Roos at Dawn

While I haven’t posted since April (where on this sweet, sweet Earth has time gone????), I have been a very busy bee with my camera, having completed around nine photo shoots over April, May and June.  Unfortunately, most of my subjects are shy of the limelight and are too modest/self-conscious to have their images posted on a blog.  Fortunately, I just had a little re-visit to the beautiful Buddha Rose in Hepburn Springs (http://www.stayz.com.au/67965) and luckily, my daughter, the local flora and fauna, along with the mannequins at Daylesford Mini Golf have no problem with me sharing my images!  

Last time I visited Buddha Rose, it was early January 2010, scorching hot, the breeze blowing the gentle fabric covering the outdoor gazebo.  The images I shot were of the dragonflies, cockatoos and a dear friend lazing languidly in a hammock.  My little Princess had been pestering me for months to visit Buddha Rose in Hepburn Springs, so with nothing else planned for school holidays, we packed two weeks’ worth of belongings (including a Sew Your Own Dinosaur kit) for a two night stay……..

 It’s amazing how I have to drag myself out of bed every day while in the city, yet while at Buddha Rose I couldn’t wait to get out in the morning frost with my camera.  Dressed only in my PJs (and sensible boots), I didn’t feel the 1 degree chill of dawn at all.  The beauty of the surrounds was captivating and consuming.  Frost covered grounds, glistening soft sun, kangaroos in all their comical glory, here is what I saw and delighted in the two mornings I ventured out:  

The Frost of Dawn

Stunning Grey Roos

1 Degree Celsius - Pyjamas and Sensible Boots - Like Mother, Like Daughter

Awaiting Spring

Autumn Twigs Against Winter Sky

Kumquat in the Morning Frost

Inside a Palm Trunk at Dawn

 During the day, Princess and I had much fun exploring Hepburn Springs and Daylesford.  Number 1 on Princess’ agenda was Daylesford Mini Golf.  Can I say, this place is AWESOME!!  Very well put together, great service from your host and just heaps and heaps and heaps of fun.  I don’t know about you, but I love mannequins.  Some people get a little freaked out by them, but I am intrigued and bizarrely drawn to them (possibly due to some Dr Who episode I watched in my early years, where evil mannequins came to life and attacked our species):   

Mannequins of Daylesford Mini Golf

 We visited the eternally beautiful and meditative Convent Gallery:  

At the Convent

Convent Gallery Daylesford

 And we watched how they make chocolate (and then pigged out on the produce) at the Mount Franklin Chocolate Mill.  Make sure you arrive in time for the demonstration:  

Mount Franklin Chocolate Mill

Princess did complain that the trip wasn’t as good as she had hoped.  Sigh.  In addition to having to ‘evacuate’ from the Mineral Springs due to a deposited object found floating in the pool that only a South Park episode accompanied by the score from Jaws could do justice (gross!), ‘it wasn’t hot like when you went last time, mumma‘.  Thank goodness for open fires and marshmallows then, hey?   

Toasting Marshmallows

People

Places

My friends, it has been a long time between drinks!  I promise I have not been slacking off (nor teetotalling – Pinot Noir comfortably in hand as I type).  I have been very busy on the photography front, with 7 shoots in the last 7 weeks.  Phew.  

Much has happened during that time, but I wont bore you about mergers with the Far East in the corporate ivory tower or distract you with my stories about hot dates with very handsome Hungarians.  Let’s stick to more, um…..relevant! happenings in the world of clickety-click.  Let’s see now. 

1. I have met and spent time with the incredible Maki Galimberti, Italian photographer straordinario - he has photographed the Dalai Lama, Dan Brown, Dolce e Gabbana to name but a few.  Gracie Miss C for that very generous introduction (and that delicious lamb back strap while we waited for him to arrive).  Gracie Maki for your time with me – your work blows me away – truly.  Tips for delicious portraits?  “Wind! Light! Reflectors!”  And shoot in RAW so you can focus on composition. 

http://makigalimberti.com/index.html 

2. I have met some incredible performers who have so generously given their of their time so other students and I can practice our craft.  Visit http://www.kommune.com.au/blog/ and see 6 April 2010 for some of my recent work (I’m Eva, btw.  I have moved on from anonymity now). 

3. I was most generously given the opportunity to take photos of a local restaurant and had my first image published last week.  Dear Mr HLM, thank you so much for encouraging me and trusting me to do the job.  You will be rewarded!  Thank you Mr T and Mr A for your time in post production and your advice.  You are both so generous and such wonderful mentors. 

4. I have shot a school fair, a hens’ day and a 6 year old birthday party.  Why not? 

I have been shooting, thinking, shooting, thinking.  What type of photographer am I?  What type of photographer do I want to be?  Not that there is any pressure to ‘specialise’ at this stage.  I asked my trusted Mr A, PPC (Photography Partner in Crime) his opinion on what I ‘do better’ – People or Places?  His verdict?  

Places! 

But People when I shoot with him.  Apparently, we generate some kind of ‘photo voodoo’ when we clickety-click together – so we have been told.  I take the piss, but really, I think there is something to be said for 1st and 2nd shooters – you can catch your subject very literally ‘looking naturally’ in another direction i.e. at the other shooter.  

