Art Martha. Shtetl In The City.

Dan Zollmann's exhibition called Shtetl in the City is an insightful photographic study of the Orthodox Jewish community in Antwerp. This compelling show gives audiences a rare glimpse behind the scenes, and is at times amusing thanks to Dan's clever juxtapositions of traditional culture against contemporary backgrounds in the city. The image above is called Twee fietsen onder een brug — Two cyclists under a bridge — taken in 2006 and is just one of many great images showing now at the Joods Historisch Museum in Amsterdam. I'll be back for a repeat view, it's an outstanding show.

Flipfactor. Apocalypse.

I picked up the Apocalypse back issue of Colors in Amsterdam last week, and again I was rapt as I read each story. Aside from looking fantastic with intriguing editorial content, Colors is one of the few magazines that truly covers the globe. The standout tale from this issue was one about a man called Bruce Beach. He has buried 42 old school buses in a small town, covered them with concrete and called the creation Ark Two Shelter. He'll take one thousand of the fittest people underground with him when disaster strikes to keep the human race going. Just one of many astounding stories inside.

Art Martha. Golden Years.

David Bowie might be the first thing that comes to mind, but this time Golden Years refers to an engrossing exhibition of photographs at Huis Marseille in Amsterdam. Dutch photographer Rob Hornstra's work captivates, every image presenting a complex tale of life in Russia capable of rousing love and heartache simultaneously. While Rob's work was my favourite, two projects by Olga Chernysheva charmed, particularly the voyeuristic Windows, and Oleg Klimov's black and white series of images Along the shores of Russia intrigued. Excellent exhibitions Huis Marseille! Be sure to check out The Sochi Project.

Roaming. On Look Out Duty.

Shootin' Gallery: Haarlem. Meerkats. Netherlands. Orange. Windows.

Roaming. Lip-Smacking.

Shootin' Gallery: Amsterdam. Lips. Netherlands. Red.

Pinboard. Interested Party.

As often happens to me, a man called out as I walked around Amsterdam Zuid. "Meneer! Meneer!" said the Moroccan man. My initial reaction was to keep walking, I knew what was to come — questions. The man had seen me photograph a port-a-loo, those mobile toilets available in a range of colours across the spectrum that have become a common sight in many parts of the world. He was curious, perplexed even. Perhaps I bring on this attention myself, I photograph odd things from plastic bags to undies and much more besides. The man was genuinely interested and we ended up chatting for some time despite my limited Dutch. He spoke of his daughter's interest in photography, and how eager she was to study it. But he wanted her to do business management so she could make a lot of money, perhaps more than he could in his coffee-shop. We bid farewell, and I left with a warm experience bought into being by an orange bio box.

Roaming. Purple Passion.

Shootin' Gallery: Amsterdam. Netherlands. Plastic Bags. Purple.

Roaming. The Festive Season Is Over.

Shootin' Gallery: Amsterdam. Kerstboom. Netherlands.

Raoming. Hopscotch.

Shootin' Gallery: Amsterdam. Games. Netherlands.

Popcorn. Word Power.

The European Word Translator in today's Guardian is providing hours of fun. Type a word in, cat for example, and find out how to say it in one of many European languages all at once. Cool. It's the work of James Trimble, a postgrad student from Glasgow University. See more studies on his website UK Data Explorer.

postgrad computing science student at Glasgow University - See more at: http://ukdataexplorer.com/#about

postgrad computing science student at Glasgow University - See more at: http://ukdataexplorer.com/#about

postgrad computing science student at Glasgow University - See more at: http://ukdataexplorer.com/#about

postgrad computing science student at Glasgow University - See more at: http://ukdataexplorer.com/#about

Roaming. In Amsterdam.

Shootin' Gallery: Amsterdam. Netherlands. People.

Spin. Leipzig.

