Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Desert Glow
The lowest point on earth, maybe the hottest and definitely the brightest. The camera's couldn't even handle the glare. I resorted to filters, HDR imaging and the fastest of shutter speeds. I like this desert alot!!
::Officially The last bit of colour in the Negiv Desert, Westbank.
::The bombed out remains of Jordanian Homes from th 60s.
::Officially The last bit of colour in the Negiv Desert, Westbank.
::The bombed out remains of Jordanian Homes from th 60s.
The Jesus Trail
It's summer in Israel and rumors of war are brewing. For the average Israeli the constant circling of IAF helicopters and the presence of IA Soldiers walking the streets with machine guns casually over their arms is everyday life. But to me it's far from normal. Maybe a visit to Jerusalem may better my understandings of Israeli politics. No! it just made me more confused!!
::The Western Wall. I almost became religous for 4 and a half minutes.
::I felt like a nap - where Jesus lay in his last moments. Just around the corner Jesus's Tomb. A very religous experience.. I crawled through the small tunnel, sat there by myself, became awkward, got nervous and murmured "hey Jesus, How are you mate'?
::Once a site of Jesus's last moments. Now the holiest church in the world?
::As Cliche as it Gets. Dome rock in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem out of bounds for the dangerous Australian tourist.
::The Western Wall. I almost became religous for 4 and a half minutes.
::I felt like a nap - where Jesus lay in his last moments. Just around the corner Jesus's Tomb. A very religous experience.. I crawled through the small tunnel, sat there by myself, became awkward, got nervous and murmured "hey Jesus, How are you mate'?
::Once a site of Jesus's last moments. Now the holiest church in the world?
::As Cliche as it Gets. Dome rock in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem out of bounds for the dangerous Australian tourist.
Israel - Gold City
A contrast of worlds. In the 60 years of existence Israel has suffered 10 full scale wars. In Tel Aviv you would never have known. The relaxed and open minded vibe shines through on any of it's faces. It can be metropole, romantic, sophisticated and historical. A simple question can be answered in a full scale debate and with a population of 7.5 million, I'm guessing there is 7.5 million full scale debates to be had. You got people from the extreme right, extreme left and somewhere in between. So with blend of cultures including Bedoin Arab, Beta Israel (Amhara), Beta Israel (Tigrinya), Ethiopian Jews, Gypsies, Haredim Jews, Israeli Arabs, Jews, USSR Jews, Jewish Sabras, Messanic Jews, Orthodox Jews,Palestinian Arabs, Russian Jews, Secular Jews (there is 90 in total) everyone has a story to share. Some want war, some want peace, which could be solved with war?? I was never really sure what people want? I know they like money.. and socialising on the beach..fitness parks.. mystical surf.. and ice cream shops? Special thanks to Daya (our little but legendary, tourist guide, host, encyclopedia and friend).
:: From Old Jaffa to Tel Aviv, By far the coolest place in Israel. Can you see the money? (Canon 5D MKii, HDR image)
::Another culture centre on the path to Jaffa (Canon 5D MKii, HDR image)
::I think these rocks are as old as the big man himself? (Canon 5D MKii, HDR image)
::Just over the famous wishing bridge where I made a wish to stay in this hotel (Canon 5D MKii, HDR image)
:: From Old Jaffa to Tel Aviv, By far the coolest place in Israel. Can you see the money? (Canon 5D MKii, HDR image)
::Another culture centre on the path to Jaffa (Canon 5D MKii, HDR image)
::I think these rocks are as old as the big man himself? (Canon 5D MKii, HDR image)
::Just over the famous wishing bridge where I made a wish to stay in this hotel (Canon 5D MKii, HDR image)
VS
After the first world cup game the cordial relationship i had with Germany almost came to an abrupt end. Especially when a German Israeli walked up to me on Tel Aviv beach and blurted "what does Australia have to do with Football, Fuck off back home, haha". It wasn't one of the best memories i have.. sitting with 100s of Germans in a predominantly German beach Club whilst watching their team humiliate the the green and gold. But after 3 weeks I got over it.. Go Argentina!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
3 scapes
I just got a mixed bag of films developed!! My Rollei film camera does some strange things!
::Innsbruck, Austria (Cross Processed Kodak Elite Chrome 100)
::West Bank, Israel (Cross Processed Kodak Elite Chrome 100)
::The dead Sea, Israel (Cross Processed Kodak Elite Chrome 100)
::Innsbruck, Austria (Cross Processed Kodak Elite Chrome 100)
::West Bank, Israel (Cross Processed Kodak Elite Chrome 100)
::The dead Sea, Israel (Cross Processed Kodak Elite Chrome 100)
Monday, June 28, 2010
High Time
:: A short Drive through the Alps to a small chalet perched on the hill above Innsbruck. In the distance some of Austria's most radical snow parks. Will definitely do a season here!
