B318 – TAKING PHOTOS WITHOUT WALKING ANYWHERE?

After the shoot today my plan involved rushing back to east london to try and catch a demo of the New fujifilm camera, it looks pretty sick and I think I may be in love but on my arrival to Wex Photo in Whitechapel I was met with the news that I was 30 minutes late and as a result missed the demo and the camera. Coming away from the shop feeling like a had completely failed on my post shoot mission I decided that instead of heading straight home, that I should now try and finish on a high and take some cool photos.\

The only problem with that was for the fact that since 5am I had been on my feet and running around carrying peli cases and tripods, so I needed a plan which involved taking cool photos and not really moving a whole lot. Thats when my idea came to me, theres so many cool artists around brick lane, that spend hours and hundreds of pounds painting the walls and adding some colour to this city, its almost becoming an accepted part of modern day society. if you have a nice clean wall, then someone going to put some art on it free of charge. there comes my mini plan for today. Why don’t I find a really cool wall and just photograph people walking past it and see if they even acknowledge it?

Apart from the guy that swore at me and polity told me todo one, it was pretty successful I think. after coming home and looking at the photos, I really like the choice of wall but I’m not sure what I think about the people being out of focus. I would love to say that was a choice but it really wasn’t, I wanted them to be in focus. so maybe I need to re-think my strategy a bit. I think the idea is there, I just need to now concentrate on the delivery now, I will be back and Im now thinking of this idea a lot more. Im not going to say anymore because I dont want someone to steel my idea, but if you do give it a try please send me some of your photos so i can see if you do it better than me.

Heres my favourite photos from today.

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– this is what the wall looked like when no one was standing in front of it –
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– probably my favourite photo from today, hes in my picture and maybe I made it into his –
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– she likes the art –
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– they look like they’ve seen something happening up ahead –

 

 

B317 – SUSHI ON THE FLOOR

Its that day of the year again, Valentines day. What I like about this day is that everyones exceptions are so different is unreal, not like christmas where if you don’t spent every last penny in your bank they your a scrooge. No, Valentines day is more of a decision between partners on what is an acceptable gift, for Amy and me its simple, this year we got a card each, I splashed out on a pen that had a dog stuck on the top and then we sat on the living room floor watch classic movies, eating Sushi and drinking Prosecco.

Thats probably about as valentines day vibes as the flat gets and to be honest it was kind of just right, there was no going to expensive restaurants, where i have to wear a shirt and Amy nearly has to break an ankle in shoes which are way to high for her hips. we just took it easy this year. Im not really sure where Valentines even comes from to be honest, I really feel like maybe a card factory has too many blank cards left over from Christmas and just decided to create a day to help get rid of them, but what i do know that it kind of is important to spend a day with your partner having fun and just enjoying the company and maybe Im being naive but thats just kind of something that happens most days in Flat 315. Amy is definetly going to read this and think that Ive reached the highest level of “cringe” there is, but im sure she will build a bridge and get over it.

Anyway thanks for a really fun evening amy and im sorry that instead of carrying on, im now laying in bed writing this post because again I have to be up really early and wont be able to get this post done in the morning but much love mush and happy valentines!

Josh

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– cheers to another valentines together –
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– take away sushi, what is better on a day like todo –
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– this photo is from my lunch time walk today, how cool is east london –

B314 – WHAT A SUNDAY

What a Sunday it has been, ive not only been part of a cool team which has managed to shoot two music videos in one day but ive also managed to sell a really annoying walking machine which has been taking up half the bedroom and now im sat on the sofa with a beer watching Jurassic world. It feels like a pretty productive weekend but also spent a lot of time with friends.

After the shoot today I went and met the cousin Charlotte for a drink, the first time I have properly seen her in a while, even though we live pretty close to each other. it really makes you realise that you need to make time for people a lot more. anyway Im now sat enjoying my evening before I need to wake up at 5am for a week of constant filming, maybe I should just order a crete of Red Bull now as thats probably my only way of making it through this week as the same man.

