Wednesday, November 28, 2012

At Central Station - Nike Runners, Snakeskin Leggings, Sportswear..

Spotted waiting for a friend at Central Station, Thandiwe was sporting a great summery day ensemble, a classic black and white combination, rope handle tote bag with black trim, black singlet over the black and white 'snake skin' sports leggings down to black Nike runners with a white swoosh; and to me really, the, Pièce de résistance, pink soles adding just a hint of colour. And lovely accessories too, rings bangles and earring, Bindi and big round sunnies. Thanks so much Thandiwe for letting me grab this shot.

Bindi, Black and white fashion, Central Station, Fujifilm X-Pro1,Street Fashion, Street Style, Gym Wear, Nike Runners, Sportswear, Sydney Australia, Tote Bag,

Street Fashion Sydney - shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Cross Training - Chloe Moo - Tiger, Lorna, Nike - Off Duty Model!

Well I am just going to Fess-Up right NOW and say I think the whole 'Off Duty' Model/Whomever thingie is a complete crock; obviously invented by some desk jockey who hates their job. For those of us in the creative Industries; well, we are never really Off-Duty - and quite happy to be just so. I think you see my point...

This is Chloe Moo; a beautiful young model from Viviens. First my assistant photographed her at (my job as a real photographer head office) the Balmain Studio. Then my colleague, who carries the Studio's weight photographed Chloe. And as chance would have it, when I was swinging by to pick up backgrounds and stands for my formal fashion photography work; Chloe was at the studio picking up some prints from her shoot with Gilbert. I mean what's a photographer to do? The light was right, the X-Pro1 was on my shoulder as it should be; Chloe's 'off duty' "but I'm in my gym clothes" look was suburb!  Fuchsia Lorna Jane sports vest, black Nike Leggings and Onitsuka Tiger 'Bubble Gum' runners; no it's not a sponsored post but if I work it hard enough... well you never know! So here is the shot. Yes another rare single picture, another Street Fashion Style shot. I think I am getting a little looser with the Fuji - back (in a small way) to the "best of the blurry" but with a look and feel like the shots never had before!



Street Fashion Sydney - shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Off-Duty Burlesque Performer - Hedy Belle Nova!

I spotted the diminutive Burlesque performer Miss Hedy Belle Nova in Off-Duty attire in Paddington the other day. Loved her Cotton On chintz print play suit teamed with a little black cardigan (one of many from her collection - not all black.. or so I'm told) teamed with a pair of Melissa shoes and equally sweet (looks can be deceiving) novelty headband with Skull & Cross Bones - all in pink/magenta colours. All together creating a great look for Sydney in Spring. I think Hedy should incorporate more vocals into her Burlesque routines too so we can all enjoy her charming Russian accent. If you are interested in seeing Hedy perform, perhaps the best place to keep in touch is via her Twitter feed here or watch her performance in the YouTube video below...

Hedy Bell Nova, Chintz print play suit and Melissa Shoes - Fujifilm X-Pro1 - Street Fashion Sydney

Hedy Bell Nova, Chintz print play suit Skull and Cross bones Head Band - Street Fashion Sydney





Seen in Paddington, photographed with the Fujifilm X-Pro1.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Pastel Red & White - Cuban Style, Sydney Spring

 Cuban Style, well if I was listening correctly this beautiful young woman hails from Cuban shores. I loved pastel red jacket (according to Wikipedia anyway) and matching rope tie sandals, white button tee over shorts and a white watch too. Perfect styling for a Sydney Spring evening.. Pastel red jacket and matching rope sandals, white button front tee shirt and matching watch - Street Fashion Sydney

Sydney Style, Pastel red jacket and matching rope sandals, white button front tee shirt and matching watch.


Seen in Paddington, photographed with the Fujifilm X-Pro1.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Neil Frazer at Martin Browne & Lindy Lee at Roslyn Oxley9

I do like that Martin Browne Contemporary and Roslyn Oxley9 galleries have taken to holding their art openings on the same evening; seeing as how they are just 100 meters apart down near Trumper Park Oval in Paddington it makes it very very easy to catch two great shows on the one night with surprisingly little effort. And although this is the first time I have posted about Martin Browne I have caught the last three shows thanks to this conjunction of opening nights. Last night it was the turn of Neil Frazer and his show 'Breaker', Coastal Landscapes/Seascapes of quite incredible intensity and a kind of hyper realism. It was a huge show filling all three gallery rooms at Martin Browne, 38 works in all and, the sales dots seemed to be popping up all over the place which I always think is a good thing.

Lindy Lee's show 'One Billion Worlds' although close by was worlds away conceptually - well at least I think it was; abstractions cut from stainless steel sheet, very abstract although very regulated too by the size and shape of the sheet material the works were made from. Mind you; I did think that the heavy paint work on the cliffs of Neil's works (if you cropped in tight and looked at just that part) was very much like a 1950's kind of abstract work, so perhaps the two shows are not so conceptually far apart at all.. its all in how you look at it. Both lovely shows, do drop in and take a look; & I have two new Artists at their opening portraits for my collection.

