Fuji X-Series, iPhoneography, Japan, Okinawa
Thomas Alan Smilie
Coin Laundry and Chicken
Coin Laundry and Chicken
Thomas Alan Smilie
Happy New Year
Happy New Year
Fuji X-Series, Photography
Thomas Alan Smilie
Fuji x100F w/ TCL-x100 Teleconverter

As I prepare to post my review, I thought I would share a couple photos. I love how my original TCL-x100 Teleconverter looks on my new x100F. I had originally purchased it with my black x100S, but I think I actually like this look better. I’ve now owned every x100 and the love affair just keeps growing with this camera. 

Fuji x100F w/ TCL-x100 Teleconverter
Tokyo, Street, Streets of Tokyo, Fuji X-Series
Thomas Alan Smilie
Streets of Tokyo with the Fuji x100F

This past July  my daughter and I decided on a whim to take a trip to Tokyo for a few days. She was out of school for the summer and it was perfect for some quality father daughter time. It’s been two years since our last trip. Scary how fast time goes by. On my last trip to Tokyo I had just bought the x100T and was testing it out.

Streets of Tokyo with the Fuji x100F
Photography, Fuji X-Series, Okinawa Journal, Okinawa, Japan
Thomas Alan Smilie
Photo of the Day - Waiting for a customer.

Hey everyone. Hope your all doing well today. I took this photo last year while testing my x100T that I had just upgraded to. The photo is part of a blog post I did on shop keepers in Naha. Click here to view that story. I love how he's surrounded with so much merchandise and yet everything looks in place.  

Photo of the Day - Waiting for a customer.

Okinawa Journal

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Seijin no Hi, Coming of Age Day in Japan

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Seijin no Hi, Coming of Age Day in Japan

Today is Seijin no Hi, Coming of Age Day here in Japan. Seijin-no-Hi is a national holiday held on the second Monday of January to celebrate, and congratulate those reaching the age of 20 years old between April 2nd of last year, and April 1st of this year. Ceremonies were held this past weekend at local and prefectural offices, and young people all over Japan dressed  up to celebrate. Many women celebrated by wearing furisode, a style of kimono with long sleeves traditionally meant for unmarried women, while traditional dress for men involves a men's style kimono with hakama. Many men also wore western style suits.

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Beautiful Day in Okinawa, Japan

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Beautiful Day in Okinawa, Japan

It's a beautiful day today in Okinawa. Hope everyone is enjoying it. Tina and I are out driving enjoying the view. Here's a couple shots, and a short video from Onna.

Last Sunset of 2014 in Okinawa

Last Sunset of 2014 in Okinawa

I haven't shot too many sunsets of late, but fortunately the weather cooperated today as I sat on Araha Beach in Chatan enjoying the last sunset of 2014. As is common for me, I preferred to photograph other people enjoying the sunset rather than just the sunset alone. :) Thank you all who have taken time to visit my site, and comment on my work. Hope everyone had a great year, and I wish you all a happy, safe, and prosperous 2015. 

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography

This summer while on vacation my daughter and I ventured over to Meguro-ku to check out the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. I was so excited to visit this, and as expected we really enjoyed it. It was even better since I got to share the experience with my daughter. One of those father daughter days I won't soon forget. The museum is located in the Yebisu Garden Palace building in Ebisu about a 10 minute walk from the station.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Thanks for stopping by.

Okinawa with the Fuji TCL-X100

Okinawa with the Fuji TCL-X100

Part two of my Fuji TCL-X100 Teleconverter Lens review:

In part one I put the new Fuji TCL through it’s paces to see how well it would perform in a studio portrait environment. In part two I take it outside to see how it does in more everyday situations.

Sunset Silhouette

Sunset silhouettes the pirate ship at Araha Beach in Chatan. Okinawa, Japan.

Hina Matsuri, Girls' Day.

Monday was Hina Matsuri, Girls' Day in Japan. Many families displayed Hina Ningjo, a traditional doll display, in their homes to bring good luck and happiness for their daughters. The dolls represent the Emperor, Empress, and attendants in traditional court clothing from the Heian period. Displayed starting in February, the display is usually taken down on or soon after March 4th, as leaving the dolls on display long after this date would result in a late marriage, according to superstition.

Hina Ningjo, Dolls displayed on Hina Matsuri, Girls' Day in Japan.

Many local shops also join in on the celebration. Baskin Robbins celebrates the day with a variety of specialty ice-cream creations such as the one below which mimics the doll display.  

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Cherry Blossoms are back.

It's that time of year again here in Japan when the Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) bloom.  Pink and white blossoms started sprouting as early as two weeks ago in some areas of Okinawa. I'm sure traffic will be higher than normal this weekend as many people venture out to view the seasonal flowers before they begin to fall off and disappear.