Fu Log

I've got the shakes

2011-10-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

After it's little boo boo, I still haven't managed to put my camera through surgury. 2years on it's still functioning without a flash but not to it's full potential.

However,we're always told to look at things on the bright side. So one cool thing my camera can do is produce these 'Trance mode' blur effects. Radical.

These are pics from dinner last Friday night at Sarasa. I love (d) Sarasa. Nice space, cheap no fail meals (e.g Salmon cream cheese salad and bbq Chicken), a bookshelf full of nostalgic manga, Jenga and good looking staff (ones who pretend they don't give a fuck about how they look but actually gives a fuck). But last Friday they gave us too much of the too cool vibe that I've totally cooled off Sarasa.

Anyway, enough complaining about people who don't like to smile and more photos of people who make me smile. Mia friends!

Look Ikon with no head!

The only non shakey photo of the evening

We like the no heads effect.

Introducing Junku Newcleus

2011-09-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

Well ahem, there's been a bit of neglect going on. Well I've been cheating on my blog and been working on another..........This is awkward......

Well haven't had much time to pick up a camera lately (can you see I like to make excuses) I havn't taken many photos. But if I did, I aspire to take photos like Junku Newcleus.....another of my favorite photographers.

Junku has a knack of capturing human emotions. His photos are just so damn emotional, so brilliant.

In fact the other day, I emailed him to confess my die hard groupy love. Luckily he wasn't creeped out and sent me a lovely reply! Love him.

Introducing Miss Aleyna Martinez a.k.a Masala

2011-08-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

Now I'm not being bias when I say my good gal pal Masala's mixtape is amazing!! Because it is just that.

Masala released her mixtape 'girl interrupted' just over a couple of weeks ago. I even got over my fear of downloading music so I can vibe on my girl's creation. This year she went through one of the toughest moments when she lost her husband in a car crash.

Listening to tracks dedicated to Rob got me all teary. Not just because the tracks reflected all the love she had for her best friend but it showed her strength and showed what an amazing lady she is. Her flow is honest and it's all her.

You can download her mixtape on www.mediafire.com/?k1xxzoka1j9cxbj

I especially like the track 'Take me back'.

I took these photos of her a week before I left to Japan in 2009. The photos are a bit shaky because of my busted camera. Next time I take photos of Masala, I'll make sure my skills and camera are on the next level. Just like her.

Be@rbricks

2011-08-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

I did a mini excited jig as I stumbled across these giant Be@rbricks in the back streets of Shibuya. I just wish I had a buddy with me so I could have taken a monumental photo standing next to these monstrous bears. I need to learn how to approach strangers to take my photos and stop feeling like a reject.

These Be@rbricks were placed in Shibuya to promote the Be@rbricks exhibition in Parco.

A trip back in time

2011-07-28T06:20:00.000-07:00

One year after leaving Sasebo Nagasaki, I went back to visit special friends and revisit the city I learned to love.

I remember the day I nervously opened my 'JET placement' email. I stared at the screen for a good minute as these foreign words 'Sasebo Nagasaki' stared back at me. I quickly typed these words into google.

According to Google, Sasebo was a city of 'Navy men', 'Sasebo burgers' and 3 horrific murders. I cried. I was torn. Should I leave my comfortable life of drinking lattes, being surrounded by my family and friends to this city (which according to Google) the best thing they had to offer were men in uniform and fatty burgers.

I'm glad I took the chance. The joker card I drew became the best decision I ever made.

All this monkey needs now is a FaceBook page

2011-07-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

This Indonesian Macaque monkey seized the opportunity and stole a camera off a wild life photographer and took this self portrait.

I think it's genius. The best self portrait I've seen in a while.

An honest and endearing depiction of the subject. Highlighting his assets but not concealing his flaws.

Now if I was the monkey, I might be less honest.........

Shibuya

2011-07-05T06:52:00.000-07:00

I think even after 2years, this is one of my favorite photos I've taken in Japan.

Re-introducing Nabil

2011-06-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

Last time I introduced him as a photographer, this time I'll introduce him as a filmmaker. Nabil the man with so many faces, one entry is just not enough to expose his greatness.

I'm a tad late talking about this but Nabil took on the role to create 'Bouncing cats ' a documentary film on one man's mission to empower the youth of war torn Uganda with the power of breakdancing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbF6UPmVhJA

Having only recently discovered how to watch movies online ( recently as in 2days ago). I havn't managed to watch the film yet, but from viewing the trailer, you can tell the movie is going to be filled with Nabil magic. Oh the composition, oh the angles, oh the vision.

