebe

2011-08-29T11:44:00.000+09:00

Keishin passed away nearly 2 years ago by heart attack in the ocean.

He loved surfing and involved me surfing.

When I visited at his house to see his family, his wife told me to have one of his board selections in the garage.

I moved all the boards from the rack and peeled a sock one of each but I didn't pulled down too much. About 1 foot or so.

I chose this board because I knew this was his favorite surf brand Cippy.

I brought it back home and stripped the board completely then realized that there weren't any traces of usage. The board was brand new.

I also brought back two fins. One was a wooden fin but broken. Another one was a new fin. I tried to put both of them but they didn't fit 'cause the groove was too narrow. Then I tried to put my fin as well but it didn't fit. I assumed that any fins didn't fit the board and probably he ended up just keeping it until he would fix it.

I ground and sanded the fin narrower and made another hole for a pin to hold down. Now the wooden fin perfectly fit in.

Can't wait to ride the board with Keishin's spirit.

Surf Life in Shonan

2011-08-28T10:42:00.002+09:00

Seeing friends at Thai Food Puen

2011-08-27T22:41:00.002+09:00

Gubacho in the summer 2011

2011-08-26T09:48:00.001+09:00

I hated Japanese summer

2011-08-17T07:25:00.000+09:00

I hated Japanese summer when I was much younger then had meant not to be here since. Last 23 years I missed this humid and hot air. I should have not got used to but it became not too bad as used to be. In 2011 I enjoy summer in Japan.

Stonp pad at Transworld Snowboarding

2011-08-12T19:12:00.006+09:00

Shooting photos at Transworld Japan to make the Stonp story.

Stonp is a new snowboard project in Japan. It's a deckpad company and also a name of shredding crew. Stay tuned.

Dozen Drunkers Sk8 Photo Session in Yuigahama

2011-08-10T09:53:00.007+09:00

Went to Yuigahama beach for photo shooting session with Dozen Drunkers. Some locals joined the session and had a great time again.

At last everybody enjoyed listening Danger's story.

Dating at Disney Sea

2011-08-08T23:56:00.102+09:00

It was still too early for my sleepy heroine Karen. Took 2.5hrs to get there instead of 1.5hrs because of morning traffic jams.

Her aunt was waiting for her at the ticket booth.

On the train in Disney Sea.

Cousins were waiting for her at the first line-up.

They were staying over in the Disney Land and having a great time.

Karen needed a towel to avoid the heat. It was sunny and hot.

With uncle and cousins.

We got on the machine which attacked a huge storm. The instructor was giving us a lecture how it worked.

An airplane seemed crashed..... of course it wasn't real.

They mush have been having a great time.

Fun attraction everywhere.

Another 1hr line up to get on another attraction.

While girls were on the other line, uncle and cousin were riding another attraction.

This was what girls were waiting for.

Killing it.

Found Ariel on the rock.

We were under the sea.

So deep but we were dry.

Jellies

It was tripping for adults too.

Ariel's show started with the treasure box.

We decided to go to Tower of Terror by ourselves.

My heroine wasn't happy 'cause I said I would not buy a Shelliemay.

Grabbed a ice candies on the way.

Waiting for the train ride.

Her cousin was carrying her Duffy all the time.

Hi Dalyrmple!

So much booze alone on the street!

On the way back from Tower of Terror, the train got stopped and the staff came to save us.

We got evacuated. We had an onee (manwoman) on the board.

We had to walk on the rail.

Getting closer to the other station.

We received 3 express passes from the evacuation. We grabbed the tickets and decided to try the coaster.

Yes, we made it! 360 upside down, yey!

Time flew so fast.

See you next time. It was a long day but a fund day for sure.

Hiroshima @8:15am August 6th, 1945

2011-08-06T14:06:00.002+09:00

In 1945 at 8:15am today, 159,283 people were evaporated or found dead.

Only 3 days from the Hiroshima 73,884 people got killed by another Atomic bomb.

It's been 66 years since Japan got radiated by the Atomic bomb though, still 230,736 atomic victims are alive.

In 10 years not many people will not be able to tell the story to us.

War is stupid.

People are stupid.

Meeting Week

2011-08-05T20:10:00.000+09:00

Tremendously heavy meetings in the week. I wasn't ready for anything but it was fun to hang out with snowboard legends.

My Shonan Local Boys

2011-08-04T12:10:00.000+09:00

At Enoshima Shrine

2011-07-29T18:55:00.000+09:00

Enoshima Aquarium

2011-07-29T18:32:00.000+09:00

Kids and mom came to town. This is the first time for mom to visit me since I left her house after school 23 years ago. Finally had a spare time to come for fun and even with her grand-kids. Awesome!

So I took them my neighbor Enoshima Aquarium.

Jellies were emitting stronger lights but it was too dark to capture.

This is the model of local reef.

His name is Roundbelly Cowfish. When he gets upset, his belly gets more air and get upside down.

Dynamic range. Any aquarium should have the size of tank. Looks great!

Another jelly...
I didn't want to image that I was in a water with these guys.

This crab Calappa reminded me a monster in SF movie.

Invaders!

Her name is Recco. Walking in front of audiences.

It was nice. He said the seal was dribbling and he got more slobber than usual.

Kids time!

Nice jump!

The finale.

A world famous snowboard photographer Zizo

2011-07-27T23:03:00.000+09:00

At Transworld Snowboarding office, Zizo as a trouble maker was trying to make his client to understand #%^*+=¥£€~&@$

10 minutes later more people got involved in this issue. Zizo was still trying to get reimbursed his travel expense. Less receipts, no luck. Ha! Ha! Ha! I'm sorry Zizo. So fun watching his negotiation.

After the meeting, Zizo took me to LOMO shop in Shibuya. He was killing it!

This camera wasn't even his recommendation but I like the most extreme toy camera technology. It is a film camera but it will be the next generation camera for sure!

Until we stepped out the shop, he was still hyped and killing it! You will see him with different types of LOMO cameras next season.

Doggy Eye Level

2011-07-24T09:50:00.000+09:00

Washing Shoes

2011-07-23T21:39:00.023+09:00

9 year-old daughter washes her shoes every weekend. I didn't do it. I have never washed my shoes. Even though she is told to wash them by mom, I'm impressed she does it.

At school kids learn how to use the Japanese traditional writing brush. Trying to dry them out for devoted and respectful usage.

Her summer break started.