My new discovery musically speaking is Belgian band Balthazar. Applause was the title of their first album, Rats was their second. Both are rich and layered indie-pop masterpieces teamed with warm vocals. It's a sound I like a lot. Over the past couple of days they've released a new single and video for a track called Leipzig. Maybe a new album is in the wings...

First 13. De Pijp.

Shootin' Gallery: Amsterdam. Netherlands. Thirteen. Walls.

Roaming. David & Venus.

Shootin' Gallery: Amsterdam. David. Netherlands. Statues. Windows.

Flipfactor. Londoners.

It's little wonder that The Guardian raved about Craig Taylor's book Londoners; it's a riveting read. A great range of characters share their experiences and reflections painting rich and vibrant portraits of London. Highly recommended for locals and visitors alike.

Roaming. The Waiting Game.

Shootin' Gallery: Amsterdam. Markets. Netherlands. People. Pink.

First 13. IJ-Hallen.

Shootin' Gallery: Amsterdam. Markets. Netherlands. Thirteen.

Flipfactor. Arrival City.

Doug Saunder's terrific Arrival City: How the Largest Migration in History is Reshaping our World is one of the most insightful books I've read in a while. It's full of intriguing tales where sadness and hope is peppered with bureaucratic stupidity. I've spent several late nights absorbing it, learning more about cultures and people and the experience of the migrant. It's a fascinating account. I wonder if our world would be better if instead of national service we had international service, a process where all people would be required to simply live overseas for a couple of years to learn about cultures other than their own.

Roaming. Two Blokes On A Breakwater.

Shootin' Gallery: Newcastle. People.

Pinboard. Bystander.

For several years I've been collecting snippets of witnessed occurrences which, for whatever reason, I've been unable to photograph. You'll find them all on Bystander, a column on my website Turnstile. Hit Goggle to read more from the ever-growing Bystander database.

Popcorn. Stood Out.

It's holiday season. I'm sat here cleaning up old computer files, a laborious and long overdue task not without some fun. I stumbled on an old Word document from when I lived in Bowral. For some reason I decided to record the one thing from the previous day that stood out most. Here's what I found.

I started six days into the month. On day six I walked down the hill into town on a drizzly day where I saw an older woman wearing a bright red rain hat and coat teamed with matching wellies. I was chased by a mother duck protecting her eighteen ducklings on day seven. I watched with great interest on day eight the movement of a tiger snake in the garden. Day nine I watched young magpies learn to fly. I missed a few days. Day thirteen I recall thinking about how life deals some people repeated hard blows. Day fourteen I purchased a Murdoch paper, something I haven't done since, and appreciated The Australian’s new design even though the content was as dull and ignorant as ever. Day fifteen I laughed loudly at The Royle Family. I missed a couple more days. Day eighteen I went to the library where I was impressed by the friendliness of the local librarians. I was in Sydney on Day nineteen where I noted the trustworthiness of a restauranteur. Day twenty I was intrigued by a woman wearing lacey black clothing who spent $348 at the Mittagong Vinnies on furniture. I missed another day. Day twenty-two was hot; I noticed how fragile plants were in the sweltering heat. Day twenty-three anger strikes as one of my hard drives gave up the ghost after just seven months of little use. I stopped before month end, missing the last week of the month. It's nice to know what you forgot.

Roaming. Egress.

Shootin' Gallery. Exit. Nabiac. Pink. Signs.

Glossy. Epicurean 36.

Epicurean was a bold editorial adventure published in the mid 1960s through to the late 1970s. With a changing masthead, sometimes surreal covers and a bold use of typography and colour, Epicurean was one of Australia's first magazines devoted to food and wine. In 2010 Dominic Hofstede curated an exhibition of all 77 covers designed by American graphic artist Les Mason at Melbourne's The Narrows. I wish I'd been able to go, but for now I'm happy looking at this amusing cover putting rubber gloves to inventive use.

Roaming. New Year, New Gear.

Shootin' Gallery: Haarlem. Mannequins. Netherlands. Princesses. Window Shopping.