Monday, December 28, 2015

Under Mercury Vapours

Under Mercury Vapours, Title Shot. Vishmi wears ROLLA'S Camille Wrap Dress in Floral print, Old School Vans skate shoes. photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.Still life, old church at night, grand columns.. Photo by Kent Johnson.Traveller Palm, still life composition and photograph by Kent Johnson.With movement. Vishmi wears photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.Born from the shadow, Vishmi wears ROLLA'S Eastcoast Flare Overall; photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.Casual stance, Vishmi wears ROLLA'S Eastcoast Flare Overall; photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.Vishmi wears Abrand Jeans Sleeveless Check Shirt  ROLLA'S Dusters Short in Astral blue, Vans Old Skool Sneakers; photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.Portrait, Vishmi wears Abrand Jeans Sleeveless Check Shirt  ROLLA'S Dusters Short in Astral blue, Vans Old Skool Sneakers; photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.B&W photo Vishmi wears Dr Martens and White Skivy Models Own, ROLLA'S Eastcoast Flare Overall, photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.He wears, Levi's Jeans & Commuter Jacket, AKUBRA Hat. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.Vishmi wears Dr Martens and White Skivy Models Own, ROLLA'S Eastcoast Flare Overall, photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Under Mercury Vapours - Magazine layout..
Under Mercury Vapours. A fashion story, P1-2 By Kent Johnson.
Under Mercury Vapours. A fashion story, P3-4. Photography by Kent Johnson.
Under Mercury Vapours. A fashion story, P5-6. Photography by Kent Johnson.
Under Mercury Vapours. A fashion story, P7-8. Photography by Kent Johnson.
Under Mercury Vapours. A fashion story, P9-10. Photography by Kent Johnson.
Under Mercury Vapours. A fashion story, P11-12. Photography by Kent Johnson.

I have long been in love with this location and wanted to photograph there, although until recently it has not been accessible in the way it was for our photoshoot. I also wanted to keep it simple; energy, connection, emotion, that is the story I am after. So I am very grateful to Vishmi for taking the 'risk' of shooting with me in such a quiet and personal manner. We had an enjoyable time (crew-less but not clueless..) and it all happened reasonably quickly, the magic of the shoot unfolding quite seamlessly. The still life shots of the location were made during the site's transitional phases in the weeks preceding our shoot. You have to keep an eye on things! The idea for the title is from the gas in the street lights that give a yellow cast, they are Mercury Vapour lamps - or at least they used to be..

Thanks to Portobello PR for the great clobber.

Photographer/Stylist - Kent Johnson
Model - Vishmi Helaratne
Layout & Design - Kent Johnson

ROLLA'S - Camille Wrap Dress - Floral
Dr Martens - Models Own
White Skivy - Models Own
ROLLA'S Eastcoast Flare Overall in Salty Rain
Dr Martens Boots - Models Own
Abrand Jeans - A. Sleeveless Shirt - Check
ROLLA'S - Dusters Short - Astral blue
Vans Old Skool Sneakers
He wears, Levi's Jeans & Commuter Jacket, AKUBRA Hat.


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

Friday, December 25, 2015

Santa's Gimp and the Amazing World (that was) Rock Photography, with Tony Mott.

Photography (that was), what a strange little blog title especially since Mr Tony Mott is still a photographer. Why the "that was"? Well because, digital photography, of course! In the lead up to this event on the 22nd of November 2015 I was reading how Tony took a year off to help look after his newborn twins; and when he took this photography sabbatical he had 182 rock mag clients on file that he sold pictures to. A year later there were just 22, and now only 3 of the original 182 left! Now of course people are as passionate about music as ever, and as passionate about rock photography as ever.. But it's all gone online, it's getting shot-and-shared by amateurs for free; and let me tell you; it's hard to make a living working for free, Q.E.D. this blog.Santa's Gimp? Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson.
But great Rock 'n' Roll photographer that Tony is, he was not going to launch his A-Z of Rock Photography book on a low note, hell no; it was going to be rock-and-roll all the way with way more than just a nod in the direction of "your momma won't like it" :-) hell no - HELL NO! I ask you, what's wrong with kids today? All signing up for frequent flyer points and all that consumer loyalty shit and a free cup of coffee - You know REBELLION - is still the only cool gig in town - stop nerding, lets get back to ROCKIN'... Scroll on, because here are the players on the night.
Portrait of Tony Mott at his book launch at Leonard Mattis Studio, Surry Hills, Sydney. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Tony Mott at his book launch.
This is it; as it happened, more or less.. The Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography - Tony Mott book launch at Leonard Mattis Studio. Accompanied by, art installations and performances by Lexi Land & Matt Format; DJ Suzie Q; Musician/Guitarist, Simon Rosa; Choreographer, Matthew Gode with Dancers, Erica Stubbs,  Ashleigh Tavares, Shivawn Joubert.
Guests, Tony Mott book launch with the installation and performance of  Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson.
Panorama of the installation and performance of  Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson.
Black and White portrait detail, Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson,.
Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance.
Colour full length detail, Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson,.
Video screens, detail;  Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson,.
Shoes. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Faces. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Detail, videographer with the installation and performance of  Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson.
Us and Mick Jagger. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Lace dress, Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Dancers behind wire mesh, blue light. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Phone cameras videoing dancers behind wire mesh, blue light. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Photographing, slash Filming this used to be difficult.. Digital may very well kill us all with convenience..
Kissing the Tony Mott, John Lydon PIL picture. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
With a copy of the BIG BOOK!. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Zimmerman pants suit, street fashion Sydney. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Men's style, male model off-duty, street fashion Sydney. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Photographer cropped by a large mirror, Peter Garrett image. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Matt Format performance in silver foil. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Matt Format performance with fog, B&W image. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Rock fans with Tony Mott book at launch party. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson

http://www.tonymott.com/
http://leonardmattis.com/blog/leonard-mattis-blog/tony-mott/
http://lexiland.tumblr.com/
http://mattformat.com/

Yes it took me weeks and weeks and well, weeks to get these pictures edited to the point I was happy with; and from such a HUGE selection. It was such a great night and so visually interesting. Hope you enjoy, go buy the book!

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

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Fashion Preview - Jean Paul Gaultier for Target Australia in 2016.

YES it's TRUE! Target have opened the door to affordable High Fashion yet again. This time it's from French Fashion Icon Jean Paul Gaultier who has produced a fabulous range of fashion and home wares for Target stores available January 2016. Last night saw the exclusive range preview and launch party, all in a fabulous-French, Jean Paul Gaultier influenced Breton-striped style along with creamy Fromage and Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne. A great looking selection of JPG fashion, something quite literally for everyone, don't spend all your money at the January sales, save some for when this classic French Fashion drops!

Fashion media and bloggers mingle Jean Paul Gaultier for Target in 2016
Portrait of Anthony Pecora General Manager of Design Innovation for Target.
Jean Paul Gaultier  photographed by Guillaume de Sardes
Jean Paul Gaultier  photographed by Guillaume de Sardes.

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

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Time to ACT - No Planet - No Future! Sydney Climate Change Rally & March.

One of the fun things I saw this morning after logging into Facebook was a fairly typical; Positive Thinking cartoon of two people riding in a bus above a valley on a curving road. One person (the negative sad one) is looking at an endless craggy rock face, a solid impenetrable wall. The other person (the happy positive one) is looking out the other side of the bus at a golden valley. The obvious conclusion is that life is how you look at it. Unfortunately life is a little more complex than simplistic solutions to all your problems and the problems of the world - #ClimateChange is real. A trip to Bali to meditate on it is not going to solve it - at least unless your mediation leads you to ACT!

Back to the cartoon, and all I could think was, "thank god someone's driving the bus"! Because these two passengers are BOTH just passive riders; and the time for being Passive Riders, Passive Consumers, just Passive, passive.. is over. So here I am today, wanting to put my two cents in, and my pictures from the march in Sydney yesterday - You should have been there! I also read the other day that there would be no fish in the sea by 2048, not concerned? Don't be lazy, Google it. It's Time to Act!!!

Don't burn my future - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Tibetans for climate action now - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Save our earth - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
If the oceans die we all die - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Solar! Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Danny's Page Its ABC, for the children - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Unless you care - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Hey Malcolm, This sign has more direct action.. Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Project Serenity, Bushcare - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Marching for the Fish - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Fight Connex, Haberfield - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Doctors for the Environment - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
100% Clean - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Save the planet, Go VEGAN - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Windmills, Renewables - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
VEGANS against climate change - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Farms not Gas, Knitting Nannas, PITTWATER - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
#March4u #Paris - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Giant puppets, Tony Abbot, Malcolm Turnbull, CBD Hi-rise in background, King Coal Forever slogan - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Large Sun banner, 100% renewables, marching Macquarie Street - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
No Nukes, Act Now, crowd marching, Macquarie Street - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
#ClimareShip marching Macquarie Street - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Renewable Energy, marching Macquarie Street - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Climate action NOW, marching Macquarie Street - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Breaking up the march peacefully - marching Macquarie Street- Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
The whole march skilfully diffused and rendered mostly impotent by police directives and law abiding citizens..
The view, people diffused, Opera Quay, marching Macquarie Street - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Giant puppets, Opera Quay, Tony Abbot, Malcolm Turnbull, CBD Hi-rise in background, King Coal Forever slogan - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,
Well Done Sydney banner and people after the march, Macquarie Street - Sydney, Climate Change March, The Domain, Macquarie Street, Climate Change, Protest, #NoPlanetNoFuture, #PeoplesClimate, #PeoplesClimateMarch, #Sydney,

Apparently when the march arrived at Moore Stairs, marchers were asked to head down the stairs and also put away their banners so as to not disturb people enjoying the weekend.. Ultimately some were permitted to also continue down Macquarie street to the Opera House forecourt(ish) area; but there would be no massed gathering of marchers under the Opera House sails; which as was pointed out to me by the award winning photo journalist I was standing next too, is "what you needed for international coverage, and saleable pictures".. Strange coincidence or political expedience? You decide dear reader.

View these pictures larger on Street Fashion Sydney's Facebook page HERE.

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