Neil Frazer - BreakerArtist Portrait, Neil Frazer at Martin Browne Contemporary - Breaker exhibition 2012


Martin Browne Contemporary - Neil Frazer Breaker exhibition 2012

Crowd viewing at Martin Browne Contemporary - Neil Frazer Breaker exhibition 2012

 

Lindy Lee - One billion WorldsArtits Portrait, Lindy Lee, One Billion Worlds - Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery 2012

Title,  Lindy Lee, One Billion Worlds - Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery 2012




Del Kathryn Barton also had some drawings and a sculpture of a somewhat erotic nature in the second gallery space at Roslyn Oxley9 - perhaps not for the faint hearted..
www.martinbrownefineart.com/
www.roslynoxley9.com.au/

I also took in the 17th Annual 6x6x6 Inch Miniature Sculpture Show at Defiance Gallery; 120 tiny beautiful sculptures from 80 artists, quite a crush so no pictures I'm sorry; but well worth a look if you are in the Newtown/Enmore area.

All pictures shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1.

Telling Stories in Pictures all over..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Peter, Fedora Hat, Bike & Camera - Newtown

I met Peter a few weeks ago at his photography exhibition at Fire Gallery in Newtown/Enmore. He had a pretty interesting collection of Black and White shots he had made while teaching English in (was it) Siberia! All shot on film and traditional hand made photographic prints. This afternoon I spotted him just I was heading to my favourite local mini lab Photo Garden - he had a 'new' classic film camera slung around his neck that he had just picked up on EBay for $40..  We decided to trade portraits under the "I have a dream" mural on King Street. Here's mine of Peter in his Fedora and striped Tee shirt. I might have to wait a while to see mine!

Street Fashion Sydney - Peter, Fedora Hat, Bike & Camera - Newtown. Fuji X-Pro1 .
Street Fashion Sydney - shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Street Style - Photographing the Newtown Festival with the Fuji X-Pro1

The most important thing about today is that it was Armistice Day, 11 11 11 the day the shooting stopped in one of the worlds greatest conflicts; and if only all conflict had stopped on that day, well the world might be as wonderful and fabulous as the day was today at the Newtown Festival. Conflict still continues, I wish it didn't but the world is a complex place. And to all those who have paid the ultimate price, I; we, those who enjoy the freedoms you have allowed us; thank you.

So today was also the Newtown Festival, I have not been in years and years; my friend Nyk thought it might be a good work out for me and the X-Pro1 and he was right - here are the results of a very enjoyable afternoon photographing the style, the fashion, the people that made the Newtown Festival the great success it surely was, You! These shots were all made with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 with the XF18mmF2 R lens and the tiny dedicated EF-X20 flash unit - as I knew the light would be tricky and I wanted to try a bit of a 'Martin Parr' Magnum on camera  fill-flash approach to the shots. More photography details after the pictures for those so inclined..
Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1, Man in lion Suite 'Thumbs Up'

Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1. Two girls, happy, making faces, ice-blocks, red, red.

Large colourful earrings, shirt, happy face, street style, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1,

Dame Edna sunglasses, couple in embrace - street style, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1,

Tattooed man with flowers, blue print tee, hat and sunglasses. Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1,

Gingham top, black skirt, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1,

Crowd Newtown Festival 2012

Threesome, classic styles mixed, vest check pants, Sunnies times 3, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1,

Green shades, blue tee, mauve shorts and white Hi-Top seekers, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1,

Innner city country style, RM Williams men's boots, hat, check shirt, man bag & shorts, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1,

Cherry Dress, Red Hair & festival crowd, Newtown style, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1,

Two couples & festival crowd, Newtown style, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1,

No Publicity - Street photography, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1

White and Red floral hat, Penis tattoo on arm Street photography, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1
Black hat, dress boots, empty cans, Street photography, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1

Boots, Hat, Khaki, Asian Style, Street photography, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1

Phone call, Pink hair, Street photography, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1

Pink hair, manga dress, Street photography, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1

Men's 70's rock style;  Street photography, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1

Four girls, Gurrll style, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1

Mohawk hairstyle, Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1

Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1, couple, empty tinnies, shorts, tee, print dress.

Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1, happy party girls, pink tee shirt - save the orang-outangs.

Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1, White sunnies, bubble gun, yellow flowers in hair.

Newtown Festival, Red hair, leopard print shots, pink ground sheet, Fujifilm X-Pro1,

Newtown Festival, Fujifilm X-Pro1,  Hippy Style, last light back-light - Fresh Coconut drink.



