KARMAKAZZI

2009-10-05T01:47:00.000-07:00

Recession Bites

Ok so its been a little over 4 months since I got back in the S of A, time sure does fly fast. Personally its been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, big plans when I left the ship, aaand reality plans since I've been back. Its not all bad, but things tend to take shape a little slower, and patience is definitely a virtue when money is tight. Back in ship-world the effects of this 'recession' are virtually unknown. Get your pay every 2 weeks and you're good to spend on whatever basically.

Soo now with a big dose of reality, something I saw the other morning reminded me of the first time I saw it happen. That time was a late afternoon driving up our road to the house I saw this black dude digging through the garbage bags outside someone's driveway. My first instinct was to hoot and I did. The guy turned and looked at me in with no expression and hardly moved. No sooner had he looked up, he was quickly down again to his treasure hunt. My toot was a mere tweet in his memory now. I had carried on up the road already but I won't forget that look.

Forward to the future and this morning I peered through the window rubbing my eyes and yawning. Its a beautiful sunshine in the garden, todays looking promising. Looking a little further through our fence and aah there's reality again. The same dude again with a friend were having a field day going through all our neighbor's garbage. Ok so they weren't really tearing it apart with there teeth or anything, more like sorting the best from not-so-good. I was just standing and watching for a few minutes at first. Only after I thought about taking the photos, but only for this blog don't get me wrong. While I was taking the photos thats only when I started to notice how meticulous they were, examining and making precise openings. Once satisfied then careful to make sure the bags were as secure as they started. It was well evident with my zoom lens and after a couple of snaps I felt I had enough.
One or two shots has a man get out his car and lay his garbage bags right in front of their noses. They might have said 'thank you', or just nodded I'm not sure, and he just carried on his way.

Anyways the point is I felt a bit bad about my first reaction and realize now that this a sad truth to a big problem. There seems to be an mutual understanding I saw that morning and I hope its happening in this way all over. Times are certainly tough, lets try to deal with with it together and help a brother or sister along the way..

2009-09-28T05:27:00.000-07:00

Honest Mistake?

Ok so I was going about my normal grocery shopping routine last week.
It only occured to me I needed certain things when squeezed out the last blob of toothpaste that morning, amazingly I got flashbacks of the 'to-do' list half-an-hour before they were due to close.
I've made a shopping list maybe once or twice in my life, maybe I should have done it today.
Anyways so I'm in the Spar grabbing this and that, considering/not considering various items, the usual story. Quite chuffed at my new bag of tricks when I got back home and placed everything where it needed to be for my monday morning and bathroom routine.

Early the next day (8am early) I was drying myself off from the shower and was about to start brushing my teeth. Low and behold I saw it in plain sight, 'Colgate toothpaste'!
A surge of shock ripped through my body, I'd betrayed the Aquafresh gods! There can be no forgiveness! In my haste I'd paid no attention to the name, just the packaging. My hands were shaking, I dropped the toothbrush and scrambled to my bed. As I lay there naked and covered my face, I was a mess and tears just flowed like rain, emotions like thunder.

Actually I just tried the Colgate and its not too bad. More of a pasty feeling in my mouth but I'm getting used to it.. close call

2009-06-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

Island Style Landing!

We heard rumours of a beach on the other side of St Maarten close to an airport and decided to check it out. Well initially we were disappointed to see relatively small aircraft landing over this shoreline. Fortunately there were some sharp looking lenses pulled out from the nearby open huts, so we thought it might be worthwhile to stick around.
Sure enough a larger aircraft was spotted on the horizon and I quickly made a move to a good position. Strangely as I was snapping away the boeing really seemed to be landing in slow motion, as if posing for the shots! Anyways once it was over I was happy to get my little piece of this airport beach...

2009-06-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

Vrystaat Wedding ~ Continued

2009-06-22T15:48:00.000-07:00

Vrystaat Wedding ~ Continued

2009-06-22T15:39:00.000-07:00

Vrystaat Wedding

This wedding took place in Clarence, Orange Free State. A quaint yet beautiful little town in the middle of nowhere it seems. Time seems to stand still and all the locals so relaxed, a refreshing change from city life. Commonly Curio,Arts and Crafts shops scatter the central garden areas of the town.
On the day the weather couldn't have been more convenient and perfect sunshine swept across the mountains. After speeches, toasts, and a roast dinner the evening became even more joyful with everyone bringing their dance moves to the party ;)

2009-06-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

Miami Spanish Wedding ~ Continued

2009-06-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

Miami Spanish Wedding ~ Continued

2009-06-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

Miami Spanish Wedding

Priscila and Cesar's wedding took place outside a traditional spanish tavern in pleasant surroundings. The weather was perfect and the wedding shooting schedule worked out well for 2, and at times 3 photographers. The afternoon ceremony and evening events were all included into one picture package for a good looking bride and groom.

2009-06-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

Mexico Shoot ~ Continued

2009-06-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

Mexico Shoot ~ continued

2009-06-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

Mexico Shoot ~ continued

2009-06-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

Mexico Beach Shoot

This modeling shoot was done late afternoon in Cozumel, Mexico. These are selected images that I felt best stood out from the number of shots taken. Weather conditions could have been better with stronger sunlight, fortunately though it stayed much the same with some brief improvements.

2009-06-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

Carnival Dance Show ~ continued

2009-06-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

Carnival Dance Show ~ continued

2009-06-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

Carnival Fascination Dance Show

This shoot was necessary to select useful dance pictures and to promote various entertainment photos taken during the cruise. Elements from these shots we used to create photo borders used in the photo dept.

2009-06-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

SAB shoot

This was a small shoot at South African Breweries for a monthly in house business magazine.

2009-06-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Carnival Glory - Supper Club

These images were submitted for the supper club menu. This club operates with an exclusive cuisine and selective foods.

2009-06-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

Concept Pack Shots

2009-06-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Game Packshots 3

2009-06-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

Game Packshots 2

2009-06-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

Game Packshots 1

The following 3 posts of packshots are standard examples of the types of photographs used for all Game Newspaper and Magazine Adverts. Much of the setup is done in studio but a lot of situations require shots to be done at the supplier offices.

2007-05-31T15:00:00.000-07:00

Carnival Victory ~ Last days in Miami

Recently we had to update our department picture of the Photo team here on Victory. Here is everyone from our last Miami since we have started our move up to New York. Most of the team is Philippines or Romanian, just like on any one of the Carnival Ships. Not too many South Africans applying for photo these days, the salaries for first contract haven't changed like forever.