lifestyle – Page 4

B173 – YOU DON’T NEED A HELMET

September 23, 2017September 23, 2017 joshfspear3 Comments

I’m writing this a day before I actually need too, the next 48 hours are going to be a bit stressfull, so I thought I would do this post way before I need to just to make sure that its decent and not completely rubbish.

Today I wanted to post more pictures of the junk yard I went too a few days ago, just because it was something that I think is worth posting. The whole idea of taking photos at a place where you would think to take photos is what I like about this and its made me want to go to more junk yards and take photos.

The first photo I want to talk about is the guy riding the motorbike, in Illinois is legal to ride a motorbike without a helmet. Now for someone from London its completely weird to see people riding motorbikes around without a helmet on, it just doesn’t look normal. But it definitely adds to the cool factor, it makes motorbike riders look more like Nomads than part of a society. Like this guy, he’s just cruising around looking like he’s going nowhere but everywhere at the same time. the guys probably just on his way to get some milk for his family at home, but that’s not the impression he gives. I’m not sure if I agree with the helmet laws over here, but who I am to judge.

B169 (1 of 1)-15

For all these photos I used a Canon 20mm prime, shot in Black and White but also used RAW + JPEG format, but so I had the safety of using an Uncompressed image but was using Black and White as a reference. When you shoot in RGB but plan on changing the photo to B&W later on you shoot completely different and don’t think about the lighting as much as to when your only seeing B&W as an in camera reference.

My tip is to always shoot in the colour scale you plan to edit in and release you image as. I think it makes a huge different to the out come of your photo. Someone might say differently but by shooting RAW + JPG, you aren’t risking anything.

Here’s my other two photos. As your reading this, im currently on my way to an airport.

B169 (1 of 1)-12 — – I like the rough paint on the side of this truck –

B172 – THIS IS A PROPER PIZZA

September 22, 2017September 22, 2017 joshfspear2 Comments

I thought today I would have a look back at some Iphone snaps, Ive got a few days left of America before heading to Canada for a bit and then I will be heading home. So this seems like a good idea, since most of the time I carry my 5d with me where ever I go, there hasn’t been many iphone photos. Which is a bit annoying because I enjoy using my phone as a camera. its really good at just capturing photos in the moment and not as “set up” as a DSLR can be sometimes.

These photos from my phone, were taken around Chicago, the group of birds I think are king fishers but I’m not sure, they where all sitting on the grass by a road, I decided to jump out, try and sneak up on them and get a photo which didn’t really work out, they all bolted and flew off. which i think made for a cool photo the one time I didn’t have my camera and a good zoom lens and I see these. Next time ill be prepared.

B172 (1 of 1)-2 — – I quite like the fact these birds have flown off, i think it makes the photo better –

I want to show is the stupidly big Chicago deep pan pizza, which weighs about 5lbs. No joke. When I walked into the kitchen last night and saw only a big and small box to share I was bit worried it wasn’t going to be enough. That wasn’t the case, four slices later and I’ve loosened my belt and gone a bit dizzy. That thing wasn’t a pizza it was more like a quiche. Half pepperoni half sausage was more than enough to feed 5 people. What surprised me how well it all worked together, not only was this thing more like a challenge but it had taste, I eat 3 slices before my body even realised and then after half way through the 4^th, I hit the wall and it was all down hill after that. 16 hours later and I still haven’t eaten a thing.

B172 (1 of 1)-4 — – this was too much pizza for 5 people to eat, they are about an inch thick with mozzarella –

I don’t really have a reason for taking this photo, I was in Starbucks and it kind of made me chuckle how all these guys were studying, facing the same way and looked like they were all sat like you would be if you were doing a test. I kind of like the mood they set.

B172 (1 of 1) — – this looks like an intense study session –

Let me know what you think of this new layout and if you think it works.

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!

