Forever Summer

H&M did it again! After the Coachella collection, Forever Summer Two-O-Sixteen is to die for! Yep, my travel buddy this summer.
Perfect for a hot-weather vacay, mild, breezy, all about prints. It makes it so easy to stay fashionable under the sun. More importantly, it won't burn holes in your pocket! It is all you need for your summer gateway!

both female and male sections will offer you the best fashionable summer items to those exotic islands on your list.

Now that you know what to pack, go get lost on a beautiful island and make memories!

H&M is having a summer deal, be sure to check their store for more summer outfits.
BON VOYAGE!!!

Island Hoppers

The best way to clear your mind, is to let your soul wander somewhere beautiful... and sunny! Thousand Islands, here we go!! I don't really know exactly how many, could be 999 or 1001- but according to wikipedia, there are only 110 islands (my whole life is a lie). so yeah, let these islands be the opening of my summer playground!

#Summervibes !!

My friends and I decided to stay at Putri Island (west), a resort with a glass-bottom boat as one of its attractions beside snorkeling and diving, you can't really play on the beach, because sea urchins are every where, you have to go to other island to do so, that's what we did. rent a boat and go island hopping!
The island has its own fauna, besides a monitor lizards crawling in front of your cottage- there are cuscus and squirrels spotted living freely on the island.

For islands to hop, I really recommend Macan Island and Sepa Island, for its exoticism, but you need to pay some extra money for the entrance ticket, will be worth it, I promise you! There are islands to go without charging you for breathing, like Dolphin Island, Perak Island, Kelor Island, Onrust Island. They have their own uniqueness, Kelor and Onrust with their artifacts from the dutch empire, and Perak Island for its culinary.
There are other islands where you can only visit in the day, because it's gone by sunset! Not magically disappear, no! It can be scientifically explained, these unnamed islands are drowned at night as water lever arises. So be sure to get off these islands before huge waves start appearing... they will around 4 in the afternoon btw...

Plan your whole week to explore every island, pack your summer outfits, leave those jackets and sweaters at home, buy sun cream and let the summer breeze clear your mind.

Wild o' Weirdo

I went to the Safari Park last weekend, the only place in the country where it's surrounded by nature and wild animals, with a theme park and a water park inside. As if we got 48 hours in a day to do everything lol but yeah... it was amazing, we had fun!

#ootd well this is how I look having fun #yeezus

You can find KINGDOMS of animals being preserved here, from rare species to ones that you can find in your neighborhood, predators and preys, wide-winged to flightless birds, fly by and walk in front of your ride, live freely outside cages. I took a lot of animal photos here, and to those who want to practice photographing moving objects or panning photography technique, this is the place!

Like I said before, there are so many things to do here. We spent almost 2 hours in the safari ride, and the rest of the day on the other attraction, you should plan a day if you want to do everything, or you can just stay in the caravan-like hotels here so you can also go to the night-safari.

I Love You

Happy 26 young man, you made it!

Live, laugh, love, learn more.

I'm sorry for all heartbreaks, disappointments, and failures, they were worth it tho, right? hahaha

I know whatever happens tomorrow, you'll survive. so don't give up!

Never forget what you value most and keep your faith alive.

Be magical, kind, and crazy at the same time.

Do not let them take you down, never bow down!

Always be a hippo and not a lion.

Don't fit in, you are not alone, always remember that!

xoxo

Fashion In A Suit

Sometimes you just have to hang those jeans and go with more refined look, I know it requires much more effort to put on those stiff pants lol but you wanna make a great first impression in an interview or business meeting with your future employer, client, or partner. The word sophisticated is different from one to another, here's mine :)

Fashion is free and limitless, and as a photographer it's one of the most exciting parts, I get to wear anything that I want, but there is some line we cannot cross, boundaries we set in order to earn something in return- and it's called respect #PREACH lol yeah so lose those denims and basic t-shirts at home, go with more smart-elegance outfit without loosing your own personal touch, and get that contract!

I'd really really reeeaally avoid wearing denim in business meetings, especially on the 'first date', no matter what career fields you are in, denim is a big no-no for me. If it was casual, I'd still wear basic t-shirt but I'd wear it with a suit. A first date always determines how you will do next, so pull something you don't wear on a daily basis.

