Anyway this is just a quick one and here's a test shot... of all things a remote control 4X4!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Smoke Machine
Just bought a smoke machine from Aldi for $50. Can't wait to see how I can use this. It has heaps of potential...
Anyway this is just a quick one and here's a test shot... of all things a remote control 4X4!
Anyway this is just a quick one and here's a test shot... of all things a remote control 4X4!
Westcott Apollo Softbox
I just received my Westcott Apollo 28" Softbox in the post today from www.imagemelbourne.com.au. This is a great store, Leo's (the owner) dedication to customer service is almost unmatched, as are his prices. They have a good range of products and are worth a look.
Anyway, back to me. I'd seen this thing in action a a Strobist meeting and was blown away by the light. Unfortunately at that time they weren''t availiable in Australia and had to be imported through B&H or somewhere similar in the US for a ridiculous amount. (Shipping's about $50!!)
So I had to use it straight away. A simple self-portait. Just gotta get a little practice with it before I unleash it onto the world.
Anyway, back to me. I'd seen this thing in action a a Strobist meeting and was blown away by the light. Unfortunately at that time they weren''t availiable in Australia and had to be imported through B&H or somewhere similar in the US for a ridiculous amount. (Shipping's about $50!!)
So I had to use it straight away. A simple self-portait. Just gotta get a little practice with it before I unleash it onto the world.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Free Photo Guide
So when you go somewhere, out of town, for work or a holiday, do you take your camera?
Of course we do.
But when you get there, what are you going to shoot? Are you going to wing it and head to the beach? If you're in Sydney are you just going to head to the Harbour and shoot the bridge like everyone else? Where are all the awesome pictures you see on Flickr taken? Want to know?
You need to look here. Open Source Photography guides is an ambitious project which is gaining momentum around the world. It allows you to look up an area where you live, or near to where you live or where you are headed and get information about some of the great spots in those areas to shoot.
The best thing about this project is it's Australian made. This is the baby of inspirational photographer Brent Pearson. Brent's an amazing photographer based out of Sydney, who's made a name for himself due to his awesome seascapes and light painting photos. He's also very generous with a lot of the secrets to the success of his photos through his blog. Locations, settings, techniques & post processing are just some of the things you can pick up from going to his site. So check out his blog here and his Flickr stream here.
Of course we do.
But when you get there, what are you going to shoot? Are you going to wing it and head to the beach? If you're in Sydney are you just going to head to the Harbour and shoot the bridge like everyone else? Where are all the awesome pictures you see on Flickr taken? Want to know?
You need to look here. Open Source Photography guides is an ambitious project which is gaining momentum around the world. It allows you to look up an area where you live, or near to where you live or where you are headed and get information about some of the great spots in those areas to shoot.
The best thing about this project is it's Australian made. This is the baby of inspirational photographer Brent Pearson. Brent's an amazing photographer based out of Sydney, who's made a name for himself due to his awesome seascapes and light painting photos. He's also very generous with a lot of the secrets to the success of his photos through his blog. Locations, settings, techniques & post processing are just some of the things you can pick up from going to his site. So check out his blog here and his Flickr stream here.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A little news...
Well it looks as though all the hard work has paid off.
After 18 months and 2 attempts, I've been accepted as a photographer for the Australian Navy.
What's that mean? 9 months training at RAAF Base Sale. Everything from going right back to the basics to some advanced and challenging techniques. Then roughly 2 years of continuation training (hopefully) in Sydney.
I can only imagine the things I'll get to do and the places this job will take me. There'll be things I can't wait to share and things I can never speak of. But until then, I'll continue with my sporadic posting and updating.
After 18 months and 2 attempts, I've been accepted as a photographer for the Australian Navy.
What's that mean? 9 months training at RAAF Base Sale. Everything from going right back to the basics to some advanced and challenging techniques. Then roughly 2 years of continuation training (hopefully) in Sydney.
I can only imagine the things I'll get to do and the places this job will take me. There'll be things I can't wait to share and things I can never speak of. But until then, I'll continue with my sporadic posting and updating.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Just Jack
A little while ago I was asked to do a portrait sitting for a one year old. I had taken some set shots of my daughter before who is the same age, but never a dedicated sitting... maybe I should have practiced with her a little more.
We started off at the park, I got there about 30mins beforehand just to check on some areas I had been scouting out earlier. As it turned out I was about 1hr early because the family and I had mixed up where we were meeting and we were at different parks...
Lesson Learned: Always ensure both the client and yourself are clear on where you are meeting.
By the time we had got there, the wind had picked up and the temperature had dropped and poor little Jack was getting miserable. We sat him down and I quickly set up 1 bare strobe and started snapping and cheering, whistling, clapping, whatever to get his attention while the parents tried to bribe him with toys, but he'd had enough after about 3mins.
