The Weekly Download - Issue 2
Adventures in the Blue Mountains, Film Challenges + more!
Hey Film Fam!
Welcome to another sneak peek into what I'm doing in my little film gremlin corner of the world!
This past week has been surprisingly productive, but it's also been another one of major transitions and unexpected changes – the kind that had me shitting bricks at first, but now have me feeling excited about some unexpected twists and turns.
So grab your favourite drink (lemon lime bitters, perhaps?), settle in, and let's dive into this week's creative hangout!
This Week in My World:
I faced one of my biggest fears recently which was kind of the unexpected kick in the pants that I didn’t know I needed to start making some traction and get the ball rolling on 2025’s projects. I really value clarity and being able to prepare for what’s ahead, and lately everything has felt super murky and unclear.
It’s been a major source of my stress - especially as I am a trauma survivor who needs some sort of stability and sense of control at the best of times! - and so I had to have some hard conversations… which led nowhere really. You know that old saying, no response is a response? - Yeah, got the message loud and clear.
Regardless of what happens from here on out, I made my decision for what I want to work towards and be a part of - and I’m really excited to move forward towards new projects, new goals, and continue pushing with my current little wave of success to take as much advantage of it while I can. 2025 is already shaping up to be a big one!
Weekly Adventures
The Blue Mountains called to me a couple of times this week thanks to the Blue Fringe Festival. Of course, no trip to the mountains is complete without indulging in some local treats before setting off on some sightseeing. As someone who usually cooks all their meals at home (thanks to a long list of dietary restrictions!), finding restaurants that cater to my needs is always a thrill. This week, I struck gold!
Mountain High Pies: A gorgeous pie shop tucked away on the corner, filled with so many yummy treats - including some that I could eat! My family dug into so many varieties of meat pies while I had the Vegetable Sausage Roll. Afterwards while they sipped coffee and had lemon meringue or a fruit flan, I set my eyes on the Vegan Apple Pie - which was absolutely divine!
Skewered, Lawson: Craving something savoury? Skewered hit the spot with their delicious vegan falafels. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and perfectly paired with creamy hummus (my weakness!). And of course, no falafel experience is complete without a side of crispy, golden hot chips. 10/10 would recommend!
With our bellies full and our cameras loaded, Jordan and I set off to explore and enjoy a chill Saturday afternoon together.
Film Face-Off at Wentworth Falls
Jordan and I turned various areas of Wentworth Falls into our own personal photography playground this week. First up, a challenge to capture the energy of the station – the rush of commuters, the blur of trains screaming past. I armed myself with my trusty Ricoh KR-10M loaded with Ultramax, ready to capture some fun fleeting moments. We even cooked up some silly videos. Jordan went into a comedic direction while making a parody video of me against the backdrop of the arriving train and being playful.
Later, the serene beauty of Wentworth Falls Lake beckoned as the sun started getting closer to golden hour. With a fresh roll of Film Flic 100 (gifted to me by my wonderful friend Clyde) I was determined to capture its magic from unexpected angles. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, painting dancing patterns on the water's surface while ducks and water birds splashed about.
We couldn't resist the urge to turn the session into an impromptu photoshoot, joking about needing "updated branding shots" (who needs a professional studio when you have a stunning lake?). Of course, the friendly competition kicked in – who could capture the most artistic portrait?
Let's just say having a partner who's a seasoned filmmaker and portrait photographer definitely keeps me on my toes!
Sunday Showdown: The Minolta Matchup
Sunday brought a new kind of challenge: a film photography duel with Jordan! We both armed ourselves with Minolta cameras and the same roll of film, ready to capture the beauty of a local lookout he hadn’t been to yet. Jordan, with his sleek Minolta Maxxum 7000 and speedy 50mm f/1.4 lens, was all about capturing those crisp, detailed shots.
Me? I was rocking my vintage Minolta SRT 100 – a camera I painstakingly rebuilt over three days, screw by tiny screw. Sure, it might not have all the bells and whistles of Jordan's camera, but holding it in my hands, knowing I brought it back to life, filled me with a sense of immense pride and joy!
