Monday, September 26

Into ChinaTown (Jakarta)

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As we entered Chinatown, we were greeted by an old blind man tucked at the edge, seemingly oblivious to everything but the stick he held fervently in his hand. He is our "greeter" as we enter into a very visually rich little pocket of life within Jakarta City. How ironic and almost surreal.


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On we went into a world which teased and satisfied our senses with its bright arresting colors, its thick taste, its smells alternating between heavy and light. China Town Jakarta lured us into its lair with its interesting textures and array of visual candy.


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A myriad of candies and snacks.


The characters who peopled the mini-world were varied and thick with promise and interesting-ness.


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I thought a factory painted those Chinese characters on pretty ginseng boxes.  Now I know better.


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The means of transportation were inventive.


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It even offered rides to dreamland.


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And the food it offered? With them you can fill a banquet table with exquisite tastes, comfort food, and unique fare.


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I always wondered how these tasted. (Succulent and mildly sweet.  Very refreshing.)


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Yes, these are frogs.  Alive and skinned.


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Roasted rice cakes.


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Roasted coconut rice cakes.  Yummy.


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A noodle stand with loads of pork dishes - a rarity in Indonesia but not in ChinaTown.


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I spent a morning there with a group of spectators on a trip organized by Melbourne and Maria. They sent an email before we embarked on our trip, telling us not to dress so tourist-y. If I knew better then, I would have replied that it was impossible. There was no way we could hide that we were merely visitors in the deeply sensual world of ChinaTown, Jakarta.


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More images in Personal Projects | ChinaTown (Jakarta).


The ChinaTown PhotoWalk is organized by Melbourne and Maria of Melbourne the Photographer, Jakarta Selatan. Melbourne is a very helpful and informative instructor and Maria is such a charmingly sweet lady! Huge thanks to this sweet pair for being our guides into this little world!  Please visit their site if you'd like to view Indonesia through your lens.

Friday, September 23

Fashion & Commercial Photography: Dancing on the Ledge with the Lights (Day 2)


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Day 2 of our intensive workshop with Dan and Carlo came crashing into my otherwise domestic Sunday. Best thing about Dan's beautiful studio - aside from the wonderful lights and backdrops? It's only 20 minutes away from my house.

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I came in and the studio was already bustling with life. Our beautiful model who graciously agreed to be part of our workshop was seated and patiently letting our stylists work on her. Apparently, we were going to be busy with lighting and mood-making.

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I think Dan wanted to teach us how to create a set from conceptualization to shooting to editing - but with four different photographic styles in attendance, all we did was basically learn from each other and build friendships.

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Isn't Leticia just plain beautiful? Nineteen and so confident!

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The set-up.

Lights.

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Gray card.

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Change costumes.

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In the midst of all this busy-ness, my sweet husband came by with our little boy and whisked me off to enjoy a lazy Indian Sunday lunch.

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We promptly missed our dear friend Mr Suman. (No one makes chutney and chapati like you do. :) See you in Bali soon, eh?)

Then back to the creative grind.

Just in time to shoot for our girl in ice project with Carlo. (Photoshop is not for dummies.)

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Thanks to all who pitched in throughout the weekend! I know I'm not alone when I say it was worth all the energy and resources we all put in.

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(If you have the chance to learn from these talented people, I suggest you grab it, sit tight and open your mind.) :)