Showing posts with label Brisbane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brisbane. Show all posts

Monday, November 6, 2017

Flashback - The First Australian Blogger/Retail Collaboration Back In 2009

This blog post came up as a Facebook memory this morning and it really is a great flashback from the early days of fashion blogging. The very first Australian blogger shop window - back then Matt Jordan had his wildly popular Imelda Matt shoe blog and was certainly a major social media star. Fantastic of course. It was early days and no-one really knew where it could or would go, especially marketing departments; and budgets for working with bloggers were essentially non-existent! Commercial blogging was not yet a reality and as a result Matt shuttered the Imelda blog sometime (not too long) later. For Australia's very first Blogger/Retail collaboration I photographed Matt at my photography studio and then did the digital post work, swapping Matt's for Imelda's face in the mirror. I had previously done the portrait of Matt with the shoes around his neck that he ran with as his media portrait for years and years; along with the group photo with the Tan sisters. Fun days; way way before Instagram came along and changed the face of blogging forever. It's been a wild ride - and it's great to still be here. Text below is from the original post November 2009. I think my writing skills have improved somewhat; and of course I'm still available for all kinds of Blogger collaborations, just contact me!

An early fashion blogger collaboration, portrait and in-store display. Jean Brown Imelda.Com Window Display Brisbane. Installation photo courtesy of Matt Jordan
The first Australian Blogger / Retail Window Collaboration 2009.

Its nice to see blogging, portraiture and retail all getting on so well together. In this case I was able to collaborate with Imelda shoe blogger Imelda Matt once again on a portrait project; this time for a window display in Brisbane's luxury emporium Jean Brown. The shot was done in one fairly quick afternoon session in the studio.
More shots and background on the Imeldific! launch at Imelda.com.au (links now blank)

Fashion Blogger collaboration - Studio portrait Matt Jordan aka Imelda Matt for an in-store display - the first Australian Blogger Window.


Editorial studio portrait Matt and shoe designers the Tan sisters. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Matt and the Tan sisters from a previous 'shoes and portrait' collaboration project.

Editorial and PR portrait of Matt Jordan aka Imelda Matt with a pair of Dunlop Volleys strung around his neck. Photography by Kent Johnson.
Shoe blogger Matt Jordan aka Imelda Matt
PR Portrait of Matthew Jordan photographed by Kent Johnson.

A big thanks to Matt and everyone at Jean Brown who worked so hard to make this wonderful project possible.

Thanks 2009!

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

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

An Exotic Brisbane, Winters Odyssey - (Brissie you've Changed)

For those of you who may not be aware, and there is no reason you should be.. I grew up in Brisbane, and spent the formative years of my life there including three and a half very-important-years at the Queensland College of Art where I was a major in photography. Although residing down south in Sydney for many years now; one of the things that has stuck with me most, about Brisbane, then-and-now is that Brisbane is exotic! Don't ask the locals about that they won't know what you mean, or worse, may think you are having a go at them. But Brisbane is Exotic, and it's hot, hot and humid, because it's subtropical, which is a big part of why it is exotic. It still has a good collection of colonial era, tropical style architecture (that survived the Joe years), and  famous 'Old Queenslander' houses too, and it has these little patches of remnant bush land, close to the city and dotted all about. And because during WW2  as Pacific headquarters of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur 1,000,000 American servicemen passed through the city; (and the legendary Battle of Brisbane as Aussie servicemen fought the Yanks!) Some things a city never forgets. Because Robin Gibson and successors did such a great job on the South Bank arts precinct, arguably Australia's finest. Then there's the river, there's Morton Bay, Stradbroke island AKA Straddie, and now, while not exactly exotic, there is life right in the city now too; something we would dream of but could hardly imagine back in our day.. as seen from the 26th floor apartment I stayed in, one of the many tall apartment buildings now dotting the Brisbane skyline. Oh yes Brissie, a lot of you has stayed the same, but Brissie you have changed! Mouse over pictures for details.

Brisbane apartments and city hills, skyline, the view from the 26th floor I Stay River City. By Kent Johnson.
The view from the 26th floor I Stay River City.
A skateboarder in Albert street Brisbane, seen from the 26th floor. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Old fig tree and modern high rise office buildings, Brisbane CBD. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Sharply detailed shadows on a Brisbane street. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Anti-Vax street march in Charlotte street Brisbane June 2015. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Anti-Vax street march - maybe Joe was right..
Ferris wheel and QPAC, South Bank Brisbane from Victoria Bridge. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Ferris wheel and QPAC, South Bank Brisbane from Victoria Bridge.

Knit Your Bit, outside the Queensland State Library, South Bank Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Knit Your Bit, outside the Queensland State Library, South Bank Brisbane.
Exhibition detail. MICHAEL PAREKOWHAI THE PROMISED LAND. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Duchamp & Degars dreaming - Michael Parekowhai, The Promised Land (detail) GOMA.
Combi van in forest, exhibition detail. MICHAEL PAREKOWHAI THE PROMISED LAND. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Michael Parekowhai, The Promised Land (detail) GOMA.
Colonial Mutual Life Building now The Manor Apartments, Queen Street Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Former CML Building 1930 ( now The manor Apartments), always a favourite & the GPO.
The arcade Brisbane GPO. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Sandstone arches, Victorian architecture, the arcade Brisbane GPO.
Laneway and new hight rise building Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

1970 Len Shillam sculpture, Post Office square Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Plaque for 1970 Len Shillam sculpture, Post Office square Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Old State Library Brisbane, Mosaic Mural 1958  by Lindsay Edwards. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Old State Library Annex Brisbane, Mosaic Mural 1958 by Lindsay Edwards. 
Sculpture Morning Star by Jon Barlow Hudson, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Morning Star by Jon Barlow Hudson
South Bank QAG, State library. "Approaching Equilibrium" by Anthony Pryor 1951-1991; Meriton apartments in background. Photo by Kent Johnson.
"Approaching Equilibrium" by Anthony Pryor 1951-1991
WW2 Bunker? Under the Storey Bridge. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Under the Storey Bridge, a WW2 bunker? 
Luxury Favelas on the river, Bulimba Brisbane Photo by Kent Johnson.
Luxury Favelas on the river, Bulimba Brisbane viewed from New Farm.
Shadow on house at night - Dornoch Terrace Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

The vibrant West End night markets food stalls. Photo by Kent Johnson.