I cant wait to share with you all the shoot that Ive just done today and hopefully its out in the next few weeks, I think it will be something that everyone will love and I think is going to be a massive song from a pretty legendary artist. Im swarn to secrecy but once I get the all clear from the director I will share the whole thing with you. I suppose though thats the hard thing with this industry, everyone who works in it gets todo so many fun project but then they cant share them with anyone till they are out in the public but thats just the name of the game.

Anyway I hope you like my photos from today and I also hope everyone will join me in the celebration that December and January our out the way and work has finally returned to works normal ridiculously unsociable schedule!

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– Walking to work this morning, bethnal green just seems to have it all –
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– one of the best receptions Ive been into –
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– a beer after work is all i need –

B313 – DAVE SAVED THE DAY, THEN WE WENT FOR PLAN B.

Today was the day that is finally happened, we managed to clear some space in the flat and get all of my aunties stuff back to her in Cambridge, it would of been possible without the help of my good mate Dave and his van, who after a quick call Saturday morning was on his way to my house to help me get it sorted. I would like to say it went smoothly but after getting a skateboard wheel stuck in the lift (we were using the skateboard to ferry stuff out of the flat), it was time to re-evaluate the plan and decided that it was probably best if we just carry the boxes instead. As always with these things as soon as we started to move the rain moved in just to give us that extra thing to deal with, but we were deterred and powered through the hangovers to get the task done. But it was all worth it because now the only thing we need todo is go wardrobe shopping and then its plain sailing in Flat 315.

Its now Sunday and Im up even earlier than I was on Saturday because todo I’ve got shoot over in Hackney that Im actually really excited for “anit no rest for the wicked”. its always a weird feeling working on a Sunday because it always feels like I should just be sat in a pub enjoying a Sunday roast, but at the same time theres something really chilled about working on Sundays.

The other thing that Im actually really happy about at the moment is the Sky, the light at the moment seems to be perfect, the other night there was this really cool blue shade in the sky and now i’m up early and its clear the sky is like the orange colour. Im not sure if i’m just used to seeing gray but this time of year feels to me like the best time of year for amazing colours and shadows.

This is quite quick post as I’m now running a bit late and still sat on in my boxers on the sofa. heres my photos, enjoy.

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– this was us trying to re-think the strategy –
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– Cheers dave and your van, your a good egg you are –
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– this is the kind of sky im talking about –

B311 – SUCH A GOOD PLACE TO PHOTOGRAPH.

As I said in yesterdays blog my plan for today was to get out on my lunch break and take a walk along the canal near to where I’m working and I actually managed to drag myself away from the  unlimited supply of chocolate bars and family sized packet of crisps to walk along this really cool stretch of water.

What I love about places like this, is just the way that they kind of create their own personality, everyone seems to be such a harsh environment for both people and animals, it all has that really brutalist feel to it and there is definitely something really photogenic about that. Its kind of crazy to think that these places actually have quite a lot of wide life if you think about it, if I was one of them I would definitely use my wings and fly to somewhere like hyde park or some other country park in a 20 mile radius of these victorian styled water ways.

Today I have also decided to write this post in the afternoon because this evening Amy has just booked up into a spinning class which basically means that tonight I will probably just want to come home and pass out. Its going to be our first ever spin class so I’m not really sure what I should expect but I do know is that things like spin class give your body a proper work out and thats something my body hasn’t really had since last year. As long as I can stay on the bike then I’m going to be happy, Ive heard these things can really work you out.

check out my photos from today, Im really happy with how they’ve turned out and to be honest I definitely want to take another trip around the canals of London and see what else I can photograph. these places are really kind of cool and interesting.

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– if I was those birds I would probably want to head up to somewhere like the Lake district and swim in those lakes –

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I really like photographing things made of this type of concrete they look so cool –

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– low tide of the canal –

B310 – THROWBACK THURSDAY !

So at it is Thursday its probably only right that I do kind of a mini throwback of the past week (that is kind of my excuse for not really taking any photo yesterday), when I first started this blog, I said that the challenge was going to be getting up and taking photos on a really cool winters day and well last night I kind of did fail the challenge. but luckily I had a few cool pictures that Ive taken recently so why not just post them?

