united states of america

B192 – THE ONLY WAY TO SEE NEW YORK

October 13, 2017October 13, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

There’s a few main things everyone does when they arrive at a new city. Most activities are surrounded by the main tourist spots, eating food food and having a look around the individual shops that you always find scattered around city streets. But if your really looking to see a city and get to know the streets, there’s only one thing todo and that’s jump on a bike, get rubber side up and cycle around without a Scooby Doo of where you’re going.

That’s basically what I decided todo, this morning after waking up, getting my work done early I decided to head to the big smoke. When I got to down town New York I quickly realised that B&H camera store was closed and now I had no idea where or what I was going to do. So jumping on a bike was the best option. Nothing is better than cycling around a city just explore and finding your feet.

After a few Highway Code incidents I was pretty much a local, the main rule when cycling in New York or really any city is, if you see a gap, go for it and don’t hesitate. Once I got over the fact everyone drives on the wrong side of the road, my first stop was Brooklyn bridge I’ve always wanted to see the Hudson River from that bridge and today I actually did it.

New York is a place that’s basically featured in 80% of all movies America movies ever made and cycling around you start to recognise street corners or building that have definitely been on screen and that’s half the fun of this city. trying to figure out what street has been on what film.

I would give you a complete time line of what my day consisted of, but what’s the point. I would rather talk about the fact the only way to see New York and feel some way part of the city is to grab a bike and just see where you end up. And if by any chance you end up in Broadway, go and try the $1 pizza by the slice store it’s called joeys pizza and is the perfect place to finish up your cycle. who need some expensive gourmet sandwich when you can get a re-heat pizza for a faction of the price.
Tomorrow is the first day of filming and the end of my 12 hour holiday. My legs are pretty much dead. I’m not sure the total amount of miles cycled but it’s got to be about 15. From Times Square down to Brooklyn and back up and around noho / soho. in my defence today is an adjustment day, and the best way to get rid of Jet lag is to exercise. and thats exactly what I’ve done.

Heres my photos from today, enjoy.

B192 (1 of 1)-2 — – cycling around this city early morning was pretty cool –

B192 (1 of 1)-3 — – this was somewhere I always wanted to go, Brooklyn Bridge –

B192 (1 of 1)-5 — – this is somewhere i just happened to find, New York Supreme court, how many movies do you know from this location –

B192 (1 of 1)-9 — – In the distance is the statue of Liberty –

B192 (1 of 1) — – my typical New York photo –

B191

October 12, 2017October 12, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

Its been 25 hours since I left my house and the day is finally over, im laying in my bed next to Williamsburg Bridge and its fair to say this is amazing. out of my window I can see the Empire State building and the Rockerfalla, what a view to fall asleep looking at. right now I should feel tried but this city doesn’t seem to sleep so its only right that I stay awake that little bit longer just incase I miss something.

Ive only explored the city this afternoon for a few hours and only walked around seeing the sites and just getting my bearings but already I know this place moves at like 100 miles per hour, blink and you’ve missed someone walking around in an Elmo outfit while someone rides bike the wrong way down a one way street, while a group of taxi beep him like crazy. Im struggling to find the words to describe this places, the closest thing I can think of is “London on Steroids”. thats literally New York.

With such a short amount of time here before moving on, I’ve got to be really careful about what I choice todo, the main thing on my list is going to the B&H camera store tomorrow and checking that place out, its been on my list of things todo for ages and tomorrow is my chance. if you know about it, then you know why I want to go, if your not sure what im on about. heres a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%26H_Photo_Video (i know people don’t agree with Wikepdia but for this purpose its fine).

I also want to walk across the manhattan bridge and just see the sites really, maybe hire a bike if I get time or something like that.

Anyway I was only going to post three photos of today, but I’ve changed my mind, whats the point in taking loads of photos of this place each day only to post them every now and again when Im back in london. today is a bit short and sweet, but thats because my brain is slowly falling a sleep. tomorrow we will conquer.

B191 (1 of 1) — – this is my view during the day from my room –

B191 (1 of 1)-7 — – this is my view at night, while in bed. New Yorks sky line is like nothing ive seen before –

B191 (1 of 1)-4 — – this place is constantly moving at full sleep –

B191 (1 of 1)-2 — – it was like this guy was waiting for someone to take a photo of him –

B189 – ITS FINALLY HAPPENED A TRUE GAME CHANGER

October 10, 2017October 9, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

The Condo has hit a new level, If you’ve ever been to the flat you would know that theres been one big thing missing from it and that is Curtains, for some reason We’ve never got round to putting up curtains or blinds. Its not that we are lazy its that we haven’t really needed them and I’ve just kind of adapted to natural light in the morning. today though that has changed and my DIY skills have gone up a new level. Most people know that my DIY and manual labour skills are pretty much below average, well not any more, my first day of being 24 and Ive just used my first drill, and made multiple even level holes and put up blinds. this is well and truly a big step.

the DIY bug has hit me hard and now things are going to change round here. before it was all about the painting, now thats pretty much out the way, Ive now got to start building things, taking things away and updating things, its a never ending job that I’m now getting excited about. I just need to keep Amy away from Pinterest and I might have a chance of getting this done.

