I have entered one of my pieces in the Saatchi Gallery's Showdown Competition. It is a rated, popularity contest. It would be greatly appreciated if you would go vote for my piece which can do at http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/showdown/index.php?showpic=183 . (BTW a 10 would be nice, but I know your are an honest lot and will give it what you think it deserves.)
I wonder if any other readers of this blog are among the 3041 (as at 10.48am GMT 5/3/7) entries? With that many as you can guess their are some stunners and some real howlers, but that is what makes it fun.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Votes are in the Air
The ride home in a tricycle from doing the weekly shop was even more challenging than usual today. Not only did we weave our way through pedestrians, play chicken with jeepneys and other motorized road users, but we took on road repair crews as well.
In the 4 kilometers, as the crow flies, 6 kilometers as the tricycle goes, between the house and the supermarket it seemed that every other road had a “do not enter” sign erected to protect gangs of workmen hell bent on replacing great swathes of tarmac. Not that our tricycle driver paid the signs any heed. Dodging the bobcat loading a lorry with freshly broken slabs of road surface took cool nerves and acute timing.
This surge in activity, according to the best beloved, is due to the forthcoming election. In May Filipinos get to cast their vote for Senators, Congress persons, Mayors and city councilors. The only ones not standing are Gloria and her vice president. As with elections everywhere, the airwaves are awash with politician’s promises and bill boards proudly display glowing sets of hopefuls’ teeth. Whilst also here in the Philippines, the incumbents, to show just how much they care, come and dig up your street.
In the 4 kilometers, as the crow flies, 6 kilometers as the tricycle goes, between the house and the supermarket it seemed that every other road had a “do not enter” sign erected to protect gangs of workmen hell bent on replacing great swathes of tarmac. Not that our tricycle driver paid the signs any heed. Dodging the bobcat loading a lorry with freshly broken slabs of road surface took cool nerves and acute timing.
This surge in activity, according to the best beloved, is due to the forthcoming election. In May Filipinos get to cast their vote for Senators, Congress persons, Mayors and city councilors. The only ones not standing are Gloria and her vice president. As with elections everywhere, the airwaves are awash with politician’s promises and bill boards proudly display glowing sets of hopefuls’ teeth. Whilst also here in the Philippines, the incumbents, to show just how much they care, come and dig up your street.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Gargoyle
This image was captured at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines, it started life as a shot of smokers out side indulging their habit. And as it came to life on my computer it transformed into something a lot more general & historical. I can't help but wonder if the current rules we have in place to protect us from ourselves are any more effective than the carved icons under the eves of yesterday.
A
It is the latest image to be posted in my Imagekind Gallery.
Click the link below to go there.
It is available on a range of high quality art papers and canvas and printed on the state of the art Epson 8 pigment ink printers.
It is truely Gallery quality without the Gallery price tag
Click the link below to go there.
It is available on a range of high quality art papers and canvas and printed on the state of the art Epson 8 pigment ink printers.
It is truely Gallery quality without the Gallery price tag
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Joy Ride
A
Got this shot from the back of a jeepney.
Their expressions says it all, especially for the big black camera.
It is also for http://tristantrakand.livejournal.com/ if your homophobic just don't go there, you'll rupture something. For the rest of the world, enjoy a different perspective.
Their expressions says it all, especially for the big black camera.
It is also for http://tristantrakand.livejournal.com/ if your homophobic just don't go there, you'll rupture something. For the rest of the world, enjoy a different perspective.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Chow Time
I have written about fast food joints here in the Philippines but I don’t think I have written about Chow King. It is part of the Jolibee Empire of which the name sake is by far and away the most popular FFJ in these islands despite the pink goo, or because of it, which can send your average Yank running for the hills.
