Wednesday 14 December 2011

We met Santa..!

Last night after going to see We Are Augustines perform at the Wheelbarrow in Camden (an awesome show yet again), we had to get the train home. We got on one train but being somewhat knackered after being up since 5am I was wanting a seat. There was another train 1 minute behind so we got off at the next stop. Within seconds of the first train exiting through the tunnel the next one was arriving. As the train started slowing down I thought I was imagining things..but low and behold, it was Santa! Obviously knowing people wouldn't believe me, I have taken a photo :)
A couple sitting opposite did a rock paper scissors decision and then one asked if they could have a picture with him. 
Santa was everything we could have dreamed of, wishing us a Merry Christmas as he got off the train. 
Black rucksack, wooden cane, black ski gloves and an oyster card..we saw him walk off the train and exit the station through the barriers. It was magic.


Sunday 11 December 2011

Showreel time..!

If you're looking for a DOP then here's a showreel by Mr James Kar :)
LOVE it. I  must've watched it over a hundred times by now.


www.jameskar.co.uk
www.jameskar.co.uk/blog/

Wednesday 16 November 2011

We Are Augustines - The Photos

Here are the photos courtesy of James Kar Photography from the We Are Augustines launch party on the 7.11.11. It was an amazing night :)






 
To see more photos go to James Kar's blog.

Sunday 13 November 2011

For gifts you can't wait to give.

I've become increasingly intrigued with behind the scenes videos, and luckily for me there seems to be more and more of them out there. This one is for the making of the John Lewis Christmas Advert for this coming year. The advert tells a great story of a young boy desperately waiting for christmas, counting down the days. It's a lovely heart warming story with a little twist at the end.



To see the advert click here to go to Ad Lemon.

Saturday 12 November 2011

Chris Floyd - One Hundred and Forty Characters

An exhibition I have been to recently was Chris Floyd's - One Hundred and Forty Characters gallery opening near Old Street last Thursday. His inspiration came from realising that the people he tends to communicate with most on Twitter he had never actually met before. So in July 2010 he decided to start photographing the people he followed on Twitter. With no end date in sight it had been nearly a year since he had started photographing the people he follows. He added up the number of people he had photographed and it came to around one hundred and thirty which immediately showed him where to finish his project. One hundred and forty characters..the maximum number of characters in which you can communicate with other people on Twitter. Quite simple really. Result.. A lovely collection of portraits of the people he had never met before and only spoken to on Twitter.


If you have 14 minutes to spare (or you could just listen to it whilst it plays in the background..) here's a slideshow of all the portraits that were taken for the project with quite a fun audio of the people who took part giving their insights on Twitter.

Friday 11 November 2011

Water and Dust

Saw this in the Metro today. Looks like a good exhibition to go to. Caroline Gibello. Water and Dust exhibition at Mufti in Kensington from 10th November 2011 till 10th January 2012. Amazing wildlife photography from Africa capturing some incredible animals. Think I will have to put a date in my diary.

Caroline Gibello - Heaven and Earth



This does remind me of another incredible African wildlife photographer I stumbled across well over a year ago though. Nick Brandt. His photos are really impressive and powerful to look at....his photos having stuck in my mind ever since I first saw them. Truly incredible and beautiful to look at.

Nick Brandt - Elephant With Exploding Dust, Amboseli 2004

Thursday 10 November 2011

Britain In A Day

Guys, this sounds amazing. Britain In A Day. Saturday November 12th 2011. Everyone is asked to pick up their camera and film a personal account of their day to be part of an amazing event/project.
"The question is not why you should take part, it's why not?"



For more info go to the BBC's Britain In A Day YouTube channel.
It's very exciting and there's only one day left to prepare...!

Tuesday 8 November 2011

We Are Augustines

It's been a non stop few weeks. A mix of work and thankfully life. Last night was amazing. We went to the We Are Augustines' single launch party in Hoxton. It was invite only and @JamesKar managed to score us some tickets. It was a nice intimate affair. Got to meet and chat with the band after. Great bunch of guys. Nice and down to earth. I got them to sign my poster :)
This is one of my favourite songs..