Now im pretty much a site man and a grafter, it was only right that after my success at putting the blinds up, i sat down and had a proper cup of tea, Bilbo ( bilbo Baggins – leave the bag in) with a lot of milk, the only difference being to take the photo I needed a a second pair of hands and a few pints of milk.

At last though, im now sitting on the sofa watching Tattoo fixers and dont have anything todo apart from right this post, tomorrow I pack for a trip to America so be prepared for some cool shots of the states, Ive got a busy 6 weeks of travel and Im looking forward to showing you guys what I get up too!

Im having a really weird moment where Ive confused myself because this post is written the night before its posted. is that confusing, would you rather I wrote in past tense or current tense. I dont mind just want to know what reads better.

Any way let me know and enjoy the snaps.

B189-1 — – the bed room with the blinds, its finally coming a long, the white wall by the blinds is dirty because I was leaning on it. just ignore that –

B189-1-3 — – this is amy sitting on the floor asking if we can stop running about doing things now –

B182 – LETS DO SOMETHING COOL

October 3, 2017October 2, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

three hundred words that all I have to write each day, I love taking photos, but the writing is the hardest thing on this blog. I’m sorry for the lack of energy on these posts these past few days, Im just fighting through the Jet lag and trying to crazy amount of work, to get out the other side. but today has been a really good day, Ive started making plans for a really cool project. something I can properly sink my teeth into, Ive got a plan and all I have todo now is stick to it and make sure I can put everything in place before I go away next week. So not a lot todo at all.

what I like about doing this blogging thing is my plan that Im just going todo what ever I like with it. thats basically my plan, not think too much into it and just see where I end up. I really want to start upping my content and put out some cool photos that aren’t just everyday stuff. like jumping a car or shooting fireworks over a lake, something incredible and completely not the normal, thats my kind of project. If I can just get through the next month and stay dedicated to making stuff happen theres no reason why those projects wont come to life. Obviously those arent my project idea’s but they follow the same line, something which has an element of risk but with a massive reward. I started this blog to improve my photography skills and its about time I started to test my self and see what I can do with a camera.

again im sorry for the lack of content but unless I stay awake 24 hours a day, I don’t have enough time. but I will I promise you.

In other news I picked up my new blinds tonight, went to put them up and found out I don’t own a drill. so if anyone lives in bethnal green and has a drill that would be really helpful.

B182-1 — – this is a photo I took this morning, god I love my coconut tree –

B165 (1 of 1)-3 — – one of my favourite places in the past months, Historic Downtown St. Charles –

B165 (1 of 1)-4 — – Missori, America, everyone should go and see St.louis its a really cool city –

B177 – A SEA PLANE

September 27, 2017September 27, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

Sorry for this post being a bit rubbish, Ive had a few drinks and just looking forward to gettign back to Amy. At the momement we’ve had a good explore of victoria and ive basically got to pack for my flight at 6am tomorrow. Candada has been amazing and I love this place but im looking forward to my sleep.

one thing ive learnt about this place is how freindly everyone is, they all just want to be freinds with the next person. im just walking out a oub while im writing this, so basically im in the perfect state to be wirtiing a message. people should come to canada and just experinance the wild, see the dear and take in the view.

tomorrow we fly home and I cant wait to spend the 19 hours travelling just to see amy, thank you bobo for introducing us, i think im abit drunk but not too sure. sorry for any messages that people don twant to read, I just want to buy a leica. anyway its not my fault, I blaime the people that brought me some shots.

im not sure how much you know about these post but each day I try and post something that relates to the readers, but tonight I have nothing. im just impressed with how this has gone and the people that our reading this. at the moment I think its mainly my dad, but much love steve spear your a ledgend.

im currently in bed lookingat my travel plains for tomorrow thinking about how im going to make it work. sorry if todays post is a bit weak, its been a hard month and tonight Ive enjoyed my self.

enjoy these pictures and make sure thar you visit chucky cheese, that place is amazing. much love josh

B177 (1 of 1)-2 — – this is a sea plane –

B177 (1 of 1)-3 — – i like this picture –

B175 – ONE CRAZY DAY

September 25, 2017September 25, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

Today has been on of those filming days where you are literally jus running around none stop of 14 hours trying to make everything work. sorry to sound like a work-a-holic but sometimes I have nothing else to say. Im now laying in bed, looking at the photos from the day thinking about what has happened today, its all a bit of a blur, but I have to say Victoria is an amazing place and surrounded by water, which helps to make for a better climate that Southern America which has been crazy hot.

