flueres: 2014

up in the air

Hello to New Zealand and deliciously cool weather!

I'm currently watching the sunset and drinking homemade soda (10:1 soda water to syrup ratio works every time), thinking about how crazy this holiday has been so far. I'm always reminded of what this vast land has to offer; I never get tired of coming here-- there's always something new to do.

In today's case, this "something new" was a breathtaking helicopter ride over snow-capped mountain ridges, through the fiords and valleys and past looming cliffs. The term "bird's eye view" had a whole new meaning to it, after soaring and gliding over glassy lakes and feeling like a bird in flight.

We landed on a glacier for a while during the trip; the feeling of snow in summer was certainly a strange one. Through the fiords, we flew to a secluded beach, right by the sea. If there's one main takeaway I had from today, it would be that cold seawater is not something you would want to touch on a windy morning when you're wearing trainers.

Before my big photo spam, however, I'd just like to take a moment to gush about the absolutely gorgeous new watch that arrived in the mail just in time for this trip. I chanced upon the brand online a while ago, and recently decided to get one. Definitely one of the best purchases I've made this year. It's hardy, durable and yet simple and very, very, aesthetically appealing. I've found that it automatically becomes usable in practically every situation, even my adventuring through the wilderness.

instrmnt 01-B RG/B

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, by ali.k

dynamics

Exams: check. Coursework: .. not check.

So recently, I started my 6 month journey into long days and longer nights filled with a gazillion mental blocks and paint splattered furniture: art coursework. I'm currently in the what-am-i-supposed-to-do stage of experimenting and being utterly clueless as to how to begin this project.

I've decided to document my progress here, from time to time, so I can keep track of my progress! Hopefully it isn't /too/ boring.

This is the first photo set I've finished editing (for now -- I may make a few changes in the future). It's not much really, and I'm not are where I'm going with this, but I thought it'd be a good place to start. This photo set is titled "Dynamics" for its completely free, fun, extremely blurry pictures. I have some edited to black and white just to see what it looks like and stuff.

camera : Olympus OM-d E-M1

this is my favourite bw

testing lower exposure

desaturated -- not a standout

bit more colour?

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, by ali.k

travel

not all who wander are lost

A week away from the vice-like grip of the internet brought me (along with a whole bunch of schoolmates) to the lush jungles of Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, teeming with wildlife and solace from the tropical blaze of home. We embarked on our journey not knowing what awaited us in the thriving jungle, ever ready for the adventures that were to come.

Of the countless wonders we encountered during our days of trekking the unmarked paths of Malaysian jungle, none were as rewarding as the tea plantation we walked through at the end of our second day.

One of the most surprising things was the sheer beauty in the idyllic campsite. I was fool enough not to notice it until the last day of the camp, compensating slightly by taking a load of pictures. These were taken on the morning we left, just as the mist was beginning to recede.

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, by ali.k

travel

impulse marketing

Jetlag is a terribly proper excuse to go on a foodventure.

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, by ali.k

of fur and sundays

I haven’t posted in a while, mainly because I’ve been going through school (and we all know what that’s like).

The past few weeks have been an engaging few, in which I managed to do a few interesting mini-shoots—some of them planned and some on impulse—namely with a few of the furrier kind.

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, by ali.k

another escape

A week or so ago, I took a trip down to a street jam packed with quaint shops and corner cafés; home to the infamously sinful Plain Vanilla bakery, as well as Books Actually, with its extensive collection of vintages.

To my stomach's disappointment, Plain Vanilla was closed (cons of a public holiday), so I settled on a little bit of local food at the end of the street. A little quickly turned into a lot, and a lot ended up in the beginnings of a food coma. Nevertheless, we ventured on to whatever shops were open.

Thankfully, Books Actually was a pleasant exploration-- addictive, really. I bought my first magazine-esque lifestyle book, Another Escape*. Despite having only gone for the aesthetics of the cover (rather shallowly, I'd suppose), I found it to be the kind of thing you'd read by the windowsill with acoustics** in the background and whatnot.

The typography and layout of the book was, aesthetically, more towards a minimalistic look, allowing for focus on certain images. I wasn't too taken by the font, but it complimented the look nicely. Overall, it's a worthwhile buy, for enthusiasts of well written lifestyle articles and photography.

If only there wasn't school so often, I'd be able to explore so much more. It's alright though, because I can probably find another excuse to come by again.

Till next time!