I'm going to try to avoid any references to lyrics.
Other than this - can they kick it?
And if you were, the obvious answer was yes, they can.

Wealthier - after only one day...

It's not always about the Benjamins - or the Melbas or even the Rutherfords.
Being wealthy can come in different guises.  Interested?  Make the jump...

Some of my favourites...

Some photos have further portfolio value.  Some have a value that while they might not be worth including in your 'book', have an emotional value that (hopefully) will communicate itself to the viewer.  These are a few of my favourites.  Why?  Make the jump...

MNSFW - A night (or a few nights) out in friendly Christchurch...

Happiness is...

Last week I blogged about the Shapeshifter gig with the CSO.  I always grin when I think about the gig, or look back at some of the images.  Happiness can be captured on film.

Were you there?

"Something old, something new..."
So, as mentioned in a previous blog, I'm updating my website. And on the advice of my design, marketing and branding guru, I'm using the website's downtime to showcase some of my older work on my blog. But with gigabytes of images to choose from, where to start?
I've decided to revisit a defining moment in my photographic career - a night where I not only had one of the best nights of my life, but also captured some my most enduring images. Images that I look back at when I'm trawling through my archives and still smile about.

Updating time...

So - since it's been a while I thought I'd contribute a little something to the ever growing morass that we know as the interweb...

A week or two ago I was asked to photograph actor Peter Phillips-Vass. For those of you keeping up with my photographic exploits, you'll remember that we did a location shoot a few months (ok, possibly longer...) ago. He was in the process of auditioning for Underbelly 3, and we went for a bit of a themed look to the shoot - a cross between a Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels hardman, and 'local businessman/entrepreneur'. (You can see them earlier in this blog...)

New Zealand Music, er, weekend...

Ah, life can be tough sometimes. For those that haven't had the dubious honour of meeting me in the flesh, please be aware that there is a certain degree of sarcasm in those opening words. Just a touch.
Because for all the 'necessary' work that a photographer has to complete, sometimes we get to indulge ourselves and do something we are passionate about. If we're lucky. And this weekend, I was doubly blessed - two NZ bands, both favourites of mine, were playing on consecutive nights.

Free. Liberated in fact...

So, as a matter of a favour to a friend, I photographed his brother-in-law's band. Well, one of his bands. Yep - he's one of the talented SOBs that can not only hold a day job down, but has enough creativity, freedom and determination that he plays at night as well. And he's good.
And if we're on the topic - so are the Liberators. An 'afro-funk' band - they have Dia as their token and probably inspirational Sudanese influence for the afro segment, and the other members of the band are more than capable of providing the funk aspect. They're playing for another few Wednesday nights down at the MacQuarie Hotel on Wentworth St in Surry Hills. Question - if I wasn't photographing them, would I enjoy their music? Actually yes. The rhythm is tight, melody is sharp and the brass section - full of young guns - has talent for Africa. Literally.

When Life Goes Downhill...

Not necessarily a bad thing, sometimes.
Especially when:
a. it's a stunning day, in what was supposed to be autumn;
b. you get to go out and check out a newly discovered downhill system; and
c. while you might not be riding, you're in the presence of those that can. And if they can't, most times they'll give it a nudge.

As Spleen used to say, Sunday's can be fun days, and this recent Sunday was no exception.

Lest we forget...

Yesterday was the 95th anniversary of the battle of Gallipoli, in which Australian and New Zealand soldiers were landed on the Gallipoli peninsula.

This battle is commemorated by Australians and New Zealanders throughout the world - often starting with dawn services to remember the fallen of the many conflicts both countries have participated in.

I attended the dawn service at Bondi RSL to pay my respects. Poignantly enough, the service was held in the pouring rain and as the grey light of day crept in from the east, we were hosted by the RSL, who put on a few beers and a hot breakfast, where we were invited to mix with some of the old 'diggers' and listen to a few of their tales. Camera(s) in hand, I photographed my way through some unpleasant weather and even more unpleasant lighting conditions.

Prolonging pleasure, or the art of avoiding instant gratification

A delivery pigeon taking a break.

Something unusual arrived for me in the mail recently. No, not an apology from the Real Estate collective for wasting my time and acres of wildlife in the printing of promotional material that, at least to my knowledge, no-one reads. And no, neither was it a letter from Readers Digest that actually did contain a cheque for $1,000,000.

I received an aerogramme.

A genuine, authentic, blue, read, and er, a darker shade of blue aerogramme. Delivered by either via pigeon-post (an airborne version version of kiwi post...)
Now some readers will be scratching their heads, hitting CTRL+T (or Apple+T if you're lucky) and heading straight to the font of knowledge, Wikipedia. (I'll help you out - here's the link.) Some more well read readers will know what an aerogramme is and be simply wondering how long it's been in transit, as surely these things are extinct, kind of like polaroid film, or Georgie Pie.

Miss me?

OK, I'm sorry. I know it's been a while, but while I don't like making excuses for things like - well, I've been busy, OK?

But in all seriousness - I have been busy. Sometimes it's been in a good way. Other times, well, not so much.

Days Like This - are excellent...

DJ Marky

Ah, Days Like This are simply amazing.
An incredible and diverse line-up entertained and in the case of the Big Ol' Bad Boy from Brazil, DJ Marky, stunned the attending masses. In Marky's case, it was a surprise departure from his particularly individual style of drum and bass, to throw a shock (but far from shocking) mix including 'Good Life', Jackson Five's 'ABC', into Kris Kross' 'Jump', through to House of Pain's 'Jump Around'. In response, the crowd went off. Like a bag of seafood left in the sun. Yes - it was that good.