Tag: australia

Feature Car: Sammy's 1956 Volkswagen Single-Cab Kombi

Believe it or not, this way-cool rusted and bent ’56 Volkswagen Single-Cab Kombi belongs to an 11-year-old boy! Sam and his dad pulled the raw carcass of this machine from a field out in the country and proceeded to bring it back to life, including a lot of rust repairs, a fresh 1641cc engine and that unique interior made up of patina’d signage.
My shoot was featured in issue 67 of VW Magazine Australia.

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Learn How to Automotive Light Paint!

Learn how to automotive light paint with one of Australia’s top exponents of the style. Ben Hosking is now offering one-on-one and small-group classes in the greater Newcastle and Sydney regions.

Learn all the necessary tips and techniques you need for creating professional-level automotive light painting images. From the equipment you need to the techniques to creating beautifully-lit scenes and the secrets that make a memorable image.

Each hands-on session will be tailored to where you and I think you need the most help. Or it can be an encompassing course that starts right at the beginning – or anywhere in between. All that will be worked out prior to the lessons, which will be a minimum of two hours, at a time and a location within your general area (where possible). I’ll also try and set the lesson after one of my proper magazine shoots. So you can come along and watch that process as part of the coaching.

I’m also offering more general educational sessions in automotive photography techniques like strobist and even basic camera skills should you feel you need it.

Contact me today HERE if you’re interested in learning how to automotive light paint and we can discuss your specific needs, questions and desired outcomes.

Gary Taylor's 1965 Ford XP Falcon
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Born of Osiris + Chelsea Grin @ Newcastle Hotel - June 23, 2019

Salt Lake City’s Chelsea Grin has darkened our shores a number of times in the past, but rarely with the same line up. The crushing deathcore four-piece has had 14 members within its ranks over the last 12 years and this tour saw new singer Tom Barber screaming his lungs dry in Australia for the first time.

While Tom is about the only member to make decent use of the small corner stage, they’re tight as hell, with drummer Pedro Viveros’ guttural vocals the perfect foil to Barber’s more razor-like fry screams. About the only downside of the performance is from a select handful of crowd members who wrongly presumed the rest of us wanted to watch them throw their limbs around the middle of the dance floor like epileptics with brain injuries. Sadly, this ridiculous, anti-social nonsense meant a large gulf was left between the front of the stage and the back where most were unwilling to risk a wayward fist or boot.

Illinois natives Born of Osiris have only managed to host nine different guys in the group over the past 16 years, and its core members have all been in it for the long haul for over 10 years. That cohesion clearly shows on stage tonight. It’s a polished display of progressive metal that boasts techy, classical flourishes over the top of bruising, tight riffage and twin vocalists Ronnie Canizaro and Joe Buras bring a real sense of urgency to the performance.

By the time the headliners took to the stage, there were no signs of the flailing-limb idiots and the dance floor was full of enthusiastic punters wanting to see the eclectic metal band perform a comprehensive set list of tracks from across its back catalogue. Guitarist lee McKinney’s axe didn’t quite cut through the mix as well as perhaps it should have, given his technical expertise, but overall the mix was thick and full and the audience lapped up every minute.

Definitely the best way to enjoy Sunday night in Newcastle this week!

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Karnivool @ The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle - May 30, 2019

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What I would witness tonight would only reinforce would only reinforce an already firmly held belief that the best shows take place in intimate venues. Although, thanks to the Cambridge posting incorrect set times online once again, I’m sure there would have been a few nonplussed punters who either missed opening act Southeast Desert Metal altogether or only caught the last few minutes of their tight, albeit reserved performance (posted start time was 9pm, but the band started at around 8.30 and was finished at 9.15pm). While the band were pretty static on stage, their driving, propulsive mix of hard rock and classic metal sees the half-full room enthusiastic and supportive.

After about 40mins of set up time, Western Australia’s Karnivool took to the stage in what was to be a more pared back production – more visceral perhaps – than what I’d previously seen the band offer. Most importantly however, is the fact that the band was no less powerful for it. In fact, being up so close, with only the Cambo’s small security pit between Ian Kenny’s Zen-like stage moves and the sweaty sold-out Newcastle crowd, you could argue that the limited lighting and production only added to the intensity.

Tonight’s set list covers the spectrum of the band’s output thus far, including what I think were a few new or unreleased tracks like ‘Animation’, ‘Reanimation’ and ‘All It Takes’. Crowd response to them is good, but it’s obviously the known and loved tracks from the band’s three albums that get the most response.