A still Sunday afternoon in Dachau
The history lessons, movies and stories you've experienced could never prepare you for Dachau. The birth of the German Concentration Camp. Some old black and white film seemed to capture the sobering mood.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Back in Germany
And i came across this..
::No Subtitles: This reality show is watched by millions of Germans Daily. In this episode Sebastian hopes cooking his favourite meal for his wife will spice up there relationship.. Germans getting seriously freaky.
::No Subtitles: This reality show is watched by millions of Germans Daily. In this episode Sebastian hopes cooking his favourite meal for his wife will spice up there relationship.. Germans getting seriously freaky.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Prague City
A drive in a little silver Golf; Google maps estimating it at around 6 hours. You can imagine how sore my behind became as we hit the 10hr mark when finally reached the Czech border. Suddenly speed zones were in place and the all so comfortable Autobahn turned into a ghetto 2 lane highway scattered with graffiti filled billboards and Gas stations full of Czech Truckies. A familiar feeling; arriving somewhere in a tired and stubborn state and for some reason just thinking the place is shit.
After the purchase of a Jolt Cola and an over priced and over sized Czech Republic map, we wound up at our Gothic-esque hotel "U Davida". By now it was hitting the 2am mark.. I had my doubts on whether the staff would answer the door. (For peace of mind and for the love of last minute internet deals, i excitingly booked into a 4 star hotel) . Anyway.. Knock Knock, Ring Ring, Bang Bang.. Finally a short and wide shadow came to the door, with a confused look on her face that looked much like a traditional style Czech Dumpling filled with Bacon bits then dropped on the floor. Then trod on twice. "Hello, we have a room for tonight" i blurted with a bit of get me into bed enthusiasm. "we're full" she yelped, then started to close the door on my face. I explained how we booked accommodation through an online booking agency and began ripping the booking invoices out of my pocket. She then started ranting on about a long weekend in Praha and we would have to stay somewhere else, blah blah everything booked out, blah blah sleep on the streets, blah blah broken English Go Away! After a half hour phone call to wotif.com and a few over-the-counter arguments, it was time to find somewhere else..
She was right.. Christi Himmelfahrt is a Religious holiday that is celebrated with a long weekend across parts of Europe, so on the 23rd attempt we got a positive "yes" from a hostel owner and were in bed at around 430 am. However, the next week things only got better.
Prague turned out to be 100 time better than i thought. By day; translucent gray skies, Long stone roads, Spiky Black castles, dazzling store windows, culinary delights. By night vampire crazed teens, tourist filled pubs, camera attracting architecture and pyrotechnic filled skies.
I spent a good part of a day carting around tripods, microphones and video gear and am slowly finding time to cut a short film on my discoveries.
After the purchase of a Jolt Cola and an over priced and over sized Czech Republic map, we wound up at our Gothic-esque hotel "U Davida". By now it was hitting the 2am mark.. I had my doubts on whether the staff would answer the door. (For peace of mind and for the love of last minute internet deals, i excitingly booked into a 4 star hotel) . Anyway.. Knock Knock, Ring Ring, Bang Bang.. Finally a short and wide shadow came to the door, with a confused look on her face that looked much like a traditional style Czech Dumpling filled with Bacon bits then dropped on the floor. Then trod on twice. "Hello, we have a room for tonight" i blurted with a bit of get me into bed enthusiasm. "we're full" she yelped, then started to close the door on my face. I explained how we booked accommodation through an online booking agency and began ripping the booking invoices out of my pocket. She then started ranting on about a long weekend in Praha and we would have to stay somewhere else, blah blah everything booked out, blah blah sleep on the streets, blah blah broken English Go Away! After a half hour phone call to wotif.com and a few over-the-counter arguments, it was time to find somewhere else..
She was right.. Christi Himmelfahrt is a Religious holiday that is celebrated with a long weekend across parts of Europe, so on the 23rd attempt we got a positive "yes" from a hostel owner and were in bed at around 430 am. However, the next week things only got better.
Prague turned out to be 100 time better than i thought. By day; translucent gray skies, Long stone roads, Spiky Black castles, dazzling store windows, culinary delights. By night vampire crazed teens, tourist filled pubs, camera attracting architecture and pyrotechnic filled skies.
I spent a good part of a day carting around tripods, microphones and video gear and am slowly finding time to cut a short film on my discoveries.
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