Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Intersection #2 - Sumida / Tokyo (Fri 21 Sep 2012)

Intersection #2 - Sumida / Tokyo (Fri 21 Sep 2012)

Always looking for something new in the familiar. I like the touch of yellow.

Intersection #1 - Sumida / Tokyo (Fri 21 Sep 2012)

Intersection #1 - Sumida / Tokyo (Fri 21 Sep 2012)

The Michael Hoppen Gallery (*) on Daido Moriyama’s Photographic Journey
In his ceaseless wandering and photographing – in the repetition – we see the artist's faith in the journey; the idea that by virtue of searching and looking, something will be found.

Moriyama inherited this philosophy from Jack Kerouac's (*) On the Road (*).
via Tights and Lips (*).

Night Lights - Shinjuku / Tokyo (Wed 19 Sep 2012)

Night Lights - Shinjuku / Tokyo (Wed 19 Sep 2012)

The view from the room of our hotel in Shinjuku on a rainy night.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Remembering Jenny - Jenny and Joanne - 2006 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (Sat 28 & Sun 29 Oct 2006)

Joanne and Jenny - 2006 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (*) - Windsor (Sat 28 Oct 2006)
Joanne and Jenny - 2006 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (*) - Windsor (Sat 28 Oct 2006)
Joanne and Jenny - 2006 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (*) - Brooklyn (Sun 29 Oct 2006)

Jenny wrote this about her 2006 HCC (*):
It was such a great experience under a sky filled with thousands of stars.

It is something that we will be able to look back on for the rest of our lives.
Last Saturday night Joanne and I participated In the 2012 HCC with Robyn, Petr and Graeme in Team Shinjuku. Another fantastic experience and we remembered you Jenny.

I will try to write something up on this years event, once I get some photos sorted. It will be hard to find the words to adequately describe the experience - I am still trying to write up our 2010 HCC experience.

Calvin Klein - Corner of Victoria and William Street / Kings Cross (Mon 29 Oct 2012)

Calvin Klein - Corner of Victoria and William Street / Kings Cross (Mon 29 Oct 2012)

A quick snapshot from my iPhone as I saw this scene quickly unfold in front of me. It reminded me of this Calvin Klein photo (*) I took in New York City last year. This one is nowhere near as strong as last year's (*). Note to self - full marks for seeing and trying.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Red Haze, Red Daze - Corner Palmer and William Street / Kings Cross (Mon 29 Oct 2012)

Red Haze, Red Daze - Corner Palmer and William Street / Kings Cross (Mon 29 Oct 2012)

Taken during a post-HCC 2012 walk, that took me up Oxford Street, Victoria Street and finally William Street, back to where I started. This scene was just standing out in front me and I could not help but take a few shots with my iPhone, the only camera I had with me at the time.

On Remembering - Daido Moriyama

Shinjuku Lights - Shinjuku / Tokyo (Mon 17 Sep 2012)

Daido Moriyama (*) at Rabbit Hole Tumblr (*)
I think that the most important thing that photography can do is to relate both the photographer and the viewer’s memories.
For me and my ever failing memory, this is exactly what is the beauty of photography. While I am failing to remember names and the little details that make life easier in the connected world I engage in, I can remember my feelings and memories. Photography helps but, oddly enough, I also have a photographic-like memory for my feelings and scenes that catch my eye.

I can look at any one of my 100,000 digital photos that I have taken over the last 12 years and tell you where it was taken, why I took it and what I was feeling at the time. Amazing really. Thank you photography, I am a better person because of you.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Daido Moriyama: In Pictures - William Klein + Daido Moriyama - Tate Modern: Exhibition (YouTube)

Daido Moriyama: In Pictures - William Klein + Daido Moriyama - Tate Modern: Exhibition (*) [Youtube (*)]

Thursday, October 25, 2012

On A Touch of Squalor - Daido Moriyama / Telegraph (Tue 23 Oct 2012)

Garbage Bins - Sumida / Tokyo (Fri 21 Sep 2012)

Daido Moriyama (*) is quoted in Daido Moriyama: Low life in Tokyo (*):
I’ve never been attracted to places that are very hygienic. I like a touch of squalor.
The a touch of squalor quote reminded me of my Eiffel Days (*) and the superbly named book A Touch of Class: Learning to Program Well with Objects and Contracts (*).