We set off on a winding country road, cruising in Scorpion - my GQ Patrol - through rolling hills bathed in that gorgeous bright midday sunlight. Flowers (which are most likely just blooming weeds hah) dotted the roadside, bursting with vibrant colours, and of course plenty of vintage cars lined up on arrival. I couldn't resist capturing it all – including the way the light played on the glossy paint of a classic hot red Mustang!
With each mirror slap, I felt a sense of freedom I hadn't experienced in ages. No client briefs, no deadlines, just the pure joy of capturing my life as it is for its own sake. It was a reminder of why I fell in love with film photography in the first place, a return to my roots. And a much needed break from the chaos of my commercial life.
Creative Updates
Blue Fringe Arts & Literature Festival - Now Finished!
As I mentioned last week, I had two pieces of my work published and exhibited in the Blue Fringe Arts & Literature Festival. Saturday was the final day, with literature readings and the awards ceremony. It was a fantastic turnout, with the space absolutely packed and people spilling into the hallway!
I didn't win any additional awards this time, but that's okay. I achieved a huge goal by getting both my poetry and photography accepted. It was amazing to have my family there to celebrate, to see my art displayed, and to soak it all in.
One of the highlights was connecting with fellow creatives. I had a wonderful chat with one of the volunteers who congratulated me on still shooting film. They shared their experiences with Pentax cameras and sepia processing, even giving me some "lost secrets of the trade"! I'm excited to experiment with the films and processes they recommended and do a little research to brush up on my history as well.
I love how the art community brings people together for these kinds of connections and conversations. It's inspiring and reminds me why I love what I do.
Editing Past Poetry (and Scholarship Submissions!)
This time 4 years ago I was in Throughline with my long-time teacher and friend Desiree, and it’s really cool to look back and see how far I have come in my overall journey as a multidisciplinary artist and a poet.
My poetry is an essential part of my creative practice. It's deeply intertwined with my 35mm film photography - they inform and inspire each other. As I move closer to my artistic goals, I'm dedicating more time to honing my writing skills which is both scary but oh-so overdue!
I have just a week to create a manuscript and submit it to a major scholarship. I entered earlier this year and got Highly Commended - which means I’m thiiiis close to getting accepted. So this time around I’m taking on board the feedback, polishing my process up, and fingers crossed I get accepted!
Blue Mountains Writer’s Festival
Mark your calendars! The Blue Mountains Writer's Festival is happening from Friday, 1st November - Sunday, 3rd November. Katoomba and the surrounding areas will be buzzing with literary energy, with a fantastic lineup of events, workshops, and readings.
I'll be there for two days, catching up with my Varuna cohort (so excited!). With so many workshops to choose from, there's something to entice every writer. Tickets are still available, so come on up to the Blue Mountains for a weekend of inspiration and fun!
Midweek Musings
My new weekly/fortnightly series where I kind of mull over certain questions and topics has launched in my new section “Interlinked” and my first major newsletter for it will land soon!
To make these newsletters even more engaging and to foster a deeper connection with my readers, I'll be introducing a paywall for this series from here on out. By becoming a paid subscriber, you'll gain access to exclusive content and be part of a community where we can have meaningful conversations.
Your support will not only help fund my film photography adventures but also enable me to dedicate more time and resources to creating these in-depth newsletters. It's a fantastic way to support my work and connect with me on a deeper level - at an affordable price!
Behind the Scenes + Sneak Peeks!
Spooky Shoot with ‘Zoveria’
Halloween is here, and I couldn't resist a spooky photoshoot with my childhood bestie of 26 years, ‘Zoveria’ (who I know as Julia)! We had a blast creating some fun images in our local town, complete with props that perfectly matched her gloriously purple bike.
For this shoot, I used both digital and film cameras. I captured some shots with my Pentax K1-ii full-frame DSLR and a couple of my trusty film lenses – the XR Rikenon 28mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.7. These lenses create that gorgeous, creamy bokeh I love!