We set off back towards my place where I had set up a plain backdrop just in case of exactly this. It was warm and after 10mins of me setting up we were ready.
Jack still didn't want to play nice, but we got some good shots, we used heaps of props - A red laundry tub, a slide, a chair, leaves, bubbles, books, etc.
All in all a success, but hard work. Here's one of my favourites.
We started off at the park, I got there about 30mins beforehand just to check on some areas I had been scouting out earlier. As it turned out I was about 1hr early because the family and I had mixed up where we were meeting and we were at different parks...
Lesson Learned: Always ensure both the client and yourself are clear on where you are meeting.
By the time we had got there, the wind had picked up and the temperature had dropped and poor little Jack was getting miserable. We sat him down and I quickly set up 1 bare strobe and started snapping and cheering, whistling, clapping, whatever to get his attention while the parents tried to bribe him with toys, but he'd had enough after about 3mins.
We set off back towards my place where I had set up a plain backdrop just in case of exactly this. It was warm and after 10mins of me setting up we were ready.
Jack still didn't want to play nice, but we got some good shots, we used heaps of props - A red laundry tub, a slide, a chair, leaves, bubbles, books, etc.
All in all a success, but hard work. Here's one of my favourites.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Scott Kelby World Wide Photowalk
I had the honour to be accepted to lead one of Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photowalks. The location I chose was Sydney's iconic Kings Cross. Choosing this darker, seedier area of Sydney was a no brainer as not many photographers get their cameras out here and there are definitely more than a handful of interesting subjects to shoot.
The day started and finished at the Kings Cross markets, then went around the back of the Cross before coming back and heading down the main road, Darlinghurst St. Once we reached the big Coke sign, we turned around and headed back down the the other side, heading past the Wayside Chapel before finishing up.
It was a glorious day, unfortunately, it was so bright. On the upside it was really nice weather and a fantastic temperature. The whole day was a lot of fun, I had the chance to meet some fantastic people and it was an experience I would be interested in doing again. Trying to pick one winner from all of these great photos is hard work.
Check out the shots taken on the day HERE and HERE
Here area couple more of my shots:
If you live near Sydney, would you be interested in doing one or another of these? Or joining a group where we would meet on non-regular occasions with a smallish group for lunch or dinner and a photowalk? Let me know.
The day started and finished at the Kings Cross markets, then went around the back of the Cross before coming back and heading down the main road, Darlinghurst St. Once we reached the big Coke sign, we turned around and headed back down the the other side, heading past the Wayside Chapel before finishing up.
It was a glorious day, unfortunately, it was so bright. On the upside it was really nice weather and a fantastic temperature. The whole day was a lot of fun, I had the chance to meet some fantastic people and it was an experience I would be interested in doing again. Trying to pick one winner from all of these great photos is hard work.
Check out the shots taken on the day HERE and HERE
Here area couple more of my shots:
If you live near Sydney, would you be interested in doing one or another of these? Or joining a group where we would meet on non-regular occasions with a smallish group for lunch or dinner and a photowalk? Let me know.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Wollongong Strobist Meet
I just attended a local Strobist meet in Wollongong.
If you don't know, Strobist is a name coined by American photographer David Hobby, it refers to the use of flash off camera. Not the pop up flash on top or flash attached to the top but separated completely from the camera. For more info follow the links at the bottom of this post.
Anyway, this was a reasonably big turn out. Nearly 20 photographers, 5 models and 2-3 make-up artists. The idea was to make this a learning experience rather than a real portfolio builder, and while most of the lighting setups were fairly safe, the shots turned out great and I learnt a lot. I was made aware of this event via a flickr group I am part of (link at the bottom).
Here are some of my photos... enjoy! Clicking on the Photos will bring up model details too.
These are a few of the links I look at for info and inspiration:
David Hobby's Strobist Blog
World Wide Strobist Flickr Group
Australian Strobist Flickr Group
If you don't know, Strobist is a name coined by American photographer David Hobby, it refers to the use of flash off camera. Not the pop up flash on top or flash attached to the top but separated completely from the camera. For more info follow the links at the bottom of this post.
Anyway, this was a reasonably big turn out. Nearly 20 photographers, 5 models and 2-3 make-up artists. The idea was to make this a learning experience rather than a real portfolio builder, and while most of the lighting setups were fairly safe, the shots turned out great and I learnt a lot. I was made aware of this event via a flickr group I am part of (link at the bottom).
Here are some of my photos... enjoy! Clicking on the Photos will bring up model details too.
These are a few of the links I look at for info and inspiration:
David Hobby's Strobist Blog
World Wide Strobist Flickr Group
Australian Strobist Flickr Group
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