Karnivool are a national treasure. They’re often cited as influences and hit ‘fave band’ lists from notable musos around the world and for good reason: their recorded output is impossible to fault and their live performance – as witnessed here tonight at the Cambridge – is just as strong. With a solid, clear mix, all the guys’ parts are perfectly audible, which is a feat unto itself with the beautiful subtlety that flows beneath all of Karnivool’s music. Add to that the strong, engaging stage presence and you’ve got the ingredients for a perfect night of intense, involving and damned catchy modern progressive metal.

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Feature Car: Nick Blunck's 1961 Volkswagen Beetle

Nick Blunck is a dedicated VW fan. He owns at least two Beetles and can be regularly seen posting images of sexy Euro sports cars via his social media channels.
He lusted after a period-specific rally-style Beetle using parts and mods you might have seen in the 1950s, using parts from companies around at the time like Oettinger. This tasty example is the result of his toil and it is featured in issue 60 of VW Magazine Australia.

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As always, we’ve got a series of FREE desktop wallpaper images for you to enjoy. Simply CLICK HERE or on the thumbnails below to visit our Flickr page where all the goodies lay in wait for your visit.

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Feature Car: Peta Psaras' Holden VE SS-V Wagon

Not so long ago, cars loaded with fancy interior trim and in-car entertainment hardware like this were almost always under-powered and slow. Peta Psaras wasn’t having any of that with her Holden VE SS-V wagon. Nope, hers makes 617hp at the wheels thanks to a stout combo from Sam’s Performance and that last piece of the puzzle is part of the reason why the car made it into the return issue of Street Machine Commodores!

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As always, we’ve got a series of FREE desktop wallpaper images for you to enjoy. Simply CLICK HERE or on the thumbnails below to visit our Flickr page where all the goodies lay in wait for your visit.

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Feature Car: Luke Bailey's Wide Body Holden VE Commodore Ute

Now for something a little different! So good to see the late model stuff getting the full kustom treatment. In this case Luke Bailey’s Holden VE Commodore ute doesn’t just come with fancy interior trim and car audio gear, but it’s also slammed into the ground on airbags. On top of that, the guards and bodykit has been pumped to accommodate those massive 22×9.5in Simmons rims! Oh, yeah, then there’s the Vortech-blown Alloytec V6 up front. Sweet! The shoot was featured in the return issue of Street Machine Commodores, which is still on sale now.

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As always, we’ve got a series of FREE desktop wallpaper images for you to enjoy. Simply CLICK HERE or on the thumbnails below to visit our Flickr page where all the goodies lay in wait for your visit.

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Feature Car: Ben Hiles' 622rwhp Holden VE Calais V

Most of my photo shoots take place away from home. Typically in areas like Sydney or further afield. So it was nice, not only to shoot a vehicle within an hour from my house, but also to get a close look at Ben Hiles’ sleeper VE Calais V. I shot it for the latest issue of Street Machine’s LSX Tuner magazine. With a rebuilt, forged 6L LS under the bonnet, fettled further thanks to a Magnusson MP2300 blower, this grandpa-coloured VE makes 622rwhp! I bet this thing surprises some folks at the traffic lights.

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As always, we’ve got a series of FREE desktop wallpaper images for you to enjoy. Simply CLICK HERE or on the thumbnails below to visit our Flickr page where all the goodies lay in wait for your visit.

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Feature Car: Jason Sandner's Holden LX Torana

Jason Sandner’s incredibly-detailed Holden LX Torana appeared in the November 2018 issue of Street Machine. It is the second time I’ve been able to get up close and personal with the car and it never fails to blow my tiny mind. Jason has done an incredible job of building the car, which is highly detailed, both on top and bottom. powered by a 378ci alloy Donovan SBC, it’s also potent!

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As always, we’ve got a series of FREE desktop wallpaper images for you to enjoy. Simply CLICK HERE or on the thumbnails below to visit our Flickr page where all the goodies lay in wait for your visit.

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Feature Cars: Ray and Tony Elia's Holden VK Commodores

About the only thing better than one tough, tubbed HDT-style VK Commodore is two and between brothers Ray and Tony Elia, that’s exactly what I got to photograph a few months ago for the return issue of Street Machine Commodores! Ray’s white machine is blown, while Tony’s Blue Meanie replica BT1 boasts a wicked Injection Perfection trumpet setup.

BUY A SHIRT, PRINT AND MORE!

As always, we’ve got a series of FREE desktop wallpaper images for you to enjoy. Simply CLICK HERE or on the thumbnails below to visit our Flickr page where all the goodies lay in wait for your visit.

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