lulz.

I dont take any credit for the following work. Although I pressed the button on my camera, the art was really by the poor people who work at the site across the alley from the original St Jeromes (now a post apocalyptic pile of concrete and dust). Through their unfortunate proximity to bars, and relative seclusion from the busy Swanston St, I am sure they have had their fair share of Phantom Pissers. At least they can face it with good humour.

Beto-Tasi

A man sewing a fishing net in the fishing village of Beto-Tasi.

Santa Mask

After going for a stroll down the beach near where I was staying in Marinir, I was lucky enough to run into a few young men who asked me to pay their village a visit. Beto-Tasi sits literally metres from Dili's President Nicolau Lebato airport. From one of the traditional thatched houses, something not usually seen in Dili, you can see the airport's radar equipment sitting not much more than 50 metres away.
The families living in the village had come from all over Timor. An older lady with whom I was lucky to have a conversation with (all be it in my crappy broken Tetun and her son's crappy broken English) told me her family had migrated from Oecusse District (a small, seperate region surrounded by Indonesia). 

After a while, the kids had come out with a Santa mask left over from Xmas. The sun died, and I was sitting on the family's porch. This 6(ish) year old put on the mask and posed for me. 

Watermarks

I really hate that I have to do this, but it is becoming more and more apparent that my photos are ending up in random places on the internet without my permission. Of course, the internet is a free source of information for the masses - something which I fully support, however, I also believe that credit should be given where it is due. As a photographer, I can't survive off good intentions, niceties, and being credited alone.

It is with great regret that from now on, images on this blog will be watermarked. Not heavily, but just enough so there can be no doubt when people pinch them and use them without permission.

- Mat 

Bloody Big Rain

I named this post after the Facebook status updates of Timorese Cyclist Anche Cabral. I enjoy reading her updates announcing the bloody big rain falling in Lospalos.

A storm approaching Atauro Island

Over the past few months, Timor has been experiencing Baiudan - Wet Season. There is nothing more beautiful than watching a storm wash over the sea - providing you don't get caught outside shelter.

Rain drops fall onto the waters of Wetar Strait

This arvo, I plan on heading to this beautiful little fishing village near the airport. The village sits about 50 metres away from the airport's navigational equipment, and about 100 metres from the side of the runway. The resident's were originally from Oe-cusse, an anexed part of Timor Leste, an area separated from the majority of the country by a stretch of Indonesian West Timor. They arrived approximately three years ago and have set up a small community with houses not dissimilar to those seen in rural parts of Timor.

A storm about to hit Dili 

It's Good To Be Back

The south coast of Timor Leste this morning

Julia & Aaron

I was asked by the lovely and Julia and Aaron to photograph their wedding at Main Ridge on the Mornington Peninsula. It was such a perfect wedding for a perfect couple. Although I don't usually shoot weddings, I felt privileged to document such a special day. 

Julia's Dress 

Tiger Lily, the family dog, waits at the bottom of the stairs as Julia puts on her wedding dress.

Julia's lovely sister Rachel helps button up her dress.

Aaron and Julia's first kiss as a married couple. 

Rue Bebelons

A quick shout out to an awesome venue. Rue Bebelons could be very roughly translated to 'Road Baby Lons' - which makes sense because it is on Little Lonsdale St. My good friend Eric works there. My other really good friend Aaron owns the place. He let me put my work on the walls of his beautiful spare room.

Rue's is open til late, have awesome music which they spin on a record player, great coffee and drinks, and most importantly cool people work there!

Check it out!

Emma and I enjoying drinks! 

Sunshower

After a weird day of weather in Melbourne, I felt pretty happy to come home to this. 

Feet Street

Havent shot street for a while. Havent shot feet for a while. 

Ashee D

Ash and I went for a coffee in the city. I haven't been there in ages. It was fun. 

As A Bird

After spending the past four days in hospital, mum should hopefully be released tomorrow. Her white cell count has risen to acceptable levels, meaning that her immune system should be kicking back in. Hopefully she will be cleared by the doctor tomorrow and free to head home.

The past few days has been fairly stressful and boring. She has kept her spirits up by playing with an iPad and constant visits from my aunts.