Monday 19 September 2011

So Near Yet So Far

First day back to work after a whole week off and it was hectic. So what better excuse than to head off to Tower Bridge to visit the Gorillas just to get away from it all. Only problem was, I had one hour to get there AND back. It was a bit of a long shot but I thought I'd try. The result.. I got all the way to Tower Bridge to realise I wasn't going to make it. Almost half an hour had gone and I was on the wrong side of the river. I could just make out the gorillas on the other side but there wasn't enough time and I had to head back to work. There was no other choice. Tower Bridge was just too wide and it would take too long to cross it. I should've crossed at London Bridge. I knew it. Though even if I had, there wouldn't have been enough time. It just meant I had to make another trip over there after work, which I did :) 20 gorillas all lined up waiting for their pictures to be taken. It was worth it.
(The photos will be coming soon.)

Saturday 17 September 2011

An English Channel..!

Arrived in Rouen today, the last stop on our journey home to London. We checked into our hotel, situated right in the centre next to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. A great location, and next to all the shops. What more could you ask for? Well..after we got ourselves all checked in we went up to our room. As per usual the TV goes on, and after hardly seeing any TV (let alone any English speaking TV) in the ten days we've been away, we were amazed to find one. Which brings me to the reason I am writing this blog entry.. This delightful advert which came up not long after we'd turned the TV on.

Wednesday 14 September 2011

France photo shoot: Day 3


It’s day three of our shoot in the South of France, photographing shawls for Madeline Trehearne & Harpal Brar. We’ve been staying in an old farm that has been transformed into an amazing home over the past twenty years (a real labour of love) surrounded by fields full of fruit trees and vine yards. It’s one of those places you see in magazines but never think you’ll go to. It’s quite surreal. There’s only one thing I don’t like..you can find them in corners of every room..but the less said about them the better.

We’ve come to France at the right time. Amazing sun, blue skies and a few fluffy white clouds floating in the sky. A lovely place to enjoy some peace and quiet, away from the usual London city bustle. Somewhere to escape, somewhere to relax. Though we must not forget we have a job to do. These shawls need photographing for next season’s catalogue (Collection 34) so the views will have to be admired later and the sun creates the perfect lighting for the shawls.

These shawls aren’t just any old shawls. They are the genuine article. Genuine Kashmir shawls, woven from authentic Pashmina cashmere. Each one is unique, so you’ll never find someone else with the same one making them all the more special. They are beautiful to look at and all made from completely natural materials. Some feature intricate hand embroidery created with pure silk. Others feature less intricate designs like stripes, block colours, and plain colours which are reversible. You can get blanket shawls which are quite nice and cosy too. When I get back I shall post up some photos from the shoot so you can see what I’m talking about. In the meantime, I better get back to work..! :/

Friday 9 September 2011

Jungle City Edinburgh

Also this month..it looks like I need to plan a trip back up to Edinburgh. Lets hope I can.
In aid of the world's most endangered species here is the video about the Jungle City Edinburgh project.



This video below shows you more of the sculptures in their Scottish environment. I'll just warn you now.. it has very loud dramatic music, so you may want to turn the volume down.

Thursday 8 September 2011

Amazing (Gorillas) News Just In.

I have just found out that the gorillas will be making their way to London for the 16th - 22nd September! Sadly not all of them will be coming, just twenty but what a great chance to get some photos of the ones I missed in Bristol. Their location.. Tower Bridge. I will definately be going after work :)

The line up includes:
1. Blackbreadorilla 
2. Gorisambard
3. Fade To Black
4. Blackbeard Silverback
5. I Spy Gorilla 
6. Zoo Keeper
7. Seeing You, Seeing Me
8. Guerrilla Tourist
9. Sabyinyo
10. Elvis
11. The Forest Within
12. The S Express
13. Distinctly Different
14. Endangered PJ’s
15. Wow! Bristo
16. Jama
17. Custard
18. Spider Monkey
19. Bradisson
20. Gorilla Skelana

