Merry Christmas everyone!
Hope you’ve all been good or at least good at it 😉 Santa will no doubt be rockin the Gortex tonight, hopefully the pressies don’t get too damp!
Here’s a couple quick photos from us with a couple of our Xmas friends up to mischief!
Some (mostly women) say he’s dreamy, personally I don’t see it, but there’s no arguing his ability to take everyday things and super soppying them up to melt hearts. With help from Teagan and Sara and Ash Grunwald, epic finger tapping and swaying was had by all.
Jack Johnson @ Riverstage photos here
Mad turntable scientist and gadget geek, Nikk C drops in this week for 3D World‘s Social Club chat at Laruche – bar and supperclub. Read about his exploits in issue #1041.
Get it FREE from all the usual street press outlets or read it online @ 3D world magazine – Brisbane
Korn @ The Tivoli 3/12/10
The boys are definitely getting on a bit but they’re still full of piss and vinegar and can still pack a heavy metal punch.
We were too busy banging heads and losing shoes in the audience to be on official duties but here are a few photos from the outer bounds of the sweat drenched circle pit.
Continuing our Laruche – bar and supperclub shoot, this week we have Brisbane DJ/Producer and all round nice guy, DJ Victor James. He chats to 3D World about domino spews and partying in the Greek Islands in issue #1040.
Get it FREE from all the usual street press outlets or read it online @ 3D world magazine – Brisbane
One of our fave bands of all time, The ‘Fish have been going at it for longer than some of their followers have had birthdays, ok, maybe not that long but they’re the forefathers of the ska revival and always put on a great show.
They covered all the usual tracks plus a few we’ve haven’t heard in the last 6 times we’ve seen them.
First time seeing the Aquabats, their show is just a riot! From their one piece lycra body suits to their, at times questionable banter, wacky visuals and dolphin kicking, its one giant piss take worthy of some kind of Guttermouth recognition award.
Too busy skanking it up to be on official duties, I still managed a few shots from in the overly energetic and sweaty crowd.
Reel Big Fish and Aquabats photos here
Sammy – Photoshoot 3/10/10
Sample shots from a quick run and gun shoot for some promo shots of one of our favourite subjects, the ever talented and super bendy Miss Sammy! (:
So you’ve shopped yourself silly and you’re tired of trekking for hours and not getting anywhere. Time for a bit of relaxing sight seeing, and if you do it right, a lot less wallet intensive.
If you’re staying in Times Square then its an obvious first stop. Try to see it during the day and night for some vast contrasts.
Photo tip: If you wish to get a less cluttered shot at night or some long exposures you’ll have to wait till after midnight, closer to 1am before the bulk of the crowd has left. Worth it to keep the weirdos from standing in the middle of your frame staring at you and messing up your shot.
Ferris Wheel - Toys R Us, Times Square
Our faves in Times Square were of course the Toys R Us and M&M’s World stores. Even if you’re not a fan of toys or chocolate, in which case you may want to consult your local physician, both stores are a must see and are conveniently open late. Toys R Us sports a full sized 60ft Ferris wheel, Jurassic Park T-Rex, Empire State Building Lego replica complete with King Kong, a life size version of Barbie’s two story doll house and many more comic and movie characters. There are also plenty of hands on demos and lollies/candy section.
Lego Buildings - Toys R Us, Times Square
M&M World Times Square
Across the way, is M&M’s World, which, you guessed it, competes with Hello Kitty for the title of the most licensed products. Tees, mugs, stationery to collectible NASCAR models and shower curtains, it if it has a space for a logo then you’ll probably find it here. Also see the great wall o candy and stay on the look out for the M&M characters. Say “wassup” to Blue for me (:
Just in case you didn’t get enough of a sugar fix, a couple doors down is the Hershey‘s store, for those that like their chocolate sweet AND salty. Considerably smaller but just as busy, Hershey’s has the same deal but with Kisses and Peanut Butter Cups instead.