Dozen Drunkers Sk8 Photo Session

2011-07-22T11:04:00.000+09:00

Hanzo at 12st the Sk8 shop in Yokohama hooked me up for his brand Dozen Drunker photo session in Fussa last night. The place is insane. Inside the warehouse there is a bowl and different sizes of ramps. I got there around 10:30pm and skaters were killin' it. If you are interested in skating at the skate park, google "ramp house tokyo".

The boss Hanzo.

Mikio was riding hard last night. Aggressive skating style!

One of Dozen's motivators Danger. Yes, his name is Danger. Yes, because he is a dangerous guy.

Ei Yoneya as a Dozen's skater and a graphic designer. He designs the Ts.

Danger is also in another team called BEER CLUB.

New design T.

Danger was killin' it. Hanzo was still making him hard to complete his tricks.

Another local Dozen rider Yoshii. His style reminds me snowboarding a lot. He got nice pump.

Mikio made it twice. It was such a hard and tall wall to deal with.

Yoneya rides a skate so smooth and tweaky. I like his riding style. If I were a skater, I would probably have been copying his style.

Could not figure out the timing. Dozen flipped the board 15 times and finally I found the timing to click.

Tsukasa was probably the youngest skater in the session last night. He was riding from the beginning to the end. Got such a cool style too.

Chilling out after the session. It was around 1:30am.
I want to collaborate with skaters and shoot more photos again.
Thanks Hanzo!

Calm Ocean

2011-07-22T10:09:00.000+09:00

One day after a Typhoon. No more big waves. Too flat for surfing.

One of Most Influential European Snowboarder Daniel Franck

2011-07-20T17:38:00.027+09:00

Daniel Franck is another pro snowboarder who influenced a lot in the snowboard industry.

This photo was again from Mt.Hood in 1994. I was killin' it in the year by the way. I saw Ingemar Backman, Terje Haakonsen, Mich Albin and Daniel Franck were riding brilliantly. Whatever they did were so new, bigger, stylish and just as sooo cool!

I saw many great American riders there and shot a bunch of photos too but the Euros were shining so much.

I was stoked to get my Daniel's photo chosen for Volcom ad in Japan.

APOCALYPSE with Kan

2011-07-18T11:15:00.001+09:00

Found a nice photo of Apocalypse rider Masayoshi Kamimori a.k.a. Kan at Blackcomb mountain in 1994. Do you remember the name Mike Estes who is a legend snowboarder? Ray Takahashi and Naoki Wataya were also a rider of Apocalypse. Was Aaron Vincent an icon rider of the company?

Sick still and nice team!

PS Check out how high the glacier is in the picture! You don't see the glacier but people now are having the summer camp 20m lower than the photo. All ice has melted.

Lifestyle Project

2011-07-17T16:27:00.000+09:00

A teaser of Powder Passage produced by Lifestyle Project.
These guys are never ending stories.
Tadashi Fuse, Takafumi Konishi, Aki Hiraoka and YES.Now.Board crew members have been always powerful, creative and keep on going.
Check it out!

LSP11-12 "POWDER PASSAGE" TRAILER from JECO FILMWORKS on Vimeo.

Neighbor Swimming Pool

2011-07-16T22:03:00.000+09:00

Clandestine

2011-07-15T18:15:00.001+09:00

Didn't mean to be a secret meeting but sometimes whatever ideas come up, would start driving and leading the whole meeting too far from the main topic. Yesterday was like that.

At the same time, meeting with the guys who were the most influential snowboarders in the little while ago was fun.

Kenji Ishikawa

Michihiko Yoshino

and Obachan's fat wallet.

A Well Known Hyper Japanese Photog Zizo

2011-07-14T05:46:00.000+09:00

As well known as Zizo=Kazu as one of famous snowboard photographers is also special. "Special" is commonly used negatively but his special is a bit different from others.

He was visiting at friend's house in Shonan. In the morning I was taking my dog for a walk and I saw my friend and Zizo were chilling out in his balcony on the 13th floor. I knocked the door and went inside but the friend told me that Zizo was in the washroom. So I started chatting the friend and he started boiling the water for coffee and etc. Long enough to forget about Zizo, he finally came out the washroom and said "I was waiting for you guys to call me out". He was fully smiling. One hand was making a peace sign and the other hand was covering it. He was naked.

It was too shocking and too sensational so I called him to the balcony and shot this photo.

At the same time I posted on the Instagram but sooner the later, the photo got removed.

By the way, it was 6 in the morning.

diceologyshit is my Instagram name. I got 6 of the following letter.

Hi diceologyshit,

This is a notice that one or more of your photos on Instagram has been flagged multiple times by members of the Instagram community and has automatically been removed from the site.

While we respect the artistic integrity of all sorts of photos, we're doing our best to keep our product and all the photos within it in line with our App Store's rating for nudity. We'd like to ask that you help us build a lasting product by not posting nude, partially nude or sexually suggestive photos to your Instagram feed.

By helping us, you'll ensure that many people will be able to enjoy Instagram for years to come. We greatly appreciate your help and support.

To learn more about sharing photos on Instagram, please read our Terms of Use: http://instagr.am/legal/terms/ Note that repeated violations of these terms is grounds for permanent termination of your account.

Sincerely,
the Instagram Team

Relax Morning with Gubacho

2011-07-13T07:08:00.001+09:00

Mitsugu Toyoda in WaveRave Ad

2011-07-12T08:19:00.003+09:00

As known as one of Japanese legend representative skaters and snowboarders Mitsugu Toyoda was riding for Wave Rave and JACKED in the early 90's. I don't much remember the snowboard brand JACKED but Wave Rave was huge.

I was at Camp of Champions shooting photos and Mitsugu was riding at Craig Kelly Snowboard Camp. There were only two 1/2 pipes on the glacier and they were next each other. All riders were pretty much accessible to the both of pipes and enjoyed fun times.

He was such a styler and there was no hesitation to obstruct my passion to capture him because he was a professional snowboarder and he knew that being taken photos was his profession and a part of his job. He was the most influential skate style Japanese snowboarder. I was glad to have got the photo.

Sunday Business Meeting

2011-07-11T10:04:00.000+09:00

We have such a limited space in Japan, Karen and I set up one room for study, work and storage. Her desk was used to be my desk and brought from my mom's house in Nagano when we settled in Shonan.

She thinks that she owns the desk top and never cleans up until I say clean! She was working on writing a letter back to her friend Sabrina in Canada. She watches YouTubes, does her homework, arts and crafts on the table.