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Wow! Gorillas

This summer Bristol Zoo Gardens celebrated its 175th anniversary with an army of life-sized gorilla sculptures designed and decorated by local artists. They formed a trail around Bristol's most famous landmarks, which is an added bonus for those who haven't explored Bristol before. Sadly for me, I only had one hour and one evening to find as many as I could. It was tough going round knowing there were so many nearby and that we wouldn't be able to get them all, but we got as many as was possible and atleast I actually got to see some. (Considering I didn't even know this event was happening..!) 
After their stint in the wild, these gorillas will then be put into a charity auction, raising money for Bristol Zoo conservation projects and Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal, which raises funds for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. The auction goes ahead on Thursday 29th September at 7pm.
Below are the photos of the gorillas I did manage to find :)



Sunday 28 August 2011

See No Evil

Over the last twelve months, plans were made which resulted in top graffiti artists around the world making their way to Bristol's Nelson Street where they have created Europe's biggest outdoor street art exhibition.
I only stumbled across this street art event by accident, two weeks ago when I stayed in Bristol overnight for a job. Having to book a hotel last minute the hotel we were hoping to stay at was fully booked so we settled for a different one. Fate is what I usually like to call these things. Not only did we stumble across Wow! Gorillas (Bristol Zoo Gardens celebration of it's 175th anniversary), we stumbled across the See No Evil street art event less than 30 seconds from the hotel we were now staying in. It could not have been a better result.
I have always had an interest in street art but after the initial increase in awareness 10yrs ago have been somewhat put off by how much interest it has been given as it has got to the point where street art is now being protected by perspex within days of it going up. (In the second photo you can see CCTV has been installed.)

Photos courtesy of Street Art London.

Okay, so yes, clearly it is a Banksy, BUT street art is not meant to be about money. Street art is not meant to be encased, hence why they are found on the streets and not in galleries. Although that line has also been crossed. For me, street art is for the people. Not to be owned by individuals.
I could go rambling on about this issue but I will stop, as I was meant to be writing about Bristol's See No Evil project.
More than 70 artists took part in transforming the area which the Bristol City Council, after having invested £80'000, hopes will impact on increasing the tourism numbers therefore boosting the local economy. Artists included El Mac from LA, Tats Cru from New York, Inkie from Bristol itself and other artist from Spain, Brazil, Holland and the rest of Britain.
The project completed on Saturday 20th August 2011 with an event consisting of a showcase of local music and art involving DJ's, bands and street theatre. I wish I could have been there but sadly I was all the way back in London Town. I hope I get to go back and visit soon.
Here are some of my photos when I was in Bristol on my oh so fleeting visit:






Saturday 27 August 2011

UK's latest sensation.

It's that time of year again... X Factor! This time round with a whole new panel of judges (bar the exception of Louis Walsh). Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos. Anyway.. It seems they may have found an amazing contender as this years winner of X Factor in the form of 16 year old Janet Devlin from a tiny village in Ireland. All I can say is.. Truly amazing, captivating and breath taking. Here is the moment she auditioned..



To see the full audition travel on over to here.

Janet already has her own YouTube channel (Janet Devlin) where she has recorded a whole host of covers.
Below is her cover of To Make You Feel My Love by Bob dylan.




I wish her all the best and that she doesn't lose sight of who she is.

Thursday 25 August 2011

Miracle Day

So who's watching Torchwood this year? It's SERIOUSLY intense. The end of episode five has left me with a very uneasy, and unable to comprehend state of mind. I don't think I've watched anything with a storyline quite like this.
This season, Torchwood explores death being eliminated from the equation of life, amongst the human race. Can you imagine if that actually happened? People just stop dying. The ones who should have died..they don't. They carry on living, despite their injuries and illnesses (including decapitation). Meanwhile on the other end of the scale...millions of babies are still being born into the world everyday. The population multiplies at an alarming rate. Even abortion is no longer possible. What are the consequences? What does this lead on to? Well..I suggest watching Torchwood just to get to grips with what I'm trying to explain. It's a fascinating storyline which makes you think.

