Stinky the cat
Nothing special really. Just wanted to add this picture of a friend’s curious cat! (Oh, the cat goes by the name “Stinky”)
Leica M9, 50 summicron
Anna, you own a cool cat!
/Thomas Tanisawa
Blog
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Cirkus Cirkör is performing in Stockholm
Photoshoot with Cirkus Cirkör
Today I was attending an event with Cirkus Cirkör in Stockholm. I have never before seen them perform and it was quite amazing. Without any safety nets (or fear) they make acrobatic acts high up in the air!
Leica M9
This is also a position that could be used when talking in your cell phone, but not for me… If I could get my legs into that position (and I can´t) I would probably have to break them first.
“Don´t let go”
Waiting for the next act.
Next Cirkus Cirkör team takes into the air.
“Maby this is the best angle”
Wow!
/Thomas Tanisawa
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Another flight with skydivers!
Jumping from the hot air balloon
Today we arrange another balloon activity for Aros skydiving club in Västerås. We made a total of two lifts with the balloon so that a total of 12 skydivers could jump.
The first team takes to the sky for a super exiting trip!
The balloon ascends quite into the sky and it only takes around 5-10 minutes to reach an altitude of 1200 meters, that is the planned jump height.
The burners produce aprox. 10.000.000 watt of heat!
When gliding over the landscape you can´t help to compare it to Google maps…
First pair of skydivers waits for a go at the ledge of the balloon basket.
…and then the second pair climbs out to face 1200 meters of free air.
Can you see the small air strip in the upper left corner? The green field with the gray runway? That is our preferred landing place for this flight and in this case as an extra bonus, it´s just outside Aros skydiving center!
And of course we manage to get the balloon to the right place just outside of the club house!
/Thomas Tanisawa
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Hunting mushrooms
Hunting in the woods
Today the whole family went out for walk in the wood to see if there was any mushrooms just waiting to be picked!
Leica M9 and 50 summicron
Typical scenery in the woods surrounding the area where we live.
Pine trees everywhere you look that creates a dense sometimes a little too dark and scary looking place.
“Where are the mushrooms hiding dad?”
In the end we got a whole basket full of chanterelles!
/Thomas Tanisawa
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Flying hot air ballon with parachute jumpers
Another day with Aros
This day was spent at Aros parachute club in Västerås for an exciting event. We were going to arrange parachute jumps from a hot air balloon. So off we went to Aros in Västerås with a big hot air balloon and meet up with some super exited skydivers. After some preparation and planning we went off to the starting point.
Canon 5D, 24-50 f/2.9L
This kitchen at the club looked like it was in need of some love and care, or at least a sign saying “Your mother doesn’t live here. Clean up by yourself!”
The balloon is starting to come in to shape. This is taken from inside of the balloon before we start filling it with hot air. To start with you only use two big fans, just to get the initial shape up…
…then comes the heat and there is a lot of it!
This is right after takeoff and the ground getting smaller quite fast!
The first brave make his final preparation before taking a leap of faith.
Then there was a wing suite jumper to dive outside of the balloon basket!
The sun started to set over the beautiful landscape as jumpers left the balloon.
This is what it looked like below the balloon. 1000 meters up in the air doesn’t give you much time to correct any errors on the way down…
Can you spot the two skydivers in the air?
Flying in over the city of Västerås. We had a really lovely flight and our three passengers that didn´t jump (they weren’t supposed to do that either) enjoyed it a lot!
This is the not so fun part of flying balloon… waiting outside for the transport to arrive surrounded by millions of mosquitoes…
But flying hot air balloon is worth it!
/Thomas Tanisawa
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Summer vacation in Sweden
Summer in Skåne
Once again I´m in Skåne for a quick vacation with the family. This time the weather was on our side and the sun shined for a whole week!
I went out a couple of times to take some shoots but it was almost too warm to be wandering around. Anyway, here are some of the shoots. These are taken at Ales stenar, a place well worth a visit!
Leica M9 and 50 summicron
There were a lot of tourists hiking in the beach and on the high cliff side. Almost everyone was stopping at this information sign to read the latest information regarding Ales stenar. The guy on the left side however was in some way involved in the studying or exploration of Ales stenar and by the looks of it, nothing new will be discovered within the next couple of years…
This is Ales stenar (Ales stones). The stone formation is almost 70 meter long and consists of 67 large rocks. No one actually knows what it is apart from being stones placed in a boat shaped formation. Some theories are that it has been uses as a calendar and some that it is a burial ground.
