Leibovitz & Natchewy

Annie Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer who has dedicated her life to her art. She first began working at Rolling Stone in 1970, and quickly became their chief photographer. When photographing a client, she tries to integrate herself in their surroundings trying to capture candid unposed moments. She says “a lot can be told from what happens between moments” and its these photographs that have helped make her so famous.

 Mick Jagger, Buffalo, New York, 1975.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

After Rolling Stone Leibovitz worked for Vanity Fair. This is where I personally saw her work. For ever my grandmother has had a subscription to vanity fair and has kept every issue. When I was younger I used to look through all her photos and loved the glitz, magic and glamour of the way she posed the celebrities. These are some of my favourite.

More amazing photos can be found at http://vi.sualize.us/tag/annie%20leibovitz/
In contrast to Leibovitz, James Natchwey is a war photographer began taking photos in the 80’s. He can be quoted as saying “through photography he discovered the world and himself”. Through his photos he tries to bring attention to harsh realities of war, capturing painful moments between families such as death, loss and poverty. His photographs are not just art but a method of communication to share with the rest of the world.

These people allow Natchewy to capture these personal moments as it gives them a voice to the outside world that they otherwise would not have. Both photographers have dedicated their lives to their art. So much can be learnt from Natchewys intimate and personal style of taking photographs, and Leibovitz daring and inspired portraits.

Mt Fuji, otherwise known as the day we nearly died (own choice)

Last weekend 2 friends and I decided to take on Fuji San. Now every single one of our friends thought this was a terrible idea as the 3 of  us are not exactly at one with nature and climbing season finished 2 months ago. Not only this, but the weather forecast thunderstorms and as our insurance policy considered the climb an extreme sport and we were not covered. Nether less our tickets were booked and we were trying to be optimistic!

So after our 8 hour night bus to Tokyo, and a 3 hour bus ride to the mountain, we were ready to start the climb at 10:45am!! The weather was not the greatest, extreme fog and a little rain but nothing we couldn't handle...6 exhausting hours later, 3 snack breaks, 1 picnic, 200 photos, the most breath taking views I have ever seen, 5.8km and 4 extra layers of clothing later we were 300m from the summit!! I couldn't believe it! We thought it a little odd that we saw only 4 other climbers all day but didn't worry too much.

Photos: Top- Just a little fog!, Middle- View from the 9th station, Bottom- Huge shadow of Fuji, probably should be down the bottom by now!

It was 5pm and going to get dark soon so we started heading back. Mistake number 10 for the day, should have left 4 hours earlier...it got dark very quickly and it wasn't long before we took the wrong trail and got lost. We saw lights on in a cabin and thought we would ask for help as it was 8pm and we were exhausted! Turns out the last bus left at 3pm (we probably should have looked into this a little more) he let us sleep there for the extreme price of ¥5500 each. But we were very great full as we didn't exactly have many options and it was about 5 degrees.The place was so traditional, complete with a pot belly fire in the lounge room, deer heads on the wall and 1huge communal bunk bed to sleep in. We were asleep by 9pm!

We woke up ready to head back for the bus and couldn't believe the beautiful views! The day before we missed out due to the fog on the lower level, but it was phenomenal! The leaves have started to change for fall and it was beautiful!It was probably the most difficult thing I have ever done - every muscle in my body is still in pain, and I won't be doing it again anytime soon, but I would highly recommend it! Maybe just plan your trip a little better!

  Amazing views that we could have missed due to the fog the morning before

Not the clearest photo that I took, but it was taken from the bus as we

returned to Tokyo. Seeing the sheer size of the volcano, its impossible to believe that I actually climbed it!

Diva Misato

For this piece I chose my good friend Misato, otherwise known as Diva Misato. Misato is 21 years old and was born in Fukuoka.Misato is unlike any other Japanese friend I have. She loud and outgoing, constantly posing for photos, has a love of hip hop music and American culture which is often shown through her facial expressions and vocabulary. Twice she has studied abroad in America to better her English, and I assume this is where her attitude and mannerisms come from! But the most unique thing able Misato is she is 177cm tall, the gentle giant! At least twice on every outing we go on, whether it be shopping, clubbing or at a restaurant she is constantly told that “your Japanese is very good, how long have you been studying?”

Just last weekend, we were at a market in Kyoto and the sales man said easy Japanese words trying to sell his food, slowly yelling “sushi, sushi, sashimi, sashimi” and we said “nijonjin! Nijonjin” pointing at Misato. They are always apologetic and embarrassed to hear this! But the sashimi looked delicious! 

Left:
"Sashimi! Sashimi!"

Right:
Glasses. Check.
Peace Sign. Check.
Nails. Check...
Looks pretty Japanese to me!

Aside from studying at Gaidai, she also studies hair and makeup in Osaka on the weekends. Every day she comes to school with fun and crazy makeup this is where the idea for the photo originated. She is very easy going so it wasn’t too hard to persuade her to take of half a face of makeup! What do you think? I think she looks great both ways, but I love seeing Japanese girls without makeup! It’s so rare!