photography

Morocco

by Amber on November 4, 2012

At the end of October Thom and I went to Morocco – visiting Marrakesh, the big smoke, and the town of Taroudant, to the south. It was pretty ace, except somewhere along the way I brushed my teeth with tap-water, and have spent the last week waylaid with a stomach bug. Today is the first day I’ve felt human, and boy am I excited to get back to work (and life). Anyway, here’s some pictures:

Morocco

Token plane shot / amazing photograph of a donkey at our riad in Taroudant / the first of many tile photos / Thom trying to decipher the map / a view over Place Jamaa el Fna in Marrakesh (we were drinking mint tea and watching the world go by) / the middle of nowhere, near a mountain / Moroccan pastries / street art in Taroudant / a snail seller in Jamaa el Fna… From my observations you just squirt on some lemon juice and chew that sucker out.

Grand Taxi

Inlay

The ornate dashboard of the grand taxi we caught from Taroudant back to Marrakesh / Me brandishing a musket found at the end of our bed at one riad

I also shot five rolls of 35mm, which are yet to be developed. Expect many images of cats, donkeys, sheep, mosaics, interesting door handles, minarets, more cats. If I’d had my way I would have become a crazy cat lady, footing the bill for 52 scrawny Moroccan kittens to come back to the UK and live with me…

{ 0 comments }

365 sunrises

by Amber on August 12, 2012

We’ve lived in London for exactly a year now… And it has definitely the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced. I am naturally a shy person, who loves routine and order (just ask my mum). I’m the sort who wants every smidgen of detail before making a decision, and will happily recruit another two pals to go along to a new yoga class with me. So uprooting and moving to a whole ‘nother city, twice the size of my country, with no plans was kind of a big deal.

There’s been ups – hello Europe – and downs, read constant shifting for 6 months, job changes. But I’ve done it. I am still alive and happy. Bonus, I can tell my 5ps from my 20s, and Argos from a bookies. I know that you should never read the tube map as an accurate geographic representation of the city, and that the secret to staying warm in all in the layering. I’ve found that you can get good coffee in London, and discovered the magic of mulled cherry beer. There’s many new, lovely, brilliant people in my life. Beigels 24 hours a day just down the road is pretty good too…

Of course, I couldn’t have done any of it without Thom. Knowing someone is on your team is the best feeling in the world.  So here’s a little wrap up, month by month. 365 sunrises.

Code For Something August 2011

August. Crashing in the living room of my brother’s flat while he lived in a pub. We never did meet the Colombian housemate in the four weeks of staying there, but we did hear him.

Code For Something September 2011

September – we enjoyed temporary solace in Bethnal Green. The leaves were already turning.

Code For Something October 2011

October. Falling in love with Brick Lane, and shooting loads of film.

Code For Something November 2011

November, moving house, job, getting lost. Wandering the streets like a waif, basically. Oh, yes, and we did go to Belgium which was AWESOME.

Code For Something December 2011

December. A trip to Bath to the markets. Winter Wonderland and bottles of wine. My first white Christmas.

Code For Something January 2012

January. I spent the first day of the visiting the Tate Modern and more wandering the chilly city. (This bike has never moved from its spot near Old Street roundabout. I’m starting to think it has special powers!)

Code For Something February 2011

February brought the great snow. This is the Barbican, a beautiful Brutalist arts centre, softened by white powder. Even the lake was frozen!

Code For Something - March 2012

March, new desk. For someone who moved with just a 30kg suitcase, I sure have accumulated a lot of stuff.

Code For Something April 2012

April. Another jaunt to Paris, then Barcelona. I ate so many pastries I thought I’d pop.

Code For Something May 2012

Finally the sun came back in May.

June. This is the cemetery William Blake is buried in, along with Daniel Defoe. The squirrels in this park are exceptionally tame – I could spend hours hanging out with them.

Code For Something July 2012

July – almost back where we started, but in much happier, contented circumstances. And higher up too! This photo was taken at a bar on the 48th floor of a Canary Wharf tower.

