Northern Exposure: Ha Giang to Cao Bang. Part 1
What a ridiculous year this has been. Along with every other travel photographer, a good chunk of my travel assignments evaporated in a hurry with covid’s unwelcome arrival. With Vietnam’s borders, by all intents and purposes still shut, international travel is not an option. But, thankfully, I live in a country with so many incredible destinations, many of which I’ve never been. So, a couple of weeks ago, I hit the road with good friend and fellow photographer, Quinn Mattingly for an epic road trip. After flying into Hanoi, we headed north and grabbed motorbikes in Ha Giang city. Over the following 8 days we headed all the way to the Chinese Border and back down to Cao Bang city during the best time of the year - the rice harvest. This area has been at the top of my list for years and with the lack of tourists, it proved to be an incredibly unique time to explore one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
What a ridiculous year this has been. Along with every other travel photographer, a good chunk of my travel assignments evaporated in a hurry with covid’s unwelcome arrival. With Vietnam’s borders, by all intents and purposes still shut, international travel is not an option. But, thankfully, I live in a country with so many incredible destinations, many of which I’ve never been. So, a couple of weeks ago, I hit the road with good friend and fellow photographer, Quinn Mattingly for an epic road trip. After flying into Hanoi, we headed north and grabbed motorbikes in Ha Giang city. Over the following 8 days we headed all the way to the Chinese Border and back down to Cao Bang city during the best time of the year - the rice harvest. This area has been at the top of my list for years and with the lack of tourists, it proved to be an incredibly unique time to explore one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
From epic high mountain passes to the biggest waterfall in Asia, these 500 kilometers were one jaw dropping vista after the other. Pair that with nearly perfect weather and great company, and we had ear to ear smiles the entire journey. Well almost the entire time… The moment where Quinn’s drone decided it wanted to live permanently in the jungle treetops of Ha Giang was a bit of a bummer, but it was nothing a bit of rice wine couldn’t remedy!
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The Light at the End of the Tunnel - Quarantine Cuisine: Part 3
As things are starting to reopen here in Vietnam, it looks like we’ll be shooting more and creating some new campaigns in the near future. YES! So for the last chapter (hopefully) in this series, here are some of the things we’ve been enjoying at home the past couple of weeks. Big thanks to the wonderful F&B outlets here in Saigon and high fives to all the restaurants who adapted, refocused and weathered the storm. We’re not out of it yet, but it looks like we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I’ll link down below to all the venues featured in this article.
As things are starting to reopen here in Vietnam, it looks like we’ll be shooting more and creating some new campaigns in the near future. YES! So for the last chapter (hopefully) in this series, here are some of the things we’ve been enjoying at home the past couple of weeks. Big thanks to the wonderful F&B outlets here in Saigon and high fives to all the restaurants who adapted, refocused and weathered the storm. We’re not out of it yet, but it looks like we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I’ll link down below to all the venues featured in this article.
If you have a restaurant or venue, mention this article, let’s create something awesome, and I’ll knock 15% off the total and donate 5% to the charity of your choice. Much love and let’s get break bread once again!
Restaurants and businesses featured in this post:
Full Transparency: I’ve not been paid or received anything in return for any of this.
Keeping Creative in Uncertain Times - Quarantine Cuisine: Part 2
As we’ve settled into this new “normal”, we’ve been confronted with some stark realizations - some of us need to learn to cook and restaurants will have to adapt in order to survive these tumultuous times. That said, my kitchen has become familiar again, my love for cooking has had a resurgence, and restaurants have adapted with new delivery concepts popping up and a higher focus on hospitality. While the current situation is a million miles from good, silver linings are what we have and staying positive and supporting each other is always good. This push to give better value, service and support from restaurants and patrons alike is a wonderful thing to witness, and I hope this bolsters the industry not only here in Saigon, but throughout the global F&B industry.