I also wouldn't recommend any crazy prints, I'd wear something calmer and really show how serious I am in doing business with them.

The next appointment(s) is where I go a little bit loosen up, this stage is usually a treat to a lunch/dinner/play sports, all the fun parts. BUT!!! In my opinion this is how they check your sanity... I personally think this is the most scary part. Yep, on the second date is when they got really judgmental! Do not dress like you have won the project, it still can go wrong.. There will be less business talks, just play, laugh, and telling stories, but while you are telling your fun experience, they are judging you! So yes... Maintain your calmness and laugh just a little, do NOT do any psychotic smiles or scary joker laughs...

When they feel you are perfect for the gig, the next step is SEALING THE DEAL!! This is where I go full blown crazy and bring the thunder!!!..... LOLS Nah, I'd still style business-appropriate but show more attitude in my outfit, dress like you really nailed it. NOT LIKE CIRCUS PERFORMERS COSTUMES, no! but I'd play with more prints and colors, accessorized H2T, and show my personality even more without dissing the element of business attire.

I really believe companies hire/do business with other people for their past performances, projects and experiences, but they also want to see you in person. The question 'How they dress?' can really effect the decision whether you are qualified for the job or not. Tho it still serves as an extra, but why not impress them with both of your works and appearance? ;)

Earth Without Art is "Eh"

Pasar Seni, or the Art Market if you translate it literally- is located inside Ancol, north Jakarta. Workshop, gallery, kiosk, even residence for many Artists. Nothing could inspire more than a place full of arts. When you love sightseeing, or hunt for paintings, furniture, even get a tattoo, I recommend you this place.

Me? This is the place where I chillax, one of the best places to hang out, it's like a playground to me, it used to be crowded with people, now it's just a calm place for many painters to work their magic without any disturbance.. What's so sad is because this place also serves as their kiosk, so when no visitors come, they don't make any selling.

So yes, let's talk about it hoping you become aware of this place's potential and bring life back to it. When I'm here I always take a tour around all the kiosk. They always have something new and fresh, yes... Their work of arts is being exhibit for free, you can ask anything, take pictures, some will give a free lesson about painting and how to paint, as long as they are also free and not under any deadlines.

When I say I hang out here, I mean it. I usually go here around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, to avoid traffic jam, and go home around 11 at night..... That!! If food doesn't involve, if there is food around, I can stay a little bit longer (depending on how much food is within my reach...) This place is so awesome, especially if you are looking for some inspiration. This is where I usually go before doing any projects, to get inspired, by those paintings and their artists.

#ootd ;D

  

(from left to right/top to bottom: Cak Pri, Sulistyo, Imam Subekti)

Imam Subekti

 Sulistyo

Cak Pri

Each and every painter has their own uniqueness, they have their most preferred technique to use, tho they have mastered any techniques, they are all amazing. I spend most of the time chit chatting with them. They are all kind, talented, inspiring, and they love visitors!

They are not always in their stall, they go home or go stocking materials, they will leave their store open so visitors can still see their artworks, they leave their phone number under their name on the signboard for visitors to call if there's any business inquiries, or you can just visit them and see their hand dances on the canvas, yasss!

    

(Paintings by other artist that caught my eyes ;))

Yes, it is the art market, it doesn't store only paintings, we can also find other art shops like furniture shop, handmade leather clothing shop, bronze-smith, and tattoo parlor.  

There is so much to see for your short holiday, plan your visit here, the only thing that this place missing is food stall. I have never seen any booths serving food, there is convenience store tho, but if you want to spend a long time here, bring enough food. 

Scratchy Sketch

When work is done, this is how I spend my lazy-time in a boxer and tank top, love sketching from celebrity portraits to animal drawings and any random stuff. It is another way to spend weekend at home.

Time Machine

People have been wondering how to time travel, how to reverse time, pause, and fast-forward it. They are willing to pay so much for that to happen, for someday a machine is invented to do so. They forgot that that machine has been there from the seventeenth century. If you really want to do all of the above, go purchase a camera! orrr..... hire a photographer.... like me *wink *wink

So yes, I can stop time whenever wherever I want, beat that Harry Potter!!.....

