Destination Unknown

20 years ago, I started a second career as a motorcycle journalist, and I’ve been lucky enough to see many of the beautiful places in the world and publishing stories and photos of my adventures. I’ve started documenting my bicycle adventures in a similar fashion, and will be sharing those stories here. Please join me.

“The idea is to die young as late as possible

Ashley Montagu

The Latest Stuff…


  • Two sleeping cats prove the effectiveness of image stabilization (354mm EQ, 1/20s), originally uploaded by john m flores.Via Flickr: Confession – I haven’t taken a lot of photos lately. Besides being really busy with work, I just haven’t found the inspiration and motivation to get out there and take photos. Maybe it’s the winter doldrums…


  • WARNING: Do not watch if you don’t like roller coasters or otherwise get queasy at things that don’t look like hamburgers or apple pies. For the uninitiated, balut is a Filipino delicacy sold by street vendors in Manila, Cebu, and small cities, towns and villages around the country. This was my first time trying this…


  • Cafe Bustelo, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:I love these vacuum sealed packages. They take up less space to ship and shelve. I’d imagine that they are “greener” than the traditional tin can. The graphics on this particlar Café Bustelo are pretty sweet. Very old school illustration with strong diagonals and a mid-century…


  • Steel, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:Our modern world is built upon steel, a blend of iron and alloys that spans rivers, reaches for the sky, and carries us into an uncertain future. But the future is by definition uncertain, isn’t it? I bought the Olympus 45/F1.8 because my trusty Pentax M50/F1.7 is…


  • Cousins, Nintendo, and Olympus, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:These two little ones are inseparable at family gatherings. Their activities typically involve screens – Nintendo DS, iPad, etc… My activity typically involves taking photos of them, this time with the Olympus 45/F1.8. All of these are shot wide open using a Panasonic GF2.…


  • Another cat…, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:…can only mean one thing – another lens. Introducing the Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 50mm F1.4. Say that three times fast! Just like the online reviews suggested, it’s a bit soft wide open, but that’s ok – I think we’re over-obsessed with sharpness these days. I’m…


  • Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic GH2, originally uploaded by john m flores. My current one-two punch. The K-5 for still. The GH2 for video. A potent pair, surprisingly similar in size, but the K-5 feels twice as heavy and twice as durable.


  • Window Closed (Forgotten Peace), originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:This is not a lens test. This is not a lens test. This is a brick wall defiled and redefined.


  • Introducing Alex, and the Olympus 45/F1.8., originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:I’ve kind of fallen into this tradition – a new lens shows up at the door, I rip it open with the enthusiasm of an 9-year old on Christmas morning, mount it, and then stalk the cats. This time Alex gets the…


  • Dirty Goose, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:Just back from a motorcycle camping trip to the Grand Canyon region of PA. Started wet, ended epic. The Moto Guzzi Norge 8v proved to be an excellent ride. But it’s in need of a wash…