Chow King is unique amongst FFJ’s both here and all those that I have experienced post 1995. The only one I can recall that came close was Bernie’s in Perth which succumbed to the monolith that is the FF industry in the mid 90’s. What both of these places had/have in common is they sell actual food. They have the fast food restaurant (if a FFJ can be called that) flow through design of servicing the maximum number of customers in the minimum amount of time. (Ok Bernie’s was never that high tech but they were still pretty quick)
But where Chow King differs from its competitors is in what comes out of the kitchen. It is food, no soggy cardboard pretends, real , identifiable, pieces of meat and veg that resonate to the bite.
The best beloved and I indulged last Saturday evening (yes I know it’s sad that that is the highlight of our Saturday night, but what can you expect we are an old married couple). I had the Shanghai Lauriat, 3 Shanghai Lumpia rolls, noodles, a couple of Dim Sums, rice, prawn crackers and buchi, all very tasty with varying textures. The best beloved had Chao Fan rice which is the best fried rice I have ever tasted (it comes with 6 star out of 5 rating) and Stir fried noodles where one could actually identify the various components ( cabbage, spring peas, pork, fish balls, pork liver and miki pancit).
All in all it was a damn fine feed and if you ever have the chance to visit Chow King, just do it, you won’t be disappointed.
Chow King is unique amongst FFJ’s both here and all those that I have experienced post 1995. The only one I can recall that came close was Bernie’s in Perth which succumbed to the monolith that is the FF industry in the mid 90’s. What both of these places had/have in common is they sell actual food. They have the fast food restaurant (if a FFJ can be called that) flow through design of servicing the maximum number of customers in the minimum amount of time. (Ok Bernie’s was never that high tech but they were still pretty quick)
But where Chow King differs from its competitors is in what comes out of the kitchen. It is food, no soggy cardboard pretends, real , identifiable, pieces of meat and veg that resonate to the bite.
The best beloved and I indulged last Saturday evening (yes I know it’s sad that that is the highlight of our Saturday night, but what can you expect we are an old married couple). I had the Shanghai Lauriat, 3 Shanghai Lumpia rolls, noodles, a couple of Dim Sums, rice, prawn crackers and buchi, all very tasty with varying textures. The best beloved had Chao Fan rice which is the best fried rice I have ever tasted (it comes with 6 star out of 5 rating) and Stir fried noodles where one could actually identify the various components ( cabbage, spring peas, pork, fish balls, pork liver and miki pancit).
All in all it was a damn fine feed and if you ever have the chance to visit Chow King, just do it, you won’t be disappointed.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
PINOY CONTRACTOR
Came across this at Craigs List and it made me smile.
Three contractors are bidding to fix the White House fence.
One from the Philippines, another from Mexico and an American.
They go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The American contractor takes out a tape measure and does some
measuring, then works some figures with a pencil.
"Well," he says. "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for
materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Mexican contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says,
"I can do $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Filipino contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the
White House official and whispers: "$2,700."
The official, incredulous, says, " What? You didn't even measure like
the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?"
"How do you expect me to consider your service with that bid?"
"Easy," the Pinoy explains, "$1,000 for you, $1,000 for me and we hire
the guy from Mexico".
The next day, the Pinoy got the contract.
Three contractors are bidding to fix the White House fence.
One from the Philippines, another from Mexico and an American.
They go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The American contractor takes out a tape measure and does some
measuring, then works some figures with a pencil.
"Well," he says. "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for
materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Mexican contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says,
"I can do $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Filipino contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the
White House official and whispers: "$2,700."
The official, incredulous, says, " What? You didn't even measure like
the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?"
"How do you expect me to consider your service with that bid?"
"Easy," the Pinoy explains, "$1,000 for you, $1,000 for me and we hire
the guy from Mexico".
The next day, the Pinoy got the contract.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Two Things I Know to be True
There are only two things I know to be true. The act of creation is in part an act of destruction and change is the only constant. As the painter destroys the canvas when they place their marks upon it, as the architect destroys the landscape to impose their building so I destroy my photographs to make my art. Also, one moment in time is as valid as any other and although a particular moment may stay in the memory longer than others, its longevity is due more to the individual than the scene.
