Monthly Archives: September 2012

Travel Thursday | Piece Of Paradise | Velassaru Maldives

Posted in Architecture, Art, Decor, Fashion, Interior, Lifestyle, Photography, Travel by

Maldives has been synonym with luxurious natural retreats for a while now. Provoking travelers to indulge in this combination of pure luxury and breathtaking beach side panoramas, Velassaru Maldives is located at the fine line between the sky and the ocean, in the paradise we call the Maldives. This expressive island hotel holds details inspired by local architecture, while the finishes are luxurious and invite to a world of indulgence. If there is a place where memories of an almost impossible beauty become the foundation for inspiration, then this place is perfectly defined by its motto: “Live in your world. Play in ours.”

Seven different villa types overlooking powdery white beaches and the infinite-looking ocean are available, showing that even paradise can be rented. Teak and stone meet under high vaulted thatch ceilings and extend towards the water in a unique embrace. Restaurants and bars, alongside private dining experiences, as well as an inviting spa and yoga pavilion care for your body and mind. Velassaru is definitely one of the most inviting places for a paradise-like experience.

FASHION | Miranda Kerr ♥ Sunday Times Style Magazine

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FASHION

Shoot: The Sunday Times Style | Model: Miranda Kerr | Photographer: Eric Guillemain’s (2b Management)

We haven’t had a fashion post in a long time, so what better way to return with a fashion post than with Kerr-Ching beauty. Australian beauty Miranda Kerr tries on the autumn season’s new shapes with these recent images featured in The Sunday Times Style. In front of Eric Guillemain’s lens, Miranda is an alluring vision in the designs of Miu Miu, Giorgio Armani and Calvin Klein amongst others selected by fashion editor Lucy Ewing.  The 29-year-old Australian model looked striking in a revealing collection of ready-to-wear garb in The BIG Fashion Issue. – I love the black eyeliner!

Illustrations | Florian Nicolle

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ART | ILLUSTRATIONS

Artist: Florian Nicolle | Location: LA, California| Type: Fashion Illustrator

What’s a better way to start the week, than with these gorgeous illustrations by French illustrator Florian Nicolle. I came across his work via Pinterest and fell in love. Check more of his portfolio on  Florian NICOLLE behance and his website.

Montenegro | Aman Resort | Sveti Stefan

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One of Europe’s fastest growing tourist destinations, Montenegro

Covering just 13,812sq km, Montenegro is endowed with natural beauty and high biodiversity along its 300km Adriatic coastline and across its ever-changing interior.

In the coastal region, the luxury hotel island resort of Aman Sveti Stefan, Porto Montenegro and the master-planned resort town of Orascom Lustica lead the way as low density, ecologically sensitive and mixed-use developments. Architects and developers have worked with the government to minimise environmental impact with initiatives that include extensive seabed and land remediation work, recycling stone, brick and timber from the old naval port structures, and constructing new buildings, none higher than five storeys, in traditional style using local materials.

Interview | Photography by SMart

Posted in Architecture, Art, Fashion, Lifestyle, Photography, Travel by

A little while ago I introduced you to a friend of mine who is a photographer. I showcased her website on Arhitektura+ and that proved to be a big hit. If you missed it – you may view it here. Seeing how much you liked Diandra’s Interview I thought I’d continue the trend showcase another very talented friend who also happens to be a photographer. Her name is Sandra Markovic and she is the owner of SMart.
Please see below just some of Sandra’s amazing work. SMart certainly knows how to capture a moment.

Here’s a 10@10 Q&A with SMart:

What inspired you to become a photographer?

I’ve always been a creative. It all began when I did a series of my phobias using photo manipulation. It frustrated me that I didn’t take the photos myself and it was a massive collaboration of images from stock sites. If I had taken the photos then I would’ve had control over the lighting and perspective, so I decided to buy my very first Canon 450D.

When did you become a photographer?

I’ve been taking photos since high school, but only starting taking it seriously while I was studying graphic design. We had a very small class and asked if we could integrate photography into our course, so we got to use the studio and do a lot of night photography. This is where I really started to understand aperture and shutter.

Where are you based and what areas of the Sydney do you cover?

I am based in South Sydney and I travel around to all my shoots. I shoot a lot of live stuff so I have to go to where ever the gig is, even if it’s international.

What are your favourite locations for shooting?

I don’t particularly have a favourite spot. If I have an idea in my head, I do a lot of brainstorming and then I look for a location that will go with the theme I have planned for. I’ve actually done a huge shoot in a friend’s backyard and you wouldn’t even know it.

How would you describe your style?

I am not really sure. I guess it depends on what I am shooting. Overall I’d have to say natural, imaginative and conceptual. I try to have my own distinctive and raw style when I shoot live bands so that my photos can be set apart from other live photographers.

Who are the photographers that influence and inspire you? What motivates you to keep going?

The photographer that inspired me from the beginning is Andreas Smetana. I actually used to do all his web design and his work always blew me away. Lara Jade is also another photographer that I’ve been following for years. I’ve watched her grow into this amazing photographer and she’s a huge inspiration. However, what keeps me going is after so much preparation and a long photo shoot, it’s all about THE one shot, if I’ve captured THAT moment than I’m satisfied and look forward to the next one.

What are you hoping to reveal through your pictures?

I definitely want to evoke an emotional reaction. I don’t know if that’s what people get, no one has ever said anything but I really hope it does that. When I shoot live stuff, I really try to capture the feeling of being at your favourite gig, and the emotion coming from each member of the band who love what they do. When I photograph people, I love to capture them in their natural state because it brings out the best in them and you can really see it and feel it in a photograph.

Are there any types of photography style you find more challenging and are perhaps looking to improve?

I think I will be forever improving on all styles and I seem to hop from one style to another. I started shooting landscape, then I found a love for shooting urban and abandoned buildings. Once I ran out of ‘safe’ buildings to visit, I got offered to shoot live shows so I gave that a shot and fell in love, that took a while to get the hang of but I’m still learning. I have only recently begun shooting natural portraits and I have to say that’s tricky, understanding lighting and capturing the emotions is probably the most challenging.

Tell us about your photographic equipment – what cameras do you use and how it helps you.

I use the Canon 5D Mark III and the lens I use is the EF 24-105mm f/4L . I wouldn’t say it helps me, because a great photographer isn’t about having the best gear, but it gives me the better quality photos I need to provide clients and magazines for print. Recently I went through old photos I took with my 450D and I was surprised at a few I took. Don’t take me the wrong way, I judge myself the hardest, there have been times I said I’d quit photography because I just didn’t think it was good enough.

And finally, show us one of your favourite shots and tell us a bit about how you got it.

I have a few favourites from different categories but since I shoot live stuff the most I have to say my favourite is the photo I took of Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters. That day there were about 10-15 photographers, the stage was extremely high and the pressure was on. I love this photograph, it was captured at the right moment, you can still see his facial expression, it focused right and the lighting was perfect.

See more of Sandra’s beautiful work on her blog: http://sandramarkovic.wordpress.com

You can also like her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SandraMarkovicPhotography

Would you like to get better use of your camera? We have a photography competition running now which closes this Friday click here for more details