Spoiler Alert:
I'm struggling to get my head round the end of episode five. After watching the story unfold you understand that death is impossible. However they can still suffer the pain depending on the injury. Given the amount of deathly accidents/illnesses that occur each day..space is running out in all the hospitals. New laws are being passed to reclassify the patients. A patient classified as category one is the new 'dead'. One of the criteria being that the patient is unconscious. Patients are being transported to camps and segregated. The 'dark secret' behind these camps is that the plan for the category ones is to incinerate them. 
What happens at the end of episode five is one of the characters, who was completely alive (obviously) and healthy gets shot. To cover it up she ends up being placed in one of the incinerators. She regains consciousness as the incinerator gets turned on. As death is impossible..this means she is burnt alive and (I'm guessing) reduced to ash..yet she cannot be dead. Death is impossible. 
So this must mean she carries on existing as particles of ash?? Is that what is happening? She will continue living..but as bits of ash? I find it hard to comprehend and have literally just come to the conclusion that she wouldn't be in pain in her new state, as this state would not involve pain...as she is not being constantly burnt... ?? I am confused. Would she be in pain? Would she not be in pain? She WOULD have to be alive right? Death is not in the equation.. Yet her body and functions are all just ash... So she must then be unconscious? But then the form of ash is...... Does that mean she IS dead? But then death is not possible. Is that a loop hole?



I thought the ear muffs on the baby was a nice touch.

Monday 22 August 2011

Strange Fruit

I've just realised..I did a post about James Kar being published in 101 TOP TIPS FOR DSLR VIDEO but never actually posted the video that is featured so here it is..

There's also a fun behind the scenes video which I have posted below.
Enjoy.



Sunday 21 August 2011

WHAT IS VA VA VOOM?

LOVE.
LOVE THIS.

WHAT IS VA VA VOOM?
IS IT MORE? - Audrey Hepburn
OR LESS? - Dita Von Teese
I could've been a contender.
DOES IT SMOULDER? Marlon Brando
I could've been somebody.
DOES IT BURN BRIGHTLY?
Ground control to major tom -  David Bowie
IS THERE A QUEEN OF IT?
It's so good being bad - Rhianna
BIEN SUR.
VIVE LA RENAULT CLIO

Saturday 20 August 2011

Someone Like You

Simple really.
A beautiful song.



This is the first time I've actually seen the video. Whenever I hear this song I always think of the end of Secret Diary of a Call Girl. It was very emotional.



"We can't regret our choices. The past is behind us. All we have is the present.. and the future. Whatever that may bring."

Friday 19 August 2011

Little dog lost.

The train was approaching the platform when I started to hear the noise of little paws running along the platform. It was a little white highland terrier. He was just running around going up to people's legs and looking up a them all happy but expectant. He'd clearly been out all night. He was very wet and slightly muddy.

We had to get on the train. It was heartbreaking. The train arrived and he waited by the door looking unsure what to do. A gentleman made sure he didn't get on the train as who knows where the little dog would end up. It was so upsetting watching the doors close, knowing he'd be left outside at the end of the platform alone. If he'd turned up before the train arrived I could have found a station warden. There would have to have been someone somewhere who could look after him. I hope he's okay and that the next person who arrived at the platform found someone at the station who could help find who he belonged to so he could get home.



Be safe little dog. Find your way home.

Thursday 18 August 2011

Smokers.


I hate when you smoke whilst walking and then it blows all over me.

I hate that you smoke.

Monday 15 August 2011

Was it just bad behaviour?

The Major of London announced today that any young person involved in the London riots will lose their free travel, but can earn it back. I simply retweeted with the question "Why can they earn it back?!" Seconds later I had a reply from someone saying "If you want people to behave, incentives and the ability to rehabilitate themselves give them reasons to try." I guess that makes sense..but I don't believe this is about making people behave. People involved in the riots weren't just misbehaving because they didn't know any better. They were taking advantage of the chaos and just doing what they felt like whilst knowing it was wrong. They don't need rehabilitating..they've not suffered a moment of insanity or breakdown. They've not been brought up not knowing what's right from wrong. You see videos of ppl asking the rioters/looters why they were doing it..because they "were owed it". They were "getting their taxes back". They were simply taking advantage to get back what they felt they were owed.