My plan today was to show you some of the best parts about this island in Canada called Victoria but all I have done is work. so lets just share some fact with you, in 1871 british columbia became the sixth province and proclaimed capital of canada. basically putting it in charge. in 1778 Jame cook, that guy who discovered America became the first european to set foot on Canada and proclaimed it to be a discovery.

What I like about this part of the world is that everyone is friendly, Amanda and myself were at the bar tonight when suddenly two local drinks called a shaft were given to us by this nice local who just wanted to chat. A shaft is basically this mix of a few sprites which make something that taste like baileys. thats what I like about this place, everyone is ready to make freinds and be drinking friends.

sorry for all this mistakes in todays post, im just a bit tired and ready to go to sleep but wasnt prepared to miss todays post and fail at my job of posting each day for the whole year. Ive had a great time travelling america and canada and soon to be heading back to the uk for a few weeks before going out on my next adventure. thank you for following my post and hope you enjoy these snaps.

B175 (1 of 1) — – this car today was amazing, makes me want get this car –

B175 (1 of 1)-2 — – even the industrial parts of vancover look amazing –

B175 (1 of 1)-3 — – i want to buy a skateboard and join this guys

B174 – AIR CANADA LOST OUR CAMERA GEAR

September 24, 2017September 24, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

I’m sat on the plane from Chicago to Vancouver, the TV’s don’t work and that’s something I hadn’t planed for, so now I’m trying to think of cool ideas instead of just looking at the head in front of me and listening to the only album I have on my phone.
One idea I came up with for today post, is to create an instagram story @joshfspear of some cool photos of my journey from Chicago airport to my hotel in Victoria, British Columbia. As today is literally just a travel day and nothing else, its hard to find cool stories and develop a meaning or idea behind the post, so I thought I would take you on the travel day with me and show you some of the cool things Ive seen along the way.

Air Canada have also lost some of our camera gear so its now looking like im going to be staying awake until it arrives sometime tonight. Apart from that, today has been a pretty good day and ended with us taking a small plane across the sailors sea from Vancouver to Sidney at golden hour which was unbelievable. I was speaking to a guy on the plane and he was talking about the food and wild life in this part of town so now im pretty excited to see what this place has to offer. that plane journey was one of those where I will look back in 10 years time and think how cool it was, from see where salt water meets fresh water to the barges pulling logs along the rivers to paper factories. it was all just like another world.

– the best flight I’ve been on in a long time –

We are only here for a few days but I will make those few days worth it. But we are now off to a flying start with a beer and pancakes from Dennys.

If you’ve got some time go and check out @joshfspear on instagram and have a look at my story of the trip, its got some pretty cool photos. I think I’m going to do more stuff like this and now I’ve done one the ideas are coming to me.

Im not sure if any of this makes any sense, Ive been awake for way to long and all over the place, but I hope you get the gist. I’ve been writing this as the days gone on.

B171 – COOL UNKNOWN AMERICA – I THINK IVE LEARNT SOMETHING – PT.5

September 21, 2017September 21, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

Today is the last day of me doing my first mini photo project, Cool Unknown American. Im not really sure how much is unknown or how much everyone knows, but my plan was just to show the inner workings on America on a whistle stop tour of America these past few days. Im about to have a really busy few days, so I think its probably best is I go for a five part project.

I’m currently sat in someone’s garage as the temperature hits 95 degrees, its pretty hot and there’s no air con but that will no break me.

With these posts its always tough to figure out what to write about and with photos, Ive always wanted to let my photos do the talking and just let people read each image and take away from it what they please. That’s not really the case, if you can take a good photo that seems to be about 60% of it, the other 40% is your writing. How well you can capture and write about that photo. That’s what I’ve learnt about this project, my photos are only doing a percentage of the work, I need to explain the reason behind the photos and what I think. Maybe its time for a new shake up of this blog, change the layout and my angle. I’m coming up to the 6 month mark in 11 days and the past 171 days have taught me a lot.

Two of the photos you see below are from previous days, one is of this incredible sunset we saw over the Illinois river on the drive from St.louis to Chicago. It was like a 6 hour drive, on the same straight road of like 200 miles, we got bored half way through and turned off on to the old route 66, this photo was taken just after we joined back on the highway across over the river and then were met by this crazy sunset. I love taking photos of sunsets, they never get boring. my favourite part about this photo is the reflection off the river in the back ground, it makes it feel like mid west america to me.

