India Update No. 3

After a swim at the beach this morning, I'm feeling a little more on top of things here. As a developing country, there are still so many things that remain below Australian par. Unfortunately, I think this has played out in the quality of a flash drive I recently purchased. It appears that I have lost over 12 GB of photos from the trip. There were quite a few amongst them which I really liked. That has put a bit of a sour spin on the photography side of the trip. As we are close to the end, it seems I won't have many photos to show after all.

On a more positive note, Alleppey is a lovely place to stay. It is a much smaller town than Kochin or Chennai. The beach is much cleaner than Chennai and more sandy than Pondicherry. The fruit is great and the people seem pretty nice. The plan for today includes boating on the backwaters and taking a bus to Thiruvilla.

I hope to retrieve as many photos as possible from the apparently corrupt flash drive. If I do so (probably in a completely random order), I shall put some up on here. 

India Update No. 2

Back in Chennai again for Natalie and Paul's reception...

A couple of addendums to the previous post.

1. I have seen clouds in Chennai. The sky seemed to clear up a bit after the rains.

2. Kodaikanal is, according to one report (poignantly by a guy named Exodus), is 75% Christian.

When I have a bit more time, I shall bring a bit more detailed update in.

Got a couple of great sunrise shots this morning overlooking the beach among the peddler carts, so keeping the shutter moving..

India Update No 1.

Well, I'm not sure if there is any way to compare India to Australia. There is really not very much the same about the two countries except for the price of petrol. Hence, the great number of scooters and motorbikes in this very populated and crowded place. The pollution and the smog is such a big part of life here. This alone takes a lot of getting used to. It is unbelieveable how much of the immediate atmosphere can be completely obliterated by such a city as Chennai. With almost five million people living in Chennai, it could appear inevitable that there be some sort of impact on the environment. Unfortunately, I think there is not really any sort of environment in some of these cities apart from the ones created by humans. This is so much the case that it is impossible to distiguish the presence of clouds. I feel the rain would surely not be healthy to consume.

So far, we have met many people and travelled less than a thousand kilometres. However, there is much sadness when we here the many stories of corruption that has seemingly crippled parts of this nation. The majority of the people are essentially under oppression from what potentially could be a great government. There is much order and many customs, yet things do not flow down to the people. Roads are unkempt and health conditions are miserable in many parts. In many regards I feel that the people are trapped and are in of need of far more than 2 rupees.

On the upside, we are currently in Kodaikanal. This is a different city. It is different both in its religion and in its outlook on life. To me, it seems that the people here have not given up. Yes, they are located on a beautiful mountain with access to cleaner air. However, it is refreshing to come here and see people who are making an effort to keep their home clean and fresh. There is more of a community feel to the place.

On the photography front, this has been the first time I have felt that landscapes are the prime material source. Until now, it has been the people of India. Now, there is also some beautiful and relatively unpolluted landscape to shoot. So, I am enjoying this also!

My apologies for the lengthy post. I am unsure of when I will access internet again. However, I will definitely upload some photos of our travels here (weddings included) once I am back in Perth.

India

Whilst we are in India, I'll do my best to keep things updated.

Taking these two latest pictures over for my brother. They are both photos taken by a guy name JJ Harrison.

Enjoy and we'll see how things go in India... Hopefully I'll get some more posts coming over the next few weeks!!

For Jords

Since it has been a while since I posted last, I thought I better post before too long. Hoping to get some great pictures in India over the next couple of weeks.

Also, I did say that I would post RE finished work...

Here is a piccy of an aboriginal work done on canvas. Although the border was rather thin, it stretched fine before being framed.

... for Jords...

Progress Report

The flu has held me back a bit with things recently. Couldn't teach this week either which is sad. I should be back to full health soon though. However, it has given me a chance to catch up on SOME of the paperwork that has been put on the backburner. 

Gonna be hard to join this little one

Lovin the twisted bits on
 this one, but delicate.

