Cheer on Runners in the Okinawa Marathon

Join the local community and support runners in the Okinawa Marathon 2010. The race is on Sunday March 7 from 9:00 am to 3:15 pm, ending at Comprehensive Park in Okinawa City.

Last year, we had a blast standing along the race course, cheering on runners and observing all the funny costumes. You'll see the whole range of outfits from super heroes to the infamous Goya man, who seems to make a showing at every athletic event! It's definitely an interesting cultural experience and it's all free!

In addition to spying fun costumes, it's really fun to interact with local Okinawans and see how they show support for marathoners. In the States, when I did the Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego, spectators gave us snacks of oranges and peanut butter sandwiches and even hosed us down if we got too hot. 

Not so in Okinawa. Here, you'll see grannies handing out pickled plums and other salty offerings to weary runners needing a boost.  There will also be children doing dances and lots of pets along for the occasion.

Some popular places to stand on the course include Gate 2 street outside of Kadena and patches along Plaza Housing near the 331. There are also spots along Chatan and Camp Foster. For full marathon route, check out the course map here.

We were so caught up in the excitement that we even made our way to Comprehensive Park to the finish line. What exciting foods do Okinawan marathoners eat to recharge after running 26.2 miles? You'll just have to go and see for yourself.

For more information about the Okinawa Marathon, check out the official website here.

To See - Black and White

Get an eyeful of all the past Okinawa Hai TO SEE submissions HERE...and check out our PhotOkinawa group feed (left hand side, scroll down...)

OK, fellow photographers, this is the last TO SEE post.

Although I LOVE colour photography, B&W is where it all began for me and I am sure a few reading: BW ilford film and a darkroom full of smelly chemicals. Of course many still use film too but at least it is easy to convert to B&W digitally. There is just something special about Black and White! So, without further ado, taking it out 'old skool' with Black and White!

Tree by M.Schiess

'Sea side rabble' by ReBekha Michele "Taken while exploring an out-of-the-way little beach near the Southern Links Golf Resort in Okinawa. I enjoyed this run down building covered in graffiti. A ghost of some forgotten tourist attraction, I think. :)"

 

Women by Jyll. I have had the pleasure of shooting with jyll on one of our PhotOkinawa model excursions. She not only has a great photographic eye, but is a great person too :o)

'Shells' by Beanandbirdie

 

'Soul 2 Sole' by Me. Sleeping in Okinawa. Gritty processing to match the subject matter... 

Tree roots at Peace Memorial by prpldrgnfly2010

A clever take on the theme by Katarockus Very cool!

I am sorry if there were more entered after the morning on Friday, I am attempting a hop, so gotta go and try and fly! Please check the flickr stream (which is now open to post whatever Okinawa you want, when you want, if you want!)

And upwards and onwards life goes. Thanks all. See you on the other side :o)

To See - Minimalism

Get an eyeful of all the past Okinawa Hai TO SEE submissions HERE...and check out our PhotOkinawa group feed (left hand side, scroll down...)

Okistephie is back showing us minimalism with this shot of the beautiful sakura. Actually her husband took this shot. Good job hubby!

If you are shooting with an SLR and want to just focus on one part of a shot (like in this one) it is great to open up that aperture (which is actually the lowest F number your lens goes to (f/1.8, etc) and then you can isolate your subject, taking the background out of focus and making for a dramatic shot...the out of focus points and they way they are rendered are known as boke (or bokeh)...

February 19th THEME : Black and White

• Submissions due on Friday, February 19th before midnight in Okinawa.
• Remember to title and tag your submissions with the theme.

Some changes are a-coming. Watch this space. The Flickr PhotOkinawa group will be opened up for any images of Okinawa after next week and also for any photos people want to share from the meetups.
Black and White will be the last To See submission. Laughs, I've had a few! Thanks for playing :o)

To See - Cloud

Get an eyeful of all the past Okinawa Hai TO SEE submissions HERE...and check out our PhotOkinawa group feed (left hand side, scroll down...)

I am featuring the three images posted for cloud this week. If you haven't arrived in/on Okinawa yet, you are in for a wonderful treat when it comes to clouds. There are some absolutely amazing cloud formations out here.