Near to where I work theres this canal and as I’ve nearly been there two weeks I think its time that I took a little lunch time walk along it to see if theres anything I can photograph, so I think that is my plan today. especially at Lunch time when the sun is at its highest but because it winter you get really cool shadows, so who knows it could really work out and maybe ill get some cool photos. I think it just comes down to the fact I need to man up and brave the cold, because otherwise I don’t think my photos will be nearly as good as they can be.

Im determined to put more time into my music project and really get that off the ground again, I need to get out to gigs and fully surround myself with music I think, show what can be done in the extra time before and after work. Im quickly running out of days and now its time to step up a bit, I know I keep saying that but its true I really need todo more. Ill spent some time today putting together a plan for gigs and photography ideas and then see about putting them into play. Sorry to all those readers that probably think I’m faffing about at the moment, but trying to juggle life doesn’t seem to be as straight forward as I originally thought.

Heres some photos from the past 7 days. enjoy.

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– Ive seen before photos with water in the bottom of the shot to add some thing extra, I gave it a go and maybe I need to give it another go and try and bit harder –
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– a photo from box park the other day –
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– I dont think theres a better place to take street photos at night, east london is by far my favourite place –

B309 – CLEAR SKYS AND COLD WEATHER – PERFECT

Last night was one of those nights, while on my walk to Old street, my photos just seemed to happen. I think half of that was down to the light, I had hit the perfect time, just as the sun was setting and theres this cool kind of blue light in the sky. I know it might sound a bit weird as well but I think it definitely helped that it was ridiculously cold. A lot of the time I walk around and really struggle to take some photos decent photos that I actually like, that definitely wasn’t the case last night.

One of the things I have learnt about myself over the past 309 days is that I really love street photography and take pictures of people and capturing those random moments that we all see happen and that give us those little chuckle to ourselves. thats definitely my favourite thing to photograph, but Ill also take a clear cold night where you are given loads of strong, bright, contrasty colours from shop windows and the odd coffee shop.

At the moment I really don’t have a lot of time to make it down to gigs and music venues to work on that photography project, which is really annoying. The only way I could make it is if I probably stop eating dinner and cut my sleep down but as I think that would probably do more damage than good, for now Im just going to put it on hold and get through the next couple of weeks / months and then pick it up from there. So sorry to anyone that Ive been speaking to about gigs for events, I haven’t forgotten about you.

my plan for the future is to write these posts that night instead of the morning before work, I just dont leave myself enough time and now spent my morning rushing around. theres nothing better waking up in the morning before work, knowing that the post is ready to go. C’mon josh up your game!!!

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– Bethnal Green Road towards Shoreditch –
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– I cant remember if I have taken a photo of this before, but I like this shot so Ill post it anyway –
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– its like the hand it pushing him back –

B305 – CANT RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH

I think everyone in the country likes the fact that it was Friday yesterday, probably the only think better about Friday is the fact that tomorrow is Sunday and that means good food and time to chill. Before we start thinking about Sunday we need to appreciate a good Friday, yesterday for the first time since 2017 I had that Friday feeling, you know that feeling that when it starts to get to 3/4ish your plans for the next few days start coming to mind and it all gets exciting.

One reason for me starting to get that Friday feeling was because I was going to see that new movie. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and do you know what it definitely lived up to what everyone has been saying about it, I literally cant recommend it enough. I really wish that I listened more in my media classes at school so I could now go on to write something really interesting about the characters and script, but unfortunately I was probably smoking round the back of the bike shed or causing some sort of mayhem during that lesson. So Ive done what every kid does when they need to give some answer but not really sure what the answer is, Ive gone to google and copied some reviews from there. Here are two reviews that I think really say what I want to say about the film.