B169 (1 of 1) — – the caddy is something I want back home –

B169 (1 of 1)-8 — – black and white just adds to the photos –

B169 (1 of 1)-11 — – this tool was probably once pretty useful to someone –

B168 – COOL UNKNOWN AMERICA – CLASSIC VW MEET. PT.3

September 18, 2017September 17, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

A Few years ago I brought a 1967 VW Beach Buggy for my dad and me to drive, it was a sick little car when it worked and we would always need new parts or an MOT. The last time I took it for a spin, the accelerator peddle would get stuck on and the car would stop. which made of an interesting drive. when I brought that car at the age of 16, I could get insured and didnt even have a license, when I passed my test the insurance was so expensive it was really worth it.

Today my love for beach buggys has been re-lite. across the road from our hotel today was this VW car meet, with people selling parts and showing off their cars. The beach buggies were pretty impressive but thats not the main reason I decided to go, I love looking at those cars and seeing people impression but I wanted to photograph the people who import all this, it cant be easy finding classic VW parts in Silver Lake Chicago, it must take a network of people to find all the small parts like a 60’s Beetle speedometer or a carb and its these people that I want to photograph.

I was speaking to a few people about what its like selling old VW car parts and the life style it brings and the whole thing is pretty interesting, every purchase has to be calculated and thought about. can they use it on there projects or can it be cleaned restored and sold on. its definitely something which has to be a hobby first and then maybe possible make a living from it down the line maybe.

What my favourite thing about these classic cars is the fact that none of them are standard, everyones added their own personality to them, like the crazy Mexican’s who have built a massive table football on the back of there VW camper and then all just play football and laugh, its their two favourite things football and VWs coming together in a way that you wouldnt find in the back of a toyota Prius. classic VW’s just seem to have a personality that no other car has.

anyway enough of hearing my views, heres my snaps. By the way these were all shot on a 20mm 2.8 canon lens. I think its my new favourite lens.

B168 (1 of 1)-3 — – VW camper, table football edition –

B168 (1 of 1)-6 — – these guys were selling old VW manuals and magazines, just happy to be there –

B168 (1 of 1)-8 — – he was happy really –

B168 (1 of 1)-9 — – this photo just made me smile –

B165 – The Cool Side of Unknown America – photography project

September 15, 2017September 15, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

So today was has been my best day so far, I had 146 views. so thank you to everyone who checked my post out. which is putting me on target of getting 12,000 overall views for the whole year I’m doing this photo challange, which is probably annoying a lot of you with my posts each’ day. its the end of a long long shoot day in pretty hot temperatures here is St.louis missouri, and for once im pretty happy to be in the best western hotel room. anit nothing wrong with some cheap bed sheets and thin walls.

its days like this were I really cant think of any to write and the urge to fall asleep is taking over. the last 45 mintues has been spent editing photos ive quickly taken through out the day, i really cant complain becuase im pretty happy with them. my plan before I came out to america was to just take nice photos each day. but that plan has kind of changed, as im here working and meeting people that you wouldn’t meet everyday, I think my plan now is to show life in america away from the tourist routes, like New York, LA, Nashville and Florida. I want to try and get across what everyday america looks like, from the cool little houses, to the massive stretches of roads. All of that is important, it gives an under the cover look at america. for a country with so much personality and with the constant cool factor, it think I should concentrate on showing the cool side to unknown america. maybe thats what I will call this project within a porject. “THE COOL SIDE OF UNKNOWN AMERICA”. great brainstorming session guys, youve really helped me to nail this one. for the rest of my time in american, Im going to try and show you the cool side to this great and crazy country.

If this fails in 5 days time, im sorry. but heres my first snaps from this project inside a project. I think for day one of cool unknown america, I should show where people live and the roads they use. this is never going to be political photos, just cool pictures from inside the bigger picture of america. I dont even know what im going to write about for the daily posts, but im sure we will figure it out. if you have anything you think I should include, please let me know.

