Unwrapped at South Perth Fiesta 2009

It doesn't matter how much cool content there is online: there's nothing like going out and exposing yourself to great new local artists.

As part of this weekend's South Perth Fiesta, unwrapped: the marketplace gave local designers the chance to show off their crafts and wares.

I can't think of too many situations (or outfits) that I'd wear them with, but I dug the art on these two button packs so much, I had to get them.

The top pack is a collection of five animal-inspired illustrations from Niina Aooki while the bottom three pack is the work of the equally talented Ali J.

There's two more local artists I'll be following (I've added their blogs to my blogroll on the sidebar too).

Additionally, through their sites, I've discovered a couple of other interesting Perth-based movements that might be of interest to fellow West Australians.

The first of these is Made On The Left which is dedicated to showcasing local talent. They're holding a market in Bunbury in April which sounds like a tonne of fun.

Second is an upcoming show being run by the arterial_collective which Ali is a part of. The show is called dRaw and looks like something well worth checking out.



On top of these discoveries, I also had the opportunity to photograph a LOT of vintage cars. I burned through four packs of Polaroid film in about an hour as well as three rolls of 220 Velvia50 which I shot with my recently acquired Pentax 67.

Looking forward to dropping the rolls off at Mirage this week and even more so to getting them back at the end of the week!

The end... of daylight saving

This latest daylight saving trial - which ends today - has been an interesting period for me.

Initially, I was staunchly opposed to it: Perth is bloody hot enough without the need for more daylight hours at the end of the day, but it's been a good summer with plenty of time spent at the beach and in the surf.

The trick is to stay away from "beautiful people" and crowded parts of the coastline and just enjoy nature in more laidback surrounds free of posers and young punks.

I've always felt if you want more daylight, why not do it in winter?

Also, the patriotic part of me has always hated the fact that we'd shift our clocks forward an hour just so we'd be "closer to the Eastern States": like most West Australians, I hate the thought that we're so "behind" our sophisticated east coast compatriots.

We all go to vote in the referendum some time in May (I really should know as I interviewed premier Colin Barnett for an opinion piece on the whole affair - did you know that for the same amount that it'll cost to hold this referendum, the State government could have built almost two new schools? Thanks Matt Birney and John d'Orazio!) and I'm pretty sure I'll be no-voting, but not too plussed which way it goes to be frank.

I feel sorry that the people who do want it will be affected by the, say, 60 per cent of people who are completely indifferent and will probably vote no just because we fear change, but that's the breaks.

Though to be honest with you, I wouldn't at all be surprised if a new bill pops up further down the line tweaking the daylight saving question and changing the period.... but that's just my guess. I'm no Robert Harvey!

In other photography related news: my first Polaroid book should be out soon'ish! I'll be spamming the usual channels but watch this space of my flickr for more details.

I'm waiting for the proof to come back and trying to organise some sort of launch, so maybe May'ish? Just in time for my 30th!

Chairlift Daytrotter Session

Back from a hectic 24 hours in Melbourne. It was full on but a lot of fun and was well worth it to get to interview Heston Blumenthal.

My friend at Sony flicked on an email about this new band called Chairlift which had this to say about them:

Chairlift, a multi-instrumental three-piece, currently hailing from Brooklyn, New York, play a thoughtful, dream-filled pop music, combining the timelessness of unforgettable melody with spare and sophisticated production, a meta-psychedelic worldview, and a classical avant-garde sensibility resolutely and merrily embracing the future.

A bit of a mouthful but I was intrigued and loved what I heard. For those who love mellow psych-tinged music, give this a go. The track I downloaded "Somewhere around here" reminds me a lot of the B -side to this Poets of Rhythm 45 I have in my record collection.

Give the tracks a listen by clicking here.

Signs of autumn

With the exception of a few warm days during the week, signs are good that summer is nearing the end of its reign and that autumn - the greatest season in my opinion - is around the corner.

Pros?

No more daylight saving, heartier dishes and more pinot noir being drunk and open, more moody shots with Holgas, the SX-70 and most film and digital cameras, my 30th.

Cons?

My 30th. (maybe)

But this Saturday is starting pretty good with a bit of work and a nice jazz-funk background.

Hope you all have a good weekend and may the Western Force triumph over the Sharks from Durban when the two teams meet in tonight's Super 14 match at Subi Oval.

Keep an eye out for the Force's pink jerseys as today's game will be raising funds for breast cancer.

New members of the family

Most people will be familiar with this first camera.

While I have three Holgas, I found a Diana on eBay at a pretty good price and decided to give it a whirl.

