Saturday, January 5, 2013

Add and Show a Glimpse of You (This week's Photo Hunt themes)


As many of this blog's regular visitors (including long term Photo Hunters) know, I have a regular travel companion in Puppet Ponyo who is much less camera shy than yours truly.  (So one really is more likely to catch a glimpse of her in my travel photos and photo-essays rather than myself.)

For those who are wondering: one reason why I like taking photos of Puppet Ponyo on my travels is that I think that her presence adds something extra -- and yes, often amusingly whimsical -- to what might otherwise be fairly standard touristy shots of famous places (like Yokohama's beautiful Sankeien Garden).

Once I got to looking for them, I found that there often are good spots where I can prop up Puppet Ponyo so that she can independently stand to pose for a photo (like in front of an old wooden building in a wooded area of Sankeien Garden).  There also have been numerous occasions where I've been able to count on the kindness of strangers -- this especially in Japan, from where Ponyo hails! :) -- and friends to help pose my beloved puppet (like when a Tokyo-based friend took me to eat at the branch of Gonpachi with associations with George H. W. Bush and Quentin Tarantino).

Every once in a while though, I find myself having to pose Puppet Ponyo with one hand while using my other hand to snap a shot of her.  Sometimes, the results are pleasing; at other times, less so.  Take as an example the final photo at the top of this blog entry.  After making my way up Sankeien Garden's main hill to get closer to its landmark pagoda, I tried to take pictures of Puppet Ponyo together with the pagoda. Prior to my finally getting one that I was happy with, I got attempts like this one looking like she was fearing for her life because a dark shadow was descending over her!

In all honesty, it took me a while to figure out what was making that shadow before realizing that the culprit was me! Amused, I decided to keep that "fearful Puppet Ponyo" photo for posterity.  And now I'm really glad I have because I think it well suits today's themes chosen for Sandi's and Gattina's Photo Hunts: i.e., in it (via that dark shadow over Puppet Ponyo's face), you have the additional element of being shown a glimpse of me! ;b

22 comments:

Vicki said...

It is great to add a travel companions like Puppet Ponyo. They often breaks the ice when you are with strangers.

I have added my entry http://hindmarsh-island.com/?p=1043

Anonymous said...

Oh you cheated :) I was eager to see you :)

But I don't mind seeing Ponyo.

Carver said...

Very creative take on the theme. Puppet Ponyo looks like fun good companion. Happy Weekend!

Goodbye HK, Hello YVR said...

She definitely adds the fun aspect to your travel photos!

LifeRamblings said...

fun pictures of Ponyo but like Ewok, I'm also eager to see you.:)

YTSL said...

Hi Vicki --

I think you'd like this: One of my treasured memories of visiting Japan involves a volunteer tour guide at Asakusa who as we said our goodbyes at the end of the tour, reached out and petted my backpack (inside which Puppet Ponyo was stored) and said "Goodbye Ponyo"! :)

Hi ewok1993 --

I didn't cheat -- Gattina asked for just a *glimpse* of oneself! ;b

And I'm glad you don't mind seeing Ponyo. :)

Hi Carver --

Thanks and Puppet Ponyo is indeed a fun good companion. I've got quite a few nice memories of people's reactions to seeing her... :)

Hi The Fragrant Harbour --

I certainly think so and am glad that others do too. :)

Hi LifeRamblings --

There actually are a few photos of me floating around on the internet! But ya, the ones showing my face aren't on this blog... ;)

chica said...

Ficou linda tua participação e fotos! beijos,chica

eastcoastlife said...

hahahaha... you decided on a fun post. I have a travel companion too, he's Elmo but he's terribly shy and doesn't like to take photos.

I should look for another travel companion.

magiceye said...

Cool takes on the themes!

YTSL said...

Hi Chica --

I trust that you use Google Translate a lot? Thanks to you and other Portuguese-speaking and writing Photo Hunters, I now use it quite a bit more than before. :)

Hi EastCoastLife --

Elmo -- as in the furry red guy from Sesame Street? Awwww... :)

Hi magiceye --

Thanks! :)

Susan Demeter said...

A very clever take on both themes! Happy new year :)

Trekcapri said...

Hi YTSL, thanks for making me smile this morning. A very creative take on both themes. Your shadow and my reflection... shy photogs unite. :) Always lovely to see Puppet Ponyo. And I love the story of the guide petting her while she was in your backpack. So cute.

Have a great weekend.

Hootin Anni said...

I love this...what a great [and adorable] travel companion!!!

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I think Ponyo is a great companion ~ he (she?) doesn't take up much room and doesn't need to order off the menu.
Thanks for always adding to the PhotoHunt!
We'll be 'celebrating' next weekend~
Sandi

YTSL said...

Hi Sue --

Thanks and happy 2013 to you too. :)

Hi Trekcapri --

You're welcome re making you smile -- and I'm glad you like the story about the guide that I related earlier on this comments thread. :)

Hi Hootin Anni --

Puppet Ponyo is indeed a great and adorable travel companion. I only wish I had begun taking her along my travels earlier!

Hi Sandi --

Puppet Ponyo (and the other Ponyos, for that matter) is definitely female! Don't let the short hair fool you... ;b

Gattina said...

Besides the cute puppet, I saw a glimpes of you, your arm, lol !

YTSL said...

Hi Gattina --

Sorry, that's not my arm (in the second photo) -- it's a friend's! ;b

Vane M. said...

Gostei do toque bem humorado às imagens, gosto de fantoches! Um abraço!

http://compiladodeideia.blogspot.com.br/2013/01/add.html

sarah bailey knight said...

hi ytsl,

So cute, I love, love, love seeing photos of Puppet Ponyo. And hehe in regards to your shadow.

A @ A Changing Life said...

I remember Puppet Ponyo. You have inspired me to take up Photo Hunting again. :)

Felipa Monteverde said...

Lovely doll!

YTSL said...

Hi Vane M. --

I'm glad you like the humor and puppet in my blog post. :)

Hi sbk --

Some people will think it overkill to have THREE Puppet Ponyo photos in a single blog entry -- but I'm glad there's at least one person (i.e., you) who doesn't! ;b

Hi A. --

I'm glad you remember Puppet Ponyo. It's been a few months since she last made an appearance on the blog... ;)

And yay re your returning to Photo Hunting! :)

Hi Felipa M. --

Hmm... must admit I don't think of Puppet Ponyo as a doll. More like a plushie... ;b