Tag: London

B222 – DO YOU THINK I DID THE RIGHT THING?

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I need some help, basically today I gave this homeless man £20 so he could get two weeks in a hostel for the Homeless put together by the Crisis charity, Ive had a look online and trying to work out if I’ve been hustled or not? my biggest mistake was not getting his name or taking his picture, he seemed genuine but I just want to find out if he actually spent the money on a bed, im thinking was two weeks is a good amount of time to get your stuff in order, I just hope he didn’t spend it on crack or alcohol. does anyone know how I can find out if he did get shelter? Its nice to be nice right?

In other news, today amy and myself set out on a mission which involved going to this fabrics store and also picking up some paint. I’m talking about mission up cycle our dinning table, I can that is was a complete success and I will share a photo of the table once its completely finished but I have to say we are both really happy with how its turned out. at first it was a bit touch and go with the varnish but once we realised it got darker as it dried the problem was solved.  I think we have both got a bit of a bug for this kind of thing now and definitly think we should up cycle some more stuff, I, also now the proud owner of a proper staple gun and really want to see what this thing can do.

so its been a bit of a busy afternoon and its now pretty late, tomorrow I have an early start and need to be up and with my a game for a short film I’m working on tomorrow. its definitely time to get some sleep.

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– Amy having a look through the millions of fabric, im suprised that we still arent in there looking at different patterns –

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– the staple gun, me and her and going to get really close over the next few months –

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– Brick lane has it all, ive missed this place –
 

 

B221 – THIS IS BIG NEWS!

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Firstly I just want to say sorry for this post being late, Ive done what everyone needs todo every now and again, have a proper lay in. Not a Jet lag weird sleep thing but a proper lay in, may be it had something todo with the hangover im experiencing at the moment or maybe its just my body enjoying a beautiful Saturday like it deserves.

The big news of today is that Ive done something that Ive wanted todo for a long time but haven’t had the focus to and that gets some prints made of one of my favourite photos. The reason its taken so long is because I didn’t just want to get the prints made straightway, the thing is I know nothing about paper or printing but understand that printing is a massive part of photography so I needed to go and speak with someone to understand more about the paper, geeky I know but who wouldn’t want to spend their lunch hour looking at different types of paper. In the end I went for the Hahnemuhle Pearl paper, which is 285gram per sheet of pure paper magic.

Im not expecting to sell loads of prints and its mainly to keep my parents of moaning at me that I need to get some made so they can put one up in their Living room. its quite exciting though and will be good to know if people actually like my photos I suppose. Ive got three already packaged up and ready to go and another two that might take a bit more time to get out the door, but I promise if you do order one I will get it to you as quick as possible and if you live in London I will personally deliver it to you! and I will also ship anywhere world wide but postage in the UK is free. World wide I’m going to have charge you extra, sorry thats just the way it is.

Heres the link to the print!

https://joshfspear.com/about/prints/

right, any way its now time for a Nandos and kick this hangover.

Get buying people!

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– so happy with how my prints have turned out –
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– me examining paper –
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– this was a good paper, heavy which is better –

 

B220 – THE ITV GALA 2017

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Today I was working at the ITV Gala, which is an event put on by ITV for its massive teams both in front of the camera and behind, it was an event full of all the stars from their biggest shows and big bosses. This post is now especially hard because my one golden rule is that I never post on social media about these jobs unless its already gone out on TV or if it doesn’t give to much away. I just don’t want to cross that line which makes me look unprofessional. I normally just ignore the day but as I now post three photos each day and today has revolved completely around this event, I don’t have a choice.

One thing I think is completely fair to say is the London Palladium is a pretty cool venue but it’s literally like a rabbit run and even after 13 hours of being there I still have no idea where anything was or even how to find the toilet.

The one thing I love about these types of jobs is that I get to see a bunch of old friends and have those catch ups with people that I might not of seen for a year or more. nothing is better than walking around a venue full of people and bumping into someone you might not of seen for 2 / 3 years and having a little catch up, its kind of one of those perks to the job. I remember a chat I had with my school teachers and my mum when they wanted to know why I was always late to class and the excuse was because I would just get chatting to someone in the corridor and end up like 5 minutes late to class, that problem really feels like its followed me through into my job but only this time Ive grown up so now Ive learnt to walk and chat, rather than just stand still.

If you have ever been to London you will know that the famous road called Oxford street is one of the busiest streets around and probably also one of my favourite, it was the first street I got to properly figure out and know where everything was when I started working in the city and now I hardly visit it which is a bit annoying. most of my work is based in east london or somewhere outside of the M25. Im going to start making the journey over to Oxford Street more often, thats a promise.

So for me to get back there today was actually a nice treat and when I managed to get some spare time,  I decided to venture out and grab a coffee and as you can imagine when I saw a middle age man stop in the middle of the tube entrance and pose of a selfie with the “oxford street” sign I could pull out my phone quick enough to take a photo. its crazy how so much can be happening on one street is such a sort period of time, there is always something to photograph on Oxford street.

Anyway enough of my chatting on, here are my photos from today.

