Outpost Visual Issue 2

Editor:

5 Portraits & notebooks A series of portaits accompanied with entrys in his notebook by TimD

Guy Jansen

@outpostvisual outpostvisuals@gmail.com

Contributors: Tim D

19 Fabi Aguilar Melbourn based illustrator, freely expresses her culture and bohemian out look on life

28 Lost Track New Zealand Torren Martyn and Ishka Folkwell spend three months surfing and motorbiking their way around New Zealand. In search of remote waves.

Dorian G Fabi Aguilar Ishka Folkwell Torren Martyn Nick Carter Gemma Chapman Matt Genefaas Rowan Baker Mitch Barnard

42 Editorial imagery A series on images curated by Gemma Chapman.

Cover art:

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Andrew J Steel @andrewj.steel

Travel, Photography & Food A convorsation over a home cooked meal with Nick Carter For anyone interested in contributing content to the magazine or enquieries about advertising, please get in contact via email: outpostvisuals@gmail.com OUTPOST | 2

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aprilschance.com @aprilschance

Image: Rowan Backer

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Fabi Aguilar @fabiaguilarsurf

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- Tell me a little bit about your illustrations. Did you dive straight into portraits or do you draw a wide range of things but this is what you are most passionate about?

I started late, I have to say, at 32 years old. I believe that it was the natural progression of myself within the arts.

I started studying piano at the age of 6, finishing the conservatory at 20 years old and from there I moved on to photography, following the footsteps of my mother, who was a photographer for the newspaper El Mundo in Spain. Her specialty was black and white portraits and I think that this left a mark on me. She used to show my brothers and me slides from her trips to the war in Nicaragua or Palestine.

When I started drawing it was easy things (for a person who didn’t draw before) and that I was passionate about: plants.

I realised how happy I was while drawing and decided to explore it further. As a good self-taught person and passionate reader, I discovered a book that marked me deeply and that is one of the reasons why I draw portraits today, it is called: “Drawing on the right side of the brain” by Betty Edwards.

Without a doubt, portraits are what I like to draw the most since they are part of my DNA: my mother’s work as a photographer and my grandmother’s work as a portrait painter.

friends. We saw as normal many situations at home that you realise over the years that are not.

You know that feeling when you meet someone who has lived a lot of experiences and always has a story to tell with a lesson attached to it? Well, that’s her. When you are by her side you feel that everything is possible, that you are strong to fight with everything, that life is beautiful and you have to live it as a gift, and that kindness is everything. She really lifts you up.

The truth is that there are countless life lessons she gave me and that I’m still learning today. Both my parents are my heroes and I wouldn’t be who I am today without them. They are an example to follow as persons and parents.

I couldn’t tell you a specific portrait since there were many that left you hypnotised, but what I can say is that she always found the way to capture the hardness of the person’s environment in the look.

- You are inspired by a bohemian style and also patterns from all over the world. When did you start introducing this into your work and where are the best places you have found on your travels for inspiration?

I believe that “bohemian” is one of the best words that can represent me: unconventional artistic life constantly travelling and moving from country to country (this is my 7th country though), with a free & natural spirit.

Patterns have always attracted my attention. As long as - Your mother sounds like a very strong woman, can I can remember, there were beautiful rugs at home that you tell us a bit about growing up whilst she was my parents had brought from Peru, hand embroidered, photographing the war and is there a particular with patterns that made me dream in super warm portrait of hers that has always stayed with you? colours.

My mother, a great seamstress, introduced me to the She really is. I guess that the view of the World my world of prints and fabrics. We used for every family brothers and I grew up in was quite different from our lunch table cloths made with senegalese tissues that she sewed when we were living there.

Years later I worked for a beach club where the graphic style of all their billboards was Boho and this was the turning point, my head just exploded. I could see all those prints and colours that I had engraved in my brain since very little represented graphically, falling completely in love with the style.

