Travel Diary: Amed Indonesia - My first jump into Underwater Photography
As most of you know, I’m a pretty big nerd when it comes to scuba diving and love hunting for the small and weird. I’ve been hesitant to even go down the road of underwater photography because I know how expensive that road is going to be, but I borrowed a little Olympus tg-4 from a friend of mine and played with it over the course of the last week while diving in Amed, Bali. While I’m fully aware of the limitations of this set up. Just practicing with lighting was so fun. My hesitance to drop the coin on a proper housing for my camera is starting to show cracks and I’m tempted. That said, traveling light may be a thing of the past if choose to go down this road.
As most of you know, I’m a pretty big nerd when it comes to scuba diving and love hunting for the small and weird. I’ve been hesitant to even go down the road of underwater photography because I know how expensive that road is going to be, but I borrowed a little Olympus tg-4 from a friend of mine and played with it over the course of the last week while diving in Amed, Bali. While I’m fully aware of the limitations of this set up, just practicing with lighting was so fun. My hesitance to drop the coin on a proper housing for my camera is starting to show cracks and I’m tempted. That said, traveling light may be a thing of the past if choose to go down this road.
These images aren’t perfect…. or whatever perfect means. Some of them are a bit noisy, a channel clips here and there, some of them may not be as sharp as I’d like, but I had too much fun to not share these. I’m still a complete novice when it comes to this whole thing so here we are. If anyone has a contact at Nauticam that wants to sponsor this whole foray, let me know!
Recent Work: Nonn Furniture - Part 1
Over the last few months, the team at Nonn and I have been shooting nearly nonstop to the point where I’ve not had the time to even look at the final images, let alone find the time to post about them. For context, we started in July…. But here we are and instead of going the normal route of showing the entire shoot, the time elapsed in between then and now has allowed for a grouping of images from each scene we shot. I think having that cohesive thread through the post is interesting so we’ll go in multiple parts here. We shot some vastly different styles for different sets, so I hope you find the contrasts interesting in the parts to come. I’m also going to try a different format for showing these images off as I’m in need for some change. Let me know what you think. Anyways, enough prattling on. For now, though, check out the slick designs and head on over to Nonn to pick up some of these beautiful pieces.
Over the last few months, the team at Nonn and I have been shooting nearly nonstop to the point where I’ve not had the time to even look at the final images, let alone find the time to post about them. For context, we started in July…. But here we are and instead of going the normal route of showing the entire shoot, the time elapsed in between then and now has allowed for a grouping of images from each scene we shot. I think having that cohesive thread through the post is interesting so we’ll go in multiple parts here. We shot some vastly different styles for different sets, so I hope you find the contrasts interesting in the parts to come. I’m also going to try a different format for showing these images off as I’m in need for some change. Let me know what you think. Anyways, enough prattling on. For now, though, check out the slick designs and head on over to Nonn to pick up some of these beautiful pieces.
Recent Work: Tolv
Back in the studio with the folks from Tolv and we set out to make some more clean images to round out their website. I’ve been quite busy these past few months that I’m just now getting a chance to release these out in to the wild as we shot these over the summer. These images are a bit of a directors cut as well as some outtakes, but I love showing all the things that come out of shoots, so you can let me know which ones you like and see if you can spot the outliers. As always we shot these with an Elinchrom lighting set up that consisted of lots of scrims, flags and some fill here and there.
Back in the studio with the folks from Tolv and we set out to make some more clean images to round out their website. I’ve been quite busy these past few months that I’m just now getting a chance to release these out in to the wild as we shot these over the summer. These images are a bit of a directors cut as well as some outtakes, but I love showing all the things that come out of shoots, so you can let me know which ones you like and see if you can spot the outliers. As always we shot these with an Elinchrom lighting set up that consisted of lots of scrims, flags and some fill here and there.