People lost their homes and their possessions that cannot simply be replaced. They were innocent victims. Why should the people involved in the London riots be able to earn their free travel back? It was a privilege in the first place, and well..the people who lost their homes can't just get their homes back. Losing free travel is a small loss and it is only a small consequence to their actions. A small life lesson.

Things can't always just be fixed so easily.. Should they not learn that?

Saturday 30 July 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER BEAR

Just wanted to wish my sister bear a very happy birthday. I don't get to see her so much anymore as she moved back to Sweden a few months ago. I miss her, but I am happy for her as she is moving on to bigger and better things. I love you sister bear and hope you have a very lovely birthday.
Happy Birthday! xxx

I Need Some M.O.T.I.V.A......

I joined the gym in March this year. It's been four months and after two it became a struggle. The first two months were good. There was an incentive:

Visit the gym 20 times in eight weeks and get the (extortionate) administration charge back. 

The good thing was it also included x3 personal trainer sessions. So yeah.. That was good enough motivation as that money could be spent on much more important things...... ;) I completed the 20 sessions (just) and then rewarded myself with a week off from the gym. This may have turned into being a few weeks off as I only went once in June. July has been slightly better..more like once a week..and occasionally twice. My reason: I need to wash my hair so I'll make it really worthwhile and get all sweaty beforehand. It's an excuse and it works....half the time. 
To sum up. I have decided I need to find a better reason for going to the gym other than..I need to wash my hair.

Help?

Tuesday 28 June 2011

My Hero

It's 5am in the morning and I lift up a bag in my bedroom and there's a GINORMOUS spider. Obviously the fear goes right through me and it is THE SCARIEST thing on EARTH. Thankfully @JamesKar is around and can save me. As expected..the spider ran away under the big drawer unit I have but James, having been forced to wake up, got everything out from underneath and did a thorough search until he found it and saved me and my bedroom from it. My hero indeed :)

Friday 17 June 2011

Get Ready..Go.

At the beginning of my day I saw a funny yellow car. Ten minutes later I saw a funny bright green car. 
On my way home at the very end of my day I see a woman wearing a very yellow top and some very yellow tights. She then puts on a very bright green jacket.

Thursday 16 June 2011

Thank Yous.. To Those Who Don't Even Know

People try and bring you down. Make you doubt yourself. But you know what? The rest of the world shows you it's lies without you even asking. I thank those ppl. Though they don't even realise they've done anything.

Sunday 13 February 2011

101 TOP TIPS FOR DSLR VIDEO

Exciting news! James Kar has been published in this book and it's actually a pretty good read. Congrats, congrats :)


Friday 4 February 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Chinese New Year started on Thursday 3rd of February this year, so just wanted to say Gong Xi Fa Choi to anybody out there who sees this :) xx

Thursday 6 January 2011

TWITTER KNITTER

It was an awfully cold but beautiful christmas. But I could not forgot the ppl I saw on the streets of London. I don't know how they did it. Me with my layers and coat looking forwards to getting home and out of the cold, shivering like mad. The homeless stuck on the streets, nowhere to go, hoping not to be moved on and to make it through the night. How they did I am amazed as I could see them using cardboard boxes as covers. It is shocking, sad and crazy that there are still so many homeless ppl in this day and age. I just wanted to highlight a fun project I noticed over the christmas period called TWITTER KNITTER..maybe a bit late to say it now..but better late than never.
Saint and RKCR/Y&R collaborated together to help the homeless in Camden keep just that little bit warmer over christmas. All you had to do was tweet a phrase on twitter with the tag #WarmUpCamden at the end and they would then knit the winning tweets onto scarves which would then be handed out.