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

On Creating Belief - Drew Ginn (Wed 17 Oct 2012)

For the part of you with a master plan & Ninja Turtles - York Street / Sydney (Fri 05 Oct 2012)

Drew Ginn (*) on Creating Belief (*):
Its a funny things to consider how we can create belief (*) and true understanding about how to engage, combine, perform and thrive as people and athletes. [..]

Each day we challenged ourselves to go deeper and to find new or better ways of performing.

Creating belief is about what you do daily and with out reservation for everything counts towards those peak moments, those events and collective rise to events we dare to dream about.

Daily practice and training build that belief (*) in self and the team. [..]

The rewards came from being up for the challenge and willingness to take risks, be exposed and vulnerable.

Belief (*) came from learning and we rewarded the learning of all involved.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Monday, October 22, 2012

Lifesavers Bondi Beach - Marco Bok / Sydney Life 2012 - Hyde Park / Sydney (Sat 13 Oct 2012)

Lifesavers Bondi Beach - Marco Bok / Sydney Life 2012 - Hyde Park / Sydney (Sat 13 Oct 2012)

Sandy Edwards talks about Marco Bok's (*) Photo - Lifesavers Bondi Beach. Candid photo of a lifesaving exercise. From a large unpublished series on Bondi Beach made whilst living there..

More details here (*) where Robert McFarlane (*) writes:
[..] Bok possesses a visual grammar with its own emotional, intimate nature. [..] his capacity to work close to his subjects, establishing an intimacy both delicate and revealing, that marks him as a significant artist.
A few more photos from Sandy's talk to follow.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Intersection - Shinjuku / Tokyo (Tue 18 Sep 2012)

Intersection - Shinjuku / Tokyo (Tue 18 Sep 2012)

Rei Shito (*) on her street photography (*):
With street photography, I can meet many, many people I’ve never seen, and hear their stories
via Japanese Street Photographer Rei Shito Branches Out to London (*).

An approach to street photography to aspire to. Have just added her stylefromtokyo blog (*) to my Google Reader.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Red - Hungry Jacks - Pitt Street / Sydney (Fri 19 Oct 2012)

Red - Hungry Jacks - Pitt Street / Sydney (Fri 19 Oct 2012)

Did a double take as I walked past this. Stopped me in my tracks and I took a few photos.

Friday, October 19, 2012

On Reflection - Bronnie Ware - The Top Five Regrets of the Dying (Tue Afternoon)

Jenny - Fitzroy Island / Queensland (Thu 26 Mar 2009)

Bronnie Ware (*) writes:
Thank you God for sustaining me, and for sending so much beauty my way.

Sometimes we don’t know until much later that a particular moment in time has changed our life’s direction.
From the Introduction of The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing (*).

Was reminded (*) of this book (*) yesterday and how I came across the blog post (*) that lead to it being written. Decided to go down to the local bookstore and see if it was in stock. Luckily it was and I now have a copy that I am reading.

The above quote is from the Introduction (*), and I feel the book is already worth it for such a profound, yet obvious, observation about life.

Some great quotes (*) from the book are shared here (*).

She adds to the above quote with:
So many of the moments shared in this book have changed my life.
Made me think that so many moments that I have reflected on and shared here (*) have also changed my life.


Joanne - Fitzroy Island / Queensland (Thu 26 Mar 2009)

Jenny and Geoff - Cape Tribulation / Queensland (Fri 27 Mar 2009)

Thursday, October 18, 2012

On Understanding a Photograph - Francis Hodgson / Financial Times (Thu 11 Oct 2012)

Wall - Suehirocho / Tokyo (Sat 22 Sep 2012)

From Caught in the exhilaration of the moment (*), Francis Hodgson writes about Daido Moriyama's (*) approach to photography:
Moriyama [..] treats each moment with absolute equality.

He neither makes any judgment himself, nor expects you as his viewer to make any.

The photograph is a moment experienced, nothing more and nothing less.

Moriyama is capable of something approaching documentary, [..] and he is capable of the lyrical .

But I don’t think he ever asks us to understand anything.
This quote goes well with Trent Parke's (*) approach to viewing a photograph (*).