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– I took this shot as everyone was leaving, I made a quick escape after the show – im kind of jealous I didnt go for a drink but I know tomorrow morning Ill know it was the right decision –
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– this guy made going to get a coffee so much better –
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– I wonder if anyone has ever brought a t shirt from this guy? next time i see a stall I think I might have to pick one up –

 

 

B218 – BACK TO THE OFFICE

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Back in london now and back to work, but I though it would be a good idea to show some more photos from paris. before I start blabbering on, how good was Amy’s first post yesterday, she got 81 page views in total which for a day is pretty good! we just need to think of a name for her blog now? what are you views on http://www.joshisdabest.com ?

As you read on yesterdays post we spent most of the time walking around just exploring the city and looking for mussels and chips. Paris is on of those cities which Ive been to  fair amount of times but just enjoy going to, I also try and not visit the same place twice until Ive seen enough of the world, but Paris is an exception. I cant go to that city enough, and as its a train ride away from London St. Pancras it literally couldn’t be easier.

But considering im now laying in bed on Wednesday morning trying to think of a good reason to lay here all day, but also knowing that in a few minutes I’ve got to get up and go to work I know that the fun little adventure at the weekend is now well and truly over. Ive decided that todays pictures should be in Black and White because that city looks so good in B&W and also because its no in the past it kind of works quite well for showing off some of the extra sights we saw.

Today Im determined to take my camera to work with me and start showing off some of London on my Lunch Break, see how far away from the office I can on my lunch break or something. Off the top of my head I think I can make it at least 5 miles. wish me luck!

 

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– le eiffel tower –
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– not sure what building this is, I just like the way the road line leads your eye up to it –
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– this is a proper french cafe –

 

 

 

B213 – THE FREEMASONS!

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Dad you’ll like this fact, so where I am in Massachusetts is home to the oldest fraternity in the world. The Freemasons, they literally are from where I am right now, they even have a load of Freemason lodges in the area where if you are part of them you can go a stay. thats pretty cool.

Im not sure if they are the same as we have in the UK but from there website it sounds like they are. Here, its a brotherhood for men to make connections work or life related and be part of “something bigger”.For the people who dont know what the Freemasons are the best way I can describe it, the organisation is a bit like an Adult scout’s group meets Social club. its full of traditions and teaches important life skills, but also it’s there for men to look out for one another. Im not saying I completely agree with this idea, but  it is a part of  our history and something that is still relative to us today i suppose, so we should really at least try to understand it.

Heres their website, have a look and see what you think. I mean if anyone can join and they just have a good time, eat good food, socialise, while having the odd secrete handshake, I don’t see a problem with it.

http://massfreemasonry.org/what-is-freemasonry/#!/brotherhood/

Im just kind of happy Ive managed to see another part of the world I probably would never have seen if it wasn’t for this job. Im now 213 days down  on the blog and really feel like my photos are getting better. today on my drive through Palma, Massachusetts, I saw this motor bike parked outside some 1960’s america cafe and as I went to take the photo I completely got the focus wrong, and as I pressed the shutter a red mustang drove past, 6 months ago I would probably have written the photo off as a fail, but today I looked at it and really liked how it turned out. a lot of photography, is purely about being in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing. that was difficult thing I had to understand when I first started this photo challenge thing, going out for 10 minutes once a week to take photos is pointless. but now I feel confident in my photos and seem to always be carrying my camera around with me, I think I’m slowly starting to get some cool photos from places I’ve been.

Here are my photos from today, its my last full day in america before I head back to London from all of 15 hours before I leave for my next trip and it should be a good one, I’ve been excited about this one for a while and cant wait to share the photos with you.

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– the home of the freemasons –
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– this photo, out of focus but I really like the colour in this shot, give its a 35mm feel –
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– the type of place Im in at the moment, surrounded by proper wildness –

 

B206 – I’m outta here 

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right Ive got to start this post by saying Ive had a few to drink, so sorry for any spelling mistakes of problems with this post. Its been our last night in New York before heading back to London and Ive loved spending time and working here. we move on to the next state tomorrow and im looking forward what it has to offer.

each day of these post I aim to write 300 hundreds words, 100 words for each picture. i think thats pretty responsible.  its not too many and  not too less. the one thing about photograhy is writing about your photos I hate it. but it kind of make sense, if you take a picture you should be able to write about that picture, end of. so thats why now when I take a certian photo, I always think about how I will explain that photo to someone. its definitely something I need to work on and from now on Im definitely going to make an effort to improve, just so my work can get taken seriously.

america has been a weird place to spend time, its not like anywhere else in the world. its got its own views and its own lawers. so of which are wrong and some are just a bit hazy. but I hope this country can take its own lead and some day show the world what makes this place a cool country.

anyway im just a young kid whos had the chance to see this place, some day I want to bring amy here and have a holiday here, but for now Im just looking forward to getting back to the uk and painting my flat.

its been 206 days since I started this blog and I cant wait to spend some time working on my house!!! michelle spear you are a legend and the blinds look great. christmas 2018 at 315, city view house!

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– we managed todo this trick at the bar –

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– new york at lunch time 0

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– welcome –
 

B197 – AFTER TWO MONTHS ITS FINALLY HAPPENED!

