I can't believe the 2011 Bon Dance season is over. The Okinawan Festival Bon dance is the last one of the year and it seems everyone shows up for this event. Even before dark, after they've gotten their food from the massive food lines, people gathered around the large circle.
I missed most of the day time entertainment, but luckily I got close enough to watch this Taiko dance group.
As the sun started to go down, I thought it'd be cool to catch the sun's last rays. My shots got really overexposed or way underexposed but I was able to salvage this one adjusting the levels and using the Gradient tool in PSE.
After it got dark there was a huge crowd that was about 4-5 people deep and I had to move back so that I could capture them w/ my 70-200mm lens.
The huge spot light provided enough power so that I didn't have to use flash.
I even tried to shoot the beautiful crescent moon coming thru the clouds...zoomed to the max 200mm, and cropped out the black areas.
I went back the 2nd day because I didn't get enough shots to submit to the photo contest. I was able to see a lot of lions.
There were white lions, brown lions, and colorful ones..I got lucky and was able to scoot myself to the grassy area right in front of the stage.. :-)
I was snapping photos of this lion and I noticed that it was coming closer..and closer..and then he leaped at me! I guess it's not a good thing to be so close to the action..In all the excitement didn't even realize I had caught this shot.
Unfortunately, I had to leave by 11am but on my way out, I spotted these dancers applying their makeup for their performance..I wish I could've stayed longer...oh well, maybe next year.
4 comments:
Hey, I love the shot with the sun rays!
I also like your shot with the sun rays and the lion with the guy looking straight into your camera. Cool! Ahhh, Bon Dance season is over.
Wow, nice shots of the lion! I bet you got great shots for the contest.
You got some great shots of the lions!
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