The approach to the photographic aspect of my work is like that of a street photographer. No pre-visualization or set ups, just shoot the scene as it is presented, quick grabs of moments in time that appeal to my visual sensibilities.
Once the captured image meets up with the editing software on my computer, it quickly deviates from the street photography genre into the realms of abstraction questioning the images motivation. Using various editing filters, I deconstruct the photograph. Working with the elements of colour, line and form I delve below the composition of the recorded moment in time to build a new image that explores the underlying motivation that caused the shutter to be pressed when it was.
There is no way I could pre-visualize this stuff, it grows organically as I play in the digital sand pit. More often than not, the print bears no resemblance to the original RAW file but conveys a deeper meaning that I was unaware existed when I took the snap. And the results are often surprising, sometimes amazing and occasionally awe inspiring.
The Street photography section of the site is in the most part pretty much what came out of the camera with only minimal software intervention. In the abstract section the images have been pulled apart and rebuilt, a journey in which the image dictates what directions to take, my major contribution is knowing when a destination has been reached.
Yes, this is my latest attempt at an Artistic Statement, an essential part of an artist's arsenal in the marketing game, silly me I thought it was the pics, whatever. For better or worse the above is what I was able to come up with, if it flicks your switches check out what I am talking about at www.pissedpoetpics.com.
The approach to the photographic aspect of my work is like that of a street photographer. No pre-visualization or set ups, just shoot the scene as it is presented, quick grabs of moments in time that appeal to my visual sensibilities.
Once the captured image meets up with the editing software on my computer, it quickly deviates from the street photography genre into the realms of abstraction questioning the images motivation. Using various editing filters, I deconstruct the photograph. Working with the elements of colour, line and form I delve below the composition of the recorded moment in time to build a new image that explores the underlying motivation that caused the shutter to be pressed when it was.
There is no way I could pre-visualize this stuff, it grows organically as I play in the digital sand pit. More often than not, the print bears no resemblance to the original RAW file but conveys a deeper meaning that I was unaware existed when I took the snap. And the results are often surprising, sometimes amazing and occasionally awe inspiring.
The Street photography section of the site is in the most part pretty much what came out of the camera with only minimal software intervention. In the abstract section the images have been pulled apart and rebuilt, a journey in which the image dictates what directions to take, my major contribution is knowing when a destination has been reached.
Yes, this is my latest attempt at an Artistic Statement, an essential part of an artist's arsenal in the marketing game, silly me I thought it was the pics, whatever. For better or worse the above is what I was able to come up with, if it flicks your switches check out what I am talking about at www.pissedpoetpics.com.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Painters for Human Rights
I have recently posted 3 of my images at Painters for Human Rights. Now this has to be a worth while undertaking. At the risk of wearing my heart on my sleeve The Universal Declartion of Human Rights is one of, if not the most important documents to which one can swear allegiance. Click on the link above if you are interested in seeing which of the 30 I hooked my pics onto. They are currently the last 3 in the gallery.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
One for the Road
A
Just one more to toast the dear departed.
This image was taken at a wake here in the Philippines where the dear departed was laid out in style and all who knew him came to pay their last respects and wish his soul bon voyage.
This image was taken at a wake here in the Philippines where the dear departed was laid out in style and all who knew him came to pay their last respects and wish his soul bon voyage.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Catholic Church - Malolos
A
This imposing facade takes up one side of the Malolos city square.
It is also featured on the almost defunct 10 peso note, which has been replaced by a coin. The ravages of time are starting to deface its grandure as to does the pressures of a modern life style make inroads on the faith that built it.
It is also featured on the almost defunct 10 peso note, which has been replaced by a coin. The ravages of time are starting to deface its grandure as to does the pressures of a modern life style make inroads on the faith that built it.
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