If you continue reading, I'll tell you an interesting back story to Nabil who now shoots for Kanye, Jeremy Scott, Common and more. He was shooting concerts all around Chicago when he came across a than not so well known Kanye West. Seeing star potential and wanting to shoot Kanye (with a camera) he tried locating him through 'www.kanyewest.com' but the domain wasn't active. By impulse, Nabil decided to buy the domain. A few weeks later, Kanye signed with Rockafella and the company called Nabil to buy the domain off him. Nabil bargained, he will give them the domain if Rockafella allowed him to shoot Kanye's first promo shoot......and the rest they say is history.

What a smart and talented man. I want his babies................I mean skills

Can we all be photographers?

2011-06-20T04:15:00.000-07:00

Just the other day, this guy showed me his new application on his iphone. The application translated anything you said into the mic into all kind of languages........in like 3seconds flat! I just had my very first skype session last month so this was just too much for me. Technology is creepy yet just so amazing.

But really how amazing is your talent?....(I'm not talking about you don't worry). With a press of a button or some fancy application, seems like anyone can be a DJ, producer, a singer (crank up that auto tune) or a photographer.

Famous and proactive Mexican Photographer Pedro Meyer raises the question 'Are too many people taking photos?' And really is that a bad thing?

Interesting article, what do you think?

www.zonezero.com//zz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1234%3Aare-too-many-people-taking-photographers&cantid=1%3Apedro-meyers-editorial&lang=en

Pedro Meyer known for his provocative photography.

The power of photography

2011-06-19T01:17:00.000-07:00

What better way to truly capture the emotion and the realness of the Tohoku earthquake then let the people tell the story themselves.

Hirano Aichi, a Japanese photographer gave 50 disposable cameras to the victims of the earthquake. This blog is an online gallery of the photos taken by the people. The power of photography. Beautiful.

www.rolls7.com

Tokyo-the reverse make over

2011-06-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when you're in a big city, all that big city glory inspires you to pimp yourself up. Get a new hair cut, go buy a new outfitt and just the buzz in the air will make you glow. Then there are times like these, when it does the total opposite. Tokyo sucked us dry and took away our shine. Tokyo, defeated us. But we liked it! After a day of shopping, a night at a hipstar party, having 3hours sleep, hitting Cirq du Soliel, this is the result.

The before (7.30pm Saturday night)
And the after (Sunday 8.00pm) we're so pretty

Look what I found!!

2011-06-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

Oh hello Myspace, I thought you were lost and forgotten in cyberspace. Found a few of my old photos from my abandoned Myspace (it's like zombie town in there).Even ones from 2002 taken on my beloved Nikon, (gasp) analog camera. Xx

My sister getting a tattoo 2002

Youth protest (I'm sure this young'n is like 5) 2007

My final high school photography assignment 2003

Bodyrock 2007

Emos reunite youth protest 2007

Vday

2011-06-04T23:49:00.000-07:00

I had the chance to shoot my dear friend Vitor Espirito Santo....I love saying his name....makes me feel all Latin. The shoot was a test run but there will be more to come. Xx

New York Round 2

2011-06-02T07:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my fav photos from my New York trip.......which took place 2months ago.......I don't think I need to tell you I'm pretty rubbish at updating my blog.

Man waits at the subway

J'adore le New York

Le Bum

In New York, even an old lady walking all wobbly looks great in photos.

A New York entry

2011-04-17T04:38:00.000-07:00

A picture speaks a thousand words...... Well it's your lucky day, instead of one picture you get a thousand words.

New York day 1

I clutched on to my three bags as I made my way into the city from the airport. As rats ran past my feet and the crazy guy by the stairs ranted about Jesus, the thought 'this was a bad idea' danced around my head.

I felt guilty thinking travelling through Brooklyn was dangerous. It's not that I felt unsafe, but I felt valuable. After all I was channeling 'crazy bag lady' with my three bags. Infact I think I WAS the craziest looking person on the train. My two day old make up was just clinging on to my face and my hair was slicked back with whatever the bathroom sink had to offer.

Th 20hour+ travelling was hitting me from every angle. If anyone glanced my way, I stared back at them with a look that said 'Don't mess with the mess. I know what you're up to'. The result? No one messed with this mess.

After a long paranoid subway ride and an uneventful taxi ride, I arrived in China town to catch the ghetto bus. Oh and was ghetto bus ghetto. But only paying 10dollars a ride from NY to Philly, what did I expect? Well something a tad more aromatic.

