Home
Greetings guest! members can rogu in here.
(hide this)
 
Danny's News (toggle comments)
Otaku and Japan news (subscribe) or (see more »)
Portal Userbility
Thanks for your previous feedback on the top page design. As you can see I've brought back the orange ^^ Mu... ( more » )
Sat 07/26 21:26 comments (4)
Japanese Trains
You get on a train in Japan one day and see this. The doors close behind you. What do you do? Via Neta. ( more » )
Sat 07/26 12:59 comments (92)
WC Gundam
Somebody just raeped Gundam by making a toilet shaped mobile suit... Via Neta. Whats the worst Gundam design... ( more » )
Sat 07/26 07:00 comments (45)
Sun Seto
Never got round to really watching the anime but do like this figure by Orchid Seed. This 1/7 scale figure of... ( more » )
Fri 07/25 23:16 comments (28)
Human Mage
Another one we've spoken about but the better pics are up at GoodSmile and Hobby Stock. Dont know much about ... ( more » )
Fri 07/25 20:44 comments (27)
Shakugan no Shana
Spoke about this earlier but decent pics are now up at GoodSmile and Hobby Stock. I remember when the Nendoro... ( more » )
Fri 07/25 20:36 comments (47)
日本語/Japanese  Tue 07/10 01:38 JST
Taken at the new Berry Waffle studios in Hamamatsucho.
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
It's just before noon in Tokyo which means lunch so how about a double portion of Miri Hanai (花井美理) ? The other portion has just been uploaded by Hector so check his photos out too.

Miri Hanai has been doing the Idol Gravure thing for a while now and has tons of DVDs out. Some of you may have (but probably not) recognized her in the Akibaman video by Nike - she gave the guy his costume at the end.
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri has a ton O dvds out and you can check out her DVD ranking in the Ranking Charts.
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
You can see some of Miri in action in the Otavids section too here, here and here. YouTube keep deleting her clips so get em while they are hot ^^;
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Nearly forgot to mention that she has a ton O photo books out too ^^;
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
The 1.32 GBs of photos where mainly taken up by the huge size of RAW files (about 10MB each).
Also got more Miri photos but are just similar poses.
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Thanks to Berry Waffle for being the best as always.
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
This time round I took some photos in RAW. The photo on the left was converted from the CR2 format to a 16bit channel TIFF using Macs Preview and then converted to an 8bit channel JPEG in Photoshop.
The photo on the right was the original JPEG. My SLR saves in both RAW and JPEG at the same time (I think most do).
As you can see, the original RAW file looks much better in terms of color. The problem I have is that batch scripts and browsers seem to ignore embedded color profiles.

Played around with photoshop loads but couldnt find a way to adjust the colors to match the original RAW file without saving the embedded color profile. If anybody has experience converting RAW files and keeping the original colors for web use then any help will be most appreciated.
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Leaving you with a shot of the other idol. While Miri was more my type, the other one was Hectors type ^^; Will upload soon.

Related links:
Miri Hanai (click to enlarge)
Polls
Alafista OTAKU in Singapore
Singapore Customs
Registered on 2006/12/25 11:34
I'm so envious of you!!
(ID #51315) Posted on 2007/07/10 01:48
Gibson in California
Student artist
Registered on 2007/05/28 03:30
Lucky >,< i wish i could take pictures of idols
(ID #51317) Posted on 2007/07/10 02:02
Heck in Central Europe.
Graphic designer.
Registered on 2007/07/09 12:21
Since you are using OS X, you could try the free Rawker (http://raifra.fh-friedberg.de/Mac/index-en.html) or the free Raw Photo Processor (http://www.raw-photo-processor.com/RPP/Downloads.html) or play around with GraphicConverter, that uses dcraw to import raw images. Or actually get the free dcraw command line tool and use it from the terminal, but I'm not sure if that's helping you or making your life more difficult.

I shoot mostly with Nikon in RAW, and it's definitely worth the extra work when processing, than using the camera-made conversions to jpg. There is a big difference.