Close, yet still a WIP

Some sneak peeks of the frames I did some work on yesterday. They are not complete, however after making a solid start on each of them I'm happy with the progress made. Should get another chance to finish them off soon. Anyway, here are the pics... I know they don't give much away, but I'll post images of them once I'm done  :)

Also to note, I have in mind to get posting about some of the things I have learned with wood over the past year both in regards to picture framing and to general woodworking. I love it how wood nicely complements pretty much any house decor.

Early Sunrises

EARLY morning sun provides so much inspiration for life...


Feeling inspired after coming back from my morning run, my day appears that it will operate like this.

Breakfast

Bible

Be inspired to create 5 unique frames

Break time - run errand to post office

Begin work on the 5 unique frames that I was inspired to create earlier

Break for lunch

Bring wife home from uni

Back to finish the frames

Blog about it

Gee, do I feel inspired yet? Too many B's I'm afraid. A shower, a coffee, and a strange blog and I'll be away!

Getting started on things is often the hardest part, but once you relax and make the first step the rest becomes a breeze. I shall post again with a progress report on the 5 frames.

Editing

Does editing feel a little tiresome at times?

Fair enough. It takes so long and sometimes doesn't seem worth it. In reference to my last post, I am definitely keen to get myself a new camera soon. The sensor seems to just get worse with time. I end up spending too much time cloning out hundreds sometimes thousands of small dots.

Anyway, here are a few of the shots that have been sitting around on my computer waiting for me to get sick and spend a little time on them.

Tip: I guess it is helpful to do your editing in relatively small portions in order to get through it all :)

Equipment

After receiving bundles upon bundles of magazines in the mail in the lead-up to Christmas, it is the time of year that make you feel you need more and more equipment. Also, it is easy to get stuck a rut with your photography once you start feeling as though you don't have the right gear. Here are a couple of hints I have found helpful in this regard and try to keep in mind when the junk mail arrives in the postbox.

1. Persevere with the equipment you have, even if the final product seems less than satisfactory. Take lots and lots of photos - digital is fantastic like that! If you stop taking photos, months can easily go by before you pick up the camera again. The likelihood is that you will learn more about light and your camera this way than if you were to let it collect dust in the cupboard. You are also bound to stumble across a few great images in the process. Whilst a student at uni, a string on my guitar broke - I couldn't afford to fix it, so I kept playing without the D string. I learnt more about scales and fingering in those few weeks than i did in the prior months. The same is true of photography.

2. Invent ways to keep yourself interested in taking photos. Instead of taking photos of the same old things, look for completely new things to photograph. Go small, go large, go landscape, go portrait. Again, if you feel finances are limiting you with your camera gear use what you have to improvise the more expensive stuff. Flip your inexpensive standard zoom lens [see image of mealy bug on mulberry] over to capture the very small. Find a cheap tripod and use continuous light sources to shape your image.

Mealy Bug taken with my 6-yr old camera and original 14 - 45 mm lens.

3. If all else fails, give up. Photography is not for you...

                                                             WRONG

If you want to get some great snaps and make some good images keep at it! If you have an appreciation for good photography, I have no doubt that you are capable of reproducing what is in your mind.

4. :)

Spring Flowers

Summer is on its way!

 However, still lots of those lovely spring looking flowers that come out. Emily's sister has been away on teaching prac, so the watering has been our responsibility. Fortunately, I don't think that any plants have died yet (Don't worry Sarah, we HAVE been checking and watering). Anyway, these are some of the pretty little things that are in the garden at the moment.

 There have been a heap of lady bugs around too. Seems the millions of aphids have been attracting all the little lady bugs. I love how rather ordinary looking buds transform into beautiful blossoms in a matter of hours.

South-West Crops

Not sure if this last lot of rain damaged too many crops, but it was exciting the other weekend to see so many great crops down south. This picture is quite similar to one I will exhibit in the future...

Gnowangerup side of Mt Toolbrunup...

The spring season provides some amazing sunsets with interspersed cloud patterns and clear skies.

Older Photos

Since this blog hasn't been going for that long, I decided to post some of my older photos and framing works.