Travel Diary: Lombok, Indonesia
Another trip to Indonesia for diving took me to south Lombok and during the brief stints in between being underwater, I grabbed the trusty Fuji x100v and snapped a few frames along the way. While just a short jaunt from Bali, Lombok feels different in so many ways. Rugged landscapes, much quieter beaches, and just a different vibe altogether. That being said, the last time I was in Kuta, Lombok was 12 years ago and it’s nearly unrecognisable now. It was a very, very quiet fishing village and now there are matcha lattes flying around and avocado toast dotting more than a few menus. It’s not to the point of no return like much of southern Bali, but I’m a bit concerned it’s on its way. There’s still lots to love, though and the diving in Belongas Bay was incredible. Places like Mawun and Selong Belanak still offer relatively chilled out beaches and thankfully there’s not one of those god awful beach clubs Bali has unfortunately embraced. Hopefully that won’t change. In the mean time Lombok, and specifically southern Lombok where I was this time around, is at a point where it can go the overdeveloped route, or retain the charm that brought people there in the first place.
Another trip to Indonesia for diving took me to south Lombok and during the brief stints in between being underwater, I grabbed the trusty Fuji x100v and snapped a few frames along the way. While just a short jaunt from Bali, Lombok feels different in so many ways. Rugged landscapes, much quieter beaches, and just a different vibe altogether. That being said, the last time I was in Kuta, Lombok was 12 years ago and it’s nearly unrecognisable now. It was a very, very quiet fishing village and now there are matcha lattes flying around and avocado toast dotting more than a few menus. It’s not to the point of no return like much of southern Bali, but I’m a bit concerned it’s on its way. There’s still lots to love, though and the diving in Belongas Bay was incredible. Places like Mawun and Selong Belanak still offer relatively chilled out beaches and thankfully there’s not one of those god awful beach clubs Bali has unfortunately embraced. Hopefully that won’t change. In the mean time Lombok, and specifically southern Lombok where I was this time around, is at a point where it can go the overdeveloped route, or retain the charm that brought people there in the first place.
Travel Diary: Alor Archipelago, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia: Part 2
This is part 2 in the Alor series, so if you haven’t had a chance to look at those images, head here to check out part 1. Not that this is chronological, but go have a look there for more. In any event, Alor just kept delivering in not only photo opportunities, but just as an incredible place for me to be alive. Life seems to slow down for me whenever I’m here. The sounds of the ocean, the handshakes of the people I’ve met, the food… life becomes fairly uncomplicated and being present is the default rather than something I need to consciously tell myself to appreciate. It started to feel like a flow state, and I guess that’s all I can ever ask for…
This is part 2 in the Alor series, so if you haven’t had a chance to look at those images, head here to check out part 1. Not that this is chronological, but go have a look there for more. In any event, Alor just kept delivering in not only photo opportunities, but just as an incredible place for me to be alive. Life seems to slow down for me whenever I’m here. The sounds of the ocean, the handshakes of the people I’ve met, the food… life becomes fairly uncomplicated and being present is the default rather than something I need to consciously tell myself to appreciate. It started to feel like a flow state, and I guess that’s all I can ever ask for…
All of these on the Fuji x100v with the two little lens adapters. Also, I’d love to hear from you. I noticed in previous posts, the images were a bit bigger than some screens could show, so I’m trying this out. You can click on the images below for a larger look, but let me know your thoughts on how this looks compared to previous posts.
Travel Diary: Alor Archipelago, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia: Part 1
If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you’d know how special this place is for me. Alor sits to the far east of Indonesia and while I first started going here for diving (and still do, really) three years ago, I’ve come to appreciate everything above water maybe just as much as the incredible underwater vistas that initially drew me to this awe inspiring place. I only had maybe 30-40 minutes to shoot before hopping on the dive boat each day, but that allowed for morning strolls right when the light was getting good. I ventured out on some afternoons right at golden hour to see what I could find and had a couple of surface intervals on little local islands that provided for some amazing opportunities to meet some incredible craftspeople. That said, shooting wasnt my priority on this trip
If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you’d know how special this place is for me. Alor sits to the far east of Indonesia and while I first started going here for diving (and still do, really) three years ago, I’ve come to appreciate everything above water maybe just as much as the incredible underwater vistas that initially drew me to this awe inspiring place. I only had maybe 30-40 minutes to shoot before hopping on the dive boat each day, but that allowed for morning strolls right when the light was getting good. I ventured out on some afternoons right at golden hour to see what I could find and had a couple of surface intervals on little local islands that provided for some amazing opportunities to meet some incredible craftspeople. That said, shooting wasnt my priority on this trip, but even with the small windows where I could take some images, the opportunities were abundant. Right around the dive shop in Alor Kecil was my main area of shooting and after only a couple of days, I quickly noticed I was recognised as the hellos and handshakes started to emerge. I absolutely love this aspect of shooting when I travel. Using that magical little picture box as a way to break bread and meet new people is probably my favourite part of photography. It becomes not so much about taking photos for photos sake, but more of a record or documentation of all the amazing moments I get to share with people along the way.
