Photographer Shiori Iwakura’s NAGA and Photographic Journey <Part 1>.

This time, as a collaboration project between " NICO STOP," a photo lifestyle web magazine operated by Nikon Imaging Japan Inc. and " YUKUTE PHOTO," a photo project of Nagato City, we invited photographer Shiori Iwakura to tour Nagato City. The tour was organized in collaboration with "YUKUTE PHOTO," a photo project of Nagato City.

On this page, we present Shiori Iwakura's "Nagato Photo Journey," which took place over two days in early February, along with photos documenting the trip.

Meet the planners and photographers

NICO STOP

NICO STOP is a photo lifestyle web magazine that delivers information on the theme of "the richness that photography can bring. It provides information on how to enjoy photography and cameras, including photo essays, the basics of how to take pictures, and information on spots where you can get in touch with your photos through the finished product.

▷ web site
▷ Instagram(@nicostop_official)
▷ Twitter(@nicostop_editor)

Photographer Shiori Iwakura

Photographer living in Kagawa Prefecture. His film photographs that capture the light of the changing seasons are receiving a favorable response. In March 2019, his first photo book "Sayonara wa Blue" (KADOKAWA) will be published.

▷ web site
▷ Instagram (@iwakurashiori)
▷ Twitter (@Shiori1012)

YUKUTE PHOTO

We want to increase the number of people taking photos in Nagato. With this in mind, the photo event "YUKUTE PHOTO" was born in 2018, and in December 2019, we started posting photos taken under the theme "#Story in Nagato" on SNS to share them with the wider world. Both activities are designed to introduce the wonderful locations of Nagato City and to make people want to "go to Nagato to take pictures".

▷ Official page
▷ Instagram (@yukuteyuku)
▷ Twitter (@yukute_yuku)

Morning at Qinghai Island

Leaving the hotel at 6:00 a.m., the first destination was Qinghai Island, also known as the "Maritime Alps," with a circumference of about 40 km.

When we arrived, the morning glow had begun, and at the same time Mr. Iwakura started shooting.

They were quick to assess the location, checking the direction of sunrise and the position of the moon, and adjusting their shooting position to combine the landscape with the subject.

The first spot "Ohihi Breakwater" and Ms. Shiori Iwakura

Ohibi Breakwater

From the photo project " NAGATO ni Monogatari " / Episode 9 "Touching the Morning Sun

Sunrise time is around 07:09.

The location will be moved to greet the sunrise along "Prefectural Road 283" on Qinghai Island.

Asahi and Shiori Iwakura

The sun rose a short time after our arrival. The sunrise photography begins, surrounded by gentle light.

In Kagawa Prefecture, where Mr. Iwakura lives, it is not possible to see the sunrise from the ocean due to the direction of the sun, so he took a lot of pictures during the limited time he had to see the ocean and the sunrise.

△Shiori Iwakura photographing the direction of sunrise

As the sun rose, the light became stronger.

The way the surface of the sea is illuminated is so mesmerizing that one forgets to release the shutter.

Here, film was loaded for the first time.

Shiori Iwakura loading the △ film

For this project, both Shiori Iwakura and the documentary photography of the trip are using film cameras.

We hope you enjoy the textures and colors unique to film, which are different from those of digital.

Shiori Iwakura photographing the △ sea surface

New spots found while guiding

The area gradually becomes brighter and the sky and sea change their appearance.

As I continued showing him around "Qinghai Island," Mr. Iwakura asked me if I would like to photograph the current location.

We arrived at a spot where we had never photographed before.

There is a landing place along the breakwater, and Mr. Iwakura was impressed by the crystal-clear sea that can be seen all the way down to the sea bottom as he took pictures.

Shiori Iwakura taking a close-up photo of the crystal-clear ocean

The sea in Nagato is clear all year round, so you can see the beautiful sea regardless of the season.

What kind of photos did Mr. Iwakura take at the new spot?

Shiori Iwakura photographing the △ sea from various angles.

Prefectural Road 283

From the photo project " NAGATO ni Monogatari " / Episode 5 "Asahi no Knot

Participated in a tour of the aquaculture farm

After taking a break from photography on Qinghai Island, we headed to the "aquaculture farm" of Ando Corporation's Aquaculture Department, located in the Misumi district, about 20 minutes by car.

Here, we participated in a "tour of the aquaculture farm". We were shown how they farm blowfish, flounder, and eels, and how they raise seawater.

Shiori Iwakura photographing a △ blowfish.

Mr. Iwakura watches for the right moment to take a picture while the blowfish is actively moving.

Other scenes were shot with a focus on the light coming through the gaps between the buildings, the staff at the aquaculture farm, and the entrances and exits of the buildings.

Shiori Iwakura points her camera at the light inside the △ farm.

Shiori Iwakura photographing a staff member

This tour offers a special look at places that are not usually seen.

For photographers, the unusual building and space of the aquaculture farm may also be attractive.

As a bonus, you will receive a special Kaisendon (seafood bowl) for lunch.

Normally, the food is served at a prepared venue, but on this occasion, due to the filming, we enjoyed the food at the nearby " Matsushima Beach".

Shiori Iwakura taking a photo of the tour's special Kaisendon (seafood bowl).

