Inspiration | 'Flowers on Fire' by Photographer Georges Antoni

Beautiful work by Australian born photographer Georges Antoni, who also has a brilliant body of fashion photography work.

Two things that get me going- fire and roses. I find that there is something symbolic about these images - roses, love, fire, consumed, melancholy, madness. I might be looking into it too much, Georges may just like flowers on fire - it could be as simple as that. It'd be interesting to know what inspired the series.

Photographs by Georges Antoni

ONA | Stylish Camera Bags

A work mate put me onto the brand ONA. I find that camera bags are clunky and quite obvious as to what they are. ONO creates stylish bags that are discrete. Tracey Foster's (the founder of ONA) vision is to 'offer style-conscious photographers bags and accessories that complemented their life and style" which I believe she has done. The Bowery, The Camps and The Palma are definitely on my wish list.

To have a peep of their great range click here  www.onabags.com, make sure you check out check out the blog via the site too.

The Bowery

The Camps

The Palma

 Images via http://www.onabags.com and https://instagram.com/onabags/

Alison Fraser's first solo show "In to Memory' at Saint Cloche gallery

On Wednesday night I attended Alison Fraser's first solo show "In to Memory' at Saint Cloche gallery in Paddington. She exhibited ceramics and Cyanotype handmade photographic prints.

“This show is a lament for the loss of the handmade skills in domestic dressmaking from a passed era. Adornment of the bride, and child for christenings, are the focus of the show. Women and their family would spend days and weeks creating exquisite clothes with great skill and care. Such skills were, of course, taught completely within the home. The mass manufacture of clothing has led to the loss of these wonderful, meditative, and often selfless – activities. We are now too narcissistic to devote our time to others. This is a loss to our community.” - Alison Fraser

The ceramics and Prussian Blue prints are exquisite. There was a dainty yet ghostly nostalgic feel to each piece. I like that her photograms is a form of 1800s camera-less photography, which I have an interest in.

Alison placed antique clothing (dresses, blouses, gloves, shirts etc) on archival handmade paper and exposed it to light. I thought each piece was a screen print or painting. However, it was a cyanotype print. Cyanotypes use a solution of iron compounds, as opposed to silver in black and white photography. It's developed using UV light, such as the sun, a light box or a UV lamp. I had a chat with Alison about her process and she mentioned that Tungsten lamps didn't work well as the light wasn't strong enough. She exposed each garment on paper, that was painted with cyanotype solution, for about 4 to 8 seconds in the sun. The print turns Prussian Blue where the sunlight hits the paper, the garment blurs light, so it stays white. Beautiful detail was present in each print. It almost looked like floating ghosts on the wall.

I also met curator, Amber Creswell Bell - we realised we had a mutual friend too! I had an inspiring chat with her about the exhibition, Alison, art, as well as her leaving the corporate world to pursue a career in art and writing. She followed her passion and I find that very admirable as not many people take that leap. I tip my hat to you Amber!

I recommend that you see this exhibition, you won't be disappointed. Pencil it in your diary!

In To Memeory by artist Alison Fraser 

16th September – 2nd October 2015 

Where: Saint Cloche Gallery 

37 MacDonald St, Paddington NSW Australia 2021 

Phone: 0434 274 251 

 Email: info[at]saintcloche.com 

Opening Hours Mon – Sun: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm 

(closed on public holidays and sometimes in between exhibitions)

Girls: Cristina Garces

I had the pleasure of shooting this lovely lady about a month ago. Cristina Garces is a Columbian model who is represented by London Management in Sydney. It goes without saying... she is muy caliente! I normally photograph friends or mutual pals during my portrait sessions. This is the first time I shot a proper model and Cristina was 100% on point with her moves. Very easy to work with and takes direction well, I didn't have to direct her that much which was brilliant as she brought her A game. Once again I collaborated with make-up maven Cay Duque - she nailed it with a lovely natural gold look.

Location: Mondo Digital Studios

Model: Cristina Garces (London Management)

MUA: Cay Duque

Images shot by me

Inspiration: Alique Photography

I'm diggin' these images by photographer Alique for Magdalena Frackowiak Jewelry. The second black and white image is definitely my favourite. This style of portrait photography is what I want to achieve in my next round of test shoots - casual and cool. #photographygoals

Check out Alique's beautiful images via her website or instagram account @alique_photography

QVB Sydney

I forget how architecturally brilliant the QVB is. When you see something almost ever day you tend to forget and under appreciate how lovely it is. You see, but you don't really see - if you know what I mean.
One Sunday morning, armed with my camera and a coffee. I decided to take a stroll through this beautiful building. The great thing about walking through the QVB at an early hour is there is little to no crowds- it has a ghost town feel to it. You can take in the beauty of the architecture without bumping into someone or being distracted by shoppers or tourists. I recommend going there at around 8am, also, don't forget to look up.

Images shot by me

Wild Roses

Hi Pals,

Below are some photos I shot last week. I collaborated with my fellow Studio Manager - Chelsea. I've wanted to do this shoot for quite some time now and a few weeks back I asked Chelsea's opinion in regards to lighting set ups. Pure chance, she was looking to shoot the same concept, so a collaboration was booked.

While reviewing my images in post, I saw that are some lighting techniques I can improve on next time I am in the studio. Overall, I'm quite happy with these dark and moody photos. And as photography test shoot goes, there are always learnings at the end of it. It was the first time I used strobe lighting (I normally opt for natural light), Chelsea is a brilliant teacher and guided me through the process. I know I can improve that skill from here on end.

Images shot by me at Mondo Digital

Things to do in Melbourne: State Library of Victoria

For those who know me - libraries and bookstores are my go to places. So visiting The State Library of Victoria in Melbourne was a no brainer. This amazing domed structure was designed by architect Norman Peebles - who drew inspiration from two great libraries: the British Museum Library in London and the Library of Congress in Washington.

"Peebles’ dome was one of the largest reinforced concrete spans in the world, a great technical innovation for its time. The classically ornamented interior was arranged on a radial panopticon plan, commonly used in penal establishments, with a librarian (rather than a warden) seated on a raised dais at the centre. From here an eye could survey the whole room and maintain order with stern admonitions to ‘Silence’".

Make sure you see the Dome Gallery in The State Library of Victoria next time you visit Melbourne. You'll be awe struck by this beautiful piece of architecture.

Images Shot by Me