Thriveoutdoors is back after a long day of paddling near Onna point...

BijoD captured this image on their way to the hidden cave over on Hamahiga Island (one of Okinawa's outer islands)...

and Louisadestreza brought the day to an end with this view in Yomitan...

February 12th THEME : Minimalism

• Submissions due on Friday, February 12th before midnight in Okinawa.
• Remember to title and tag your submissions with the theme.

For the week after next, let us try 'Black and White' as a theme. Please don't post any 'B&W' photos up on Flickr until it is that weeks theme, but this will give people some more time to think about some photos they might want to take and submit.

PS: If anyone has some cool ideas for future themes, just email me (address at bottom!)

HOW TO JOIN THE PHOTOGRAPHY FUN

1. If you are not already a member, create a free Flickr account.
2. Join the PhotOkinawa group.
3. Upload your photo to the group.
4. The title, content and tag of your photo need to match the weekly theme.
5. Your photo must be submitted by Fridays at midnight Okinawa time.

Every Monday, the photo of the week chosen by myself and the previous week's photographer will be posted here alongside the theme for the following week. It’s not a straight up competition but rather a playful way to exercise our photographic eye while sharing our take on Okinawa with each other.

And onwards it goes.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

1. One photo per person, per week, please.
2. Watermarked images are fine, but please keep them from distracting from the image.
3. Go out there and get your best shot of the theme!

 Any questions? You can email me at p_oliveras@yahoo.com

To See - Youth

Get an eyeful of all the past Okinawa Hai TO SEE submissions HERE...and check out our PhotOkinawa group feed (left hand side, scroll down...)

Melfeldt brings us 'Youth' this week.

Taken at Torii beach at sunset. Look at this little girl go! The one thing I really love about Okinawa is that the kids can just run and really explore and BE KIDS! Thank you Melfeldt and everyone else.

Now for some cloud. Okinawa definitely has its fair share of amazing cloud formations throughout the year. If you have a cloud shot, please post it and if not, maybe this week with give a great cloud shot opportunity!

February 5th THEME : Cloud

• Submissions due on Friday, February 5th before midnight in Okinawa.
• Remember to title and tag your submissions with the theme.

For the week after next, let us try 'Minimalism' as a theme. The less the better! Please don't post any 'minimalism' photos up on Flickr until it is that weeks theme, but this will give people some more time to think about some photos they might want to take and submit.

PS: If anyone has some cool ideas for future themes, just email me (address at bottom!)

HOW TO JOIN THE PHOTOGRAPHY FUN

1. If you are not already a member, create a free Flickr account.
2. Join the PhotOkinawa group.
3. Upload your photo to the group.
4. The title, content and tag of your photo need to match the weekly theme.
5. Your photo must be submitted by Fridays at midnight Okinawa time.

Every Monday, the photo of the week chosen by myself and the previous week's photographer will be posted here alongside the theme for the following week. It’s not a straight up competition but rather a playful way to exercise our photographic eye while sharing our take on Okinawa with each other.

And onwards it goes.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

1. One photo per person, per week, please.
2. Watermarked images are fine, but please keep them from distracting from the image.
3. Go out there and get your best shot of the theme!

 Any questions? You can email me at p_oliveras@yahoo.com

To See - One

Get an eyeful of all the past Okinawa Hai TO SEE submissions HERE...and check out our PhotOkinawa group feed (left hand side, scroll down...)

Pmyer brings us ONE breaching whale. Taken with a D90 (105mm) on the East side of Nago. This was taken last February. Okinawa is gearing up for this years whale watching season and there are many opportunities for tours, just check out all the local publications. Thanks for playing everyONE!

January 29th THEME : Youth

• Submissions due on Friday, January 29th before midnight in Okinawa.
• Remember to title and tag your submissions with the theme.

For the week after next, let us try 'Cloud' as a theme. Please don't post any 'cloud' photos up on Flickr until it is that weeks theme, but this will give people some more time to think about some photos they might want to take and submit.

PS: If anyone has some cool ideas for future themes, just email me (address at bottom!)

HOW TO JOIN THE PHOTOGRAPHY FUN

1. If you are not already a member, create a free Flickr account.
2. Join the PhotOkinawa group.
3. Upload your photo to the group.
4. The title, content and tag of your photo need to match the weekly theme.
5. Your photo must be submitted by Fridays at midnight Okinawa time.