When I started drawings black and white portraits I felt that I needed to add colour, because in the end life is in colour and not in black and white, right? So I said: hey and why don’t I give a bohemian touch to all this by incorporating those patterns and colours around every portrait? That’s how it all started...

Countries that have marked me a lot in my bohemian drawings are: Nicaragua and its colours & prints, Senegal and its wonderful prints & fabrics, Morocco and its ceramic, tiles & rugs, the Caribbean and its OUTPOST | 21

colours, Australia and its aboriginal drawings, where I - Is there anyone one, in particular, or a particular currently live and that is still captivating me more and moment that really inspired you to start drawing? more every day.

My inspiration for drawing comes from my grandmother who was a portrait painter and pianist, as I mentioned - Did you study illustration and graphic design or are earlier, as well as my mother who always supported me you self- taught? in developing my artistic skills.

The turning point that made me discover my passion for I initially studied Tourism at Málaga University, in the graphic design (it was the first step before illustration), south of Spain, which has nothing related to it. was preparing a CV for an advertising company in Over the years and seeing how happy I was with Huntington Beach (Los Angeles). I wanted more than illustration & graphic design I studied design at RMIT anything else to go there to live and work and I decided University in Melbourne, one of the reasons why I came to do a CV totally different from what we are used to to Australia. seeing. I had no idea about graphic design, icons and But the portraits skills, as I told you before, were thanks colours, but I managed to draw what I had in my head. to the wonderful book “Drawing on the right side of I enjoyed doing it so much that I decided to make it my the brain”. job... and until today!

- Do you draw all your art pieces on an iPad or do you - You bring so much more movement and joy into use other mediums to produce your work? these portraits. When you first look at a project you’re working on does it just jump out at you and you know I mostly do everything on my iPad because it’s easy to instantly what you want to draw, or is it very much carry everywhere (specially when travelling) and I have feeling it out as each one differs to the other? everything in one place.

Another extra bonus is that the procreate app gives you Thank you very much! That’s what I want to reflect!! the option to export the illustrations in diverse formats The truth is that there are times when I see the finished (super easy to share on Social Media), do animations artwork clearly in my head before starting and other and record a time lapse of the portrait, which is just times that it just comes up along the way. amazing!

I always draw portraits whose reference photo conveys Although I always carry with me a small notebook and a something: it can be the look, the pose or the facial pencil when I travel. The feel of the paper still fascinates expression. I like to see the real person behind the surfer, me. their strength and vulnerabilities.

I always create the boho part as I feel it at that particular moment of drawing, being very influenced by the music I am listening to as well as by what that surfer breathes

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through his/her personality.

Ok seriously... When you live on purpose and you are fully happy, it is reflected directly in your work. There - You have travelled much more than the average is no more secret than that, and if you can travel at the person, How do you think this has impacted you as a same time, you just won the lottery!. person and also the work you produce?

- What do you do outside of illustration and graphic I wouldn’t be who I am today, as a person and artistically design? without it.

Traveling as well as living in other countries has opened Well, look, if I’m not on a trip and I’m here in Melbourne, my mind and given me a very different perspective on I do sport every day (swimming, running and yoga), I life. cook a lot (being Spanish, it’s impossible to not enjoy I have acquired countless qualities that I have good food!), I study (I extend my skills as an illustrator incorporated into my daily routine and made friends as much as I can), I go to museums every month to get for life. Can you ask for more? I give thanks everyday. new inspiration, I go out to take photos, I read every I think the best reflection of that mix is my Spotify day and I have an extensive social life. folders, haha. Just kidding.

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- How long have you surfed for and who introduced you to the world of surfing?

You won’t believe it... but I don’t surf! I can sit for hours and hours watching competitions, friends and family, but not me. Call it fear, respect for the water, the currents... I wouldn’t know. I guess living in Australia is a sin, right?

I enjoy the same or more than surfers just taking photos and after drawing them.