I always imagined China town being this made up town for foreigners to get a 'taste' of China. Oh there is nothing made up about that town. The smell, the yelling, the 3 generation Chinese family carrying their bag full of Bok Choy down the street. That place is as real as it gets.

3 and a half hours later (it was only suppose to take 2), I arrived in Philly. 3 blocks short from my stop but I couldn't complain. I was in Philly and soon to be reunited with my gal pal Mutia.

Oh look there was a picture after all.

Help Portrait

2010-11-17T05:16:00.000-08:00

HELP-PORTRAIT is a movement of photographers using their cameras to give back to those in need (the homeless, single moms, the sick etc). What's great about it that it's about GIVING the picture to these ...people and not about TAKING the picture.

On DECEMBER 4TH the Help potrait community is getting together to take photos of people in need. So all the photographers out there grab your camera and make someone's day.

In New Zealand theres a community in Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch

In Japan, there's only a Help Portrait community in Tokyo but you can always create one in your area:)

http://help-portrait.com/

Sending out good vibes to New York via the universe

2010-11-16T05:57:00.000-08:00

So speak of a New York trip round2 with Jess has got me feeling all tingly inside. This is why I want to go back...

for all the crazy fabulous people

for all the hot men!

for all the accidental street art

for the freedom

and for all the fantastic New York fun I'll have with Jess

Inspiration has gone

2010-11-16T05:19:00.000-08:00

My bff Inspiration has gone on a vacation. A very long vacation. Last scene 3months ago, maybe he's in Thailand, maybe he's in New York. Come back! I'm right where you left me.

I havn't picked up my camera for so long. Well that's a lie. I've picked up a camera, but taking my fisheye on a nightly stroll has limited inspiration. I live in Kyoto, a city that oozes beauty and everyday I come across something that makes me think 'I love you Kyoto'. So why?

Pretty much the only photo of Kyoto I've taken is this Church. Church.

Emo blog Ima let you finish in a minute but Goma was the best cat of all time!!

2010-09-19T05:40:00.000-07:00

After three failed starts to this blog, I still don't know how this is going to flow. Because no matter I write will really capture the awesomeness (it's my blog I create words) of Goma.

Having him for 18years of my life, not just exisitng as a pet but being my go to guy when ever I needed a pick me up. My animal friend.

But old cat you were old. You had a great life and I will miss you bucket loads. Emo blog is officialy over. xx

My last date with a speacial lady in Kyoto

2010-08-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

My last few days with a special lady called Mutia Adisoma. Love you more than Matcha flavoured Ice cream. Will miss you my friend, wish you all the best with you adventures.xx

Sorry isn't the hardest word to say.......

2010-07-18T03:44:00.000-07:00

Elton John got it all wrong. Well maybe it's just me but saying 'Good bye' is harder. My week has been full of good byes....tearful ,heartbreaking good byes. I had a choice, and I decided to leave. So I feel a bit silly turning on the water works all the time but to think I will not set a foot into Atago and Ohno Junior High to teach again? It's easy for a drop or two to escape my eyes.

I love these kids and I love the teachers. I always will. Thank you for the good (and the bad times) thank you for making me realise things I never would have. Thank you for all the amazing memories and the amazing gifts. This is the end to a wonderful year.... but as my wise successor told me 'saying good byes means saying Hello to a new life'. This quote is going to get me through my next adventure.

Okinawa excursion

2010-05-18T05:31:00.000-07:00

These photos are old. Like hop on your time machine we will be tracking back to September 2009 but stumbling across the album again, I decided it deserves a bit of lime light. Okinawa, a 5day excursion.Naha was pretty much a concrete jungle but just an hour out Okinawa becomes Okinawa. Beaches, sun and good times. Bliss. X

No Tokyo no life

2010-05-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

Of course life goes on without having Tokyo in your life. But this 'No Blank, No life' thing seems to be some trend catch phrase in Japan at the moment. So far I've stumbled across..... No music no life, No beer no life, no whiskey no life, no surfing no life and no
condom, no life.

Anyways Tokyo trip round2 was awesome, was able to sink my teeth into the juicer and sweeter side of Tokyo this time round. Must go back!

This is what I found....

2010-05-02T06:46:00.001-07:00

What last post January 8th!!!!!!!!!!!! Agh, so really I'm not really good at keeping track of this. I should really be like Kanye who posts like 10 new posts a day on his blog......did I just say I should be more like Kanye West... must be tired.