Looking out on the sea from a 30 meter high place is quite impressive.
Heading out to sea in this weather must be really nice!
On the slopes everyone was really struggling not to fall, except the sheep’s.
/Thomas Tanisawa
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Dalarna
Dalarna, the Swedish of Sweden
Made a quick visit to Dalarna County a couple of days ago. There was a quite heavy rain coming down that day and by just looking at the clouds you knew that something was going on.
Leica M9
Something is coming from the horizon…
The sun was shining and it was very nice until large bluish almost black clouds appeared. The contrast between the sun and the dark clouds made the pictures look like I have manipulated them heavily in Photoshop but actually they reflect the real condition quite well.
There is rain in the clouds, no question about that.
As fast as the rain clouds appear, they disappear and leave white clouds instead. Much nicer!
This is Dalälven flowing through Dalarna County. The water level was much higher than normal and you could see that some of the houses was dangerously close to the shore line.
/Thomas Tanisawa
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City walk in Stockholm
Spending a day in Stockholm
Today was a sunny and hot summer day here in Stockholm. I took my camera and went in to town to have some lunch and maybe shoot some pictures. It was almost too warm to be walking around but when the sun finally shines you are not allowed to complain…
Leica M9, 28 and 50 summicron was used.
Looking out from his outpost over the city.
Beach chairs has been put out on Sergels torg for tiered walkers or for those who want to have maximum attention.
Heavy rucksacks in the heat.
Family discussing where to go next.
A silent disapproval.
An umbrella in the sunshine is somewhat of a contrary, but it’s clever.
Just waiting for someone.
On vacation in Stockholm.
In the old part of Stockholm there are lot of small restaurants among the narrow streets where much needed shade could be found.
/Thomas Tanisawa
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Melissa Horn – Stockholm 2012
Concert in Stockholm
Last night there I was at a concert here in Stockholm. Melissa Horn and Anna Ternheim, both Swedish singers and songwriters was live on stage at Långholmen. The island Långholmen is locaded in central Stockholm and was until 1975 the location of a large prison were Swedish last execution took place in 1910. Now days the island of Långholmen is used as a large recreation area with lot of beaches and summer residential.
But tonight, Melissa Horn and Anna Ternheim was live on stage doing a great performance!
Leica M9 and 50 summicron
There is a lot of places in and around Stockholm where you can have you boat, but this one must be one of the most central spots.
I was waiting in line before the concert when I saw the baby and his dad.
Like father like son!
In Sweden you are not allowed to drink alcohol in public places without permit. Obviously not everybody takes that as a being a “law” more like a guide line.
Melissa Horn in action.
Melissa Horn in action.
/Thomas Tanisawa
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Asakusa
A trip to Asakusa
Asakusa located in the northern part of Tokyo is well worth a visit. You can walk there for hours just to absorb the atmosphere, the sounds and the smell of everything from city pavement to newly baked cakes filled with vanilla custard. Asakusa was once mostly famous for being the number one entertainment district in Tokyo but now days it is the Buddhist temple Sensō-ji that stands for the main attraction (and of course the market that surrounds the temple area).
This is the main entrance to the market in Asakusa.
Tiny shops are cramped together on each side of the streets. Here you can find everything from kimonos, candy, swords to more ordinary “welcome to Tokyo” souvenirs.
Not everything that looked like “sweets” where sweet. Let´s just take it as a learning lesson in Japanese traditional sweets.
This huge bronze burner with incense stands near the entrance of the temple. The smoke says to be holy so everybody embraces them self with it in hope of good fortune and happiness. And no, there is no connection to the smoke, the burner or the temple to the German Nazi party. The Swastika has been around as a symbol long before the German party used it after the First World War.
Light a candle and make a wish.
Or just make a wish (but don´t forget to offer a coin as well).
Looking out from the main temple you can see the bronze burner in the middle of the courtyard and to the left there is a well where you should wash your hands and mouth before entering the temple.
/Thomas Tanisawa