My father was clearly the person that introduced me to the Surfing world. He was one of the first surfers in the 70’s in northern Spain when wetsuits were just starting. He always transmitted me his passion and happiness when practising it and is always telling me how he wants to end his retirement days in the water.

- Your top 5 surfers?

Mmm, good question. Can I tell you my top five by their personality?

I look much more at the way they are before and after the fame, how they face adversity, their determination and hard work than the sports results itself, because, as you may know, in a sports career there are so many ups and downs.

I have to admit that I admire many more than those 5, but well.. Here it goes: Kepa Acero, Wiggolly Dantas, Carissa Moore, Kelly Slater and Italo Ferreira.

- I love that your top 5 was based on their personalities, has any of your art found its way into their lives?

As I said, I started painting surfer portraits not long ago so “for now” I can say no... but a year from now who knows?

The good thing is that thanks to all this work I am talking with them and getting to know them better, which is just incredible.

- Are there any artists you would love to collaborate or work with in the future?

Phewww, so many!!!! I am a big fan of countless photographers and illustrators as well as brands with very similar values to me.

The most recent photographers & illustrators that have inspired me are: Morgan Maasen, Amber Mozo, Cait Miers, Justin Jay or Stephan Van Fleteren as photographers and Naranjalidad, Gemma O’brien, Hayley O’connor or Andreea Robescu as illustrators.

I believe that collaboration is key nowadays to offer different things in a market full of noise. I know the best is yet to come.

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Torren Martyn and Ishka Folkwell made the decision to spend three months surfing and riding their way around New Zealand, a country famed for its almost fantastical landscapes, and the miles upon miles of enticing coastline, promising gorgeous sandy beaches with those all alluring waves. They wanted an adventure, and complete freedom to discover the remotest surf. Aotearoa did not disappoint.

Torren, a talented surfer, and Ishka, an incredible filmmaker, have travelled the world together for years making surf movies. Each new adventure starts out as a conversation, an idea that their shared passion would then make a reality. Their travels happen with the continued support of wetsuit company, needessentials, a relationship that started years ago on a surf trip in Australia and has continued ever since.

The freedom to go as they please and find the waves they were after would come on two wheels, so the only real option was to do this trip on motorcycles. They needed something simple and reliable, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 400cc was their first choice. It was an all-terrain bike that would ride like a dream and was light enough to get in and out of tricky spots when they went off-road. It turns out Royal Enfield were just as excited about this New Zealand adventure as the boys were and they generously provided the two with the Himalayans. With a few modifications made to carry Ishka’s camera gear, Torren’s two boards and the other minimal life essentials, they were roadworthy and ready to be on their way.

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Finding those secret bays and untapped beaches requires some extensive planning. Neither had a specific route in mind to start with; all they knew was that they wanted to go from the northern tip of the North Island to the southern tip of the South Island. They spent countless hours gazing over topographic maps, scanning the coastlines of both islands for potential remote surf spots.

They left Auckland full of excitement and adventure. Stretched before them was an everchanging road, a new landscape around every corner and the tantalising promise of unknown waves waiting to be ridden. Topographic maps were swapped for weather forecasts and swell charts, and it was those that they lived by for the next three months.

Less than 200kms in, their trip almost ended in tragedy. Whilst riding, Torren was stung in the face by a bee and unbeknownst to him, he was allergic to bee stings. His face began to swell dramatically and started to have trouble breathing. Although Ishka didn’t share his concern with Torren at the time, while they waited for the ambulance to arrive he began to fear the worst. Thankfully, help arrived just in time. Understandably rattled, they decided that they would stop for the night and make any difficult decisions about carrying on in the morning.

The new day brought good news: Torren’s face was still slightly swollen but he was in high spirits, and keen to set off. Of all the dangers that a surf trip in winter, on motorbikes, might present; neither of them could have predicted a simple bee sting could derail them. Armed with a newly acquired EpiPen and some antihistamines, they threw themselves back into their adventure hoping the local insect population wasn’t going to cause any more trouble.