As we’ve settled into this new “normal”, we’ve been confronted with some stark realizations - some of us need to learn to cook and restaurants will have to adapt in order to survive these tumultuous times. That said, my kitchen has become familiar again, my love for cooking has had a resurgence, and restaurants have adapted with new delivery concepts popping up and a higher focus on hospitality. While the current situation is a million miles from good, silver linings are what we have and staying positive and supporting each other is always good. This push to give better value, service and support from restaurants and patrons alike is a wonderful thing to witness, and I hope this bolsters the industry not only here in Saigon, but throughout the global F&B industry. I hope this communal focus rather than a transactional relationship sticks around and really gives us, both as hospitalitarians and guests, the time to reflect on what makes dining out and food so amazing. I want to use this post to give shine to some of the restaurants (alongside some of my own home-cooked food) here in Saigon that have stepped up and done some thoughtful moves into this brave new world. At the bottom of this post, look out for links to some of these fine establishments featured in this post as well as the last post. This is the time we all lean on each other. If you haven’t had the chance, go check out Part 1 here.
Restaurants and businesses featured in this post:
Full Transparency: I’ve not been paid or received anything in return for any of this.
Featured In Part 1
Keeping Creative in Uncertain Times: Quarantine Cuisine Part 1
As things have gotten increasingly weird over the past couple of weeks, budgets have contracted, priorities changed, and many creatives have seen their stream of work dwindle if not cease to exist. Times are not ideal by any stretch. That said, I hope we can all use this downtime to possibly learn something new, shoot a personal project, or catch up on our reading. Also, I’m not technically in quarantine, but I couldn’t help the rhyming title. Either way, let’s all stay home and chill, okay?
As things have gotten increasingly weird over the past couple of weeks, budgets have contracted, priorities changed, and many creatives have seen their stream of work dwindle if not cease to exist. Times are not ideal by any stretch. That said, I hope we can all use this downtime to possibly learn something new, shoot a personal project, or catch up on our reading. Also, I’m not technically in quarantine, but I couldn’t help the rhyming title. Either way, let’s all stay home and chill, okay?
With the added down time, I’m sure many have you have reconnected with how the internet is such a bizarro place - Tiger King memes, toilet paper famines, and a whole plethora of rabbit holes to go down. Yet aside from the surreal, there are countless tutorials, professional development tools and sources of inspiration everywhere. If you can’t leave the house, at least make the best of it, right?
As a food and travel photographer, I’m sure you can guess my travel photography assignments and workshops have been put on hold for the time being. We’re all still eating, so I’ve tried to take this opportunity to shoot some of my day to day eats. As I’m not a chef by any stretch, I’m under no delusions that I can cook or plate like one. Don’t care. Food photography doesn’t have be fancy to be visually appealing (I’m looking at you, instant noodle dinner last Thursday). Between delivery and cooking, I’ve been able to refocus, experiment and tinker with new approaches in lighting and styling. We’ll get through this, and hopefully we’ll have some new skills on the other side. Stay safe everyone, and I can’t wait to give all of my friends the long overdue hugs, high fives, and cheers when this all settles down.
Keep checking back here for more updates in the coming weeks and make sure you’re tipping your delivery people!
New Work: American Comfort Food at The Wagon Wheel.
The guys at The Wagon Wheel recently tapped us to shoot their menu, and were we excited to create something awesome. As a southern boy at heart, this felt like a warm hug and a welcome homecoming. I recently had to cancel my trip back to the States given the Covid-19 situation, so this couldn’t have come at a better time! All this hits showed up - chicken fried steak, chicken and waffles, deviled eggs, and even a funnel cake to cap it off. We tried to keep it playful by shooting images before and after the first bite (or three). It took immense willpower not to devour everything on the plate before we got the shot! These guys are doing it right, and it’s exactly what we needed.
The guys at The Wagon Wheel recently tapped us to shoot their menu, and were we excited to create something awesome. As a southern boy at heart, this felt like a warm hug and a welcome homecoming. I recently had to cancel my trip back to the States given the Covid-19 situation, so this couldn’t have come at a better time! All this hits showed up - chicken fried steak, chicken and waffles, deviled eggs, and even a funnel cake to cap it off. We tried to keep it playful by shooting images before and after the first bite (or three). It took immense willpower not to devour everything on the plate before we got the shot! These guys are doing it right, and it’s exactly what we needed.
If you live in Saigon, you can definitely get involved while social distancing. They’re offering delivery here.