In the afternoon I had to see my business partners to talk about some present and new project. We met up at Shinagawa sta and had a meeting space in the cafe. We occupied the table for 3 hours but we only ordered a drink each 'cause the price of a cup of coffee blew my mind. I'm not used to this. ¥630 is approximately US$8 and no refill. Well, thanks for letting us use the space such a long time.

Our engineer uses Mac Book Air and later on the meeting the skinny computer blew my mind. It insanely works first. I wasn't interested in the book at all but not I fell in love with it.

Emmanuel Krebs on Limited Snowboards

2011-07-09T17:13:00.000+09:00

Emmanuel is one of pioneer French Canadian snowboarders. He was gentle, friendly and seemed almost too serious for snowboarders. He was retired being as a pro for a quite long ago but he also dedicated to the industry as being one of international marketing persons at Salomon Snowboards afterwards. He was also one of guys to see everywhere in the world back in the day.

Last time I saw him was probably two years ago at his house in Vancouver. He invited Kenta and me for a dinner to his new house which he renovated inside. His baby was born yet at the time but he and his wife were expecting anytime.

He was also being back to school and finishing his master I believe. I have to find out what he is up to in these days. He is an interesting friend how he lives.

The company he rode for was Limited Snowboards. Carmates was distributing the board and I was invited for the photo shoot.

This ad was designed by Influenza Go Go.

eBook Expoin Tokyo

2011-07-08T22:48:00.000+09:00

Since I registered a software company in Tokyo, my interest led me to the eBook Expo.

I strongly felt that the times was definitely aiming paperless. I didn't see many new technologies over there but I saw so many ebook stores and distributors. Also I was surprised to see that so many companies have been producing a software to build or make ebooks.

Tokyo Big Sight as known as Tokyo International Exhibition Center. The place is huge. Every time I see the building and the whole area, it reminds me a space station or a new colony on the different planet.

I didn't know that there was another exhibition of books. Unfortunately I went in to the fair and their power is already weakening.

and this is where I wanted to go originally. I didn't see many interesting exhibitors but I felt full of vitality.

On the way back to the office, I always see this sign so I shot it. It says that golfing is prohibited. Of course, right!? Not many people have common sense.

There is a little park on the other side of Yoyogi park. There is a section for kid play. I don't know what exactly happening in there but it seems everything is handmade. The park is designed for Tokyo kids.

Takateru Yamada is a professional photographer. He does good job.

This white Ford Mustang parked high-handedly in front of Skunk Studio. I told Mori-chan to pull up a finger but he used his thumb pointing up. Then I told him to use the middle finger but he could not do it. Sissy...

I like teasing Aocky as a graphic designer. He is the nicest guy I've ever met. He started taking photos as a new hobby. It was a good target to be teased.

This ice candy saved my life today. Ice balls of 5 different flavors are just as a perfect size in the mouth. It melts smoothly. It became my favorite!

Terje Haakonsen BS 180 Method

2011-07-07T14:22:00.000+09:00

I think I shot this photo in 1994. People were still thinking that publishing a set of sequence photos was generally taboo. Skate and snowboard industry started running a bunch of sequence photos and successfully got a right. I think people were thinking that sequence photos were cheating and photos must have been used differently. It is pretty normal to see the sequence photos in magazine now and it can be said that it's already an old style. By the way we were still using films at the time. I used to shot roles and roles of slide films everyday. If it was sunny like this, I easily shot 10 to 20 roles. One summer I shot more than 200 roles on slide films.

As known as Terje is every snowboarder's hero. He was killing it every thing. A 1/2 pipe was still leading a summer camp scene in the mid 90's and there was only one big jump. 540 was getting a standard trick. If you saw someone doing 720, you would be stoked.

Terje was filming with Dave Seone. No body had seen such a big 180 before and the kicker got surrounded by gallery. This was his second shot. I was using a fisheye and pointing up for the first one but I didn't much like it. I decided to change the angle because I wanted to capture his sick riding form.

PS I just realized that his last name was spelled wrong on this page.

Eaves saved my camera from the shower

2011-07-04T23:46:00.077+09:00

I saved my camera from the shower tonight. Recently I enjoy a long walk from the train station to my house or the other way around. It's not super long but 25 minutes gives me a good exercise constantly. After I got out the station, it was so humid and I saw thunders far away. Sooner the after I started walking, rain drops started hitting my face and making sound bigger every where. I ran into eaves of a candy store and tried to stay dry. So many people were running or just let get wet but I had a camera with me and my house was a bit too far to run without getting wet. I stayed there about 10 minutes. Rain stopped. It's nice to have something to protect. I was lucky tonight.

Visited at Kitasato Hospital for Mitchi Yoshino. He broke his knee in spring and just had a surgery. He said everything goes well.

A hand caps for the bike.

The store must be old. The way the store displays, so classic. It's located in Yoyogi-Hachiman and only the Showa style shop on the busy street.

It says "TAKE ME HOME". I thought kitties were inside. I am not gonna take any of character caps and plates.

Happiness to be able to see clearly and sadness to realize wearing convex glasses.

Can't beat the shit! I love the frame. I want one. £360 is a bit too high for me.

Conquer the world? I like it.

Seeing a partner and a movie director tonight for chatting.

Kenji Ishikawa in Saas Fee

2011-07-03T10:04:00.002+09:00

I went Saas Fee in Switzerland to capture Kenji Ishikawa and Rio Tahara in October 1997.

They were conditioning themselves into completing their riding skills. There were a couple of more games before the Olympics and it was the last chance to get the ticket to compete in the 1/2 pipe contest. Especially the Olympics was happening in Nagano and snowboard was going to debut as an official winter sport category, they were just as training in real earnest.

I was more relaxed and visited for capturing their best riding in the pipe though, their motivation level was way higher than I was expecting..... which was nice.

They woke up early, trained a bit, grabbed fresh baked croissants on the way to the cable car, trained on the iced pipe, came back home, stretched their body, cooked, got relaxed and went bed. Every single day they were on the same routine and never changed the style during the visit which was unusual. I think they were trying to concentrate to ride better everyday.

Both of them didn't get the ticket for the Olympics though, they haven't finished their snowboard life neither yet. They are two of most influential riders in Japan and still building the Japanese snowboard culture. Numbers of fans they had in the past was just as a rockn' roll star. They were two amazing people.

Sun is below Kenji in the pipe because it wasn't early morning shot nor sunset. This is the highest sun rises at Saas Fee. The pipe is blue because it was pure ice. I missed UFOs in the air but you see them constantly.