They took it easy for the next few days and enjoyed sharing waves with the locals, but really that wasn’t what this trip was about. Finding waves just for themselves was the goal. As Torren says, “finding perfect waves to share with just a friend is one of the best feelings a surfer can experience.” At last, they found that on the East Cape - a beach to themselves, perfect weather, and in a place so remote they would be the first humans in the world to see the sunrise the next morning. That night, as they sat around the fire waiting for their dinner to cook in the coals, they began to feel the power that this land holds and realised just how special this trip was already working out to be.

Ironically the next stop on their trip, highly recommended by a friend, was to visit John’s honey farm. Torren was understandably cautious, but he was keen to know more about the critical role that bees play in the global bioculture. Armed with his EpiPen, Torren swapped his wetsuit for a bee suit and they spent a few hours learning all about bees, and the medicinal properties that make New Zealand’s manuka honey so special. The prize for Torren’s bravery was a jar of some of the country’s finest honey, he felt good for having put his fears aside and embracing the experience.

Anyone who has been on a road trip will know, not everything goes to plan. When embarking on an adventure across New Zealand, you also have to contend with livestock, non-existent roads, and weather that can kill you. Sadly as the boys turned south, so did the forecast.

They lost time pulling Ishka’s back tyre out of a river bed; once freed and ready to carry on,

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the heavens opened. The wind turned deadly as they were riding through a mountain pass.

Unpredictable and fickle, they couldn’t tell if the next corner was going to bring a lull in the gale, or batter them with renewed force; thereby pushing them dangerously close to the centre line and into oncoming traffic. Their only option was to carry on, crawling down the mountain, finding what little respite they could in passing lanes and hard shoulders. Deeply rattled but hugely grateful to have survived, the pair sought refuge at the Eketahuna Inn. They spent the evening surrounded by true Kiwi hospitality, and the horrors of the last few hours were eased by swapping stories, enjoying the live music and sharing a couple of cold ones with the locals.

The next day fortune was back on their side and Torren put on his wetsuit, paddled out and scored some beautiful waves. He found the feeling of riding a motorbike similar to the feeling of freedom when riding a wave. “They have their highs and lows with that combination of the smells and sounds and that pure feeling of weightlessness in the open air is almost as if time stands still. Feeling like it really brings you into the moment.”

They set off south again, allowing the weather and swell charts to dictate how they got to Wellington - the only definite plan of their trip so far being their ferry crossing to the South Island. The North Island had been an amazing ride, but it was familiar land in parts. Neither of them had been to the South Island and the feeling of the complete unknown propelled them onwards. Totaraui Queens Charlotte Sounds greeted them in majestic silence. It felt to them that they had arrived in a different country and the adventure was just getting started.

The novelty of the south island wore off pretty quickly. Their first few days were spent huddled under a blue tarp strung between their bikes, just big enough to shelter them. Luckily the gas tank of the Himalayan proved to be the perfect spot to bungee tie a box of wine to, keeping the boys’ spirits up!

As the weather moved on they were finally given some fun waves, Torren reluctantly swapped his warm layers for his wetsuit and braved the chilly temperatures. The waves might not have been pumping but they were enough; the feeling of surfing somewhere for the first time, with nobody else around was incredibly fulfilling.

The forecasted waves further along the island were enticing. The boys made a plan to stock up with as many supplies as possible and head off-grid. In high spirits, after enjoying spectacular views and a somewhat easy ride to their next location Torren and Ishka set up basecamp, lit the fire and enjoyed a red wine as they watched the stars grow brighter.

Just as they were settling in, the unpredictable South Island weather brought a change in the wind. Suddenly ash and embers flew about them in a beautiful but potentially devastating swirl, sending Torren frantically running into the tussocks to stamp them out. The wind only grew stronger as the night plunged them into complete darkness. The morning brought yet another change of weather, this time ice and snow.

