[WEEK4] Natsumi Hayashi

 "Levitation photos are supposed to emphasize the natural flow of time."- Nastumi Hayashi

                  Natsumi Hayashi, a Japanese photographer that fascinated with levitation.All her photographs are mainly in levitating self-portraits which have inspired many photographers. 

          I am really amazed by how natural Natsumi Hayashi looks in her levitating photographs. Natsumi Hayashi works are not just ordinary jump shots, she would come up with poses on each and every piece of her work together with her jumps to create surreal gravity suspended photographs.

According to her personal website when taking her shots, she uses a self-timer or asking someone to press the shutter release.
          With the self-timer, she quickly moves to the desired location within the 10-second time frame after depressing the shutter release and jumps purely by instinct hoping that it would end up in the correct position for the desired shot. Usingt this method, she had to jump repeatedly just to get it right.
However, when taking a shot that requires more than 10 seconds in between releasing the shutter and getting to the desired spot, she would ask someone to assist her with handling the camera. She would also ask her friend to become her stand in at a desired positions so that the camera can be focused for the specific spot before she switches places with the stand in to capture her own shot.

          Besides that, I am astounded by her will and attitude to not give up. When taking her photographs, she would fall and get injured badly, but yet she keeps producing wonderful photography work. I greatly admire her adventurous photos and how much she's obsessed with photography.

Furthermore, Natsumi Hayashi shoots 3D photographs as well. Something that we don't come across everyday.

          On her site, when viewing her"parallel viewing" images, we have to see the image on the right with our right eye and the left image with our left eye. With the "crossed-eye viewing" its exactly what it states, viewing the corresponding images by using opposite eye. (Left image: Right eye, Right image: Left eye)

When you feel the natural depth of space, that's would be the suitable set of images for you to view.

More information for viewing stereo (3D) images : http://www.angelfire.com/ca/erker/freeview.html

How to take "Today's Levitation" by Natsumi Hayashi
Equipments :
- Camera body : Canon EOS 5D Mk2
- Lenses : Canon EF50mm F1.2L USM, EF24-70mm F2.8L USM, PENTAX 67 lenses (with adaptors)
- Tripods : Gitzo's rapid-pole 3 steps with ball heads (from 1980s)

Shutter speed : 1/500 sec. or faster (1/320 sec. can be used in a darker condition)

References : http://yowayowacamera.com/