Fiz-iks represents everything that is good about light painting: group dynamism, exotic locations, fundamental mastery of light and photography, imagination, story, characters and a real passion.  These components have been woven together brilliantly by Trevor Williams, the ring leader of Fiz-iks. Naoya, Hiriamason as we respectfully call him in Japan, and Phil are the other two members of the Fiz-iks team.  These guys have been working diligently and with precision for a while now and the development of their techniques has really started to reach an epic level. It’s easy to be lulled into the false impression that what they do is easy when you watch them make their images because Trevor and the team have gotten so adept at nailing their shots that it happens very quickly.  So, a lot of the technique that goes into the image is easy to miss as they work so fast.  While filming with them I often had to pay very careful attention to the “small things” they did that were easy to miss, these bits are where careful attention to detail and experience really made their pictures shine.  The fluid combination of lighting and photographic techniques gelled into a beautiful process.

     Beef Jerky!  We usually started the night with a Bento Box, Chu Hi, and some beef jerky before heading out into the Japanese night to make some magic.  The group experience with Fiz-iks is a beautiful thing to behold.  These guys have a mutual respect for each other and a creative intimacy that comes from years of working aside by side in left/right brain situations.  The laughter and exuberance were a nice current in each session and this feeling made time pass quickly.  Fiz-iks  has a passion for excellence and craft as well as outlandish creative streaks

     So, as Trevor likes to say, “If you want to take an epic picture you need to go to an epic location.” I am more than a little bit jealous of the sheer number of “epic locations” that exist minutes away from the Fiz-iks home base in Okayama.  I mean, in Texas I drive 30 minutes to the grocery store.  With Fiz-iks in 30 minutes we were in the mountains at a Buddhist Shrine with no light pollution and stars covering the night sky like a blanket.  In 30 minutes we were at an old school built right after WWII in a location so remote that it had to be closed recently because there were only 4 students left to attend.  In 30 minutes we were at a 70 meter tall dam at the top of a mountain with Japanese dudes speed driving, drifting crazy, fishtailing and sliding around the hairpin turns up the narrow, twisting roads.  In 30 minutes we were at a fertility shrine that was virtually impossible to find and required a drive down a road that was barely big enough for one car with a sheer, steep drop off waiting for you if you went even a foot off the road; the last sign you see as you get on this road is a picture of a truck falling off a mountain.  Okayama is a wonderful place full of exotic feeling locations and photogenic environments and Fiz-iks makes them appear all the more exotic and futuristic.  There is a tremendous energy in the juxtaposition of the majesty of historic Japan with the light painting wizardry that Trevor and Fiz-iks manifest. 

     The Japanese culture is supremely gracious and hospitable.  My stay was filled with kindness and a sense of comfort.  A VERY special thanks goes to Naoya’s family who graciously accommodated me for the duration of my visit.  Naoya’s mom operates a lovely and refined gift shop and wedding planning business in Okayama that is impressive.  The entire family was gracious and tolerant of our late night escapades.  I would not have been able to make the journey had it not been for their kindness.