Sleepy Frenchie

2011-07-02T13:25:00.000+09:00

Thought all dog are energetic, loyal and devoted to the owner.

My dog Gubacho who is a 4 year-old French Bulldog, isn't faithful at all. He goes only his way.

He is lazy as hell, snores, farts, ignores, barks 5 seconds behind and eats flowers. People think that eating flowers isn't an issue but he eats neighbor's flower pot. Actually his bark is a problem too. So slow and late. I have recently figured that every time he barks, it's like a 4 or 5 seconds slower than normal.

He listens my command but he ignores as well. He doesn't have a tail so his ears are always a good signal as a regular doggies. Whenever he lies or ignores me, one of his ears moves slightly so I know he is listening to me even though he is facing a different direction.

He was fine with off leash in Canada but not in Japan. He is like a bullet. If he goes out without a leash, he will probably go to attach cars.

Stupid dog but can't hate him at all.

JOURNEYS in New Zealand

2011-07-01T10:42:00.000+09:00

Check out the surf movie called "JOURNEYS" released today.

Every sources in the movie is influential and link to your best trip.

This movie isn't a crazy acrobatic nor a fancy promotional video though, you will enjoy the journalized footage. The members in the movie are all mature and narrate the synchronicity of friendship, nature, surf and the mother earth.

Personally the knee-boarding of Claude will be influencing my surf style soon.

Great work Yosuke and thanks for the video! Enjoyed 100%.

Tina Basich on Kemper in Thrill Junction 1994

2011-06-30T01:16:00.000+09:00

This ad was on the back of cover of the seasonal snowboard magazine called THRILL JUNCTION. In 1994 when the snowboard was being called a social phenomenon in Japan, Tina's photo was used in the most influential page in the magazine. The base of board says "BASICH" so it must be her signature board from Kemper Snowboards.

I didn't usually go to High Cascade Snowboard Camp but since I was a photographer, I had a free access and shot this photo.

Look how small the 1/2 pipe is. Super pipe is surely dynamic but I like smaller pipes because it's so fun! It's also amazing to see no ski campers. Just like they didn't allow us riding most ski resorts, they were not even interested in what we were doing.

Yes, Tina! I knew this photo would become valuable. Thanks for a bunch!

Good times!

Challenge in 2001 with Hanzo

2011-06-28T22:50:00.000+09:00

At some point in 2001 I hung out a lot with this friend Hanzo in Whistler backcountry. Currently an owner of 12st Skateboard shop in Yokohama. It was my second season that I fully committed myself staying there and shooting photos. I met Hanzo through our mutual friend at Tim Windell's Snowboard camp in Oregon. I don't remember how the idea came up but I decided to sell my first sled to Hanzo and made him to come over to Whistler with me. This could be the biggest road gap jump he went off. He locked in the air and totally killed it. We spent one day to build the kicker and waited for the best snow condition on the landing at least 3 days or so. This picture is a cut out from magazine so the quality is shitty but I have the original slide still. I wish I had a film scanner. The photo is worth to him and worth to me.

Goro Komatsu in 2001

2011-06-26T19:17:00.001+09:00

This is a picture from Blackcomb Mountain in Canada 2001. The caption says Brandywine but the scenery in the back is Whistler Mountain. I barely remember where exactly we built this kicker though, it must be 7th Heaven or somewhere around there.

Goro Komatsu is the rider who was going huge in this picture. Goro has settled in Omachi, Nagano where is just like Pemberton, BC.

The weather is typical Whistler sky in January.

Jamie Lynn for Fine Magazine

2011-06-25T13:59:00.003+09:00

This is the first time ever for me staying in Japan for the summer camp season. Since 1990 when I visited at Camp of Champions for snowboard camp for first time, I had been always on snow from the late June to the beginning of August either on Blackcomb Mountain in BC or Mt.Hood in Oregon in last 20+ years.

This photo is one of my memorable photos in my snowboard photography career. It could be my first cover shot too. Jamie Lynn was everybody's hero in the 90's and whatever he did was the next season's trend. This summer wasn't an exception neither. I don't know how the idea came up to Jamie but he wrote his sponsor name "SESSiONS" on his long T and even from the next day many campers started writing brand's name on their T-shirts. This cover photo also influenced Japanese snowboarders and made a movement of hand writing and art. I believe that the sales of Dragon, Sessions and Lib Tech were pretty good for the season.

On the top right, it says INTERVIEW: Todd Richards, Tarquin Robbins, Temple Cumins, Tina Basich and Shannon Dunn. They were all my heros and I shot most of them for the interviews too.

Summer 94 was my debut year of professional photographer as well. Good times.

A Stroll in Yoyogi-hachiman

2011-06-24T11:31:00.000+09:00

Stopped at Skunk Studio late afternoon where my company's mailing address is at. There are a few different creative units share the space. I was only going to hang out there but everybody was having a serious meeting downstairs except Mori-chan. Mori-chan is a graphic designer of Influenza Go Go and he was stuck on the desk facing the monitor.

I have been having a problem with taking sharpened picture images without the direct light so I pulled out my camera and started testing it out. The result is the same. I probably have a bad habit of shaking the camera when I trip the shutter.

Momo is one of good friends of mine for a long time. I had been calling her cell all the time since I came back from Canada but never been able to get hold of her. Finally she called me and met up in Yoyogi-hachiman. She is a graphic designer as well and her design office Narse Design is also located on the same street as Skunk.
Momo explained the reason why she didn't answer my call. She says she lives night. She wakes up around 4 or 5 in the afternoon and back to sleep around lunch! She is one of a kind. I have many friends but life style is super unique. Love this woman.

Hello Lizard!

2011-06-23T09:36:00.000+09:00

I have seen lizards found on road dead a couple of times around this area. It was really a first time to meet the guy over the screen. Get mosquitoes and roaches many as you want!

Slope Style Y2K

2011-06-22T23:50:00.008+09:00

This is a photo from the first Slope Style snowboard contest in Japan and the rider in the picture was the first winner of the contest. His name is Shuji Kajiura and the place is called Joetsukokusai Ski resort.

It is pretty sad though, not many foreign snowboarders even remembered his name back in the day. Especially any contests in Japan usually foreigners were getting the titles and less chance for Japanese riders to win. So yes, he was one of Japanese rippers who wouldn't even get remembered his name, but he wasn't only it for us.

He rode for a pure Japanese snowboard brand called Sobut Snowboards. Shinogo Takahashi the snowboard freestyle icon guy back in the day gathered 4 other Japanese freestylers for the team. It is easier to describe the team as a Japan version of Forum Snowboards with Peter Line but the style was really Japanese.