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

On Belief - The Other Half - Jeremy Rolleston / Dare to Dream (Tue 16 Oct 2012)

2012 Pacific Dragons 200m Mixed 10's Crew - 2012 World Club Crew Dragon Boat Championships - Hong Kong (Thu 03 Jul 2012)
(f/l-r) Rachel Giang, Tony Pound, Peter McAlister, Cliff Tonga
(b/l-r) Charlotte Richards, Geoff Eldridge (that would be me), Emma Walsh, Steph Kerr, Liz Cowen, Lisa Mills, Kelly Turner, John Hamilton, Craig Stewart, Tim Vose
"What a great event (*) and a great day - a privilege to paddle with you all and a personal highlight.
Thanks .. Geoff"

Jeremy Rolleston (*) writes:
Belief (*) is just one part of the journey (*).

The other half is:
  • determination (*),
  • hard-work,
  • stubborness,
  • perseverence,
  • desire,
  • discipline,
  • training,
  • willingness to critique and learn
  • and so on.
So count the cost before you start and know that when you face obstacles on your path to success, you will no doubt face the cold hard questions.

What will be your answer?
Via To dare – the quest of Mt Midoriyama (*)

2012 Pacific Dragons 200m Mixed 10's Crew Final - 2012 World Club Crew Dragon Boat Championships - Hong Kong (Thu 03 Jul 2012)

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

On Building Confidence - Brainwaves / Australian Institute of Sport

Start from Zero - "and that is how it felt, and so I did .." - Busan (Wed 05 Sep 2012)

On Building Confidence (*):
We build confidence by:
  • working hard at training

  • practising good self-management

  • rewarding ourselves when successful

  • recording/logging our successes.
To enhance self-confidence you need to take responsibility for your successes and failures.

It is important to remember that when you talk about success you mean performing to the best of your ability rather than winning.

When you succeed you need to remember that it is because you are a good athlete and have worked hard, not because you are lucky.

Similarly, when you fail to achieve your best you need to remember that there is probably a logical explanation and that you should talk it over with your coach. It is never because you are not good enough.
via Brainwaves (*).

Some great memories from Busan 2012 to help boost the confidence ..

2012 Auroras Mixed 500m 10's Crew - 10th Asian Dragon Boat Championships - Busan (Sat 08 Sep 2012)

2012 Auroras Mixed 500m 10's Crew - 10th Asian Dragon Boat Championships - Busan (Sat 08 Sep 2012)

2012 Auroras Mixed 500m 10's Crew - 10th Asian Dragon Boat Championships - Busan (Sat 08 Sep 2012)

Jo, Serge and Geoff - 10th Asian Dragon Boat Championships - Busan (Sat 08 Sep 2012)

Jo, Betty (our No.1 Supporter) and Geoff - 10th Asian Dragon Boat Championships - Busan (Sat 08 Sep 2012)

Monday, October 15, 2012

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Hall Of Fame - The Script feat. Will.I.Am (YouTube)

Hall Of Fame (*) - The Script (*) feat. Will.I.Am (*) - [Youtube (*)]

Hall Of Fame (feat. Will.I.Am)
Yeah, You could be the greatest
You can be the best
You can be the king kong banging on your chest

You could beat the world
You could beat the war
You could talk to God, go banging on his door

You can throw your hands up
You can beat the clock
You can move a mountain
You can break rocks
You can be a master
Don't wait for luck
Dedicate yourself and you can find yourself

Standing in the hall of fame
And the world's gonna know your name
Cause you burn with the brightest flame
And the world's gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

You could go the distance
You could run the mile
You could walk straight through hell with a smile

You could be the hero
You could get the gold
Breaking all the records that thought never could be broke

Do it for your people
Do it for your pride
How you ever gonna know if you never even try?

Do it for your country
Do it for your name
Cause there's gonna be a day

When you're standing in the hall of fame
And the world's gonna know your name
Cause you burn with the brightest flame
And the world's gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

Be a champion, Be a champion, Be a champion, Be a champion

On the walls of the hall of fame

Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers

Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions
Be truth seekers

Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers

Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions

Standing in the hall of fame
And the world's gonna know your name
Cause you burn with the brightest flame
And the world's gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

(You can be a champion)
You could be the greatest
You can be the best
(You can be a champion)
You can be the king kong banging on your chest

(You can be a champion)
You could beat the world
You could beat the war
(You can be a champion)
You could talk to God, go banging on his door

(You can be a champion)
You can throw your hands up
You can beat the clock
(You can be a champion)
You can move a mountain
You can break rocks

(You can be a champion)
You can be a master
Don't wait for luck
(You can be a champion)
Dedicate yourself and you can find yourself

Standing in the hall of fame
Thanks Lisa - another great song (*). Remember it all starts with Belief (*) and all "the other stuff" (*) just looks after itself.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

The Streets of Tokyo - Jim Clinefelter (flickr)

The Streets of Tokyo (*) by Jim Clinefelter (*)

Found via Littlefields Photography Magazine By Jim Clinefelter (*) by Japan Camera Hunter (*).

