Tokyo, fashion house

 Omote-sando dori, Tokyo. The road (dori) running between Hara-juku and Omote-Sando, Tokyo's fashion suburbs. The architecture of the fashion houses Dior, Louis Vitton, Prada and Tod's is as stunning as the designer fashions they are home to. During the winter on a cloudy day the glass and concrete almost blend into the background, a far cry from those that cloth themselves in these stores.

 

Living in the Clouds

Last week I had the great good fortune of house sitting a painters home and studio in the clouds, with Newcastle noisily rumbling past at its feet.

Overseeing the mighty steel and coal port, cargo ships coming and going, storms arriving and leaving almost with the frequency of the ships. A mighty experience and an even money  challenger to what was going in the studio itself. Having experienced the painting process on a couple of occasions I had decided that if possible to capture I'd attempt to photograph the studio where Dino Consalvo lets go of everything and his paintings are born.

Jailbird

Up above King Edward Park are these old, resting, military installations. Late afternoon sun, long shadows, creative model, you can't go wrong...

Seen from a Beach...

Cruising along an ever narrowing road we came upon this most beautiful beach. 'Big Beach' (or Oneloa in Hawaiian) is referred to, in the guide book, as the crowning glory of this park. Climbing over a volcanic headland we found 'Little Beach' or (don't go there with your daughter; it's a nudist beach in any language).

This part of Maui is just stunning. With fish tacos we picked up along the way this was an awesome spot to enjoy the late afternoon. A little late and pretty well all swimmed out from earlier in the day we regretfully stayed on dry land. That won't happen next time.

Long time coming...

It's been a while since the last post here. Life moves slowly at times. Just booked a trip to Melbourne in a couple of weeks. New grist for the mill...

Hawaiian Times

Two weeks in Hawaii. Too much lava, not enough surfing, great time.
Some snaps from our time there. Black and White, there is colour elsewhere...

Man's Best Friend

Again a couple of snaps of some of the puppies I have met on my travels. These guys are hanging about protecting their homes. One cranky lil' snapper and these other two sad looking fellows locked in with the deception that they own the place.

Continued Walking (because Still Walking doesn't really make sense)

Have embarked on a quest to walk the walks of the many walking books I have in my possession. With great luck and perseverance I will attain my goal and achieve happiness, fitness and enlightenment etc. (or at least a hearty appetite)

It's an honourable quest, well within my abilities, and so rich with rewards. Some of the beautiful landscapes I have so far encountered.

Walking

This morning I walked Moonee and Ghosties Beaches. It's been a while, and though things are beginning to change it was a lovely walk. The air is fresh and clear, the only sound the waves pushing the sand back and forth. As usual the beach, for a time belongs to only me. It's a fine feeling knowing there is somewhere so natural and unaffected so close by. I am surely spoiled here and aim to make the most of this amazing place while it lasts.

Looking to the East not much has changed, though further up off the sand the ugly signs of the upcoming development are in full bloom. Most of the bush has been cleared. Areas that were meant to have been remediated after the mining operations (but never were) have now been pushed around into a series of hills and dales reminiscent of every other development site you've ever seen. Mulch from the minced up native bush borders the site to prevent the loss of sand erosion with the runoff, with large mounds of 'mulch' sit at regular intervals around the perimeter.

Saving the bush walking community a good deal of effort Rosecorp has conveniently relocated the native bush into easy to access mounds which walkers are free to circumnavigate at their leisure. The experience is exhilarating.

Could this be a sign of things to come? Sadly, I think it's inevitable.

Everyones Best Friend

I have a friend who loves dogs. She fosters neglected dogs at her home and when a new owner comes along, with a tear in her eye she farewells her four legged friend. She does this selflessly and totally out of love for an often forgotten minority.

Spending more and more time making images on the coast, particularly around the ocean baths of Newcastle I started to pick up on the number of dogs that were out taking people for a walk. Starting to watch the dogs as they passed I realised that they were already sussing me.

I began to note that there was a fearless eye contact being made by almost every dog I passed. Whereas it's often difficult to engage a fellow human eye to eye, the humble K9 is totally up for it. As the human cruises coolly by, trailing haplessly behind and sticking to the correct side of the path, the dog is making full eye contact as it passes by. It's almost a staring contest, and they never blink first.

I decided to start responding to their gaze and snap some images. They are truly the perfect subject. Completely relaxed under the stare of the lens. Humble and unselfconscious. Full of emotional responses and comfortable with the display of any emotion they happen to be feeling from moment to moment, love or rage, joy or sorrow.