As the days grew shorter and colder, drying their wetsuits became a thing of the past. Each morning they rang out the previous day’s rain and ocean water before putting them on.

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The water was ice cold and the wind simply didn’t let up but these were some of the best waves they’d come across on the trip making it easy to embrace the cooler temperature. With each charging wave, Torren sought out barrel after barrel, losing himself amongst the spray and glowing turquoise of the ocean.

Even with lighter bikes - having managed to leave some of their gear at basecamp - they soon realised some of the places their journey would lead were only accessible by foot.

Having ridden as far as they could on their next leg, they walked the rest of the way. Their perseverance was rewarded and Takoroa, the Maori atua of the sea, blessed Torren with each new wave. Torren, in return, showed his appreciation for these perfect waves by riding each wave gracefully and effortlessly.

After a blissful session in the water, they were both swiftly reminded how quickly the weather could turn against them. By the time they made it back to their parked bikes, they were once again battling the wind and rain, struggling to stay upright. As the day grew on, the winds too grew stronger as it began to hail and staying dry was no longer an option. The boys returned to discover Ishkas tent had flooded and just about all their gear was soaking wet. The boys dried some undies in the morning sun whilst they stretched their legs and then packed up camp and headed further into the Deep South.

The countryside of the South Island is ever-changing; wild and spectacular. Each bend in the road would reveal a new landscape so beautiful it looked as if it had been freshly painted. It was views like these that had inspired them both to travel to New Zealand in the first place.

As they rode further south, they allowed themselves to be humbled by the magnificence of the land, each new place a memory they’d cherish forever.

A mate of theirs had highly recommended visiting a hut hidden away in the hills that would make the perfect spot to rest and recharge the batteries for a little bit. The idea of sleeping with a roof over their head in complete solitude after the past few days battling the elements sounded pretty good. The little trail they were following took them through stunning tussockcovered backcountry. The ride was amazing yet challenging. It had been a long day on the bikes and even though they were unsure of their exact trajectory, it was getting late and they didn’t want to be riding into the unknown in the dark. At one point, they passed a hunter along the track who gave directions and assured them they didn’t have far to go. However with the encroaching darkness and still no sign of the hut they finally gave up and made camp, their offline maps told them they were a long way off reaching the hut and had been given bogus assistance by the ‘friendly’ hunter.

Whilst cooking dinner the boys reflected on their encounter with this hunter and couldn’t help be unsettled by his misleading guidance. He had made it seem as if they’d already seen the worst of the trail and the hut was within reach only to find the road grew even gnarlier and shelter was still very far away. As the night wore on, darkness began to play with their minds.

The possibility of sinister motives came into play with the boys doubting the hunters’ helpful instructions. One explanation the boys believed could explain this shady behaviour was that

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the hunter must have mistaken them for two mad dogs on bikes, sadly in this instance that was not the case.

Luckily they both woke up alive and well with all limbs attached. Looking back on their night, the boys concluded that the feeling of vulnerability adds so much more to the adventure.

Sadly they never made it to the hut and turned back the way they came. However, they were rewarded with some epic waves and an audience of local seals sunbathing.

This detour had lost the boys some precious time, and they pressed on now needing to cover more ground. Having reached Arthurs Pass, they discovered a truck had been flipped and the road was now closed. Finding a silver lining in the tailback - Torren discovered that his clutch was playing up and they used the spare time to fix it. When the road opened up again, the two punched it hoping to make up for lost time. Unfortunately for them, by the time they reached the end of the pass, they discovered they weren’t as handy on the tools as they thought.

Back on the road, after having found a local mechanic to fix Torren’s bike, they had now journeyed over 12,000 kilometres. With a spot in mind on the other side of the island, and time running short on their trip, they broke their only rule of not riding through the night.

Torren had a near miss involving a possum and his guardrail but the boys made it through the night un-scathel. Sadly despite their great efforts, when they finally made it to the beach, they were greeted with a choppy, underwhelming swell.