By the way, my name is Héctor and I was born in Spain as well, it's been a while that I've been thinking to contact your pal (my lucky clone, I couldn't stay in Japan, but plan to come back, かならず) at kirainet.

Cheers.
(ID #51321) Posted on 2007/07/10 02:33
Heck in Central Europe.
Graphic designer.
Registered on 2007/07/09 12:21
Ouch, sorry for the parenthesis in the links...
(ID #51322) Posted on 2007/07/10 02:36
valho in Malaysia
Graphic Designer
Registered on 2007/05/04 12:29
nice looking idol, you're so lucky you can take picture of them
(ID #51324) Posted on 2007/07/10 02:41
joroyale in the Angeles
Animator
Registered on 2007/07/07 07:20
she's a little cross-eyed, if you inspect her face closely

good job on polishing the photos, btw
(ID #51325) Posted on 2007/07/10 03:03
peetza in the funny farm :D
student
Registered on 2008/06/09 21:15
you're right... she is cross eyed. if you can spot something like that then you sure aren't!
(ID #208656) Posted on 2008/06/09 22:07
syrix in U.S.
student
Registered on 2007/03/21 09:30
If I ever move to Japan I will have to check out these idol shoots, nice pics.
(ID #51328) Posted on 2007/07/10 03:58
-XYZPDQ in Pennsylvania, United States
Student Engineer
Registered on 2007/01/01 14:12
No I don't own one as far as I know. 

Hanai Miri is VERY pretty, she makes a very good swimsuit model.

(And thanks Danny, I caught your bug! I spotted Ignis on sale and I just had to pick up the figure. It was more than I expected (expectations) and now I am HOOKED on figure ordering =p).

-Rob
(ID #51331) Posted on 2007/07/10 04:24
xjaymanx in Vegas, baby!
Technical Writer/Editor, Designer, Collector, Artist, Nice Guy
Registered on 2006/12/29 11:01
Hmmm, I'm not quite familiar with RAW conversions, but I'll take a stab. Just by taking your side-by-side comparison, I took the original JPG in the right, and matched it up pretty closely with the original RAW on the left in 2 rough steps...

(1) Reduced the Hue by -07, and (2) Raised the Saturation by +30. 

I'm sure you can fine-tweak it further. If this was what you meant, the question is whether these adjustments would be consistently identical for each shot or photoshoot. If this wasn't what you meant, then ignore this, lol. Good luck!

(ID #51333) Posted on 2007/07/10 04:59
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
how old is Miri Hanai? 'coz basing from the pictures, it looks like her age is showing on her face or probably that's stress showing lolz XDDD

no matter what, she's still cute...in a chubby kind of a way ^^
(ID #51334) Posted on 2007/07/10 05:40
AndyH in Birmingham, UK
3D artist
Registered on 2006/12/25 10:08
Cuuuute!
Nice to see an idol who doesnt look about 14! Shes more my type.
Those 'eyes'.... stunning!

I take it was busy there then? Those 60 seconds of chaos while hundreds of ota set off their rapid fire cameras?

How much does it cost to go to one of these events, and do the places there sell out quickly?
(ID #51336) Posted on 2007/07/10 06:03
Akiraman in RIDGE RACER City
Designer & Animator
Registered on 2007/01/11 23:52
All i Can say is nice!!!! (^^)6
(ID #51338) Posted on 2007/07/10 06:32
Vincent in Paris
Research Engineer
Registered on 2006/12/26 16:36
Still waiting for the cast off version ^_^
(ID #51339) Posted on 2007/07/10 06:40
Vincent in Paris
Research Engineer
Registered on 2006/12/26 16:36
BTW, Miri Hanai is cute, but Hector's one looks so sexy!!
(ID #51340) Posted on 2007/07/10 06:43
Hatix in Antwerp, Belgium
IT, Programmer, ...
Registered on 2007/04/25 05:14
I could understand fans/otaku going to a dvd release to have a few pictures and a handshake...
But they even have fan photo shoots? sugoi ;p
How many others where there besides you and hector?
(ID #51345) Posted on 2007/07/10 07:22
neko in Switzerland / Japan
IT specialist
Registered on 2007/02/10 15:13
wow, nice photos danny!
Miri is like woman should be... not like all the skinny girls that are walking around nowadays :)