Saigon Punk Chronicles: Year End Party
This year’s pre-Tet show lined up Russian heavy hitters Slaughter to Prevail and a whole host of regional support with Saigon’s Knife Sticking Head, Pick Supplier, District 105, and Infecated and Cambodia’s Doch Chkae all bringing the lunar year to a close with a bang.
This year’s pre-Tet show featured a whole host of regional bangers with Saigon’s Knife Sticking Head, Pick Supplier, District 105, and Infecated and Cambodia’s Doch Chkae all bringing the lunar year to a close with a bang.
As I got there, I caught the last couple of songs from Infecated, so I missed Knife Sticking Head and Pick Supplier, unfortunately. I’m sure they crushed it as they always get the kids moving. I’d never seen Infecated, and their blend of death metal brought the ruckus. Heads banged, horns were thrown up, breakdowns were moshed to…
Phnom Penh’s Doch Chkae took the stage following Infecated and straight up destroyed. I hope they play in Saigon sooner than later. I have a feeling there are much bigger things in store for these kids.
Next up, the homies, District 105 did their thing with their beat down hardcore moshy goodness. Circle pits, finger pointing, and a stage dive or 6.
Can’t wait for what the new year brings. Let’s get it.
Infecated
Doch Chkae
District 105
Keeping it Simple: One Lens, One Focal Length.
Happy New Year everyone! With the new year, its time to simplify, declutter, focus and enjoy the little things. So, I finally parted ways with my last adapted lens from my time with Canon. Since switching to Sony, I’ve used the Sigma 35 1.4 here and there, but never as much as with my Canon kit. Weight, slower autofocus, etc…It started just staring at me from the shelf. Paired with less than ideal alternatives, I kept it around because I love the 35mm focal length. So, when Sony came out with the 35 1.8, it was time to trade it in and go native. Not to worry, the Sigma went to a good home and is already living its best life.
Happy New Year everyone! With the new year, its time to simplify, declutter, focus and enjoy the little things. So, I finally parted ways with my last adapted lens from my time with Canon. Since switching to Sony, I’ve used the Sigma 35 1.4 here and there, but never as much as with my Canon kit. Weight, slower autofocus, etc…It started just staring at me from the shelf. Paired with less than ideal alternatives, I kept it around because I love the 35mm focal length. So, when Sony came out with the 35 1.8, it was time to trade it in and go native. Not to worry, the Sigma went to a good home and is already living its best life.
As it turned out, right after picking up the new lens, I had a trip to Hanoi planned. Usually, I travel with a few different lenses because who doesn’t like choice, right? That said, during our workshops, one of the most frequent things we notice as a stumbling block to students pushing their photography to the next level is too much focus on gear and not enough thinking about light, composition and decisive moments. So, I decided to practice what I preach - Keep it Simple, Stupid. Without the option of changing lenses, my feet became more nimble, my mind started seeing compositions quicker, and I generally caught more moments. No faffing about changing lenses, far less sensor dust, and no sore back from all the extra kit! I’ve got a feeling I may start traveling even lighter and more compact in the new year!
I’d love to hear what you guys are looking forward to shooting in the coming months. Leave a comment down below!
Europe Photo Diary, Part 3: Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve
Part 3 and the final bit of the European jaunt back in May. We spent a couple of weeks meeting up with friends and family in Portugal heading to Lisbon, down to the Algarve and back up to Porto and the Douro Valley. First, I’m a bit smitten by Portugal, so it was challenging to pare the mountain of images down into something a bit more digestible, and even so, I’m not sure I did that. Great food, incredibly picturesque cities, rugged coastlines, wine country, what more can you ask?
Part 3 and the final bit of the European jaunt back in May. I spent a couple of weeks meeting up with friends and family in Portugal heading to Lisbon, down to the Algarve and back up to Porto and the Douro Valley. First, I’m a bit smitten by Portugal, so it was challenging to pare the mountain of images down into something a bit more digestible, and even so, I’m not sure I did that. Great food, incredibly picturesque cities, rugged coastlines, wine country, what more can you ask?
Lisbon
Algarve
Porto and The Douro Valley