Definitely worth following the flickr link (*). Have to get myself one of those magazines.

Friday, October 12, 2012

The 17th Asian Games - Incheon 2014 / South Korea (Thu 13 Sep 2012)

17th Asian Games (*) - Incheon 2014 / South Korea (Thu 13 Sep 2012)

Saw Barume, Chumuro and Vichuon on the way out of South Korea via Incheon International Airport, enroute to Narita / Japan, and thought to myself ...

From the Manual of the Warrior of Light (*), Paulo Coelho (*) writes:
Sometimes the warrior feels as if he were living two lives at once.

"There is a bridge that links what I do with what I would like to do," he thinks.

Slowly, his dreams take over his everyday life, and then he realises that he is ready for the thing he always wanted.

Then all that is needed is a little daring, and his two lives become one.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Jacks - Just Like Yesterday - Suehirocho / Tokyo (Sat 22 Sep 2012)

The Jacks (*) - Just Like Yesterday (*) - Suehirocho / Tokyo (Sat 22 Sep 2012)

Detail - The Jacks (*) - Just Like Yesterday (*) - Suehirocho / Tokyo (Sat 22 Sep 2012)

Funny how a random snap shot at an intersection can lead down a path of discovery. Introducing The Jacks (*):

Just Like Yesterday (*) - The Jacks (*) [Youtube (*)]

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Proud - Heather Small - London 2012 (YouTube)

Proud (*) - Heather Small (*) - London 2012 [Youtube (*)]

Proud Lyrics
I look into the window of my mind
Reflections of the fears I know I've left behind
I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I'm on my way
Can't stop me now
And you can do the same (yeah)

What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It's never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
What have you done today to make you feel proud?

Still so many answers I don't know (there are so many answers)
Realize that to question is how we grow (to question is to grow)
So I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I'm on my way
Can't stop me now
You can do the same (yeah)

What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It's never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
What have you done today to make you feel proud?

(yeah) We need a change (Yeah)
Do it today (yeah)
I can feel my spirit rising
(change, yeah) We need a change (yeah)
So do it today (yeah)
'Cause I can see a clear horizon

What have you done today to make you feel proud? (to make you feel proud)
(let me hear ya X3)So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
(yeah)'Cause you could be so many people
Just make that break for freedom
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
Was the Official Theme Song for the successful London 2012 Olympic Bid back in 2005.

Feel the Rain - Compact Disco (YouTube)

Feel the Rain - Compact Disco (*) [YouTube (*)]

Feel the Rain Lyrics
All along our way
My feelings turned to grey,
Faded to the rain.
We're running out of time.
I feel like if you still
Try to make me cry.

And I feel the rain
Flowing down again
Pouring from our eyes
When we say goodbye,
say goodbye.

You were all my light,
But now I feel inside:
I run into the night.
We're running out of time,
I feel like if you still
Try to make me cry.

And I feel the rain
Flowing down again
Pouring from our eyes
When we say goodbye,
say goodbye.
The music from the Official Invitational Programme (*) for the Szeged 2013 - World Dragon Boat Championships - 24-28 Jul 2013.

No doubt another audio fragment on the Climb to Szeged 2013.

Always like accoustic versions of the various songs that go here, so here (*) is one I like.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Yours Truly - I.Vortex - YouTube - Friedrichsfeld (Thu 02 Feb 2012)

Yours Truly - I.Vortex (*) - Youtube (*) - Friedrichsfeld (Thu 02 Feb 2012)

Yours Truly Lyrics
Hello Spring, my dear old friend,
long time not seen, I got bad news.
It's been a bad time, a true light is gone,
one lost the other and has to move on

Hi Summer, you shining one
I have given my best, to prepare the earth for you
One remembers how the other cared for flowers
now they must grow without the caring hand

Yours truly, the winter (Yours truly)
Yours truly, the spring (Yours truly)
Yours truly, the summer (Yours truly)
Every season is a death within