btw, what lens did you use for the photo shooting?
ja~
(ID #51365) Posted on 2007/07/10 11:52
Tiny Red Man in Shingapooru..
eBay Packer.
Registered on 2007/04/11 16:51
lol..another idol with mole..this time quite close to konata's mole..  
(ID #51372) Posted on 2007/07/10 14:31
S.D. in New York City
Programmer
Registered on 2006/12/26 01:36
Nice photos! I have a Nikon D80 myself and shoot RAW all the time. I use DXO software and/or CS2 depending on my needs.
;)

Also, a WhiBal card comes in handy too.

http://www.dxo.com/
http://www.whibal.com
(ID #51373) Posted on 2007/07/10 16:01
よしむ in 静岡
Illustrator
Registered on 2007/01/09 18:17
撮影会楽しそうですね(*゚∀゚)=з
RAWはファイルサイズ大きいけど、現像すると
綺麗で楽しいと思います。
続きの写真も期待してます。
(ID #51375) Posted on 2007/07/10 16:39
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
S.D.
Thanks for the links. Will check em out. But whats the difference between using a white bit of card instead of whibal?

Tiny Red Man,
You got sharp eyes ^^;

Neko,
Used the macro lens.

Hatix,
About 20-ish.

AndyH,This is different where you get over an hour with the idols. Costs 7000 yen. If the idols are popular then places sell out very quick.

Henry,
Hmmm. I forget ^^;

xjaumanx,
Thanks for the settings. Will try em out next.

Rob,
Thats great news!

Heck,
Thanks for the software links - will check em out.
(ID #51381) Posted on 2007/07/10 21:06
Edward in Michigan U.S.A.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 12:02
Great photos as always Danny.  I like Miri a lot.  She has a very nice face and a warm smile.  Yes Yes she has a great body too. ^o^

I have a Canon 20D.  I use Photoshop CS3 and now LIghtroom for post production.  Like you I often use a macro lens for portraits.  I also carry GretagMacbeth ColorChecker cards http://www.gretagmacbeth.com/index.htm with me for correction reference, along with the rest of my kit.  I like their gray scale and white balance when outside or inside.  In my opinion their cards are the best.

Why use a special white balance or gray scale card, rather than any white card?  The white balance cards are special treated to continually give the correct values.  With any thing else you can get incorrect balance or color casting.  If the card is glossy, flat or matte you could end up with any values.  Just because it looks white or gray doesn't mean it is white or gray. ^^;  Finally all those color theory classes I took are becoming useful. ^o^ 

I often shoot in RAW, for many situations JPEG will do fine.  Lately I have been using RAW for portraits.  Sunday, I was given a copy of Adobe Lightroom.  Before that I had been using the RAW plugin for Photoshop.  I have been doing some reading since Sunday evening to learn more about the program.  Anyway, what I have found out so far is you might be able to use an XMP (Extended Metadata Platform) file to include adjustments when the photo is used in a different location.  I need to read more, not sure if it would solve your problem.  Also I do believe once you export a photo from Lightroom and Aperture, the adjustments become permanent.  

Another interesting program is SILKYPIX. http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/  I'm sure you have heard about this since it's popular in Japan.  I download the free version and it looks to be an interesting program.  I believe both よしむさん and kirinon-san use the program, so you can see the results.  This is what made me decide to take a look at the program.  
(ID #51404) Posted on 2007/07/11 02:02
Thierry in France
Student (WebDesign)
Registered on 2006/12/28 19:11
Danny, I advise you to take most of your pictures in RAW+JPG. Memory Cards aren't very expensive. And you can get a hard drive with OTG feature which allow you to transfer on the drive the pictures directly from the camera.