Anyway, going through my albums these are a mish mash of what WOULD HAVE been posted in the last few months if I was a dedicated human being. No words, the pictures will speak out.

Tight like a Tigurrrrrrrrr

2010-01-08T18:12:00.000-08:00

Hello 2010,HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!
This was my first adult new years in Japan, knowing that Japan's interpretation of New Years was more to do with eating buckwheat noodles and watching bad variety programs,I thought I'll be hanging up my dancing shoes and leaving that bottle in the fridge. Oh, life I adore you how you prove me so wrong sometimes!

Being in Kyoto and having my amazing sister there, we left the house to find this party at a club. Not knowing where to go led us to the one of the most randomest bestest (I know these aren't words but they are for now) night ever.

I asked these two random guys infront of the combini store for directions to the club. They turned out to be two great guys with GREAT music taste and who were great fun to be with. We ended up hanging out all night,even ended up in another city. If we didn't turn that corner or if I didn't ask these guys for directions, the night would have been completley different.Great start to the year, the year of the tiguurrrrrrrrr, it's going to be awesome.
Here's a mish mash of the night.

Under the sea and then over on a boat....on a mother f@@ckn boat!!

2009-09-16T06:09:00.000-07:00

Seals, dolphins, giant sea turtles, we saw them all. Since leaving New Zealand seems like I've replaced the concrete jungle with some nature and cuddly animals. I'm a changed women. We top off the day with a boat......boat ride for 3 I might add.

Yeah I got it......

2009-07-22T05:07:00.000-07:00

Rolling stones MJ edition!! Frankly after the third day, I got sick of hearing media/news updates about his death his ex wife, neverland etc etc etc. Leave the poor man to rest. Anyway, The Rolling stones tribute was nicely done. It's definalty one I want to keep in the memory box. Some real cool photos are in there as well, especially the cover.And the pull out poster just made me all giggly and excited....reminded me of the days of buying a copy of TV hits and putting a poster of Leonardo Dicaprio on my wall.....ummm.... Go buy a copy!

Too much juice not enough shots

2009-07-20T05:23:00.000-07:00

I got way too excited about the Kick Back, consumed too much liquer and forgot to take photos. The night was wickid, I'm glad I accomplished one thing before I left Wellington. I wanted the city to hear some sweet sweet tunes and on Saturday the guys delivered. Thanks to all for making Saturday happen, Y'all are sweet! So I tried to make the most of what was in my camera.....

Ricky Powell

2009-07-10T21:11:00.000-07:00

Fulog I'm sorrrrrrry, I've neglected you again!! Forgive me, but I'm back. And what better way to come back with a plug on Ricky Powell.

Ricky is a NYC based photographer and has been clicking away since the 1980s. He is known as the 'Fourth' Beastie boy and has snapped photos of many famous rappers including Run DMC and Public Enemy. The work I Love of his is his colabs he's jacked up with other artists including Kaws. Love it.

True Story: I added him on myspace, couple of days later he sent me a message saying he peeped my photography on my page and thought it was rad. (best moment ever!)
I was suppose to link up with him in NYC but after getting his answer machine 3times I thought the 4th time will be Stalker ville territory.
Anway check out his art, legend!

I love Gold

2009-06-14T23:36:00.000-07:00

Everytime I watch this it makes me happy..... I really wish I was a part of this. What would you do??

kanYe West : Blog : HAMMER PANTS DANCERS CRASH TIGHT PANTS HIPSTER STORE

More derelict buildings.....ummmm

2009-05-25T01:21:00.000-07:00

So once again me and my cyber went on a photo mission to find derelict, grimy buildings and surroundings. This time we were in the company of Fluro. We climbed fences, walked on the tracks....everything a lady shouldn't do....but I loved it! Although I love the grime and I love rust, next time I want a new surrounding and make new discoveries.

Naf graf

2009-04-17T02:34:00.000-07:00

Gal pal Krishna took me to the spot. And when I say spot I mean the spot I go past every week on the train, A spot filled with derelict goodness, rust, grime, used cans and neglected hoodies. I was weary a lil homeless man might jump at me any second, well I was hobbering around his turf so he would have had every right. Anyway I came out of the spot with no scratches and these shots. Enjoy. x

Recession what?!......World's most expensive dress

2009-04-01T01:55:00.000-07:00

So I saw on this Kanye's blog.....but I've control C'd it and then hello it's on my page.