In Y2K I already started settling in Whistler as my home base. I was at Joetsukokusai only for this event.

I had photo sessions with the Sobut team before and I really liked to shoot with Shuji the winner anywhere around the world. We spent a whole month in New Zealand to take photos and etc. He was a true jumper and every source made him as a hero such as riding a carbon made snowboard, being in a strong team, was one of Olympic team athletes and such and such. He made the biggest air in the first legendary contest and everybody admitted his ability.

Since I moved to Canada at the same time Shuji Kajiura moved to Hokkaido from Tokyo, we had been disconnected our contact. Just recently after I moved back to Japan, I saw Shuiji at our mutual friend's cafe called Puen in Shonan and Shuji told me that he moved to my home town Nagano.

Good news was he's been still riding in deep.

The photo was chosen for the Sobut ad campaign. Lots of good memories.

Go Big! Rio Tahara

2011-06-21T10:28:00.000+09:00

How sick he is!

This photo was taken at Tim Windell's Snowboard Camp on Mt.Hood in Year 2 Thousand.

He was sponsored by Forum Snowboards and Minami Sports back then.

Rio and I tagged together shooting 1/2 pipe photos and pushed the limit in 1/2 pipe scene over 5 years.

When we started snowboarding, he was only the one who concentrated to make a big air instead of doing spinning tricks. All after he got famous as a big jumper, then he became known for trick master in a 1/2 pipe as well. He became an icon of crazy Japanese 1/2 pipe riders.

Whenever he was in the pipe, everybody got fascinated and stoked by his awesome riding. Obviously he was targeted by everybody shooting photos.

After he retired from being a pro snowboarder, he has been working for Salomon Japan as a marketing manager. Great job!

The Real Arnette

2011-06-20T23:57:00.000+09:00

Arnette has been traveling for a long time. She has been all over the Asia and now stopping in Tokyo before flying back to San Diego.

After I had a meeting with my client in Harajuku, we met up and hung out a bit in Ura-Harajuku. She said she didn't usually take a photo for herself so I did. Now she got a souvenir for her mom.

Keep on traveling and inspire me!

Got finally settle myself enough for blogging again

2011-06-19T16:37:00.000+09:00

I have sold most of camera equipment since I moved back to Japan. My collection of Hasselblad are all gone. I don't have any of large or medium format camera anymore. Feel so weird.

I still have my EOS 5D and EF50mm F1.4. I hadn't used them over 3 months but finally started thinking to use them again.

Here are some of photos at Kaihinkoen park in Shonan.

Shot a nice pic of friend's brother and his daughter. The cuite hardly looked at my lens but since she was comfortable with her dad, finally started checking out what I was doing.

Having a same age cousin must be fun. I'd like to see how they grow up since these two are totally different personalities.

Challenged the blind shooting. It is a nice angle to capture a kid. She was finalizing the muddy cake.

Kanna the princess. Without my daughter standing behind me and calling her, she would have never looked up and smiled.

Daddy and his son. I focused on the boy Haruto first but dad was funny enough to be photographed. My favorite photo for today.

X-Ray of My Belly

2011-06-16T10:06:00.001+09:00

48 Cubic Square Feet

2011-03-07T14:57:00.000+09:00

My sled was digged out somewhere in here at friend's house in Birken 1 week ago. His wife explained how much snow he had to removed to get my sled ready. I told her that I would spend a day to help him out to dig two more sleds and a double trailer.

He mentioned that I would see two shovels where the sleds were at. Then I found them in trees.

It must be a joke. Everything was buried. I could not image myself digging two sleds and a trailer out from here.

I got sucked it up. I started removing a foot deep baked powder from the trailer.

There were another layer of a foot deep corn snow. This trailer it self is 8 feet by 8 feet. 2 feet snow was on it.

Made it.

Two more sleds are left to get rescued out.

YES. I did it.

One more sled to go.

Took about two hors to dig them out. They are ready to get tuned up.

3 cans of Kokanee turned out my energy drink for digging.

So Good to Be Back

2011-03-06T14:08:00.000+09:00

I was 30 minutes behind the schedule in this morning. Since it was my first day of sledding in Whistler, I forgot what to prepare for it. I called Keiji as a videographer and told him that I would be late. Then he said the trail and parking was a knee deep. When I came in the trail from highway, I had to put the gear in 4Lo and had to go out side to lock up the hubs. Then in the parking, two big trucks were stuck by deep snow and I had to hitch them out.

It was pretty foggy in this morning. We have explored a bit but since we were a big crew and everybody was saying different stuff so we hardly find a zone to play with.

After lunch, sun showed up.

This is the area we wanted to come up in this morning but there was no way we found the trail in the fog. We even had to break the trail to get the zone.
Surely it was fun for my first day.

Sweet Home Canada

2011-03-04T16:14:00.000+09:00

Jun called me and asked me when I was coming back to Canada 3 weeks ago. I wasn't still sure if I was able to go back to Canada at the time.

Before I left Canada in December, Jun as a mechanic at Tekam Auto offered me to use his truck. I was going to build a wooden deck for snowmobile and didn't really listen that he offered me to build a deck for me too.

I finally booked my ticket back to Canada a week ago and at the same time he sent me this following picture and said "I am building your deck right now!

He doesn't snowmobile nor he doesn't need the sled deck but he was already building it for me. When I arrived Vancouver and visited at his shop, the deck frame was there and ready to be finished up.

Since he got the whole image of the structure from internet, he was waiting for me to give him some advice how the snowmobile supposed to be. He cut metals and weld pieces together again and again according to my opinion.

He was even installing tail lights for me so I won't get hassled by the officers.

and bolting the deck directly on his Toyota Pickup.

His neighbor body shop showed up and offered us to bring the deck in to his shop so he could paint the whole deck but time was running out. He commented that there were two ways to paint on. One recommendation was before use the deck, wash the metal and dry it properly so the paint would stick well. The other one was just let it get rusty. Rust would make a rough surface and paint would stay well, he said. So we decided to get the deck rusty and paint it later at his body shop.

Great to have a friend like Jun. He does so much for me. Without his sweet offers, my whole trip would have been tougher and costing so much money. The trip may not have been even happening neither.
Thanks a million Jun. I hope I am not going to wreck your truck.

First Time Ever Sledding in Japan

2011-02-21T23:08:00.087+09:00

I went first time ever sledding in Japan.

