A Teaser from the Darkes Forest Photoshoot

Just a few snaps of Tahnee from last weekends fun filled photoshoot down at Darkes Forest. There's plenty more to come of Tahnee, Ellise and Shan! Shots styled by Tahnee Carroll, hair by Ellise Payn and photography (on this page) by me and Jenna Payn also snapping away on the day!
Stay tuned for more shots from this shoot!

No Quarter Boxing Gym Sydney

Upon arriving home from years abroad, I was faced with the task of finding a new gym that held both boxing and kickboxing classes, and is easier said then done. I didn't want a boxercise style gym and I wanted technique training as well as fitness and strength. I stumbled across a poster taped to a pole next Technology Park in Eveleigh that was for a gym not far from my house. So I got in contact with the owner and asked a few questions and automatically it sounded like a gym for me.

The gym is located at 70-72Wyndham Street in Alexandria, not far from Redfern station. The gym has a good, authentic feel to it, with several bags of different sizes hanging at the back, a ring over one side, tredmill, rowing machine and a good sized area where the classes take place. The equipment is all good quality (Twins gloves) and there is more then enough to go around. There's ample classes each week (at least two classes everyday except Sunday) with a mix of boxing, kick boxing, sparring and strength and conditioning classes, and classes are open to people off all skill levels, whether it's your first class, or your training for a fight.

I couldn't be happier with No Quarter, everyone who goes there is friendly and helpful, it has a social vibe and Anton is a great trainer. And the gym mascot Winston the bulldog is pretty darn cool as well! Visit the website for more details
www.noquarter.com.au

Here are a few snaps of the gym I shot.

Abandoned Tooths Brewery - Mittagong Maltings

I stumbled across this location while browsing through another photographers photos and fell in love with it and knew I had to go there. With the Dunlop Factory at Alexandria finally being made unaccessible (they now have dogs in there for those who don't know) I needed a new run down, abandoned location, and then the old Tooths Brewery in Mittagong pops up.
   Mittagong is in the Southern Highlands and really didn't take that long to get to (approx 1-1.5hr from Sydney) and has loads of countryside to stop off at on the way, it's good to make a day of it.
So myself and two fellow photography nerds ventured down there, and had absolutely no troubles finding the site, and were happy to see there was no obstacles that posed a challange to get in (you can actually drive your car in there if you want!) And straight away we were impressed by the huge building that loomed in front of us.
   Not only is there one big building, but there are two big buildings, plus one smaller building, plus a small house all on the site! One building is pretty empty but has some nice natural light and some beautiful structural beams, the smaller building still has some sort of heavy machinery in there (from what I can guess was used to make doors and windows, as there are still loads lying around the building) and then the third building was easily my favourite. It has three sections, one section with an upstairs area (steps are still sound and not sketchy at all) and all chains and machinery tracks, huge fans, wood and lots of interesting things in there. Then the second section is a basement like area with rows of columns and has some lovely light down there. And the final section is multi levels (where the top is still easily accessible) and is surprisingly intact. The floors, stairs and general structure is stunning, it has been abandoned for 20 years now and its still standing without any problems.
   One thing thats also nice and a bit different to your normal abandoned sites is the lack of graffiti. Don't get me wrong there is still graffiti, but if this was closer to the city, there wouldn't be a blank wall. And some of the graffiti is hilarious that looks like a 14 year old got dads can of spray paint and sprayed quotes they got from movies. There are also some darker graffiti telling you to jump, or enter hell here, but they are more laughable then scary. And I must also admit, this place I thought would be scary and a bit uncomfortable, but it wasn't at all. People walk their dogs through the grounds and we ran into several other people shooting there as well. I wouldn't advise going alone though just incase you did fall or hurt yourself, as its a big area and no one will hear you there, so take a friend, or at least a phone!
   So below are a few snaps (haven't finished sorting them yet) but thought I would get them up as some people have asked about it.
 
 If anyone else knows of any more abandoned sites like this (or Dunlop Factory or Glebe Tram sheds) please share with me as I love these kind of things and they are not easy to find!