They were convinced that if they kept chasing the swell, luck would turn in their favour. As the rain and wind set in once again they knew they had a cold ride ahead. Torren thought he had a brilliant idea to stay warm by riding in his wetsuit under his gear, which was working brilliantly until a few hours into the ride when he had to strip off to relieve himself, much to Ishkas amusement.

Snow had settled in the mountains and the smell of rain was heavy in the air. In reality, it was the coldest, wettest and roughest day they had experienced yet. Torren had spent over 15 hours in his wetsuit yet due to the poor conditions wasn’t able to surf a single wave. The South Island’s capacity to throw four seasons at you in a single day had defeated them. They checked themselves into a little hotel for the night and took the opportunity to turn their bathroom into a make-shift drying room.

They woke up assuming the waves would continue their disappointing run but discovered that their luck and the weather had turned. As they arrived at the beach, the excitement was at an all-time high; at long last, they had found the perfect spot. They scrambled to get ready and in the water before the tide turned. The contentment and joy of being in the water was huge, the grace of the ocean washed away the disappointment of the last few days.

Whilst resting between sessions they relaxed in the sunshine, taking the opportunity to thaw out in front of the fire. It had turned into one of those magical days where everything just

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falls into place. Being in the most beautiful part of the country, not a soul in sight and nowhere else they would rather be. These were the days that made everything else worth it.

As the sun was setting, throwing dusty pinks across the snow-capped mountains and burnt orange along the wave tops, Torren paddled out once again grateful for the endless barrels rolling in. That night they camped on the beach next to the fire and lay beneath the milky way. The depth and the complexities of light and colour of the night sky when you are that remote is something difficult to put into words. It’s a beauty you just have to see to understand.

It was time to start heading north for the home stretch and the two were faced with the prospect of returning through the pass that had been so terrifying on their way down. The idea of battling winds like that again was daunting and they set off cautious but determined. To their complete surprise, the weather was perfect and they were able to lean into each bend and enjoy the sheer beauty of their surroundings.

The idea of parting with their lives on two wheels and the freedom it afforded them left them feeling sombre but thankful for the experience. They had travelled over 13,000 kilometers through some of the most beautiful scenery on this planet and had managed it without any major mechanical problems and only a couple of neardeath experiences. They counted themselves incredibly lucky and were so, so grateful to have been able to share this experience with each other.

Watch the full Lost Track film at needessentials.com Images and adventure provided by Torren Martyn and Ishka Folkwell Words by Outpost

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Curated by Gemma Chapman Photographed by Matt Genefaas

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www.gemmachapmandesign.com @gemmachapman_

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Nick Carter

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I find myself in London, West Kensington to be exact. The night before Borris Johnson gave another one of his impressive and extremely vague speeches on how one can do something but shouldn’t, but if they have to they can but can’t but still can again.

He might reopen the pubs if they serve a substantial meal, if not then you must remain close. The logic is that the Covid virus is scared of food so by all means pack as many as you can into a small confined space.. So they can eat and drink and ignore social distancing as much as possible.

I have cycled over an hour as public transport is still something most of the population is uneasy about using. The reward for my efforts is a nice cold beer and a home-cooked meal.

Nick Carter is a born and bred Australian currently residing here in West Kensington. Photographer, traveller, food enthusiast and all round easy going dude.

Our first meeting was one of those classic New Zealand - Australian abroad moments, yarning over common interests and what not.

From there a friendship formed which led to me sitting in his lounge with a cold beer in one hand and the following questions scribbled down on a bit of paper in the other.

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- What inspires you to travel?

To learn more about countries and their histories. To meet new people and immerse myself into other cultures, the architecture but most of all the food.

- Picking a destination, what are the main attractions it needs? (food, culture etc) For me, it’s a mix of the old culture and the new destination. As well as great food and value for money. Hence why Japan is a perfect example and somewhere I’ll go to over and over again.