I was 2 days behind the schedule of anybody else. We were originally going to meet up at Tenjin-Daira and/or Myoko but I totally missed these blue birds and the snow condition became really shitty.

Our crew Stonp, a new deck pad company, decided to head north.

So I called my old homie Mitsu at Tim Windell's snowboard camp at Mt.Hood who lives in north of the main island, to find out the snow condition. I just saw him at the tradeshow and he was saying that he went mountain every single morning for shredding so he was my best bet to get an idea.

He said snow was still good and he would have all of us for sledding and guide his mountain so we head north.

We gathered at the parking lot at 6:30am. I stayed at Mitsu's house and left house at 4:45am. To enjoy the last powder fully, we needed to get up on the top as soon as sun lighted up.

Riding tandem and towing another rider was totally a Japanese style. I thought it would never work but this is how we did.

Probably those guys who were towing had to stop at least a couple of times. Meanwhile waiting for them to show up, I had a snap shot with Mitsu and Shota Suzuki in front of Urabandai

and a self portrait.

Mitsu retired from the pro snowboard scene and now runs a snowboard shop in Fukushima called Post. These guys are Mitsu's friends and employees who saved powder for us from yesterday. They came up with us and chilled.

Masai was one of my crew members for this trip. I had never met him before. He demonstrated some sick riding style.

Shunsuke is another one of 3 riders. We met once when I invited NoBoard crew from Canada to Japan. We didn't have any of chance to get known each other but we became friends after the trip.

Here is another Masai's shot. It's too bad that I can not show any of 5 stars photos. Thanks again Mitsu! It was the best trip in Fukushima. I would like to go back there again.

Snowboard Tradeshow in Japan

2011-02-19T11:43:00.000+09:00

It was nice to visit at the snowboard industry tradeshow in Yokohama. I emptied a box of business card. People who I haven't seen for a long time were there. I was there for 3 days and reconnected to a bunch of guys again.

I went to YES and bumped into riders. They are so energetic and fun to hang out with. Yoshi, DP, Romain, JP, Tadashi with Kale, Aki and Hiromi. Killing it.

At IS Eyewear I found my photo on the wall. So sick to see my photo as big as wall!

F-Stop

2011-02-08T14:00:00.032+09:00

I got my new camera bag from my sponsor F-Stop yesterday!

Red one is called Satori which I have been using over two years by now. It carries 58 liters and it is the biggest bag that F-Stop produces. Inside the bag is roomy and makes you want to carry everything you want. Even though I am a short Japanese guy (5'6") and literally too big for my back but it fits so well. My dad has run a mountain equipment shop in my hometown since I was little and he always told me that a good bag doesn't make me tired even though if it's heavy, and I surely believed so after I used this bag.

The black one is my dream bag and just arrived. Even though Loka is only able to carry 37 liters, that's how much I need for my filed. The height is perfect for my back as well. Can't wait to use it especially for snowmobiling. Satori didn't give me enough space for looking up because of less clearance between helmet and the bag frame. Let's see how it goes!

The shape of ICU has been redesigned too. I liked the round shape but honestly the square one carries more stuff inside.

A newer design for shovel and poles.

Check out the updated details. There are flaps of zippers that will avoid scratching expensive gears.

My Friend Colin from Canada

2011-02-08T01:06:00.130+09:00

I hope everybody had a great time in Japan. 2 weeks before the trip, my drunker call to Colin started the episode. I was literally drunk at the night in Japan and started calling friends in Canada. Colin was one of them who got waken up at around 7am and received my annoying call. Simply I told him over the phone to gear up so we could go filming early but he knew that it was me and I was only joking. After we spoke for a while, I told him to come over to Japan and hang out with me but, he said "yes, I am actually coming".

In that week I got an offer to shoot photos with them in Japan from the director of Alterna Films Carlo Wein and the story really happened.

From the beginning, Colin refused to receive plastic bags from stores. Almost every single morning and evening we stopped at convenience store and buy foods but Colin always carried everything in his hand. Japan is probably well known as over wrapping products plus bags, bags, bags...

I don't know how Colin figured from the beginning, I didn't see Colin was using any plastic bags and every time I saw him getting out from the store, impressed me. He is a true eco friendly snowboarder.

Colin and Rasman liked the Japan style. They enjoyed the noodles and performed the squeezed table manner.

Colin showed his air off to us. After the sunset, he enjoyed riding decent powder snow in Niseko backcountry.

He didn't wear grabs most of time. At the end of the trip I also found out that he didn't wear anything other than outer shell, tank top and first layer.

He draw different sizes of man's gun and sack above flags.

Colin probably ate ice cream at least twice a day. Shopping for breakfast and lunch, he always had one in his hand. On the way back to home, he always had one as well. When we went to restaurant, he also ordered 3 different flavors and ate them all. He must like Japanese ice creams.

I was trying to tell who he looked like. I thought that John Forsythe in Scrooged was the best bet but I wasn't satisfied. Today I saw an editor to show all the photos from this trip and he said "this guy Colin looks like Sulley in Monsters Inc." then I agreed. Colin made our trip to Hokkaido very enjoyable and so much fun!

First Day of Shooting Photos on Snow

2011-01-29T17:44:00.002+09:00

Finally my winter season started today! My crew for this week, there are Tadej Valentan from Slovenia, Chris Rasman from Canada and Taka Nakai. Our filmmaker is Colin D. Watt from Alterna Films and Masaomi from Samurai Films. It's so weird seeing my boy Colin over here in Japan. He looked happy as usual. He makes me happy every time I see him. It will be a fun trip.

The first shooting point Taka took us some off-highway shooting spot. Taka is pointing at some features and showing Tadej. Chris was already stepping forward and checking his own line.

Taka went off first but snow was sh*t. He almost fell off from the cliff. This face got too wind-effected.

Chris found some fan stuff on the way up to the top and tried to make an air out of it but didn't make it. The transition wasn't smooth. Good try and I want to shoot pillows.

Since it is my first day for me, there were lots of excuse that I wasn't doing right. Plus snow wasn't good and it made riders uncomfortable riding powder. Hopefully we will kill it from tomorrow.

On the way back home, Tadej was capturing our conversation with Canon 7D. Colin the filmmaker was using a compact camera and explaining us how good the camera is. Taka wasn't happy cause he lost his iPhone 4 on snow.

Areth Shoes Catalog Photo Shoot Session

2011-01-29T16:02:00.002+09:00

Sucks that I still haven't received my gears and equipment from Japanese Customs yet. Especially I get ordered for shooting photos, I have to borrow pretty much everything from friends and a rental shop. If I didn't snap my clavicle, surely I would have brought them with me but I had to ship them out. No choice.

