The end of 2009 has brought a big storm to Hokkaido, it is presently dumping outside my house. I have only been snowboarding two days so far this season… Unfortunate since this season start has been one of the best I have seen for a long time! If you can make it to Hokkaido this season you are in for a treat!
Monthly Archives: December 2009
On Cafe is open
After four long months of sweat and hard work Jozankei’s lounge/cafe/internet/hang out spot is finally open for business. I have been non-stop trying to get the cafe up and running, so never had a chance to make an official announcement on the blog. Please check the On cafe blog for more info and a few photos.
Script vol. 5 out now!
The new issue of Script magazine is out now! Just got my copy yesterday and I am very happy to announce that I have the cover shot again!
Although it looks rather basic there is a lot of work that went into this photo. First we had to wake up at 3am drive downtown to pick up the crew and models, then drive out to Lake Shikotsu about a 1 and 1/2 hours drive. We started shooting shortly after sunrise. The smoke is from a disco smoke machine that we rented for the shoot. Electricity came from my generator and I used two Elinchrome flashes for the lighting. One with a grid aimed at the models face and the other hidden behind the tree to the right of the frame aiming up at the leaves. Since this was going to be the opening spread of the story I shot at least a hundred versions, certainly didn’t want to screw it up…..
Thanks Gota and Booty
Check out photographer Gota’s blog for some great party snaps at Booty as well as some really nice studio B&W shots. They have set up a mini studio in the back of the club and whenever Gota finds someone interesting he drags them back to the studio to take some portraits. Great idea! They now are producing a yearly photo book of the photos taken at Booty every weekend!
Check out Gota’s blog.
Thanks for taking my picture Gota!
Niseko Atlas first edition on sale
Never had the chance to say congradulations to Idea Park on the publication of the Niseko Atlas. Much rumored about here on the North Island for the last year it is finally on sale at locations around Niseko and beyond. You can also buy a copy on the web here. Great graphics, photos and load of information about Niseko. You will want to have one even if you are a long time visitor to Niseko. Completely bilingual as well. Check it out when you get a chance!
新たなバイブル、ニセコアトラス
販売開始
ニセコエリアのリゾートはもちろん、リゾートからアクセス可能なバックカントリーエリアもデザイナーオリジナルマップで紹介。基本的な装備や雪崩の知識を学んでもらい、ニセコを存分に楽しんでもらうための本です。
著名な方々がインタビューや記事で、ニセコのいろいろな面を語ってくれています。
ポケットサイズなので、携帯するにも便利です。
近くにニセコアトラス取扱店がある方は是非足を運んでいただき、実物を手に取ってみてください。
Baldface early season
Got this off the FYI blog, great footage from just a few weeks ago in Canada at the famous Baldface lodge. Incredible early season they are having in the great white north! Wish I was there!
Tomamu is cold
Two days in tomamu now shooting for the magazine “Nina’s”! It has been cold! Minus 23 yesterday m0rning! Coldest spot in Japan the news said. Nice to be in such a cold place, I love it. The stars have been shining at night and yesterday morning was a perfect blue sky day! Great for shooting fashion/travel/family photos for Nina’s.
great stars at night
Ishihara from Burton on the boat.
Model Raido already a pro at 4 years old! Excuse the dust on the photo no time to correct yet.
Tomamu looking good for this time of year. The powder was light and dry!
My back is sore
The constant construction work is taking it’s tole on my back. Rather sore in the mornings this last week as we make the big push to finish work on the cafe. Yesterday was clean up day, spent the afternoon trying to clean all the dust that has built up on everything over the last few months. Scrubed the floors, waxed, polished the counter, wiped every photo frame and piece of furniture etc.,
The only thing left to finish now is the water piping and the gas for the kitchen and water heater. That all should be happening within the next few days!
Here are a few photos from the last few weeks.
Making the door for the main entrance. How many people do you know who actually make their own doors? I personally don’t know anybody else. It is probably not the strongest door around, but it fits and it keeps the cold out so that is good enough. It didn’t cost a thing either.
Starting to build a large shelving system with two very old beams that I rescued from an old house that has fallen down.
The finished shelf unit
Harada (Max) drilling the holes for the fan above the kitchen.
Another hand made table.
Used a Walnut stain for the first coat, then cherry color stain and then a mix of the two for the final two coats. In total at least seven coats of stain on the counter, plus varnish. Lot of love in that counter.
UK Snow Film Fest
Big thanks to Ben the crew who put on the UK Snow Film Fest recently. They were kind enough to include Car Danchi 4 in the line up along with major movies like “Black Winter” by Standard Films. Apparently Car Danchi 4 was well received by the crowd, check out what Ben has to say about the event.
“The UK SNOW FILM FEST took place last week, and the 2 nights were a huge success with a turn out of over 250 people on the night of Car Danchi and I have to say it went down a HUGE SUCCESS!! Car Danchi 4 RENT stole the show from Standard films and Alterna! After the film finished we had a rush of people asking where they can buy a copy, and the hand outs you gave me were gone within 5 minutes. I think Brighton was the Ideal crowd for Car Danchi’s first EU screening, as its known as a bit of an arty city, and I think the audience really appreciated the artistic vibe of the movie.”
Check out some pictures from the evening. Next year I hope I can make it over to check out this event and the Brighton crowd!
New North Face product videos
Here are a couple of new product instruction videos I made for The North Face web site in Japan. We shot these simple videos in Tateyama last spring. There are four in total, helping to explain the correct way to use the winter specific backpacks that The North Face makes here in Japan. There are a lot of features included with these bags so it might be a good idea to watch so that you don’t miss something.
Click here to go to the official North Face web site, then click on the link called “Users Guide” from there you will see the Snowpacks image below.
Not only video, you can see step by step instructions by photos as well.
The Neil Hartmann Weblog 