The Dress was designed by Malaysian Faisol Abdullah and is valued at 30million!!! Ooooweee an African village can be housed, bathed and fed in this dress. While some people die from starvation, others dine on lobstars while wearing a diamond encrusted dress. Sometimes I wonder.....

Helllloooo 24!

2009-03-30T00:13:00.000-07:00

So I said good bye to 23 on Saturday. No tears this year, I'm older ,not old (gulp).
Photos are of my awesome cake that my work mates baked me and from my party.....in the mix is a crunk'n photo of myself..(Only once a year she says)

Flashing Lights....TMD Tshirt launch

2009-03-21T03:29:00.000-07:00

So my camera was once again set on Trance mode....... I don't usually like strobe lights and whistles but the effect worked nicely for this night. TMD had they're fashion show at my old haunt Loaded. Cool Tshirts + Cool peeps = Cool night.

Adious Seniorita

2009-03-02T00:11:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we had a Good bye bye bye party for Ms Sarah Lewis our fab Sales Rep at Maori TV. I will miss her, we will miss her, you would miss her!

Neglect much

2009-02-19T23:56:00.000-08:00

Okay so if you don't know this already I get really excited about stuff and then the excitement fades out. Sorry fulog, you were no different .....but I'm back. Im an Aries it happens. I've been having a crappy couple of weeks and it's times like these that i think wow I'm so glad to have my friends. I've mentioned this before but my friends are all amazing. These are some pics I have taken of the peeps!

Before the digital age......

2009-02-04T23:53:00.000-08:00

These were taken with my long lost friend ,my Analog Nikon camera. The pics were for my 7th form Photography boards....agh the good ol days. Now my Neglected Nikon sits in my closet back in Wellington, poor thing.

I used to be so anti Digital cameras..............I would be like pssssst Digital what ever, that's not REAL RAW Photography..but really I think part of my hatred towards Digis was because I was scared of new technologies. Well then I picked one up and I've never looked back.

Alice Russell....Awesome!!

2009-02-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

I was going to make the title of this post along the lines of 'Alice creates a wonderland'.........but it sounded like a dirty John Mayer thing.........and you do not want to make a connection between Alice and John Mayer.

The gig was amazing and was like spicy chicken soup for the soul. I thank my gal pal Shaarne for introducing me to her music. The night was interesting with a fist fight between rich middle aged men and also there was a Marriage proposal on stage.....this aign't no ordinary gig.....

Love

P.s The last photo is what we took at the bathroom at Sales st......umm a pink 'sexy' sign really??

Oh......you havn't met my husband?...Introducing Mr J Medeiros

2009-01-30T16:39:00.000-08:00

So ok he's no photographer......but dang he makes good music!
One third of the band 'The Procussions' Mr J is now carving up some gems with his solo career. His sound is O so funky and hits the mark every time, just the kind of Hip Hop I love. Not only an awesome musician, he also cares......... J does heaps of work for humanity. Good music, good person and damn good looks.......perfect baby daddy material. ha. Check out his music

Mr. J Medeiros.

Self indulgent?.......yeah maybe I am

2009-01-27T01:18:00.000-08:00

Well I kind of got caught up with creating a new self portrait that I ended up with these half hidden, shadowy, mysterious shots. Maybe I'm dark, maybe I'm self conscious or maybe it's just photography. You can decide.

Nabil..........I found my love

2009-01-23T15:05:00.000-08:00

You know when you randomly come across something.........and you're like 'wow I can't believe I didn't know this before' Well when I stumbled upon Nabil's photography it was lust at first sight.

His photography is Aa-mazing and it totally makes sense to me. It's like this is what I love and this is what i want to do. I want to know more..............

Check it out. www.blurphotography.com

love

Welcome and haere mai to my Fu-log......

2009-01-22T23:25:00.000-08:00

Geez Sar It's about time you caught on to this blogging thing. It's not like I like to follow ship or the hype, but I've got a zillion photos that I want to document and bring meaning to.

I kind of wondered why people read blogs. I mean does it benefit the reader in any way? it's a window into somone else's life, someone's thought. But then again maybe it challenges the reader's point of view......... (geez Sara don't need to get all heavy in your first blog...and isn't this a phlog?)

So I want to challenge you with my photos. My photos are my interpretation of life. I love photography because you can never re-create that same moment, not one pixel is the same. And people don't see the same things. This is what I see. You might see it differently.

Love

The photo above is from Bodyrock 2009 in Wellington. What can I say it was Dope!