With time, you will get more and more in RAW editing and you will curse yourself to haven't take all your pictures in RAW. ;-)

Try Lighroom, it is a very cool software for working with RAW.

For now, only Safari look at the embedded color profile. 
I haven't try this but you can open your JPGs in Photoshop.
Then go to Edit > Color Settings, choose "Monitor Color". And then choose with your picture selected : Edit > Convert to Profile. Select the profile corresponding to your screen. For my MacBook Pro, it's "Working RGB - Color LCD".
If it works, you will have the same colors and no profile problem. You can then maybe automate the process in Photoshop. 

E-mail me if you have a problem. ;-)
(ID #51421) Posted on 2007/07/11 08:01
S.D. in New York City
Programmer
Registered on 2006/12/26 01:36
Hi Danny,
I like Whibal because of the color consistency and I realy like that Michael Tapes came up with it and marketed it. I like when an Entrepreneur comes out with an idea and runs with it.  
;)

You can see an example of the WhiBal in use on my flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/s_d/566208112/

I like DXO for it's batch processing ability. That and  the fact that it's really good. Here is an example of it automatically cleaning up the image:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/s_d/295375983/

And it runs on MAC and Windows.
;)
(ID #51436) Posted on 2007/07/11 15:33
Dash
Miri & Harumi Nemoto are my fav idols...
I wish i could too have a photo session with them =_='

Damn you Danny, you lucky bastard! d>.
(ID #54803) Posted on 2007/08/18 16:07
MACdaddy in Earth
Stalker
Registered on 2007/11/10 10:14
Hey! What did you need to know about working with RAW? Specifically... I have been shooting with RAW for 2 years now, hopefully I can help.
(ID #63222) Posted on 2007/11/12 05:58
graeble. in South Texas
lecherous wretch
Registered on 2008/05/23 06:14
*reaches out with both hands
*squeezes the air
(ID #194359) Posted on 2008/05/23 07:14
Ernest the 5th in San Bernardino, CA
Help Desk Support (IT)
Registered on 2007/11/08 03:54
She has a great set of eyes, though she doesn't look as good as I thought she would.  Are Idols the same as models?
(ID #213488) Posted on 2008/06/15 10:56
Mimi in Under glass ceiling
I'm a professional eggroll charmer
Registered on 2008/03/11 07:19
She's got a nice body! And a cute face. :] 
(ID #238169) Posted on 2008/07/15 08:58
Onoki in Alabama
Student
Registered on 2008/07/14 17:03
She is pretty. I wonder how much she gets paid per photo.
(ID #238287) Posted on 2008/07/15 11:52
AugZF in Hedon
auguman
Registered on 2008/06/01 00:10
sure i saw these photos on the quicklaunch bar months ago?!
(ID #238682) Posted on 2008/07/15 23:50
Previous Articles
Maya Koizumi
comments(51)
Ai Shinozaki Bikini Ver
comments(39)
Hiromi Nishiuchi Bikini Ver
comments(35)
Gothloli
comments(26)
Hiromi Nishiuchi
comments(27)
Ai Shinozaki
comments(33)
Idol Photo Session
comments(45)
TGS Girls
comments(22)
Sayaka Tashiro
comments(29)
Risa Shimamoto
comments(38)
Japanese Idol
comments(14)
Asaki Yoshida
comments(44)
Articles being read right now...
Tokyo Poster
comments(31)
Sailor Moon
comments(41)
Kyoto Photos
comments(60)
G's Festival
comments(90)
August 2007 Stats
comments(38)
The Best Gundam
comments(141)
Fortune Telling in Japan
comments(52)
Maid in Japan
comments(60)
Nintendo Game Cheats
comments(63)
Maid Computer
comments(45)
Japan Travel
comments(48)
Unity Mei
comments(75)
dannychoo.com ( Creative Commons ) ( Danny Choo ) ( Anime, Gundam, Figures, Japan ) Since 2000