Every Monday, the photo of the week chosen by myself and the previous week's photographer will be posted here alongside the theme for the following week. It’s not a straight up competition but rather a playful way to exercise our photographic eye while sharing our take on Okinawa with each other.

And onwards it goes.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

1. One photo per person, per week, please.
2. Watermarked images are fine, but please keep them from distracting from the image.
3. Go out there and get your best shot of the theme!

 Any questions? You can email me at p_oliveras@yahoo.com

To See - Yellow

Get an eyeful of all the past Okinawa Hai TO SEE submissions HERE...and check out our PhotOkinawa group feed (left hand side, scroll down...)

This week, Subajogu's car image represents 'yellow' for us. I am not a car fanatic myself, as long as it has 4 wheels and a steering wheel I am mostly good. But, I realize that some people just adore cars. I must say, I love the colours of some of the cars out here and would love to have what my daughter calls a 'hot green' car!

Subajogu says, "I saw this Lamborghini while riding toward Hamahiga-jima. I quickly pulled over to get a few pictures. Although it's a rental, it's rare to see these on Okinawa." More images over on the flickr group, thanks for playing :o)

January 15th THEME : ONE

• Submissions due on Friday, January 15th before midnight in Okinawa.
• Remember to title and tag your submissions with the theme.

For the week after next, in honor of 'Seijin-no-Hi'/coming of age day' let us try 'youth' as a theme. Of course, the images can be of anything that represents youth to you. Please don't post any 'youth' photos up on Flickr until it is that weeks theme, but this will give people some more time to think about some photos they might want to take and submit.

PS: If anyone has some cool ideas for future themes, just email me (address at bottom!)

HOW TO JOIN THE PHOTOGRAPHY FUN

1. If you are not already a member, create a free Flickr account.
2. Join the PhotOkinawa group.
3. Upload your photo to the group.
4. The title, content and tag of your photo need to match the weekly theme.
5. Your photo must be submitted by Fridays at midnight Okinawa time.

Every Monday, the photo of the week chosen by myself and the previous week's photographer will be posted here alongside the theme for the following week. It’s not a straight up competition but rather a playful way to exercise our photographic eye while sharing our take on Okinawa with each other.

And onwards it goes.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

1. One photo per person, per week, please.
2. Watermarked images are fine, but please keep them from distracting from the image.
3. Go out there and get your best shot of the theme!

 Any questions? You can email me at p_oliveras@yahoo.com

To See - Cold!

Get an eyeful of all the past Okinawa Hai TO SEE submissions HERE...and check out our PhotOkinawa group feed (left hand side, scroll down...)

Happpyyyyyy Newwww Yeeeeaaaar! Erika AKA Bija D brings us a chilly image to start off the new year photo fun. There is no mistaking that clear and crispy blue sky, it is a winter day in Okinawa! And it's actually quite cilly out there this morning so a perfect match to the day! Oh, happy, happy Monday! (That's semi sarcasm, but for a Monday, I do feel unusually cheery!)

In a couple of weeks lots of the the trees will turn pink for cherry blossom season...Check out Erika's photostream on flickr for some great under the sea shots too...Thanks for playing!

In other news for the Okinawa photo world this week: Got sushi? A few of us local photographers got together and we have some images up at Sushi Zen. *Note: scroll to the comments for the directions, the location changed from the original post. To read more about the exhibit click the text ad on the right or click here.

January 8th THEME : Yellow

• Submissions due on Friday, January 8th before midnight in Okinawa.
• Remember to title and tag your submissions with the theme.

For the week after next let us try 'ONE' as a theme. Please don't post any 'ONE' photos up on Flickr until it is that weeks theme, but this will give people some more time to think about some photos they might want to take and submit.

PS: If anyone has some cool ideas for future themes, just email me (address at bottom!)

HOW TO JOIN THE PHOTOGRAPHY FUN

1. If you are not already a member, create a free Flickr account.
2. Join the PhotOkinawa group.
3. Upload your photo to the group.
4. The title, content and tag of your photo need to match the weekly theme.
5. Your photo must be submitted by Fridays at midnight Okinawa time.

