Scenes from an Exhibition, Berlin

Once upon a time ... I spent 3 months living in Berlin, documenting the international exhibition - TASWIR.  The hours were long and intense but the rewards, in terms of people met and things learned, were truly worthwhile. 

I love being given free reign to capture people doing their thing.  Had I known of the possibility, I would have dreamed of being an ethnographer when I was small and out searching for other peoples stories ... or I would have left to be a photographer as soon as I was old enough.  But I only knew of studio portrait photographers and never really thought about who was taking the photographs that appeared in magazines and newspapers. 

My world ... my mind, they seem to have been quite limited back there in small town New Zealand.  Although it was good place to grow up in so many other ways.

But now I'm out in the world and the adventures have been truly grand.  I'm posting this series of photographs in response to my poet friend, Ren Powell's, work challenge over on facebook. 

Today I wrote: A work meme from Ren Powell. Post your work for 5 days and nominate two others each day.  Day 2.  Today I nominated two talented friends, jeweler Kim Arrand, and colour therapist,  Marcia O’ Regan.

Today, I have a life to organise and work to do.  Thank goodness for sunshine and an end to the winter that was ...

Spring in Antwerpen

Spring is so very definitely happening.  The neighbour's Magnolia has been flowering for a few weeks but Friday was our second 20 celsius day.  I am daring to hope that that long grey winter is over.  It wasn't particularly tough except for the unrelenting greyness of the days.

My pharmacist told me that 80% of Belgians have a Vitamin D deficiency ...

I'm in Genova in a few weeks and truly looking forward to getting back to that exquisite city full of people I really enjoy spending time with.

Until then, it's all about continuing work on the website, about rewriting my photography workbook, and enjoying the sunshine when it appears.

Just a Note ...

You know ... I don't remember where I found this shot, or ... but I do know it was taken some place in Antwerp and I didn't how unusual it was until I saw it here on my computer.

There's another place I inhabit when I take photographs.  It's difficult to explain.  It simply is.

Meanwhile I'm gearing up for a rather interesting photo-shoot out on Flanders Fields this Wednesday. The panoramic head arrives tomorrow.  Lists and directions are printed and ready.  More on that in the months ahead .. when the story of it all becomes news I can share.

And the exhibition in Brussels.  It's still happening.  More on that as soon as we have dates.

 

View from the Balcony ...

It's 10 celsius here this morning.  I coughed all night and my throat still hurts but the view from the balcony makes up for a lot ...

It was an unexpected detour and I'll need to sell a kidney at some point, although our beautiful apartment was a huge bargain at winter rates.  I need to link to it at some point but not this morning.  There's a city to explore.

3 beautiful things i found today ... day 1

There was this image ... captured while wandering Istanbul streets.  I need to go through the 8,000 photographs I took there on that visit with my beloved Canon 5D MkII. 

The quote from Lisa St Aubin ... I'm still considering whether I agree with these words or not.  I think I'm an odd traveler sometimes.  I love to return to those few places I love and I dream of being there when I'm away from them.  New Zealand, Genova ... wondering where I would most like to live.

And this song, from the band Sleeping at Last.  I love their name, as I've been an insomniac for days now The song ... I'll Keep You Safe, or perhaps All Through the Night.