An Elvis impersonator entertains onlookers at the vibrant West End night markets. Photo by Kent Johnson.
An Elvis impersonator(?) entertains onlookers at the vibrant West End night markets.

A panoramic view of Victorian era Queenslander houses and the view back to Brisbane city from the top of Teneriffe hill. Photo by Kent Johnson.
A panoramic view of Victorian era Queenslander houses and the view back to the city from the top of Teneriffe hill. 
A very steep hill and Our Lady of Victories Spanish Mission Style Church Bowen Hills, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Steep public steps viewed from the top of Teneriffe hill.Photo by Kent Johnson.
Steep public steps leading to the top of Teneriffe hill.
Wild scrub Turkey on path Teneriffe Bushland Park. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Wild scrub Turkey on path Teneriffe Bushland Park. 
Queensland Musical Theatre practice hall, Teneriffe Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
This is not GOMA...
Wild scrun turkey walks along pavement near luxury riverside units Teneriffe Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Clouds and river view from city cat ferry, Bulimba reach. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Clouds, view from city cat ferry Bulimba reach.
Artist portrait of Dennis McCart at the opeing night of his show 'Beneath Our Feet' at The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
 Dennis McCart at the opeing night of his show 'Beneath Our Feet' at The Hold Artspace. 
Patrons Shoes, The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Art Sniffers at the 'Beneath Our Feet' exhibition, The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
At the 'Beneath Our Feet' exhibition, The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. 
The autor and friend on the take a selfie on the riverside walkway New Farm with the city and Storey Bridge in the background. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Love you Brisbane! Thank YOU.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Christmas, Art & Culture in Brisbane..

A Street Fashion Sydney Special Edition..

It will be of little to no surprise to many of my Sydney readers that people in Brisbane celebrate Christmas too. This is a very well known phenomenon down south; quite simply because so many Sydneysiders actually come from Brisbane in the first place (or second place; more or less, in my case). Yes Brissie, Brisvegas as the locals say or.. "River City" (thank you River City Tiles of Stones Corner for alerting me to this fine alternative name for Brisbane) is my real home town and like so many who after a fine education in Qld have headed off elsewhere; I have made the pilgrimage home for the festive season. However unlike the last couple of brief trips, years apart; I have managed to head into the city and the inner city areas and take a look around and see and experience first hand the changes that have been taking place; and there have been many changes indeed.

Firstly Brisbane now has an extensive and cheap (to free) City Bike Network making it ridiculously easy to grab a bike, cycle to a new destination - drop/lock it into the nearest station.. I LOVE this! The locals I know all seem to think no-one is using these bikes but I can tell them its not true; as I was mounting-up for my first ride, someone else was about to take their first ride too - and bikes should be in the racks guys; if the racks are empty it would mean they have all been stolen.. Good work Brisbane.

Mouse over images for details; keep reading, more text below..
Ian from Sonic Shades and a Pin-Up Style lamp shade - West End Twilight Markets Brisbane.

City Cycle Station outside the RIALTO Theatre, West End Brisbane.

West End Twilight Markets Brisbane.

Lauren wearing RaRa Superstar at West End Twilight Markets Brisbane.



Go Massive Artists, seems to be the main theme at GOMA the new for me Gallery of Modern Art on Brisbane's South Bank. Where we once referred to the Modernist architectural style of the Queensland Art Gallery as the Culture Bunker; there is now a large, vast and connected series of Culture Bunkers - in fact there is now so much Art, Culture and Recreation on the South Bank that I can see oh so clearly that a HUGE CULTURE GAP has emerged between the South and the North and no doubt, some time soon some sort of Culture Fence along the QLD NSW border must surely arise to keep the poor Southern peoples out of Queensland unless they have a very-good-reason to be here and possibly some sort of cultural passport to get in...

Mind you if art on a massive scale is NOT your cup-of-tea or preferred beverage, or you are looking for art you can fit on YOUR wall; you can always get an Art Snack which according to their Facebook page is so-new I very nearly stumbled upon the grand opening.. Trust SFS to sniff out the new affordable & real home-scale art!
Art Snack - Gallery, Shop, South Bank Brisbane.




While in Brisbane I have decided to continue my personal project documenting the Post War (that's World War 2 for the younger readers)  homes in the area I grew up in. While everyone is quite familiar with classic Queenslander style of home; the much later post war style of home, outside of Brisbane home owners at least seem to have been largely ignored. For this project I am mostly interested in finding the homes that are still pretty much as they were when they were built, right down to a treeless and mostly 'unimproved' block of land. It's with mixed feelings that I can report that homes on treeless blocks are becoming increasingly rare as these once nearly leafless streets and blocks are landscaped and the homes renovated and modernised;  though there still seem to be a few old skool owners who believe leaves clogging your gutters are a real nuisance and shade is for pussies! To those home owners, I thank you for holding out; at least for now.
Curved concrete footpath, Camp Hill Brisbane.

40's 50's weatherboard home on a treeless block of land, Carina Brisbane.



www.rarasuperstar.com/
SonicShades
GOMA
Art Snack
www.citycycle.com.au/

Street Fashion Sydney 'Special Edition' - shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1.