Every Monday, the photo of the week chosen by myself and the previous week's photographer will be posted here alongside the theme for the following week. It’s not a straight up competition but rather a playful way to exercise our photographic eye while sharing our take on Okinawa with each other.

And onwards it goes.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

1. One photo per person, per week, please.
2. Watermarked images are fine, but please keep them from distracting from the image.
3. Go out there and get your best shot of the theme!

 Any questions? You can email me at p_oliveras@yahoo.com

To See - Pottery

Get an eyeful of all the past Okinawa Hai TO SEE submissions HERE...and check out our PhotOkinawa group feed (left hand side, scroll down...)

This weeks pottery image is provided courtesy of SvitanNikol. A wonderful vast array of pottery item to feast yours eyes upon!

Lots of lovely colours and textures, I am wishing I didn't miss it. Next year, next year! Thanks so much for playing and for the other submitted images on the stream.
 
January (GASP!) 1st THEME : Cold!

• Submissions due on Friday, January 1st before midnight in Okinawa.
• Remember to title and tag your submissions with the theme.

For the week after next let us hit the colour wheel again and do 'Yellow' as a theme. I was about to say green, but realized we did that, I am hoping yellow hasn't been covered yet! I know it sounds obvious, but please make your submissions predominantly YELLOW! Please don't post any 'Yellow' photos up on Flickr until it is that weeks theme, but this will give people some more time to think about some photos they might want to take and submit.

PS: If anyone has some cool ideas for future themes, just email me (address at bottom!)

HOW TO JOIN THE PHOTOGRAPHY FUN

1. If you are not already a member, create a free Flickr account.
2. Join the PhotOkinawa group.
3. Upload your photo to the group.
4. The title, content and tag of your photo need to match the weekly theme.
5. Your photo must be submitted by Fridays at midnight Okinawa time.

Every Monday, the photo of the week chosen by myself and the previous week's photographer will be posted here alongside the theme for the following week. It’s not a straight up competition but rather a playful way to exercise our photographic eye while sharing our take on Okinawa with each other.

And onwards it goes.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

1. One photo per person, per week, please.
2. Watermarked images are fine, but please keep them from distracting from the image.
3. Go out there and get your best shot of the theme!

 Any questions? You can email me at p_oliveras@yahoo.com

To See - Anything goes

Get an eyeful of all the past Okinawa Hai TO SEE submissions HERE...and check out our PhotOkinawa group feed (left hand side, scroll down...)

Love this super colourful image this week by Michael AKA mjspagna. It is "Oki junk - pile of scrap metal near new apartment building site near Sunabe Baba Park". Great capture! Truly Okinawa!

Lots more Okinawa images on the flickr stream...

Next week pottery. I completely forgot about the festival yesterday, but I hope to see your images, even if they weren't taken yesterday. Happy Christmas/holidays or as Virgin Atlantic say 'Happy Christkwanukkah'

December 25th THEME : Pottery

• Submissions due on Friday, December 25th before midnight in Okinawa.
• Remember to title and tag your submissions with the theme.

For the week after next I was thinking 'cold' as a theme. That is what I am feeling right now! However, you can interpret the concept of cold anyway you want to! Please don't post any 'cold' photos up on Flickr until it is that weeks theme, but this will give people some more time to think about some photos they might want to take and submit.

PS: If anyone has some cool ideas for future themes, just email me (address at bottom!)

HOW TO JOIN THE PHOTOGRAPHY FUN

1. If you are not already a member, create a free Flickr account.
2. Join the PhotOkinawa group.
3. Upload your photo to the group.
4. The title, content and tag of your photo need to match the weekly theme.
5. Your photo must be submitted by Fridays at midnight Okinawa time.

Every Monday, the photo of the week chosen by myself and the previous week's photographer will be posted here alongside the theme for the following week. It’s not a straight up competition but rather a playful way to exercise our photographic eye while sharing our take on Okinawa with each other.

And onwards it goes.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

1. One photo per person, per week, please.
2. Watermarked images are fine, but please keep them from distracting from the image.
3. Go out there and get your best shot of the theme!

 Any questions? You can email me at p_oliveras@yahoo.com