2016+

Coming up to 3 years of shooting film, I am looking forward to what the new year will bring. Currently planning another trip o'seas. Back to Europe, starting in Vienna, then onto Munich, Berlin and Scandinavia. Finishing off with a small piece of Russia, Poland and back to Berlin. Final route to be finalised.

I travel for the experience, different cultures, languages, human experience, scenery, food. The rich history and architecture too. An experience collector. Armed with a bag of film and film camera or 3. In colour and black & white. Most likely heading o'seas in 2017. Between now and then, some smaller projects. Maybe some local travel. And of course some exhibitions between now and the end of next year (check out my events page here). An opportunity to meet new people, discuss, maybe even learn something. And of course drinks and laughs.

My goal in the next 5-10 years is to continue to do a lot of travel. So far 13 countries, my next trip will add another 10 or so. Covering most of Europe. After that? I am not sure yet. 

I am also keen on exploring other film camera types, next up will most likely be medium format. A Hasselblad or Pentax. Opening new possibilities of creative endeavour, keeping my creative flow going. New ideas, new techniques, a slightly different point of view based on how the camera reacts to a scene / how I compose the photograph. Shooting medium reduces the amount of photographs per roll from 36/24 to 12/10 depending upon the camera chosen. Slowing me down a bit more, taking the time to consider more carefully each frame.

Then onto large format, perhaps a Speed Graphic, a 1930s press camera. With either the standard sheet film back (hard) or polaroid (easy). Again, a new approach, a new 'look', Don't even get me started on how this all compares to digital. It doesn't even come close. Film cameras date back to the 1800s. About 150 years of development. So many types, formats, lenses, film stocks. So raw, so very different to digital. Not necessarily better, but certainly very very different. And that is the main reason for choosing film.

Let the journey continue.

On Seas and Mountains.

This month I celebrate 2 years (officially) of shooting film. Early 2013 I took the plunge and asked my uncle if I might borrow his either Canon EOS10 (circa early 1990's) or Canon A1 (circa late 70's), I decided on the EOS10 mainly for it's similarities to modern digital SLRs. Shot a roll of Ilford BW and was hooked. Later in April purchased an A1 after deciding I was after a more vintage look. The A1 certainly provided such a look. A mechanical beast, with a solid steel encasement, it felt good to hold with some weight behind, yet being small and light enough to carry around.

Back in the olden days, when I shot digital.

The journey so far has produced some wonderful results, I have thoroughly enjoyed the move from digital to film. "Back in the olden days, when I shot digital." Enjoying shooting street, architecture, fine art. The technical and creative aspects, the journey or process being just as if not more so as important as the end result. Everything I do is art. 

Sea the Mountains? Good question. Born in Brisbane, then to Cairns for a year or so in the late 80s'/ early 90's, then back to Brisbane. In 1997 with my family I moved to the Sunshine Coast. Where I soon took up a love for the sea and soon after that mountain /climbing. Originally being afraid of heights, soon got over that facing it head on with indoor climbing prior to my pursuit of outdoor mountaineering / free-climbing. I love both the sea and mountains giving me a footstool to head in a much more personal direction. So that's how I came up with Sea the Mountains, very personal, a play on words.

So this just being the start of something wonderful, published, exhibited. Next? Travel (and lots of it). As you may (or not) I'm off to Europe in August. With only just recently gotten my port of pass, being my first time it's going to be significant.

"Well I suppose you want the accessory kit?"

Camera: 2x Canon A1 bodies (including 1x handmade leather camera strap by Chocolate Brownie Leather (Aussie made) highly recommended), Polaroid OneStep Color, Kodak Instamatic 233

Lenses (Canon A1- FD mount: Top to bottom - Sigma 28mm f/1.8, Vivitar Macro adaptor, Canon 50mm f/1.8, Sigma 70-210mm f/4.5 - f/6.3 (probably).

The Brisbane Collective Magazine Launch + Pop-up Exhibition

Last night I partook in the first edition of The Brisbane Collective "HOME GROWN" magazine launch and pop-up exhibition. The Brisbane Collective est. in 2014 is group of wonderful people that promote local artists. A new edition release every few months or so, available in a number of outlets around Brisbane and on line (digital or print order).

My feature of 4 wonderful people in their favourite hang-outs around Brisbane. Including Bonzai Botanika (Brisbane CBD), Fonzie Abbott (Ascot), Bosc (West End) and The End (also in West End).

Likes on Instagram and Facebook just don't compare to the feed back, the interaction, talking about my work, sharing, face to face interaction. So much more personal. Social media have their place, but I love the face to face more. Making connections, talking to other artists about their work and their approach. I am always fascinated about the journey / process an artist takes in the creation process. As I believe the journey is just as important as the end result. The end result being a bonus.

I am in the process of looking into more exhibition opportunities not only locally but abroad (this could mean o'seas - which is something really big for me. A completely new experience. Something that I really both excited and freaked out about as well all at once.) as well. A number of spaces that I've been looking at I feel would suit my work. And so I hope to share my work (in person) with more people. Meet, greet, chat, discuss, laugh and most likely a drink (or 3...). 

It's all about new experiences.

Photos from the night to come...