-How and where do you research for these countries (obviously google) but do you have cooking books, travel blogs, coffee table books etc?

So I actually research these countries a number of ways. Some places like Berlin, Paris, Stockholm are places on a list I have that I have always wanted to visit so I look up a lot on time out, google (by typing in must-see things in ........, best new restaurants in .......) but lately I have been using saved photos of special places I see on Instagram.

On pages like @nature and @travelandleisure are two great ones. They seem to get me interested in places like Tbilisi in Georgia, Turkey, and Slovenia. All of which are now on my list.

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- What are your travel essentials?

My cameras (digital and film), my laptop, an everyday bag for walking around, sunglasses. Double the amount of underwear that is needed.

- What are your must need items for a long hall flight?

This is going to make me sound like an old man, but it has to be compression socks, my Bose noise-cancelling headphones, my phone, of course, good downloaded playlists on Spotify and a fresh bottle of sparkling water for take-off. Then, to be honest, I’m asleep before the plan even levels out.

- Favourite camera to shoot on vs favourite camera to travel with?

At the moment favourite camera to shoot on is my Fuji x pro 2 with my Fujinon 35mm lens. But I’d say favourite to travel with is my Canon sure-shot supreme 35mm. Light compact and produces great film pics.

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- Go to film and why?

Portra 400 and Fiji film Superia 400 for colour and I use Ilford hp5 plus for black and white I like these both because they are good to shoot in most lighting situations and they have both developed nicely on all of my cameras. With just enough grain to make it looks vintage but not overdone.

- Favourite city to eat in?

I’m just going to say Japan as a whole. Not just the Japanese food but everything there was epic.

- Tell me more about what you loved in Japan culture, food, landscape.

Japan was different both times I went. One in 2010 and once in 2016. It had changed in the space of 6 years. The first time I went I was covering my tattoos more than the second time and was allowed in some bars and shops.

The second time was much more relaxed. Maybe with more tourism times are changing.

For a country of such fast-paced life and so many people, it’s so clean. On the streets, no rubbish anywhere and you never bump into people when walking the streets. It’s strangely chaotic but also so organised. I love the transition and existence of the old Japan world and the new. Beautiful architecture from the EDO period mixed in with new age buildings and billboards. It coexists perfectly. Along with the food. Amazing ramen, udon and sushi down quaint alleys with seats of 4. On the other hand, there is fried chicken and fast food places that are completely run with no human interaction.

My best advice would be to spend 2 weeks in Tokyo, see Kyoto and all the temples, head to Osaka and eat all the food. Then get out of town. Go out west and head north and stay in a tiny country town in a traditional house.

Sleep on the tatami mats on the floor and relax. Definitely go to an onset. Then just enjoy the smiles on the local’s faces and take it all in

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- How has travel-inspired and influenced your home Brooklyn. In saying that I haven’t hit Chicago or Italy cooking? yet. I was set to travel to Italy and Sicily in July before Corona Hit. I guess I’d say to keep it simple. Have been trying some new spices after visiting Eastern Europe and slow - Shooting on your Fuji what draws you into taking a cooking different cuts of meat. Also doing a lot of Asian photo? What do you need to see or experience for you style flavours with western style methods to stop and snap that moment in time?

- Best pizza spot in the world?

I love portraits or street photos. A face that tells a story when you look at it. It may not be the true story but the photo must ignite the imagination in the person who views it. And I guess with landscapes it’s more about the view and how the light hits it. A landscape works for me when it’s the furthest thing away from what I see every day at home. Like a castle on the river in Prague, Mt Fuji and a tiny hut in the distance, a lone animal in a field in the french countryside.

By far best pizza I’ve ever had Pauly Gees slice shop in

Interview by Outpost

- Top5 city’s for photography?

New York, Tokyo, Paris , Bangkok and Prague - Top 5 Cites for food?

Tokyo, New York, Bangkok, Amsterdam and Paris

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Image: Mitch Barnard

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