A few blocks north is “Top of the Rock” which, as the name suggests, the top of Rockefeller Plaza (aka 30 Rock, yep, the TV show in which its filmed along with other faves like the “Today” show). Whether you go here or to the Empire State Building is more a personal preference. For us the pluses over ESB were:
– cheaper
– only one security check point
– lines and wait time were almost non-existent
– no additional fees to go to higher levels
– no crazy stair climbing
– 1 enclosed and 2 open air levels
– only a couple stories shorter than the ESB (completely unnoticeable when you’re up there)
– the view is the same
– you get to see and photograph the ESB (frame it right and you can get the Statue of Liberty or Brooklyn bridge in there as well)
Try and get there about an hour or 2 before sunset to beat the rush, find a nice spot and watch the sunset and the city light up. We were fortunate to have decent visibility when we went, but like any big city, be prepared for smogged out days with dirty brown sunsets.
Regardless of which vantage point you chose remember its really high up so as soon as the sun sets it can get quite cool, so bring a jacket. Times 2 plus beanie and gloves if its in the cooler months.
NYC view north from "Top of the Rock" (click for big)
NYC view south from "Top of the Rock" (click for big)
If you chose ESB, you’ll only be a couple blocks away from Grand Central station. The location of many a movie scene’s meeting point, abandonment and “we’ll lose em here” ‘s. Check the Sky Ceiling in the main concourse for zodiac art painted by Frenchman Paul Helleu.
Main Concourse - Grand Central Station, NYC (click for big)
If you want to jump on a train then this is the place to do it, there’s a line that will take you pretty much anywhere and on the chance that you rush and catch the one heading in the wrong direction its only a matter of getting off at the next stop and crossing to the other side of the platform, just make sure your Metro Card is topped up.
One stop that may not immediately ring any bells is Bowling Green, right near Battery Park on Manhattan‘s southern tip. Here you can have a relaxing day in the park, no doubt very popular in the warmer months with is sea side location, but for us it was to take the short walk to the South Ferry Terminal for the Staten Island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty.
Now you can easily spend big bucks for the countless tours to see the ol’ girl but at a cost of not just money but time in queues and security, not to mention when you get there, Liberty Island (the island its on) is very small, so photos are all upskirts and internal access is limited, so no, you cant climb into the crown and blast Jackie Wilson, Ghostbusters 2 styles. Another misleading note from the same movie is the misconception of its actual size. Its less than 50m high so its not Godzilla or even the Stay-Puff man.
That aside, if you want the cheapest and least competition from other tourists, then the Staten Island ferry is the way to go. It’s a commuter ferry so mostly business/everyday types. We had no problem getting a spot for some photos on either the front or back decks.
Photo tip: Leaving Manhattan the statue is on your right (starboard) side. Take a long lens for a nice tight level crop
Not long ago, you could actually stay on board the ferry and just wait for it to “reverse” back to Manhattan, however now they ask everyone to disembark. Make sure you don’t leave the terminal otherwise you will have to pay, instead just circle back round to the entrance side. If you got a couple minutes to kill, grab a bite to eat in one of the eateries or fresh fruit vendors in the terminals. If not, don’t sweat it, there’s food (and beer) available on board the ferry.
Statue of Liberty
Back on the mainland, head back to Fulton St. station to visit the World Trade Center.
That whirlwind run was all we had time for in Manhattan before we hitched a subway ride to Brooklyn.
New York City 2010 part #1 – The flight in…
New York City part #2 – Shopping: Midtown
New York City part #3 – Bronx Zoo
New York City part #5 – Sight Seeing – Brooklyn Markets and Gardens
New York City part #6 – Shopping: Soho
New York City photo gallery here
QLD Raceway Sprints 27/11/10
Its been quite some time since we last ventured out to the track. While it has lost some of its soul (and fun) with sky rocketing fees and a grid of exotics and dedicated track cars, its still a great way to spend an afternoon and a chance for me to practice my panning.
This was the last meet for the 2010 season, for more info or to sign up for the 2011 season head to the
Queensland Raceway website
A new month a new club! This time we hit up the illusive Laruche – bar and supperclub. Very unassuming on the outside, but inside it sports an eclectic Alice in Wonderland/Nightmare before Christmas kind of vibe. Check out some of the decor and this week’s feature DJ, Arku in issue #1039.
This bumper issue also features a complete run down of all your clubbing and festivals needs over the holiday season!
Get it FREE from all the usual street press outlets or read it online @ 3D world magazine – Brisbane
