Building an Instagram Addict

As I recently got a new phone, I finally decided to join Instagram. I’m really enjoying a different type of photography using my phone to take photos and the free app Aviary to edit them. I notice a lot of photographers using Instagram as another means of sharing photos taken by DSLR. Steadily becoming an Instagram addict, I love the ease of viewing and following photographers work from accross the globe. Could this be better than Flickr?!

If you don’t have Instagram you can still view my photos online here.

Otherwise if you do my user name is justyourcupofchi

justyourcupofchi

Asia and Australia

Mango Bar – Koh Tao

So I went off on a rather long holiday this year. Japan, Tasmania and Northern Territory of Australia and Thailand. It was incredible. Even if you could only make a couple of weeks over that way it would be well worth it. I was away for a couple of months and only took a 25L rucksack. For want of not exceeding carry on luggage weights and avoiding the need to check in bags, I took VERY little with me.

So, for the reason of space and weight, I went off with my Canon Powershot G15. I love that camera. You can still go full manual if you want to and it will easily fit in a large pocket or small bag. I used a Kiwifotos filter adaptor tube so that I could use a circular polariser. Although this came off in Thailand to make it less ‘fancy’ looking. Someone also gave me a handy tip; if you have a more expensive or larger camera, put masking tape on it to make it appear damaged and less attractive to thieves.

I bought a PacSafe handbag and rucksack. Both of which can’t have either their straps or the bag cut through. I spotted the metal mesh which is set inside the fabric on an airport scanner. So, felt quite comfortable knowing my things were safe when riding motor bikes or walking down the street. I would recommend PacSafe products for sure, I wonder if they do a specific camera bag?

Not a Pacsafe  Not a PacSafe Bag

Somewhere along the line, I ended up with a fresh scratch on my lens. I was already having trouble with focus and light spots now and again from the first scratch gained on a trip to America last year, compromising the image quality. The camera then got rather soaked through, entirely soaked, everywhere, with sweat. The Tiger Temple in Krabi has a temple up 1500 steps. I say steps, some of them were over a foot in height. At midday in 32C with only half a litre of water left between us, the view at 250 was good enough for me!

So, my boyfriend took the mammoth task with my camera in tow to reach the very top. Whilst he wanted to give up, he was determined to get up there and take photos for me just so that I could see the view from up there. After dodging the angry monkey protecting it’s baby, which was in a bin and attacking people going past, he finally reached the top. Apparently, monks offer cool water to people on arrival. I think they should build a giant slide down the hill side to get back down again. By the time he reached me again, he and the camera were drenched in sweat. The camera went haywire and stopped working, sweat in every nook and cranny going! So off to the shops for a bag of rice we went.

My trusty Canon G15’s display doesn’t work now. But for all it went through and captured on the adventure, it is worth it. I even got my view from the top of the Tiger Temple! And besides, perhaps it’s lucky it got that far in the first place. So with hundreds of photos to get through, I plan on posting some which are less like holiday snaps to justyourcupofchi.com soon!

View from the top! Tiger Temple Krabi

Focus On: André Dugas

Photographer Showcase

Having decided his passion and established his photography skills, André Dugas moved from South Africa to continue his career in London. He is a renowned and successful fashion photographer with a passion lying in street photography and observed portraiture.
Shooting in film and self developing, André has photographed countless amounts of models and has had his worked published. A modest man, it’s perhaps unlikely that people who have met him in more recent years know about his rock and roll like past. I was amazed to hear of him being asked to photograph one of The Rolling Stones weddings. Apparently paparazzi made his job wanting to capture the moments very difficult.

A Dugas

Although he decided to leave his career as a fashion photographer to focus on his family,   ( I have heard that all day and night partying came with the trade ) André is still an avid photographer. Now concentrating on his love for street photography and shooting the occasional wedding.
Having made the cross over to Digital SLR, I look forward to seeing his more recent work. I also hear that there are several undeveloped black and white films screaming out to be released, soaked in chemicals, exposed and show another story of time past. Time for that darkroom yet André?

A Dugas

André has a real talent for documenting the moment, each image tells a story. A moment held in time. His chosen perspectives and composition create an interest that demands attention. Form and depth are captured in a way that you can almost reach out and touch the scene. I love the metallic, silvery look achieved in many of his photos. You certainly can’t beat film photography and manual processing in a dark room. I liken his dark room skills to Ansell Adams.  It’s not just photography, it’s art.

A Dugas

You can view a sample collection of film shots by André Dugas on his Flickr stream.

Wedding Photography By Beki Young

I love seeing others work. After modeling for several Vintage Wedding Fayers I have met some lovely Wedding Photographers. I love Beki Young’s work. She really has her own stamp on things and even hand binds and personalises the album books in her studio. Beki also hand crafts fabric pouches for the albums to go in! Lovely.

Here is a photo she took of me at one of the vintage catwalks, wearing a real vintage one of a kind 1950’s Pink and Lace Bridal Gown by Real Green Dress.

www.bekiyoung.co.uk

Pretty In Pink Bridal Gown from Real Green DressPretty In Pink Bridal Gown

All New Flickr !

Flickr.com have changed the layout for viewing photostreams and it looks Amazing!

You can now browse streams of photos rather than endless page after page.

Take a look at my Flickr Page!

Most of my Flickr content isn’t published to my website and likewise there are photos exclusive to JustYourCupOfChi so make sure you check out Galleries under the Photography tab too! 🙂