The other photo is from the VW car meet, this guy was standing up on the flat bed trying to sell things I think. I dont know why, I just thought it was a good photo opportunity so i took it. that car meet was one of those moments that will stand out for me on this trip. I just happened to look out of my hotel window and saw all this craziness happening across the road, so grabbed my camera and just started taking photos. nothing was planned, it just all seemed to fall into place.

anyway I’ve just eaten way to much Chicago deep pan pizza to keep me full or the next week, so heres my three photos. enjoy.

B171 (1 of 1) — – this is my view of the amazing weather outside –

B171 (1 of 1)-2 — – sunset on highway 55, Illinois river –

B168 (1 of 1) — – this guy knew how to sell –

B170 – UNKNOWN COOL AMERICA – A QUITE DAY MADE FUN- PT.4

September 20, 2017September 20, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

Yep train tracks, thats what I took photos of today and I learnt something. I really dont like taking photos of train tracks, but where I am in Chicago, there is basically nothing apart from some massive car parks, and fast food joints. So train tracks will have todo.

Ive had one of those days where I just feel completely nackered and just looking forward to getting some good food inside me. my conclusion is that mid west america dont know how todo breakfast, they either have fruit loops or waffles and maybe some turkey sausages and some eggs. thats good every now and again, but not everyday. get some fresh fruit in and some yoghurt, trust me america it will change your life. or even try some fresh food, its a real game changer.

but enough of the moaning, At Lunch time today, i thought what should I do If I have nothing todo, so I decided to stop off at a gun shop to get that culture shock and wake my day up. I ended up shooting my first ever gun a military grade AR-15 semi automatic machine gun. The nice guys in the gun shop gave me a little tour of the place first, I only I walked into the store to have a look at what guns they sell and maybe get my hands on the clint Eastwood smith and western gun that he has in those movies, but after speaking to Gunny Mike and this cool guy Marc, they ended up letting me shoot some rounds of the AR-15. It was a pretty sick time actually and scared the crap out of me. but after the first 10 rounds I was like a young rambo. They even gave me a cool T-shirt for me to remember the first time I shot an AR-15. I was like a 10 year old boy, who just discovered this whole new world. I dont think i would ever own a gun or something but it was definitely a good bit of fun. my shoulder is in a bit of pain now though, that guns got a bit of a kick to it.

After that I decided to go on a bit of a drive and take some pictures of something that has no baring on my day, but of something that is everywhere in the states and thats how I ended up taking photos of the exciting world of the American Railway tracks. enjoy these photos.

B170_1 (1 of 1)-7 — – cheers Gunny Mike and Marc for setting this up. as you can see Im a natural, the hole closest to the red was Gunny Mike, I was going to claim it as mine but it was all him that one. –

B170_1 (1 of 1)-6 — – rail road crossing number one –

B170_1 (1 of 1)-3 — – this was a rail road crossing, I just made it look like I was standing in between the tracks. I promise –

B169 – UNKNOWN COOL AMERICA – THE JUNK YARD TRIP – PT.3

September 19, 2017September 19, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

about a mile down the road from the hotel we are staying in, is this cool scrap / mechanics / junk yard that has a few hidden gems. From the freeway that runs parallel to the yard, you can see this 1970’s all white cadillac and as today was a prep day, basically getting ready for our up and coming shoots. I thought I would get in a bit of time to explore this yard.

On the way over I thought I would try something a bit different and shoot these in Black and White not edit them later in lightroom and turn them black and white. but completely shoot black and white. my thought process was that because theres a complete mixture of items from eras and parts from around the world that have all ended up in the same place, the only way I would be able to get across the feeling abandoness *not sure if thats a word, but ill go with it*. was by shooting Black and white.

Its 99% worked, these photos have a feel of loneless and despair, everything you see in this junk yard once had a home, it was once used for a purpose and now its left out in the elements to rust away until its up-cycled and found a new home. Hopefully. places like this yard are full of stories, like the van below which to me looks like it has a bullet hole in the windscreen and the front completely caved in. what the hell happened to that truck? as someone who likes the over the top story line, I like to think it was involved in some kind of gangsta stuff involving two bonnie and Clyde characters who instead of robbing a bank accidentally ended up in my library because bonnie was drunk that day and didn’t scoop the place out first. which meant the police got involved and took a pop at Cylde the get away driver. so now their choice of get away van is sat rusting away in the junk yard in Chicago instead of Mexico.

I can almost guarantee thats no where near what actually happened, but thats the kind of crap my brain likes to conjure up when Im taking these photos.

heres my photos from todays mini shoot. thanks to Frank and Al for letting me explore their Junk Yard!