Anyway, my long time friend Bancho who owns a shoe company called AREth. I got asked to shoot photos for his catalog two weeks ago and I accepted it because I should have had my boxes delivered a week ago. I called up the other long time friend who worked at a rental commercial photo studio together in the early 90's. He has been mainly doing the commercial stuff since so his studio is fully loaded by the high end stuff. I called him and asked his favor. Luckily he wasn't busy today so he was able to supply us his studio space and his camera equipment to shoot Bancho's products.

First of all he was helping me for setting up lights and the camera but since we reached at some point, I had no clue using the high end stuff. The technology he has at studio just amazed me.

I have never connected my digital camera to computer and shoot photo remotely but that's what he did. I have never color-calibrated my monitor but he showed us how. Basically after all the lessons, he shot photos and I replaced products.

FREERUN Magazine Feb Issue

2011-01-26T16:17:00.000+09:00

Hopefully everybody is having a wonderful season. I don't believe that January is almost over. Since I moved back to Japan from Canada, I have gone up to mountain once. Yes, only once! It's been a record to me. All of my stuff is still at the Japanese Customs and getting inspected so I don't have any mountain gear with me including all of my camera equipment. Since I broke my clavicle before I left Canada and wasn't able to carry anything, I ended up packed everything in boxes and shipped them out. I am going to Hokkaido from this Friday and have to rent everything. So lame and unprofessional!

At least FREERUN made me happy today. I received the Feb issue and found my photo from the last season. Yeah, Aki!

Fall Line Photo Book

2011-01-06T16:26:00.001+09:00

I have introduced a Japanese shredder's magazine called Fall Line. I received it today and I am so stoked to see my photo in the mag. I also found so many good ski and snowboard photographers out there in these days. They are so unique and shoot great photos! The book made me to want to go shooting shredders. If you haven't checked it out yet, you gotta see it.

Here is my shot of Aki in Callaghan Lake.

Calligraphy

2011-01-02T11:18:00.000+09:00

Calligraphy is one of basic Japanese education. Probably 99% of kids learn at school. I learned at school for at least 8 years as well and after school I learned from a local calligraphy master once a week for 3 years. However my daughter Karen has never done it since she grew up in Canada. We had a special calligraph lesson at a new home for all day. By the way she killed it. She is precise.

I haven't done it over 25 years. I tried to keep my mind from wandering but stray thoughts distract my calligraphy. I wrote down "progress" in Japanese but the volume isn't heavy enough.

My book release party in Vancouver!

2010-12-01T18:46:00.001+09:00

at Red Bull on 1128 Homer St., downtown Vancouver, BC

Transworld Snowboarding Japan

2010-11-22T15:16:00.000+09:00

Check out the next issue (Dec.5th) of Transworld Snowboarding Japan! A collaboration of Koni and me will be printed. Shot in Rutherford, B.C.

Fall Line Photo Book

2010-11-20T14:49:00.028+09:00

A Japanese shed journal called Fall called Fall Line picked one of my favorite photos for the photo issue.

Aki Hiraoka the shredder and I worked on the picture on one of last days of Callaghan Lake but it had never had a chance to be exposed. I'm happy that snowboard and ski magazines have started publishing timeless photos recently.

Tadashi's Interview in Hungary's Whiteline

2010-11-19T02:25:00.000+09:00

A Hungarian snowboard magazine called Whiteline had an interview of Tadashi with my photos.

Introduction on SNOWSTYLE

2010-11-06T13:14:00.014+09:00

My book was introduced in SNOWSTYLE December Issue.

Stoked!

Heaven and Hell on Big Island, Hawaii

2010-10-27T15:08:00.001+09:00

Both pictures were shot by my iPhone on Big Island, Hawaii. All day we were searching a surf point. In the morning, we saw a beautiful beach and waves from the highway so drove down there and checked out. When we got there, we found out that the wave was beach break but we just could not help ourselves jumping in the clearest water we've ever seen. So we did. We ended up hanging out there for two hours and had an epic time.

The second picture was our original destination for the day. Only the south point seemed to have at least waves so we drove down after the morning session. The south point was absolutely beautiful but the water untouchable. It was super windy and no beach. We could not even get any closer to water too. Everything looked so mean.

Within 2 hours drive, we experienced two different mother ocean.

Photos in Columbia Japan

2010-10-26T15:02:00.000+09:00

Mr. Itoh the marketing of Columbia sent me a link of web catalog they made on SBN online shop.

I didn't expect that it would be covered by all of my photos of Koni. So stoked.

Koni and I probably spent 5, 6 times in Whistler backcountry in 2010 season and totally scored.

Picture Profile

2010-10-24T02:55:00.001+09:00

Nori took a picture of my face at Waikiki Beach. I know how to take photos but not used to be taken photos. I thought it would be hard for modeling myself but Nori captured my natural smiling face. At the same time I appreciate people whoever have been in front of my camera.

I got requested by SNOWSTYLE magazine in Japan to submit them my profile photo and supposed to be cool but I couldn't do it.

We went back to Nori's house and retouched it on Lightroom. The software is amazing. I think the picture turned out good.

Sketches of My New Book

2010-10-08T15:24:00.001+09:00

Cheetah Factory Racing the Boardski Rack

2010-10-01T05:02:00.002+09:00

I went to the Cheetah Factory Racing to shoot photos of their new products yesterday.

You know the company? This company is well known in snowmobile, snowboard and ski industry.

CFR makes a rack for shredders. If you see the rack anywhere in the world, it comes from here beside homemade racks.

We didn't have a studio space so the owner provide me a 1/4 of his garage space. It was sunny and warm . The 1/2 of setting is inside. My camera and myself were outside. In the afternoon, I made the owner to hold a cardboard and cut the sunlight.

It was a perfect setting for product photo shoot but we killed it. So much easier than films. Can you imagine?

This is one of the new products called "boardski". It holds a snowboard or ski. Pretty sick.

The list of products we had to shoot photos yesterday. We finished the 3 pages list within 5 hours + 1 hour chatting.

Inside of the owner's garage. I shot the photo when he ran up stairs. Otherwise he wouldn't let me to shoot photos because he was complaining all day how messy his garage was. In fact his neighbor was pulling out all his stuff from his garage all day and reorganizing inside. They ended up taking away so much stuff to another storage.

