Goodies
- Tweet
Author Archives: Michael Gakuran
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Preview
The new Olympus OM-Digital EM-5 has just been officially announced. It hasn’t been long since I did a field test for the E-P3, but I’ve been following the rumours and leaks about the E-M5 for some time now, and the new micro 4/3 camera is shaping up to be quite a beast! I’ll be continually […]
Posted in Photography
13 Comments
New Year’s Resolutions 2012
Although rather late, I’ve been quietly contemplating what I should aim for in the Year of the Dragon. I always set vague resolutions for the new year and never really accomplish much because of it. So, I figure making some sort of announcement and written record of my goals might help me to properly focus […]
Posted in Journal
13 Comments
f11 Magazine: Urban Exploration Interview
The online photography magazine f11 contacted me recently requesting an interview about my haikyo travels and urban explorations. The article touches on some of the deeper, philosophical aspects of urbex as well as notes about how I post-process my images and the safety of visiting abandoned locations.
Posted in Haikyo / Ruins
4 Comments
Top 60 Japanese Buzzwords of 2011
Publisher Jiyu Kokuminsha is right on time with its annual release of the top 60 Japanese buzzwords. The words are listed in no set order, but aim to reflect the major trends and events that shaped 2011. A panel of judges will debate the top 10 keywords for this year and announce them on 1st […]
Posted in Japan, Marketing & Branding
13 Comments
Post-Apocalyptic Images of Japan
The ruins and haikyo aficionado in me couldn’t resist making a post about Tokyo Genso‘s fabulous art depicting post-apocalyptic Japan. The illustrations have a breathtaking otherworldly quality that perfectly capture the sort of scenes I regularly come across while exploring ruins, albeit of course, on a much grander and majestic scale.
Posted in Japan
62 Comments
Nikkei Trendy’s Top Trends of 2011 and Predictions for 2012
Nikkei Trendy is a popular trends magazine I’ve been roughly following since arriving here in Japan. I first discovered it while researching for essays at university for the marketing module I took and was impressed with its pleasantly laid-out design and ease of readability.
Posted in Japan, Marketing & Branding
9 Comments
At the Eleventh Hour…
So today is the 11th November, 2011. And this post goes live at 11:11am, at precisely 11 seconds, I guess. A curious date, if nothing else. I read many couples are scrambling to submit their marriage proposals, and of course, we have the usual cries of doom from soothsayers. I was thinking of making some […]
Posted in Journal
4 Comments
A Beautiful Kobushime-chan
Back last year, I visited Ishigakijima, an island south of mainland Okinawa. It was my first time visiting the Ryukyu Islands, and my first real dive since getting my licence back in the U.K. There, in the warm, tropical waters, I was to meet one of nature’s most fascinating and deeply curious creatures. The cuttlefish, […]