Diamonds are a girls best friend

Diamonds... . What girl doesn't like diamonds. Marilyn Monroe sang about it and one day every girl wants one around a certain finger. But what do we know about these beautiful precious stones? Thanks to the movie Blood Diamonds with Leonardo DiCaprio we all know that there's a lot to do about mining diamonds, financing wars and murdering people. But did you know that 84% of all raw diamonds and 50% of cut diamonds are treaded in Antwerp? So I dare to say that Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world. A bit cocky, I know. I just mean it would be very sad if things would change.

And things are changing. The recession didn't help the traders. But that's not the only thing that has changed. I grown up with the idea that the Jewish people and diamonds went hand in hand in Antwerp. Indians are taking over. I know they need to have jobs too, but it's sad to see that tradition no longer matters. Most diamonds were cut in Antwerp, but more and more diamonds are cut and polished in third world countries like India. It's cheaper and there are less laws to obey. Diamond cutting and polishing is a hard job. It takes a lot of concentration and skill. Not a lot of people want to do it and it takes a lot of time and money to learn it. The fact that everything is now measured with computers doesn't make it any easier. It's a new technology designed to keep the cutting in Antwerp.
Hopefully it helps.

I'm not old, but everyone of my generation and older will agree if I say that our world is moving to fast sometimes. Things I took as true and everlasting are disappearing before we even realizing it. It makes my heart bleed when I think about it. Certain things are becoming history to fast. I think a lot of prestige and appeal will go away if the Antwerp diamond scene will change much more. We need a change in Antwerp. Before our amazing diamond scene is history. I don't want it to be all trading and no craftsmanship anymore. It so important that everything, the cutting, the setting and de selling, stays together. But just in case, me and my college went to take photos of diamond polishers at work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy Photography

Caroline

London part 1: The shopping

Everybody knows that London is the place to be for shopping. London is not only the fashion capital of Europe but food wise you can get everything you imagine. You just need to know where to go. Borough market is one of those places to be, if you want beautiful ingredients and a delicious quick bite to eat. If you go make sure it's the food market witch is from Wednesday till Saturday. We went on a Thursday around lunchtime, the perfect time to go. Go and taste some amazing street food before you head down the produce stalls. If you are a foodie and a tourist, I swear that you are going to miss having a kitchen nearby. It all invites to buy and inspires you to cook. But you can find some great souvenirs that will please everybody.

If you are a fashionista or just a good old fashioned shopaholic you would love London too. I'm not going to promise that your credit card and bank account are going to have as much fun as you, but who cares? What is the first shopping stop you are going to make? Harrods perhaps? Please do, and if you can't afford anything in the shop, well... There is an amazing gift shop. Only walking around makes you feel like you dead an gone to fashion heaven. If you are there don't forget to go to the food department, there are restaurants and shops with gorgeous food and produce. Even a fashionista has to eat, right? A last fashion stop we made during are trip to London, only the most famous streets in London. Regent street, Carnaby street, Old and New Bond Street and Oxford street just to get a nice closed circle. We were lucky it was a sales period, so I did some great finds.

Ok, I know this is a photography blog not a fashion blog. But can a girl have a break? And I did take some amazing photos. I know there are not my best, I was being a total tourist. But even the best photographers need a break once and a while just so the can be trigger happy again and take some good touristy snap shots. So why can't I?

Harrods

I take them all, thank you Fendi.

Borhough Market, I think somebody was hungry

Hmmmm

Eat your 5 a day, this way

Yes, that one in the front, please

Do I need to say more?

 

Crossing Oxford street and Regent street

Almost at Carnaby Street

Piccadilly

Somebody wasn't happy to wait




Enjoy Photography

Caroline

In the Underground

Last weekend a new underground tunnel opened in Antwerp. The underground tunnel was already build in 1974 but in didn't got used until now. A week before the grand opening there was a possibility to have a guided tour in the tunnel. It was a two and a half kilometer long walk that begun in the underground station at Astridplein and ended at the new underground station Zegel. The walk wasn't just a walk. We got 2 photo expeditions and a lightshow guiding us through. And yes that was an amazing photo opportunity.

I didn't go alone. A friend of my photo group suggested it on our Facebook page and I jump right in on that idea. I believe that you have to say 'YES' on every opportunity that comes your way. You still have to be careful. Please don't say 'yes' on things that can potentially hurt you. But this idea was a good idea to say 'yes' to.

Before we went I was thinking on the best ways to take beautiful photos. First thing that came to mind was 'get in the back of the group, go last'. I think it's the best tip I can give you, if you are in a group go last. You'll have the best photos I swear. At that position you can turn around and have a clear shot of what is behind you, no one in site. But don't forget that people in a photo can make that photo. So when you are a bit behind of your group take a photo of that group walking before you. For me during the lightshow it gave an amazing effect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy Photography

Caroline

(photos from my trip to London will follow) 

 

April Fool's with the Clini Clowns

For my photo project 'the world through the eye of a child' we were honored to follow the Clini Clowns. It's amazing what these selfless people do for sick kids. I can't imagine a harder and more emotional job to do that this. Day in and day out they bring a smile on faces of sick children. Some children are sicker then others. That's to good part of the job, you see kids getting better and go home. You know you had a little part in there recovery. But what if a child is really sick, terminal with cancer. How de you deal with it then? Every week you see these children again, sometimes a bit better, then a bit worse. You always hope for the best. But what if the are gone next time you visit? And not 'oh they went home' gone. How can you put your red nose on your face and be happy for all the other children while you are dying inside? I can't imagine how strong these Clini Clowns are.

The beauty is that all the Clini Clowns are trained actors. They choose putting a real smile on somebody's face above a smile of there own on stage. We all can learn a great deal from these people. I know in the world nothing is for free, everybody has his price. But what if we just paid it forward. I give you a smile, you give somebody else a smile and I get a smile from another person. You got something back. But the greater gift that you gave, giving a smile to a random person, gifs you more joy then getting that smile back. I promise you. The Clini Clowns gave me a big smile on my face. They were so funny, each and every time. I sometimes couldn't focus because I was laughing so hard. So paying it forward. Some photos from the Clini Clowns. Only them I want to respect the privacy of the children we photographed.
Want to do something for them check out there site http://www.cliniclowns.be/NL/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy Photography

Caroline