Tour of aquaculture farms

One of the Nagato Experience Programs " Nagatrip "
is now accepting participants in "Nagatrip 2021, Spring"!

• Click here for reservations ⇒ " Fugu Sashimi & Hot Pot Tour " ( fugu sashimi and hot pot)

Staircase leading to the sea

The high temperature for the day was 14 degrees Celsius. The weather was unusual for the time of year and felt warm and spring-like.

Although the trip was in between seasons in early February, the temperature was close to that of a spring trip, and the sea was greenish blue, as one would see in early summer.

The "Matsushima Coast" visited after the tour of the aquaculture farm is located approximately 1 km away from the farm.

While strolling in the vicinity, I found "stairs leading to the sea.

In order to capture the three elements in his photographs: the crystal clear ocean, the light reflecting off the surface of the ocean, and the subject, Mr. Iwakura was shooting from a high vantage point looking down on the subject.

Shiori Iwakura looking down on the "Stairway to the Sea" and taking a photo of the "Stairway to the Sea".

This project is a collaboration with Nikon Imaging Japan Inc.

For this reason, Iwakura uses a Nikon film camera.

The film-like silver camera is so pretty that you can't help but look at it over and over again.

(The Nikon "NEW FM2" film camera used by Ms. Shiori Iwakura in this project.

Matsushima Beach

From the photo project " Nagato ni Monogatari wo " / Episode 18 "Wataame no Yume" (Dream of cotton candy)

What we found in the sea

After finishing filming in the Misumi area, we went back to "Aomi Island.

To get to Cheonghae Island, we crossed the Cheonghae Bridge. Under the bridge is a place where ships often pass by, so we were able to see the "wake".

Shiori Iwakura's shadow being photographed on the (△Cinghai Bridge)

Qinghai Bridge

Photo Project " NAGATO ni Monogatari " / Episode 5 "How to Tie the Sunrise Knot" - from an unpublished story

Just across from "Cheokai Island" is " Ojiyama Park," a park overlooking Senzaki Harbor.

Because of its lovely topography and good views, it attracts many tourists.

Ms. Shiori Iwakura photographing Senzaki

Ojisan Park

Famous for its cherry blossoms, the park is located on a hill overlooking Senzaki Port

The beach seen from "Ojiyama Park" is called " Sawayaka Beach" and is famous as a sunset spot.

Despite the strong winds, Mr. Iwakura was thrilled by the colors of the sea as he took the pictures.

Shiori Iwakura pointing the lens in the direction of the horizon

Refreshing Coast

From the photo project " Nagato ni Monogatari " / Episode 1 "The Sound of Waves, a Sign of the Beginning

Here is where Mr. Iwakura asked me if I could go over there.

Ojibana Lighthouse and Ms. Shiori Iwakura

That is the Ojibana Lighthouse on Qinghai Island.

In fact, I had also tried to photograph the lighthouse at the first spot, "Ohihi Breakwater," but had given up.

Perhaps Mr. Iwakura was looking for a "lighthouse" as he was shooting.

Shiori Iwakura photographing the Ojibana Lighthouse

Shiori Iwakura photographing a shell she found on the beach

While going back and forth between "Omi Island" and "Senzaki" in this way, I found many things in the sea.

How did it look to Mr. Iwakura and how was it captured in the photographs?

After this, Mr. Iwakura will head to the spot where he answered the question we asked him at the end of the trip, "Which place left the greatest impression on you?

<Part 1> Summary

The first day of the "Nagato Photo Tour" is still to come, but this is the end of the first part. We toured nine spots around the "Sea of Nagano.

In " Photographer Shiori Iwakura's Photo Trip to Nagato <Part 2>," we will report on the second day of the "Nagato Photo Trip," starting with "Iwakura's most memorable spots.

The photos taken by Ms. Shiori Iwakura will be published in the photo lifestyle web magazine " NICO STOP " in late March.

Nagato Photo Trip Day 1 Itinerary

1. Ohibi Breakwater
2. Prefectural Road 283(1)
3. Prefectural Road 283(2)
4. Tour of aquaculture farms
5. Matsushima Beach
6. Qinghai Bridge
7. Ojisan Park
8. Refreshing Coast
9. Ojibana Lighthouse
10. ＜Continue to <Part 2

Recorded photos are now available.

The official SNS account of YUKUTE, the Nagato City Tourist Information Center, is showing photos documenting the "Nagato Photo Journey.

Please take a look at Mr. Iwakura's trip.

• Instagram: Nagato City Tourist Information Center YUKUTE (@yukuteyuku)
• Twitter: Nagato City Tourist Information Center YUKUTE (@yukute_yuku)

Related Links

• NICO STOP / Photographer Shiori Iwakura fell in love with the beautiful coastline of "Nagato City, Yamaguchi" - A film journey in pursuit of "Nagato Blue" and light
• Photographer Shiori Iwakura's NAGA and Photographic Journey <Part 2>.
• Photo exhibition: "Tales to Tell in Tawarayama" (3/31)
• Photo project "NAGATO ni Monogatari" (Let's tell a story in NAGATO)
• Workcation / Photographer Ryo Aizawa and Photographer Koichi photographed Nagato City