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Today is a bit of a special day, today was the day that i actually had a home cooked meal, not just something from a restaurant but some home cooked vegetables, home made pasta and some other ingredients that I’m not too sure what they were called.  Its a massive difference from the normal late night Italian or Chinese that I’m used too and I genuinely cant complain. I did end up have this really large cookie for desert but to be honest it was home made so doesn’t really matter. When im firmly back at home thats one thing im going todo more, I want to cook good proper food without the added salt or other things.

other than my rant about food, today I was back in this sleepy part of New Jersey, and to be honest its one of my favourite places Ive been. growing up in some sleepy part of London in a town called Biggin Hill, I know people think its this tough place just outside bromley but its really not. sorry, but its just not. anyway I think that part of me loves the idea of living in some quite town somewhere just enjoying life and moving at a slower pace. its weird because at the moment I love living in the city, sounded by constant noise and always something todo, but I can definitely see myself moving to the countryside when Im older in a place a bit like Bedmister, New Jersey and just having fun. Places like this would make me get up early and go take photos or ride my bike constantly.

Its just one of those things, if you love the country side then I think you will alway want to call that home. anyway heres my photos from today, I really wanted to show the sleepy side to living in the “sticks” but I couldn’t resist showing off what I had for dinner.

enjoy.

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– this lady is just sat enjoying her tuesday –
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– so is this man –
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– nothing beats a home cooked dinner –

B190 – HOW HAVE I NOT DONE THIS YET

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Its been 190 days since I started this blog and I still cant believe this hasn’t come up before. Im talking about dedicating a post the Restaurant across the road La Forchetta, the place for food in East London and possibly London (bar charlotte street which is home to Siam central) has the best food. 

La Forchetta is on Bethnal green road just up by the Underground station and a stones throw away from Mcdonalds, if you can see Mcdonalds you can see La Forchetta. some people might think this is a biased opinion on my behalf but I can honestly say anyone who goes there would agree there pizza’s are the best and the service is up there too, not voodoo rays friendly where people just slag off politicians and talk about vintage markets, then charge you £4 a slice of pizza and a £1 for a pot of Ketchup. but La Forchetta is somewhere thats stood the test of time and proven that good food doesn’t have to be expensive, they even offer the occasional post dinner shot of Lemoncello.

The main waiter’s been there since I started going like 3 years ago and from what I can tell has been running the place ever since. He’s a pretty quite guy but always up for chucking a few jokes out there every now and again.

Living in London is a weird thing, before I moved here I didn’t think I would find an area and spend 99% of my time there, but thats not the case. when Im in London its almost like my life revolves around a 2 mile square radius  full of pubs, shops and things todo when Im bored and inside that radius is where I feel at home. Then I might travel to west London and that could be a different world for all I know, full of different shops and people. its definitely true what they say about people not leaving the area in London. from now on I’m going to make a more conscious decision to try and break that cycle and start seeing new parts of this city.

but for now, I’m packed and ready for my next destination, tomorrow morning I leave for New York. see you in 24 days London!

Anyway enough of the talking, heres some of the photos from today.

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– theres no pizza that can compete –

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– they even have a picture of the godfather up and an actual boat stuck on the wall –

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– these olives maybe from a local supermarket but that doesn’t matter –
 

B189 – ITS FINALLY HAPPENED A TRUE GAME CHANGER

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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.

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– a proper cup of tea –
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– 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 –
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– this is amy sitting on the floor asking if we can stop running about doing things now –

 

B188 – GOPRO GOPRO GOPRO

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As some of you may know it was my birthday yesterday and I was given a Gopro from Amy. Since they came out Ive wanted to have my own Gopro, but just never got round to getting it. well yesterday Amy made that happen, so naturally all my photos yesterday were taken on the Gopro.

We weren’t jumping off cliffs or anything life that, just out of a family meal at some local pub near me called the white bear for a roast. fast forward 12 hours and im now sat on my sofa, writing this post, really wishing I had wrote it last night. Im in full Monday Morning mood, and need to pull myself off this sofa and actually get dressed.

Ive got one of those days again where an extra 3 hours fitted inbetween 2 and 3 O’clock would make a whole lot of difference to my day, but I suppose thats not going to happen so I just got to do what I can.

Back to the Gopro, this thing is insane. My main reason for like it, was because its basically josh friendly, I can drop it, submerge it underwater and it wont break. 95% of the time when my camera’s break its my fault, but now I really think this camera will be able to stand up to what ever I put it through. Im really looking till I can use the gopro for what its made for, capturing those crazy moments, that a normal camera cant or just doesnt get. maybe its time to finally learn todo backflips and see how they look on camera.

but for now its time to pull myself off the sofa, make myself look half presentable for work and head out the door and kick off those Monday Morning blues, otherwise I think Ill just end up sitting on the sofa watching netflix and not doing anything ever again.

Heres som photos I took yesterday with the Gopro. its not a 5D, but its definitely going to be fun to use.

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– I love birthday cake –
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– no idea how this happened, but I kind of like the effect –
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– running round after flo trying to get a decided picture of her is not easy –