Greetings autumn, master of colors
I have been a good one, with peaceful long nights
One sits in the garden, watching the stars
Missing that voice that shared all the dreams

Yours truly, the winter (Yours truly)
Yours truly, the spring (Yours truly)
Yours truly, the summer (Yours truly)
Every season is a death within

Yours truly, the winter (Yours truly)
Yours truly, the spring (Yours truly)
Yours truly, the summer (Yours truly)
Every season is a death within

Yours truly, the winter (Yours truly)
Yours truly, the spring (Yours truly)
Yours truly, the summer (Yours truly)
Every season is a death within

Good day, grumpy ol' winter
have mercy with the world, don't be that cold,
one's lying down without falling asleep.
Where is the other, seeking for the warmth?
Have not quite got the lyrics exactly right, but close. Will tidy up when I get a chance.

Thanks Uwe. I often listen to the demo version you sent me this time last year. I really like the ending on this one. I thank you and I.Vortex for Remembering Jenny.

Black and Yellow #1 - Australian Technology Park / Redfern (Mon 01 Oct 2012)

Black and Yellow #1 - Australian Technology Park / Redfern (Mon 01 Oct 2012)

Monday, October 8, 2012

Stencil - CAMO - Allen Lane / Alexandria (Mon 01 Oct 2012)

Stencil - CAMO - Allen Lane / Alexandria (Mon 01 Oct 2012)

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Door - Castle / Seoul (Wed 12 Sep 2012)

Door - Castle / Seoul (Wed 12 Sep 2012)

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Collage - Hyde Park / Sydney Life 2012 (Mon 24 Sep 2012)

Collage - Hyde Park / Sydney Life 2011 (Mon 24 Sep 2012)

Tamara Dean's photo is stunning when viewed on the large canvas in Hyde Park.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Blue Pipe - Skytree - Sumida / Tokyo (Fri 21 Sep 2012)

Blue Pipe - Skytree (*) - Sumida (*) / Tokyo (*) (Fri 21 Sep 2012)

As is usual for me, we go to major tourist attraction, the brand new and very high Tokyo Skytree (*) Tower, and this is what I come back with, a photo of a blue pipe crossing a storm water drain.

Drawn to the blue and the receding darkening to black. The subtle vertical rust lines towards the bottom really make it for me. Another personal favourite from the trip.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Hands and Gestures (2 of 2) - Coffee Shop / Sanjo Dori / Kyoto (Sat 15 Sep 2012)

Hands and Gestures (2 of 2) - Coffee Shop / Sanjo Dori / Kyoto (Sat 15 Sep 2012)

And the tables to my right.

Hands and Gestures (1 of 2) - Coffee Shop / Sanjo Dori / Kyoto (Sat 15 Sep 2012)

Hands and Gestures (1 of 2) - Coffee Shop / Sanjo Dori / Kyoto (Sat 15 Sep 2012)

On the table to my left.

Adam van Koeverden - Interview / YouTube (Szeged 2011)

Adam van Koeverden - Interview / Youtube (*) (Szeged 2011)

Great interview with a great athlete who is a role model to many. He gets better as he gets older and as he says, he has few years of competing yet. Look forward to seeing what he does next.

Szeged is where the 2013 IDBF World Dragon Boat Champships will be held in late July 2013. I hope to be there one way or another and the preparation has already started. Follow the Adam van Koeverden below for some more inspiring posts.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Subway Portrait - Evening Commute - Marunouchi Line / Tokyo (Thu 20 Sep 2012)

Subway Portrait - Evening Commute - Marunouchi Line / Tokyo (Thu 20 Sep 2012)

Most evening subway commuters use the time to sleep. All carriages are very quiet and those not sleeping are often engaged with reading or a game on their smart phone. Occasionally, you will see a couple of people engaging in a conversation which is always conducted in a quiet manner. Another one of my favourite photos from the trip away.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Compact Camera - Diado Moriyama (YouTube)

Compact Camera - Diado Moriyama (*) / Youtube (*)

An excerpt from a longer video which I will put here soon.

Great to see him in action on the Streets of Shinjuku which I recently wandered myself. I like this quote from a 2005 Interview (*):
My photography is about desire. The internal world meets the outside world and takes shape. When [my] desire takes some kind of shape, it becomes a photograph.
A photo I took using my iPhone - the battery on my S95 was well and truly flat..
Shop Front - Times Square / Shinjuku / Tokyo (Mon 17 Sep 2012)