Funny, brutal and breathtakingly beautiful. Two exceptionally raw lead performances, supercharged by a bold script from Martin McDonagh, could make Three Billboards this year’s Awards-upsetter. ” Terry White, Empire – Full review here *** SPOILER ALERT *

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/review/

“As we watch this wonderful movie we’re able to see who Mildred and all the others really are, and, better still, who they may become.” Joe Morganstern – Wall Street Journal Full review here – SPOILER ALERT – https://www.wsj.com/articles/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri-review-signs-of-life-too-vivid-to-miss-1510253127

I really hope a lot of you get to the cinema and see this film, it has to be one of my favourite films in a while. Today is a good day, Ive got fair amount of things I want to get done as well as tackling the growing pile of washing that has been building up in my wash bin. but first a coffee and maybe a little Saturday morning chill.

Heres my photos from yesterday, enjoy!

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– this dog has definitely got some skills when it comes to drawing –
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– who doesnt love a trip to the cinema –
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– Amy acknowledging it was really cold yesterday –

B304 – 7 MINUTE WORK OUT

Yesterday evening Amy and me watched The Truth About Getting Fit, it was this show that showed you how to get fit, what exercises todo when your injured and also how to do different workouts each day that don’t take up a lot of time or even really cost any money. They talked about a type of training called HIT (High Intensity Training) which is basically just working out hard for a short amount of time. This is something that has grabbed our attention, we don’t really have a lot of time to get down to the gym and to be honest I don’t really like them.

So after watching that show I downloaded this app called 7 minutes, what it basically does is run a timer and tell you what workouts you need todo, like push up for 30 seconds then a 10 seconds rest and the squats for 30 seconds. all this is done in 7 minutes and you come away from it feeling so much better.

That takes us to yesterday morning, we decided to get up at 6:30am and head out to this really cool spot in Victoria Park right next to the lake and by this cool oriental looking building. this was the location for our first 7 minute workout and to be honest it was a really cool spot and was the perfect way to start the morning. I forgot how good it feels to workout early in the morning, and is something I want todo more of, last year I was running pretty much every day until my injury. Now Im I still have a problem with my leg I use it as an excuse, I need to stop that. I can still work out, I just need todo it differently. Swim, cycle and daily 7 minute workouts. thats the way forward.

Sorry I didn’t do it this morning Amy, but I had to many beers last night I think. I promise Ill do it tonight.

Heres my photos from yesterday. Oh yea and Amy cooked some amazing chicken last night, I have no idea what you call it but it had all the good stuff in it! broccoli, spring onions, chilli’s and fried chicken!!! Ill try and get the recipe off her today and Ill post it at some point.

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– Yesterdays work out spot, could almost be somewhere in the countryside –
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– see that building in the background, thats we the workout took place –
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– Amys dinner, perfect for post workout food (i think) –

B302 – SOMETHING ON EVERY WALL

I forgot how hard it is to think of photos to post during a working week, its a completely different ball game all together and takes a lot of brain usage each day. but my thinking last night was what kind of typography you might see about London and the different kinds of advertising tactics that different companies use.

I feel that east London especially puts a lot of effort into the different types of advertising that is used, like the photo I took of the new Maze Runner film, they literally went all out on that thing, and painted a whole wall, then just to make it look that little bit better than stuck some UV lights at the top to make the whites stand out. but I think that my favourite photo from last night was when just by chance I looked up and saw that Jealous sign in Old Street, just by the American Car Wash for those of you that know the area. The way they have done that stands out so good for the area and its not completely in your face, I bet most people just walk past that and don’t even see it, then once you do notice it you wont ever forget its there. its genius. Then to give it some more depth, you wouldn’t even know why its there, so you do what I have done and go home to google it and find out its a framing and picture printing studio, I know it says print studio in the window but I genuinely thought that meant like magazine printing or something but now that has become somewhere I need to stop by and find out more about, as Ive started printing my own pictures but don’t really know enough about yet, so Jealous Printing studio has now become somewhere I need to explore more and maybe speak to them about helping me figure out the best way to print my photos.

Its now Wednesday morning and Im just getting ready to get out the door, so have a smasher of a Wednesday and hope you like these photos.

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– they’ve definitely done a good job with this one –
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– this must of taken ages todo! –
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– east london has got something writen on every wall! –