As this is the F+ version, it also came with a book which will make for good reading no doubt.



This camera should come as more of a surprise to most - or at least it should because I was certainly caught off-guard when I saw it at an op shop this afternoon.

It looks like a chemist-special but the 400ISO film in it was expired in 2001, so should make for some interesting washed out effects.

According to the box, the film was made in Germany: maybe there's some really rare Agfa emulsion in there!

New toy

My 25mm (or one inch for convention's sake) button press arrived on Friday and I've spent the weekend getting my head around it.

With only the loss of three "buttons", I got the hang of the machine and have been slowly plodding away.

All the button crimping probably isn't the best for my back but hey...

To everyone who I swap stuff with (usually Polaroid film), don't be surprised to find one or two extra goodies in the bottom of your package.

But that Tanqueray Gin one is mine.

Day six... and a half

This is an alternate take on the day six shot of my "A year in the life of a Polaroid photographer" project on flickr.

It was a close decision between whether to upload this shot or the eventual day six shot for Friday the 13th but I eventually went with the other because of its "mistakes".

However, I like this for its 669-like colour shifts, plus because there's no shadow across the bottom from a neighbouring building.

Happy Friday the 13th

These silver cuff link stems came in during the week - four pairs to be exact.

I've got a couple of ideas as to what do with them and might take the opportunity this weekend to do some gluing and soldering.

Also, this is an early contender for tee of the year: a clever retort to those disgraceful "F#ck off we're full" stickers one occasionally runs into.



Get yours from Red Bubble. Be sure to have a mouthguard in your shirt pocket in case the wrong kind of person sees you wearing the shirt and can deduce what the letters mean.

Much love to Queensland!

This arrived in the post for me today, courtesy of the one and only one blue wren.

Seriously, if my Polaroids or this blog interest you in the slightest, be sure to bookmark and fave Ash's at once because it is the bomb.

Anyhow, in addition to one EE33 square shooter that she sent me in exchange for film (long story that, hello Australia Post), she included one of her awesome prints and also left one shot in the camera which ended up being picture number five in my "A year in the life of a Polaroid photographer" challenge which I've recently started.

Love your work my blue-hued friend!

oncassetteand45

Maybe because I'm a former DJ, this image from yyellowbird blew my mind.

You can buy it via print from here.

Tweet, tweet

Got Twitter?

Feel free to add me by clicking here.

If not, no worries - enjoy this scanned Polaroid goodness instead!

Holga-riffic!

Got some developed film back from Mirage in Subiaco and with the exception of some regular 35mm I put through my LC-A, everything came out fine including the two rolls of slide I got cross-processed.

This shot at South Cottesloe Beach is my pick of the lot.

Of course, I didn't take it as that's me and my lovely boardies in the shot.

I gave the Holga to Marie and "set the focus" and briefly explained the high-tech nature of the camera to her.

And then she produces this winner.

Typical. My girlfriend brimming with latent photography talent takes the best shot of the lot. I'll get her to start a blog for you all as soon as possible.

All the way from Taiwan

Sure beats the crap out of any USPS or Australia Box mailer I've ever seen.

You can check out a Polaroid capture of this box which is part of my "A year in the life of a Polaroid photographer" project here.

Mother of milkshakes, Robin!

I thought Bathing Ape's Batman hoodie with the stick-up ears was the coolest thing ever, but in terms of Caped Crusader related merchandise, this takes the Bat-cake.

This is part of the Milk Collection series on this mega-inspirational blog I've just discovered called Lovely Package.

Homes, sweet homes

Michigan-based photographer Kevin Bauman has made the internet a little more interesting with his 100 Abandoned Houses portfolio of ramshackle (ex) residences.

The above is one of my faves and the square format of the shot just adds so much to the composition.

A photography collection for lovers of urban decay.

Look who's started a 365-day Polaroid challenge

Yup, you read right.

For no real reason other than I felt compelled to, I've decided to start a one-Polaroid-a-day mission for the next year.

If all goes according to plan, "A year in the life of a Polaroid photographer" will end after I submit my last image on Sunday March 7, 2010.

There may be some days where I won't be able to update shots if I am out of town and without access to a scanner, but rest assured I'll still be snapping away those days.

I have updated my feed on that links sidebar to the right ("PEOPLE I NICK IDEAS AND WEBSITES THAT ARE NOWHERE NEAR AS CRAP AS MINE") so that it indicates whenever I've uploaded an image to my 365 set rather than my stream in general.

Here's to the next 364 days of Polaroid photography...