For my fellow photo nerds, all of these were on my little Fuji x100v coupled with the two little 28mm and 50mm equivalent adapter lenses. It really is the perfect set up for quick and easy travel photography for what I love to shoot.
Travel Diary: Layover in Jakarta
On my way to Alor this year, I chose a different flight path in the hopes of a speedier arrival. I’m not sure if the net experience felt any shorter, but I’d never been to Jakarta before, so something new is good, right? With Jakarta’s traffic, I didn’t too much exploring outside of wandering around the area around where I stayed. It’s laughable at the gridlock at seemingly non peak hours. Is it just one long rush hour that you just grit your teeth and hope for the best? Not ideal and with more cars, it’s worse than Saigon. Never thought those words would come out of my mouth, but at least with the predominant mode of transport being motorbikes here, you can kind of get in where you fit in.
In any event, my primary concern was finding coffee, so off I went wandering the “scenic” route trying to find some interesting things to shoot along the way. As travel so often has it, the guardians of the universe delivered as I stumbled upon a little antique street on the way. Happy to browse and happily snap away, all of these images (save one) are from that stroll to coffee.
On my way to Alor this year, I chose a different flight path in the hopes of a speedier arrival. I’m not sure if the net experience felt any shorter, but I’d never been to Jakarta before, so something new is good, right? With Jakarta’s traffic, I didn’t do too much exploring outside of wandering around the area around where I stayed. Jakarta, your traffic is laughable, at seemingly non peak hours. Is it just one long rush hour that you just grit your teeth and hope for the best? Not ideal and with more cars, it’s worse than Saigon. Never thought those words would come out of my mouth, but at least with the predominant mode of transport being motorbikes here, you can kind of get in where you fit in.
In any event, my primary concern was finding coffee, so off I went wandering the “scenic” route trying to find some interesting things to shoot along the way. As travel so often has it, the guardians of the universe delivered as I stumbled upon a little antique street on the way. Happy to browse and happily snap away, all of these images (save one) are from that stroll to coffee.
As per usual, the trusty little Fuji x100v was the kit of choice for this trip to keep it light and fast.
Travel Diary: Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia
Another decision on a whim and another return back to a place I hadn’t been in years. Having not been to Kuala Lumpur outside of the airport in probably a decade, it was a nice little reacquaintance with the Malaysian capital. As per usual, I didn’t really have any agenda so lots of wandering and eating and snapping photos along the way. I also took a quick jaunt down to Melaka to check out some old colonial remnants which felt a bit like what I remembered of Georgetown in Penang except the addition of the most ridiculous bike taxis I’ve ever seen. A bit bizarro, but here we are.
Another decision on a whim and another return back to a place I hadn’t been in years. Having not been to Kuala Lumpur outside of the airport in probably a decade, it was a nice little reacquaintance with the Malaysian capital. As per usual, I didn’t really have any agenda so lots of wandering and eating and snapping photos along the way. I also took a quick jaunt down to Melaka to check out some old colonial remnants which felt a bit like what I remembered of Georgetown in Penang except the addition of the most ridiculous bike taxis I’ve ever seen. A bit bizarro, but here we are.
Kuala Lumpur got skipped over the years for other locations as I remembered it being mainly a shopping destination and I’m not that guy. I didn’t want to be that old man stuck in his opinions, though so I gave it another shot. It’s still kind of one of those destinations…. That said, it has enough good food and cool vibes these days that made it more than another shopping destination.
Wandering through the streets and alleys, the smells of the hawker stalls and tasty treats made it difficult to focus on shooting, but definitely made for some great street photography with the throngs of people gravitating to these altars of goodness.
All shot with the Fuji x100v with the 2 little lens adapters giving the equivalent of 28, 35, and 50mm in a tiny little package.
Kuala Lumpur
Melaka
