
An Interview With Javier Pardina: The Ethereal Worldbuilder
"A profound influence on my work has been the idea of merging the real with the surreal; creating visuals that feel rooted in reality but elevated by abstraction and imagination."
"A profound influence on my work has been the idea of merging the real with the surreal; creating visuals that feel rooted in reality but elevated by abstraction and imagination."
The Puma Speedcat OG is not the type of shoe that you thoughtlessly pair with skinny jeans and be done with it; as my middle-aged millennial self is so often inclined to do these days. Rather, it’s a bold statement piece that requires a certain degree of confidence to pull off.
When my water broke at two in the morning, I scrambled to pack the essentials: toothbrush, cleanser, lotion, cell phone charger, book (which I never read), water bottle, and snacks. Of course, there were many more things I ended up needing.
Though some users may prefer a film with more built-in contrast such as Tri-X 400, or less grain like T-Max 400, Ilford HP5 Plus 400 remains one of the greatest film stocks ever made; in part due to its incredibly flexible exposure latitude.
The benefits over the standard iPhone camera app are twofold: you're getting an authentic DNG RAW file for professional editing, as well as a beautiful Jpeg that handily beats the image quality of Apple's native camera.
Specifically, the combination of Frankincense, Lavender, and Rose Hip are the ultimate beauty oils. When used together, they rival topical retinoids in their anti-aging longterm effectiveness but without the redness, irritation, or potential side effects.
You can easily overexpose by two to three stops and not have to worry at all about the film losing highlight detail or experiencing a dramatic color shift. It's really quite remarkable once you realize that it's actually relatively hard to mess up the exposure with this film stock.
The camera that you hold in your hand when travelling can actually be a catalyst to experience and understand different cultures, even if you don't speak the same language. The beauty of great photography is that it has its own universal vocabulary.
All of the films here are visually jaw dropping thanks to the finest cinematographers of their respective times. Their stories are such that you'll be talking about them days later, and each ones deserves a spot in your collection.
"It’s a pretty spontaneous process. I have a few go-to shots I rely on if I’m trying to tell a story about a new place, but more often than not I decide where to go over breakfast. Unless there’s an exhibition or museum I’ve read about in advance, I tend to let the day lead me."
The first test I had to make was to see if the waterproofing was real. To do that, I stepped into the closest creek and submerged the shoes for minutes at a time. They worked. My feet stayed dry and the material did not become waterlogged, feeling just as light as when I pulled them out of the box.
While Samsung and Google Pixel are aggressively incorporating AI in their phones to perfect or even provide an enhanced alternate reality of an image, Apple has chosen to go in the opposite direction which I find admirable.
photography
With a production life that spanned from 1994-2000, this camera was the ultimate image making tool that Canon offered at the time and this is still evident in every aspect of the body, features, and design.
photography
It offers something special that makes images appear tangible, organic, and honest. In an AI saturated age, this film is a counterpoint with an authentically imperfect human touch and I believe we need to be reminded of this more in our lives.
travel
Maybe we all carry both the wild and the cosmopolitan within us, and this island gives us space to experience both. Whether you’re here as a backpacker, a family traveler, a wave-chaser, or a nature-seeker, Oahu finds a way to offer something personal.
watches
As any chronometer aficionado will tell you, mechanical watches tend to get expensive very quickly so it's something of a rarity to see a quality dress watch for under $500 USD, or even $1,000 USD for that matter.
artist profiles
"I am trying to not be that shy, conservative, quiet Indian girl people want South Asian women to be. My art is my way of rebelling."
watches
It's no secret that I love the Casio F-91W for its simplicity, but the Casio AE-1200 is a worthwhile upgrade in several ways. Its packed with features you'll actually want to use, ones that will improve your life in a tangible way.
footwear
The Nike Field General seen here is in the adventurous Elemental Pink colorway, and bold colors aside, it's easily one of the best looking Nike shoes I've ever seen. This classic silhouette features timeless styling, minimalist lines, and beautiful stitching details throughout.
cinema
My Neighbor Totoro is not a story about good and evil, yet it isn't boring. Not even close. Rather, it's one of fantasy and family, with creatures and locations that are shrouded in mystery. The themes are simple for young children to be captivated but also layered enough that adults will enjoy it.
cinema
What makes Lost in Translation truly special is how it captures the beautiful sadness of making a fleeting connection in life. It plays in the realm of moral ambiguity, and it's within this structure that the film elegantly combines elements of romance and comedy.
cinema
Due to its poor marketing, you'd be forgiven for dismissing Children of Men upon its initial release in 2006, but don't pass it up now. It is an incredible film that has stood the test of time. Not just for it's captivating story, but for its relevant social commentary.
footwear
Whereas other popular sneakers' claim to fame is their highly technical and sometimes flashy design, the Nike Air Force 1 ’07 has an understated monochromatic philosophy that perfectly suits the aesthetically inclined. It's quite simply the most minimalist basketball sneaker ever.
photography
It's a frustrating experience in that regard, as I was only able to achieve perfect exposure with a handful of images out of the two rolls I shot. When both the blacks are crushed and the highlights are missing detail, sadly everything just looks a little bit wrong.