I also used my Pentax SFXn loaded with some new black and white film I was testing. Julia even got in on the action, taking a few photos of me with it. She loved how easy it was to use – it's an 80s autofocus camera with a super straightforward Program Auto mode.
I'll be developing that roll of film soon and can't wait to share the results. For now, enjoy this lil digital sneak peek!
Film Editing Updates
I'm thrilled to have finished editing and delivered the New Face New Place galleries! These include some gorgeous photos shot on my Pentax 17, and I can't wait for you to see them. Keep an eye on my Instagram over the coming weeks – I'll be sharing them gradually so I don't overload your feed!
I'm also working on editing photos from a local car show – the same one where I submitted a shot for the Pentax 17 exhibition. I shot an extra roll on my Singlex TLS using Cinefilm. Something strange happened with that roll, and I might have underexposed it slightly, but I managed to salvage some pretty cool shots!
And finally, I'm starting to scan the photos from the wonderful shoot I mentioned last week with Mel & Nick. I'm so excited to get these finished and share them with you soon. Smaller shoots like this are much faster to edit compared to the massive 6-10 roll shoots that can take over 150 hours!
What I'm Exploring + Weekly Recommendations
Finding My Zen
This week, I turned to "detoxifying" yoga and a meditation for some much-needed stress relief. I have to admit, I might have dozed off during the meditation – it was that relaxing! Especially after the unexpectedly fiery yoga session that left my muscles feeling on bloody fire!
Romance is in the Air
When I need a comforting movie to unwind, Pride and Prejudice always hits the spot. I'm a sucker for the extended BBC version, which often plays in the background while I'm working. I'm even inspired to finally read the book (it's been far too long!).
Another favourite is North and South – Richard Armitage's portrayal of Mr. Thornton is just captivating (and he’s fucking hot in it, c’mon!) I'm also diving into the book after putting it off for ages.
Experimenting with Film (Again!)
As I mentioned earlier, I'm getting back to my roots and embracing a more experimental approach to film photography. I've been having a blast playing with unusual film and camera combinations, and I have a whole stash of expired and unique films to explore including things like Fuji Superia Venus 800 which was somewhat ‘rare’ to find!
I've been inspired by one of my favourite Instagram photographers, Stefani, who fearlessly embraces the unexpected in her work, playing with light leaks, film soup, and accidental development mishaps. She just puts it all out there, and I love that!
I miss doing that with my own work - so I’m taking a page out of her book and getting back into it again!
Questions of the Week
What creative activity did you stop doing that you miss, either because you didn't have time for it or felt compelled to pivot?
If you could do anything within your creative practice without judgment or fear of unwanted feedback, what would it be?
What's stopping you from doing that right now?
Share it with me in the comments and let’s chat about it!
Josie’s Weekly Words of Wisdom…
Do you. No, seriously… just do you.
Don’t put your life on hold waiting for a message, a brand, or a client to twiddle their thumbs and maaaaybe get back to you. Don’t waste your precious time hoping when nothing concrete is in place. Act as if your time is valuable - because it is. Until someone gives you an enthusiastic “Yes! Let’s do this!” - act accordingly and keep moving forward on your own terms.
Take back your power. Take back your passion and time. Do whatever the fuck you want to do. If they miss out because now you’re focused on new projects - that’s on them.
Don’t let other people dictate your time or create false urgency. You deserve better than that. Cultivate a life that honors your worth and your creative fire.
Thanks for tuning in!
As always, don't forget to check out my Instagram for more frequent updates, behind-the-scenes content, and video versions of these weekly check-ins!
Thank you for being part of this journey! I appreciate your support and your willingness to connect with me this week, and have our cute little catch up.
Please leave a comment, shoot me a DM, or have a chat over on Threads or Insta with me.
Till the next one,
Take care!
xoxo, Josie
Some great exposures here. Thanks for sharing.