From bad to good

Thanks to our place needing to ready for "real estate purposes" by 11 in the AM, any hope of a restful, lazy Saturday was dashed.

Good thing I say. When you work full-time, you don't want to start getting lax with having a day to relax just after putting in 40-plus hours.

Suffice to say the above put me in a foul mood. Those who know me know that I can be a real pain in the arse when I'm in a foul mood (and also when not). This morning was no exception.

Thankfully, some second-hand shopping this afternoon fixed all that and after a visit to a couple of antique stores and a bookstore, I have enough reading material and inspiration to keep me going for some time.

Got home, went for a dip in the pool in our complex and then walked down to the shops to buy some stuff for dinner.

There's cold wine in the fridge as well as a selection of different beers.

The day has certainly taken a marked turn for the better.

The scan above is a note I found in this book I bought for the bargain sum of a buck called The Umpire's Story which is a collection of cricket ump Lou Rowan's more memorable moments.

The note was wedged somewhere towards the back of the book - being used as a bookmark I'd wager - and comes from a West Australian hospital affectionately known as Charlies.

Incidentally, Charlies is home to the very emergency ward I've been dragging myself to (or more correctly, Marie has been dragging me to) whenever I've woken up in the middle of the night wracked in horrible pain.

There's a chance that I've sat in the same seat or ward in the hospital that this book once upon a time had too.

I love finding odd tidbits like this in second-hand books. Not just reading material, tomes and novels can also play the role of time machine - if you're lucky.

Like I said, the day has taken a turn for the better.

This glass of Trumer Pils should help steer it in that direction nicely.

Essential reading for all men

Despite the blog's title of 1001 rules for my unborn son, this is compelling reading for all males, including born sons like me. I'm one of the two kids in the picture above.

Not so compelling however would be my profile that the good folk at Perfkids put up. If you really need to kill a few minutes before knocking off for the day, feel free to read it here'ish.

The most stylish cuff links ever?

Sorry Mr Carter, but these are just too damn cool.

Watch for it, watch for it...

I have caved into pressure and decided to add a Followers box to the blog (see: 'PEOPLE BORED AT WORK' section under the sidebar) blog. I won't mention any names - oh Hi CDR! - but let u pray ardent/reluctant fans join soon so I don't look like a Nigel No-mates.

In other news, I realise my email systems have been down but that's all working hunky dory now, so feel free to send mail away.

But please don't bother if you're peddling Viagra or have discovered vast sums of money in Nigeria that belong to me, I'm a very busy person don't you know!

Blog promotion

According to M Veenhuyzen.

All you need is an SX-70, some Polaroid film, a handful of Star Wars figurines and some imagination.

And they say marketing is difficult. Pffft.

We're going to party like its 2600

Quiet day in the office or stuck in a departure lounge waiting for a (surprise surprise) delayed Qantas flight?

Relive your childhood through 2600online.com which provides nostalgic gamers with 50 different games from the groundbreaking system.

Just don't blame me if this site causes you to miss your flight or lose your job.

Who wants to be Buff?

Sticker packs are cool, and when they come with a button, they become even cooler.

Los Angelean Buff Monster's product is well worth sourcing. Get it here and have a browse through the website while you're at it.

Own your own AT-AT Walkman

Star Wars fans take note - whether you're with the Rebellion or the Empire, you have to admit that a boombox modeled on an AT-AT walker is a Force to be reckoned with.

I don't know if it's for sale, a prototype or just some damn cool illustration, but you can find more pictures here.

Props to Matt the senior graphic designer at work for sending through the images as well as the link to ffffound!

Simon says... sleeves are where it's at!

When it comes to cuff links, English designer Simon Carter is the man.

My favourite pair of cuff links is a Simon Carter jobby (and are actually featured in a cuff link magazine feature being run in the next edition of the magazine I work at) and were bought for the princely sum of six quid from a (judging by the listing's details) spurned boyfriend desperate to get rid of his ex's presents.

The featured cuff link is from Carter's older Pin Up girls collection but the series is sadly hard to find.

Also worth seeking out are his Double Entendre pieces too, also similarly scarce.

1983. 1990.

Who doesn't like random images from the past?

These are a couple of slides I've picked up during my travels of other people's travels. Voyeuristic? Perhaps, but context-free snapshots from the past are just so much fun to look at...

They'll let anyone on the Internet these days

In a world wide web (over)populated by so many super-talented artists and designers, this writer and worker of words feels like the outsider - the Gaijin, if you will - wandering into foreign territory.

Wish this poor sod luck.