165 (1 of 1) — – the view from my room, this morning there was “loads of fog” they should see biggin hill in January! –

B165 (1 of 1) — – over here the car is king and more importantly the pick up truck is in charge, everyone uses the pick up truck –

165 (1 of 1)-2 — – the most american house I ever did see, it ever had a swinging chair on the porch –

B159 – SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

September 9, 2017September 9, 2017 joshfspear4 Comments

So it seems these past few days Ive been in a bit confused as to what day this is of me posting, Ive been sat at my laptop trying to figure out how I messed up counting. but ive figured it out and its all correct now I think.

its my first proper day in the south and its a really cool place, everyone it proper nice and just happy to chat, from the people in Walmart to the guys we are down here filming. At the moment its around 26 degrees, I have no idea what that is in fahrenhiet, but apparently its not too bad for this part of the world, the hurricane has brought down the temperature a bit.

tonight we went to some bar in town and had a few beers and some food, it was good to speak to people from this area and to learn about them and how they live compared to life growing up in London. I completely forgot that its legal to carry guns in this part of the world and when I saw a gun at the bar, it was a bit of a shock. drinking a pint and carry a gun at the same time is something Ive never seen, but thats how they live so as long as my nights not ruined, who I am to judge.

Im happy to be there and looking forward to seeing more of this place and definitely think I should come back not for work, but to take cool photos and get to know the people better. I want to explore the south more and really see what this place is about, it’s full of people with a lot of stories to tell.

on another hand the food is crazy, today I tried deep fried corn on the cob, its not for me, I dont think I will ever be eating that again. ill stick to the way my mum does it. Burnt.

159 (1 of 1)-3 — – Taking photos of striaght roads is pretty fun for some reason –

159 (1 of 1) — – Hurricane Irma has emptied the shelves –

B154 – see ya later London

September 3, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

Just at the airport waiting to get on my flight, so thought I should get this post in now.

First stop on the list is Toronto and then on to the states, I think. Yesterday was my last day in London, so did all those things like breakfast, pack and eat some more. Lucky I managed to get some clothes washed and fresh socks. Not sure if I have enough Clothes for the month but we will just have to see.

A big shout of out to apple for fixing my phone yesterday evening. I really needed an unlocked phone that works, and they basically saved me a load of money. There’s a first for everything.

Looking at my schedule for the next 20 something days it’s going to be hard to keep these post updated at 10am each day, so it could be any time really. I’m determined to to let it slip but we will just have to see.

– brunch’n, yesterday at borough market –

– I’m not going to miss this, the underground –

B153 – 3 pictures of a pigeon

September 2, 2017 joshfspearLeave a comment

Right I’m sorry but today’s post is just three pictures of a pigeon. I wish I had more to write about but prepping for this trip is taking up all my time, I literally stepped out the office to get an amazon parcel. When I saw a pigeon and took the chance to chase it around this mini park. I think I managed to pull it off and get the shot.
Sorry for the short post, but I’m just really busy at the moment. I promise tomorrow will be a good one.

B151 – it was nearly over

August 31, 2017August 30, 2017 joshfspear1 Comment

the day were failing at post 3 photos each day was nearly here. ive had a pretty long day and a few technical problems a long the way but nothing that can be sorted and the only picture Ive taken today was of two people playing the guitar on the street. I literally just took one photo and I’ve been starring at a computer screen all day. its been one of those days where you genially just want to watch some crappy tv and sleep.

Well thats no happening now, im doing the true brit thing, Ive put the kettle on and im about to smash out four photos, screw doing just three im going to post four, just becuase I can. my thinking is, over this weekend I took so many sick photos and have a few cool stories and that I should post them and give you guys some content, i can do what I like.

At the weekend, Amy’s mum was baking some cakes, all of them were really tastey, but one went a bit wrong, it didnt rise or something. she was about to throw it away and start again, but that saying waste not want not popped up, so I though I would give this whole bake off thing a go and see if I could make something out of it. a biscuit cutter and some walnut sprinkles later and you have a finished bake off worthy cake.

please see below, ill leave the guessing up to you as to which one is my cake and which one Amys mum made. just a little bit of a guessing game for ya.

On a different topic, that picture I took today of those two people with the guitar, none of it is in focus, its not even straight and you cant even see the whole guitar. im not really sure if any of that matters. its street photography. but I would like to know what anyone think, is there a certain level of photography that goes into or can a perfect photo from the street just be right place right time. i think ive got away with it and can all it photography.

this post is a bit jumpy and all over the place, but so am I tonight.

B151-1 — – this was the only photo I took today –

B151-1-4 — – was this my attempt at saving the cake –

B151-1-5 — – or was this my attempt at saving the cake –