journal
Escape to the Pines: The Intimate Rhythm of Bonafest
On November 7–8, 2026, John headed to Rasamala at the New Ciputri Campground for Bonafest. A refreshing two-day independent camping festival filled with live music and a short trek to Curug Padalarang.
The Sound of Wooden Dummy in a Songshan Alley
In April 2025, John’s curiosity about overseas martial arts led him deep into a Taipei alley. Up on a weathered fourth-floor rooftop, he found the living lineage of Grandmaster Ip Man, kept completely untouched by time
Free Black Tea (Almost), George Lam, and My Polaroid at Pak Ho Cafe
A 2018 afternoon spent hunting for frames inside a weathered Hong Kong time capsule, a serendipitous encounter with a Cantopop legend, and an accidental crime over a cup of hot black tea.
A Barber Scouting Mission (Minus the Haircut)
Hunting for the perfect retro back cover scenery for the Topstar Collection album led John to Kurnia Baru Barber Shop. Inside, he found a slow afternoon suspended in time, an unscripted group photo, and a tiny technical catch.
The Diamond in the Dust of Glodok
A chance encounter in 2018 leads John to a hidden manual engraving shop in Glodok City, where a 1930s Leica III meets a diamond-tipped pantograph wizard.
The Secret Portal Inside a Taipei Toyota
Looking for vintage European car parts in Taipei is one thing, but stepping into a Toyota that doubles as a full-blown J-pop and anime shrine is a whole different story.
Accidental Billiard Den
In, 2008, while chasing a street food vendor balancing cakes on her head for a global magazine commision, John stumbled upon a hidden billiard den tucked away in West jakarta intrigued
First Look at the Ricoh GR IV
The Ricoh GR IV will soon be available in Indonesia, with pre-orders starting on September 18. Luckily, I had the chance to try it early, and here are my first impressions.
Camera Shops I Always Visit in Tokyo
An analog photographer's guide to Tokyo's best-kept secrets. Discovering vintage cameras, lenses, and rare accessories in the heart of Japan.
Field Notes: Morning at Pasar Puri Indah
An early morning photo essay documenting the raw, unfiltered pulse of Pasar Puri Indah. Documenting quiet moments and vibrant local culture with a pocket camera