I knew the harsh Australian 'Summer' light would make it very difficult to create a consistent set of images at the Newtown Festival. I decided to see if I could use the X-Pro1's EF-X20 TTL flash to get a series of  shots for a Street Fashion Sydney post. This is the first time I have tried shooting in this style so I tested flash and camera settings at home in my backyard before heading out. I settled on shooting with these settings - Camera at 125th - the fastest flash sync speed, lens set to Shutter priority, A setting on the lens. ISO at 200 and .. Exposure compensation at -1 EV (but I jiggled it to -1 1/3 & -2/3 depending on the light). The flash I also ran mostly at the minus 2/3rds setting. So Minus on camera & Minus on flash. Most of the shots here ended up at with an F# between 11 & 16 due to the brightness of the light with 16 the highest F# on the lens. I set the focus point to the left of centre and kept it there all day, great for vertical portraits and if the shot was not; I did a 'half press' and re-composed which was quick and worked. I shot just over 200 frames; went through six so-so quality AAA batteries in the flash; and the results are above. All the pictures above were quickly adjusted from the camera JPEGs in this software. You can read my review of the X-Pro1 here.

If I took your picture and you don't see it here; drop me a line, let me know what you were wearing and I will email you a copy of your shot.  200+ pictures down to 26 was a big call, there were many lovely pictures I loved but passed on. Hope you enjoy the Newtown Festival shots as much as I enjoyed making them.

Telling Stories in Pictures all over..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Friday, November 9, 2012

White Skull on Black on Black - Newtown

White skull print on black singlet, black jeans black sunnies, black shoes, bangles, handbag and platinum blonde so pure, I clipped my highlights even shooting in open shade. What you might call a perfectly styled look for the New Newtown; still edgy but classy too. Love it!

White skull print on black singlet, black jeans, black sunnies, black bangles and black shoes. Street Fashion in Newtown Sydney.


Photographed with the Fujifilm X-Pro1.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Artist Portraits - Lennox Street Artists Studios.

As you may have already read on Street Fashion Sydney here I had a very enjoyable time at the opening of the Lennox Street Artist Studios annual art fair last Friday night. And although I managed to snap of a few quick frames here and there it really was a bit too busy, and with 35 artists, too much to take in all in the one go. However while still at the opening I hatched a plan to drop back over the weekend, to see if I could make some editorial style portraits of the artists in their studios; to spend a little more time and consideration while making each portrait. And grab some studio shots as well - to show a little 'behind the scenes' of the work each artist is producing.  A bit of a change from the very quick approach and small number of frames I typically shoot when making my 'artist at their opening' style portraits. All of the portraits were made with available light; web links for each artist are provided below the 'studio' shot.

Andrew Sullivan painter - Artist portrait by Kent Johnson, Fujifilm X-Pro1, Lennox St Artists Studios, Newtown Sydney Australia.
Andrew Sullivan

Artists Studio, Andrew Sullivan - Dinosaur Paintings
Artists Studio, Andrew Sullivan - Dinosaur Paintings in progress - Web Site

Sandy Wilkenfeld Sculptor & Painter - Artist portrait by Kent Johnson, Lennox St Artists Studios, Newtown Sydney Australia.
Sandy Wilkenfeld 

Sandy and friends in the studio.
Sandy and friends in the studio.

Sandy Wilkenfeld - Woven Work
Sandy Wilkenfeld - Woven Work - Web Site

Steven Vella  Sculptor & Mixed media Artist- Artist portrait by Kent Johnson, Lennox St Artists Studios, Newtown Sydney Australia.
Steven Vella

Sculptural Assemblages by Steven Vella - Artist Studio
Sculptural Assemblages by Steven Vella - Web Site

Tony Williams painter - Artist portrait by Kent Johnson, Lennox St Artists Studios, Newtown Sydney Australia.
Tony Williams

Paintings and crowd, Tony Williams Studio Space.
Artist Studio, Tony Williams, Web Site

Rita Karagelinian painter - Artist portrait by Kent Johnson, Lennox St Artists Studios, Newtown Sydney Australia.
Rita Karagelinian

Artworks, Rita Karagelinian studio.
Rita Karagelinian Studio - Web Site

Sergio Plata Painter & Sculptor - Artist portrait by Kent Johnson, Lennox St Artists Studios, Newtown Sydney Australia.
Sergio Plata

Sergio Plata - Icon painting and Altar/Chair, melted candles on chair
Sergio Plata Studio - Icon painting and Altar/Chair, melted candles on chair - Web Site

April White Painter & Mixed Media Artist - Artist portrait by Kent Johnson, Lennox St Artists Studios, Newtown Sydney Australia.
April White - Artists Studio Portrait - Web Site


Andrew has a great (original) throat singing soundtrack to this video overview of his 2011 show so I thought I would pop it down the  end here; have a listen, I love it!


www.lennoxstreetstudios.com.au/
Photographed with the Fujifilm X-Pro1.