I take pictures, a lot! for various reasons, if it's not work related, I take random pictures just for fun. Images of macro objects like insects or plants in my backyard, and if it's raining outside I go take pictures indoors, like glasses, house ornaments, even ceilings, anything that can inspire and unleeaaash my creativity. When I go on a business trip, I always make time to wonder around the city and just shutter about everything.

Photography is the closest thing to the term 'Time Traveling' without risking your self trapped in the parallel universe (movie reference again)..... you can freeze time by clicking the shutter on your camera, turn back time by opening folders of old photos, and skip time by keep taking pictures and finding objects to focus on. Even if you are not a photographer, save some money to buy a camera, or just stick to your smartphone that has a good camera. I'm not gonna mention any brands.... I'm using both Samsung and iPad by the way... SO DON'T FIGHT DON'T JUDGE PEOPLE!!! LOLS

URBANISTA

Fashion is Passion, everyone can have it. Men and Women from different age and sizes, it's one of many ways to express yourself, it can even help increase your confidence, well at least that's how I feel when I 'dressed-up', the fashion industry has always offered many things from time to time, from new designs to classic recycled ones. It's what makes it interesting, people now mix both to find the definition of the word "Fashion" for themselves.

Personally, I love a ready-to-wear clothing, I live in the tropics, sun is exposed in every step I take, it's no longer considered warm, IT'S BURNING HAWT!!! I love fashion items- coats, vests, sweaters, jackets, shawls, scarfs, I wear them occasionally, especially when I travel (and I travel a lot!!), they are my travel buddies, but I won't wear them together at the same time like it's gonna snow tomorrow lol, nope! They are usually my accessories to spice things up, so they won't get left behind on the rack.

I love street fashion, you can keep it mild and easy-breezy, but still fun and turns heads,

People say "you are what you wear" ehmmm.. that sentence is missing one word- "comfortably". If you are not comfortable with what you wear today, how can you become fabulous as you are everyday? *werds!
Never force it and play smart! If the weather is too hot for you, do NOT hang that jacket in the closet, wrap it around your hips, or turn it into a scarf. For a hoodie, maybe wear just its hood as a head cover and wrap it around your neck or shoulder, you never know when it's gonna rain, right? So yes, in this everyday-is-sunnyday country where I live in, I always find a reason to buy jackets and coats.

Monochrome Hearts

Red is fiery, Blue is calming, Pink is sweet, Green is refreshing, Yellow is energizing, etc..etc..etc.. they are fun by themselves to begin with, and when you mix them together..... whatever it is I'M IN! From rainbow to itty-bitty m&m's, love them!
But black and white pictures... Bruuuhhh they speak more! Ehmm not in a creepy way... yep! monochromatic photography is in a different level. They are more mysterious, and as a photographer that's all you want your viewers to feel about your photos, enticing! B&W photo has never failed me.

"Yeah right, cuz it's easy!" *flip table Processing Black and White photos is NEVER easy. I won't go through all the boring editing process now, but you have to make sure all hues and color tones in your B&W photos stand out as they are in full-color. Yeah, figure that out!
To me, pictures which can stop me from whatever I'm doing and make me stare for a long time win, and most of them were in Black and White, like this for example:

Yes, it's Chantelle Young - Brown who now goes by the name Winnie Harlow, if you are a an ANTM freak like me you are familiar with this lady and this picture. It is phenomenal! It's from The CW America's Next Top Model cycle 21, tho she didn't win the title, I personally loved her and this photo, and many other works and performances of hers.

People usually use B&W for street and Portrait photography, but we can now find some landscapers using black & white photos as their portfolios.
This is a few of my B&W photos that I have taken:

Not every photo can be a B&W photo, I REPEAT, Not every photo can be a B&W photo, the most boring photo can turn unique in B&W, and some photos best appear in colors.
So what do you think? What catches your eyes more as viewers? What catches your attention more as photographers? Photos in B&W or colors?