Landscapes

 Macros - (Mostly small insects and flowers)

Original Jarrah Frames

 That seems like its probably enough for now. I suppose I may put up some older photos from time to time. However, I would rather focus on things I am currently doing or are planning to do in the near future. Either way, I hope you enjoy!!

Exhibition Examples

I thought I'd put up a few of the pictures from the exhibition in Fidel's Cafe as a taster for those who haven't yet been down to have a look. Each of these have something special in them for me. The walls of the cafe look great.

Opening hours are Mon - Fri 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Weekends 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

24 Essex St, Fremantle until January, 2012

Stirling Ranges

                        

Now that my blog is working again (thanks to the likes of DarkUFO and Peter McCartney), I can get posting. 

We went camping over the most recent long weekend to the Stirling Ranges. We spent most of the Saturday walking/climbing Mt Toolbrunup which is the second highest peak in the range, but a bit more difficult climb than Bluff Knoll. A great time spent with friends. As it was October, there were HEAPS of wildflowers out. Just near the place we were camping, I managed to spot a few orchids amongst the mass of colour. Here are a few little preview shots of some of the great flower life down there.

Common Dragon Orchids (Caladenia Barbarosa)

Common Dragon Orchid

As you walk around the bush, literally thousands of wildflowers colour the ground with various shades of pink, red, and green. It is absolutely stunning. Another curious visitor gave us some interest (especially around lunchtime). 

Racehorse Goanna or Sand Monitor (Varanus gouldii)

Overall, a fantastic weekend for both camping and for photography!

                                

Postage and Handling

I'm learning the real cost of putting things through the post. Spent too long making a custom-sized crate for a picture bound for the UK. HOwever, we shall see if it arrives safe. If so, I feel it is worth all the effort. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. When weight is also an issue, it is a challenge to provide a safe container for transport.

Anyway, I think the design I used should be pretty solid in transit....... we shall soon see :)

Lovely RAIN

Ahhh....

I always love the sound of rain, especially on a tin roof. Nothing beats it (well, actually a few things do, but anyway)

Over 28 mm of rain last night brings us almost to the average rainfall and very close to the 2008 level for this time of year!!

Llewin

Went to the beach with Emily and Yasmin last night and found some great shots waiting for me in the form of the replica boat Leeuwin...

Although I'll wait until my next exhibit to show new photos, here are a few sneak peeks at what might come up in future exhibitions.

Had a bit of fun with the waves in the evening. But I must keep in mind the beautiful places in our own city. Often I think to myself that I need to get out of the city. However considering all, Perth is one of the more lovely cities in the world in reality.

Saturday the 22nd!

The date for hanging is here!

THIS Saturday afternoon, the 22nd of October, all artwork will be up on the walls and ready to be viewed. Although there is no official opening night, my wife and I will be down at the cafe on Saturday the 5th of November from 4 PM onwards if you would like to come down for a coffee with us.

All artwork is for available for purchase. If you are interested in the artwork or you would like to purchase on for yourself, please make sure you ask at the cafe counter. If the piece you like the most is already sold, please do not hesitate to fill out a general order form (you will also find these at the cafe) or contact me directly using the details below. I will then be able to complete your order to the specifications you require. Although I will find it almost impossible find an identical match for a frame, I can choose wood to suite your individual taste.

On that note, you will find that every frame here is different from the next and is completely unique

Even if you just come for a look at the artwork, please feel welcome to come and have a coffee.

Excited!!

Grandeur

With everything ready to go for the upcoming exhibition, I am gazing at the largest of the ten frames... It is exquisite. With a shot of a local beachfront, this frame and picture combination makes our living area look a lot smaller than reality.

I have also been experimenting with some other less traditional methods of framing. I did one for my brother-in-law (It has a fantastic photo by Greg Sercombe from the Australian snowfields) It looks great, but the process still needs a bit of perfecting before I list it on my repertoire of frames. There are a number of things I have in mind to keep the frames looking very original and also very Australian in design. Although every frame is unique, I would really like to ramp up the creative techniques involved in making the artwork come to life.

Ok, time for a morning coffee, then to get stuck into it :)