Gotham

Amsterdam.

Someone get the Bat signal, this place needs help.

Drugs, prostitutes, cold, faulty architecture, and neon lights.

It makes Vegas look like Barney and friends

It's like the adult disney land. I

constantly felt like i was on a movie set, (for one reason or another).

the city is a sick twist of Sin and Beauty. all things that attract mankind and make double takes. No one frowns upon anything here. they look the other way, or take a hit.

If you ask me, It's like Venice, Just it's evil cousin.

the Canal system makes for a weak foundation throughout the city. Buildings lean and twist, as if they reflect the evil things that happen on the street below.

Before i left for Europe i spoke with my neighbor who is dutch.

"Go to Amsterdam, everything you hear is true"

It didn't take long for me to realize that statement is true.

Walk in to any of the hundreds of coffee shops in Amsterdam and you'll find every one to be different, but with the same purpose. Walk through haze of Marijuana smoke, the man behind the bar hands you a menu.

This is your drug dealer.

Now please choose from the menu. White Widow? Purple Haze? O.G. Kush? or will a "Space Brownie" do the job today?

Maybe the coffee shop isn't your "cup of tea". Don't worry, in Amsterdam they have one for you, literally.

Make your way into a "Smart shop," Neon Mushrooms and alien signs will lead you there. Amsterdam doesn't condone taking hard drugs, but here you can find the "soft ones". Magic Mushrooms, Salvia, XTC, Ephedrine, pills and drinks derived from poppy and coca leaves. Many of these smart shops have a back room filled with couches, tables, strange paintings, and graffiti. The shop owner will look at you and say,

"You can trip here, if you like."

Red Lights.

Hundreds of giant white Swans fill the canal that separates the Red light streets. Walking up one way makes you no more a saint than strolling down the other. Maybe these swans are here because i hear that for every good there is a bad. Maybe the swans are an attempt to balance out the things that happen between those red drawn curtains. Women Tap the glass, blow a kiss and wave a finger to come inside. A glass door opens and a man walks out with his belt undone, and his coat unzipped. Another, here, there, but they all look straight down.

The scene is something straight out of hell as black umbrellas make their way down the river Styx.

It was a great vacation. Definitely the darkest place i have ever been. It was something like what i would think an acid trip would be like... Who needs drugs when you can go to amsterdam? fortunately for some, you can get them there. It was A real eye opener to see how different the world can be. It was strange to see every rule i'd ever learned have no meaning. 180 degrees from where i'm from originally. now i'm off to make a Tim Burton movie.

Check out My Work at www.Austinlarson.com

World Press Photo.

Got a chance to visit the World Press Photo exhibition last week.

Nothing too impressive. Just the most powerful images from the last year all put into one place.

Oh, and the whole exhibition was put into an underground passage beneath the medieval City of Lucca, Italy.

Not much to say really. Great images, great location and company. (went with the photojournalism class).

Lucca isn't ugly either. it's the only city left in Italy with all of its original fortress walls.

We walked through the town on our way to all the different exhibitions and got to see some of the lights and a full moon. The guy in the fore ground is prepping an ice-rink.

More soon.

Made in...

For a Rainy Day.

Haven't done so great with the blog.

To say the least. If i had a post for every time i've thought about it i'd have... about three or four sentences. It's hard to sit and try to crank something interesting enough for

people to read. Plus you have to keep in mind that the two people who do read your shit will lose interest after about 15 seconds ( thanks, MTV).

If you're still with me.

It's like anything though... You get that instant inspiration, it's great except that this writing inspiration only lasts from the time you feel it until you sit down at your computer.

lets try to write something that doesn't make us sound like we're talking to ourself, "okay".

I've really been kicking myself about this blog thing. I've been in Italy for 3 months and have yet to put up a single picture about my "exciting" travels. It's starting to feel like a long overdue call to grandma. You know, that one that chews your ear off and leaves you feeling like you got mothballs in your head.

One thing the last 3 months have given me is a lot of time to make images for myself.

My family keeps on telling me to get souvenirs from all the places i've seen. "Something special," Sure, a shitty coffee mug here, maybe a flag or something there - Made in China...

"great. Never been there."

But i do know where these were made, and no one else has one.

It's given me a good break from school, and working for the paper. I've been making images strictly of what i find attractive and beautiful. People judging my work and critiquing is good but can make you rethink your style.

For now its important that i make these images for myself and not other people.

They don't have the best lighting, composition, or subject matter, but they help my own style and vision. They help remind of the good times, and that Euros aren't monopoly money.

These are my souvenirs, they might look cool in a gallery someday. Till then, they're just fine right here when i can find them.

At least until i drop my laptop again....

Made inside my head. - whatever's shaking around loose up there.

More to Come.