{ 0 comments }

Isabelle

by Amber on April 3, 2012

I love this series, shot by Rebekkah Farrell and styled by Imogene Pyne for Rouse Magazine. There’s just something about the dated motel aesthetic that appeals to me – especially the scalloped walls. The clothes are gorgeous too, all wonderfully tailored numbers (mostly by New Zealand designers). Can I please have one of everything Juliette Hogan makes?

Isabelle by Rebekkah Farrell

Isabelle by Rebekkah Farrell

Isabelle by Rebekkah Farrell

Isabelle by Rebekkah Farrell

Isabelle by Rebekkah Farrell

Isabelle by Rebekkah Farrell

{ 0 comments }

Keep candles handy

by Amber on February 27, 2012

(Warning: fashion boobs ahead) I’m really into double exposure right now. And this 2009 spread from i-D magazine called Keep Candles Handy, featuring  Alana Zimmer, is a great example of it done well. The interesting and varied textures marry well with strong silhouettes… producing ghostly, beautiful photographs.

Keep Candles Hand - iD magazine

Keep Candles Hand - iD magazine

Keep Candles Handy - iD magazine

Keep Candles Handy - iD magazine

Just some great eye-candy.

{ 0 comments }

Robin Morrison – Ponsonby 1977

by Amber on January 4, 2012

In 1977, photographer Robin Morrison produced a calendar featuring the local faces and businesses of Ponsonby, Auckland. Some have disappeared over the years, while others, like Bhana Brothers are still going strong. (Bhana has always been my favourite place to buy flowers in Auckland.)

Ponsonby 1977 by Robin Morrison

Dick Armstrong’s – affectionately known as Dirty Dick’s (now State of Grace)

Ponsonby 1977 by Robin Morrison

Ponsonby 1977 by Robin Morrison

Arthur Cooper, Barber, Jervois Road (now Pure Restaurant, 186 Jervois Road)

Ponsonby 1977 by Robin Morrison

Peter Rogers Art Deco (still Peter Rogers, Real Time, 74 Ponsonby Road)

Ponsonby 1977 by Robin Morrison

Tony Burrows, the Mussel Man, Ponsonby (now Plants and Pots, corner O’Neill St and Ponsonby Rd)

Ponsonby 1977 by Robin Morrison

John Moller, Funeral Director, & Noball (70 Ponsonby Road, now the site of the Quest Hotel)

Ponsonby 1977 by Robin Morrison

Ivan, Ivan’s Restaurant, Ponsonby Road (now Chapel Bar & Restaurant)

 

{ 0 comments }

Falcon Enamel

by Amber on December 16, 2011

Falcon Enamelware

Falcon Enamelware

Falcon Enamelware

Falcon Enamelware

Falcon Enamelware

Don’t these beautiful pictures by Sam Stowell make you hungry? They were shot for Falcon Enamelware, to showcase their distinctive ice-white and blue rimmed tableware. Falcon have recently upped their game by offering their enamel in a new range of bold colours, including a pillarbox red. In particular their tumblers are brilliant – I’d like a set of eight, two of each colour (especially pigeon).

Falcon Enamelware

Falcon Enamelware

I like enamel because it lasts forever. It doesn’t break when you drop it, and neither will it burn when you accidentally leave a pie in the oven too long… I think my mother still uses enamel kitchenware that came from her grandmother’s kitchen. So it’s no surprise then that Falcon Enamelware is a bit of a British cooking classic.

{ 0 comments }

The Future is Bright, the Forecast is Clear

by Amber on December 14, 2011

I used to read horoscopes religiously. This year, I managed to change directions and make an intercontinental move without consulting my stars. (This is a big thing!)

That said, I’ll always have a soft spot for Susan Miller. Her lengthy monthly scopes are always a good read, and her yearly predictions in Russh Magazine are a tradition. But what I really love this year is the still life photographs that go with each star sign. They’re such fresh, evocative, and simple takes on the personalities of the zodiac!

Gemini - Susan Miller Astrology for Russh

Gemini

Scorpio - Susan Miller Astrology for Russh

Scorpio

Libra - Susan Miller Astrology for Russh

Libra

Pisces - Susan Miller Astrology for Russh

Pisces

Aries - Susan Miller Astrology for Russh

Aries

 

 

{ 0 comments }