Engagement Photo Session

2010-09-24T04:27:00.000+09:00

In this early week, I had an engagement photo session with Emily and Garry. We were very lucky to pick one gorgeous evening to have the session since the weather had been wet lately. We went out the beach where we could view the sunset and the Stanley Park.
I tried to capture them as much as casual and they perfectly fitted in my finder! The photos turned out pretty good. They were a sweet couple. Can't wait to shoot photos at their wedding! Thanks Emily and Garry! It was a nice photo session.

A love catcher!? Always fun to have something to shoot with. Their background was a beautiful sunset but I had an image already shooting the photo on B&W and I wanted to capture the sunset with them on something else so it was a hard decision for myself but I changed the color-tone.

So this is it. They are friend's of my friends. I met them through the friend but we didn't know each other much yet. Most of time it's hard to capture who they are and difficult to pull out their personality but they did pretty well for me in front of camera. This photo session made our relationship a bit closer. Got more beautiful and formal photos including serious posing and etc but I really like this one.

After we spent close to an hour, I started seeing their personality more. I requested them to get much closer and more playful. Then Emily jumped on Garry's back and I was able to capture her natural feeling with Garry.

I don't want to grow up!

2010-09-20T15:31:00.004+09:00

I would like to announce that now I finished the layout of my 2nd photography book entitled "I don't want to grow up!" and waiting for the color proof. Hopefully it will be printed on time.

I would like to thank to Kenta Goto at Write Left. I couldn't finish the design without him.

And, I would like to thank to all of my sponsors.

I hope everyone likes it.

Slednecks 13

2010-09-09T11:54:00.001+09:00

Slednecks 13 - Slednecks - OFFICIAL 2010 Snowmobile Trailer from vas entertainment on Vimeo.

A New Camera Bag Loka Released

2010-09-08T13:41:00.002+09:00

One of my sponsours F-Stop has recently released a new camera bag called Loka. It's a lightweight camera sport pack and was designed with the traveling photographer in mind.

I use Satori which has 58L capacity. I can put whatever I need in backcountry but it's obviously the pack is almost too big for a day trip or especially when I move a lot and carry it around. This 37L Loka will allows me more activity and better footwork. Can't wait to try it out.

YESNOWBOARD Ad

2010-08-30T15:33:00.002+09:00

A new YES/NO ad of YES.NOW.BOARD

Shot in Face Mountain, BC

Another Cover Shot with Tadashi Fuse

2010-08-28T15:39:00.006+09:00

I got another cover with Tadashi Fuse!

SNOWSTYLE magazine in Japan will release the October issue with my photo on cover. The rider is my favorite rider as Tadashi Fuse and shot in Whistler backcountry. The cornice built up bigger than any previous seasons and we were excited to shoot some cool stuff off the wall.

I push down the exposure on Adobe Lightroom 3 to get the image more like an ensemble of light and shadow. This will be our 12th cover shot since we started shooting photos together in Whistler backcountry in Y2K. Tadashi started his own video production called Heart Films 4 years ago and still killin' it. I am so lucky to shoot photos with a rider who has been motivated all the time. Stay tuned!

I used a Canon EOS-1D Mark III with EF50mm f1.4 USM and set it up on ISO100 with 1/1250 shutter speed and f/6.3 aperture.

SHAKEDOWN

2010-08-20T12:47:00.003+09:00

For the first time ever, director Mike McEntire and director Sean Kearns have joined forces to bring you the most progressive snowboard video ever - "SHAKEDOWN".

In a combined effort, the directors put together what they believed to be a so called Dream Team.

The picture was directed by Trevor Graves at studio nemo.

Jon Kooley, TJ Schneider & Jeremy Jones on back row left to right

Chris Brown, Tadashi Fuse & Seth Huot on center row left to right

Kale Stephens, Mikey Leblanc, JP Walker & Lukas Huffman on front row left to right

Heikki Sorsa, JP Solberg, Micah McGinnity & Shaun White are not on the picture

Shot in April 2003

Vivo Headwear Party at Barcelona Night Club

2010-08-13T21:22:00.001+09:00

Vivo Headwear had a party at Barcelona on Granville St. in Vancouver last night.

I was invited for shooting photos of guests and friends for PUSH.CA at the entrance and it turned out really fun. I don't go out night clubs much anymore but the party made me want to go back there again and hang out with friends.

Check them out some photos from last night!

Need Someone's Help

2010-08-11T04:02:00.002+09:00

Recently I have been working on Tadashi Fuse's photography book.

I am trying to put as much as information about him and also trying to use a story from his interviews in snowboard magazines from all over the world.

I mostly retyped words of stories in English and Japanese but I only can not retype this story from Snowboarder MBM. I wrote down the story but translated in German (I believe).

Would you anyone help me typing the words in the language for me and Tadashi? or please introduce me to anyone who might be interested in this project.

Mud Slide

2010-08-10T03:47:00.002+09:00

A frined who lives in Pemberton pass forwarded pictures of mud slide which happened on the last weekend. It is a massive mud slide. Someone was hiking in the area on the day and got evacuated by no clue to him. Afterwards he found that his car was tumbled down by the slide.

Here is the details what my friend wrote me:

HELLO DICE ITS WAS CAPICORN CREEK IN THE MEAGER VALLEY WHICH RUNS INTO THE LILOOETT RIVER . IT BLOW UP INTO THE MEAGER VALLEY 1.5 KMS ½ KM FROM THE MEAGER HOT SPRINGS & OUT BLOW INTO THE PEMBERTON VALLEY DAMMING UP MEAGER AT CAPRICORN CREEK & AS WELL RIGHT ACROSS PEMBERTON VALLEY DAMMING LILOOET RIVER & DOWN THE PEMBERTON VALLEY A COUPLE OF KMS . [ MANY KMS OROAD GONE WIPED RIGHT OUT FOR EVER HISTORY]THE LILOOET RIVER BROKE THROUGH IT DAM AT NOON THAT DAY & THE MEAGER AT ABOUT 10:00 THAT NIGHT . THAT’S WAY OFFICALS OVER PANICED ALL OF US OLD LOCALS STAYED PUT BECAUSE WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE BUT THE NEW COMERS PANICED & MOVE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT & BACK AT 11;00 THAT MORNING. AS IS WELL RIGHT NOW MANY PIECES OF EQUIPMENT LOST & SOME PEOPLE LOST THEIER JOBS DUE TO NO ACCESS TO THE AREA ANYMORE . IT IS FU…. HUGE MESS. HOPE I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION. FROM AB.