But I will let you be the judge.  Below, portraits of the very beautiful Miss C while she had two of us circling her like prey: 

An Air of Ms Loren, Canon EOS 450D, exposure details f/5.6, 1/20 sec, ISO 200, focal length 55 mm, metering Centre Weighted Average

Maki's Choice, Canon EOS 450D, exposure details f/5.6, 1/125 sec, ISO 100, focal length 40mm, metering Centre Weighted Average

Second Shooter, Canon EOS 450, exposure details f/5.6, 1/20sec, ISO 100, focal length 49mm, metering Centre Weighted Average

Now, some photos of the restaurant that I took.  Are you hungry?  Can you hear the sexy Italian music?  Can you smell the house made gnocchi in a rich and hearty veal ragu?  Or the seafood marinara gently seasoned with lemon, garlic and fresh herbs?  Do you want to book a table?  

Click to make it BIG: 

Italy 1 Camberwell

People have always been scary for me (portraiture is just so intimate) and Places challenge me in terms of evoking the real feel of a place, so real that you can smell it, sense it and touch it – almost hear its soundtrack. 

For the time being, I like the challenge of both.

I Love You, Early Morning Self Portrait, Nikon Coolpix S210, focal length 38mm, exposure 1/5 sec @ f/3.1, ISO 800, no flash, converted to mono in Picasa 3.5

Let’s not forget…… it’s all about Mimi. 

Deepness rating of this post: low
Love and affection rating of this post: high - alert, alert, alert! 

It was my birthday last month.  I want to post about this birthday because it was extraordinarily special and a strong reminder of the love and support I have in my life.  I am indeed bountiful.  And I never want to forget.  

The festivities started on the Saturday when my precious daughter and I went to the hairdresser together for some girly pampering.  She looks so cute with clean, un-matted, food-free hair (a rare, rare sight).  And let’s not forget to put on that massage chair as she has a double shampoo (upon her request)!!  As for me, the visit consisted of some delightful herbal tea and a return to the raven-haired Diva.  And that’s how I like it – cha-ching! I love you, darling daughter.  Spending time with you is the best gift I could ever wish for x  

Saturday evening was beautiful in company of my bestest girl pals in St Kilda.  We had the most sumptuous seafood meal at Claypots on Barkly Street, a restaurant I would recommend in an absolute heartbeat - garlic king prawns (sauce to be mopped up with white crusty bread), Garfish and a Moroccan claypot – followed by Spanish doughnuts and some wicked conversation.  And that’s how I like it – cha-ching!  I love you, bestest girl pals ever who spoil me with your company, never-ending support and special gifts x 

Sunday was spent at home trying to get my chaotic house in order.  Portishead blaring on the iPod and busy tidying my abode at 11am still in my pj’s, the doorbell rang and what did I find there?  Two very sweaty sistas fresh from a 10km marathon holding one beautiful bouquet of pink blooms.  One day early.  And that’s how I like it – cha-ching!  I love you sweaty sistas who are one day early x  

We chatted for a couple of hours over some cold ginger beer cordial, about running (and in a moment of insanity I agreed to join their running group – moi, running 10km?), about our best features (and whether we in fact have any at all), about our kids at school and their public tantrums, about Portishead, about interior decorating and creating ‘ambience’.  Sistas – you are totally awesome for completing that run.  10km…..kudos, glory and props to you. 

Sunday night, I went to dinner with my family at one of my favourite restaurants.  I sang happy birthday to myself……’Happy Birthday to Me……….Happy birthday dear Me Me…….Happy birthday to Me!’ at which point my beloved daughter and niece decided my name was ‘Mimi the Birthday Girl’.  I was generously bestowed a bread maker, too, and I look forward to exploring and mastering the art of bread making.  And that’s how I like it – cha-ching!  I love you, family who give me cute nicknames and shamefully generous gifts x  

Monday. B-day. And what a day.  Quelle journee.  My phone went nutso right of the bat – messages from dear photography friends, dear friends from overseas, treasured former work colleagues.  And that’s how I like it – cha-ching!  I love you, special friends x 

I arrived at work almost an hour late on the Monday as my daughter and I opened a few more pressies and ate crumpets together in bed.  Upstairs at work, my girls had decorated my desk with balloons and a banner declaring to all passers by (who were not too absorbed in very serious accounting iss-uses) ‘Happy Appreciation Day’.  And that’s how I like it – cha-ching!  I love you work friends who decorate my desk x   Let’s make a spectacle of it!  During a 1.5 hour teleconference on remuneration strategy and design, my phone beeped incessantly – more former work colleagues and ex-in laws.  What was it again that we were discussing in relation to Variable Pay Strategy???? 

Lunch with the girls from work was great.  I enjoyed a Bento box and also received my very own hand-made box – of goodies designed especially for a Diva!……and, if I can dip into the vernacular for just a moment, Effing Hilarious .  Amongst many other (hilarious) things: 

• Red wine labelled ‘Executive Stress Formula’
• Hair spray labelled ‘NAB THAT MAN!  (Firm Hold Guaranteed)’
• A ‘Corporate Masque’, to not only keep my true identity concealed from those I work with in the ivory tower, but to also delicately cleanse impurities from my stressed out skin

And it didn’t stop there!  Miss J made red velvet cupcakes in honour of my special day.  Delish!  Check out a recipe here: 

http://tastedbytwo.com/2009/06/23/recipe-magnolia-red-velvet-cupcakes/ 

And that’s how I like it – cha-ching! I love you work friends who are so damn funny it hurts x  - your clever products, your culinary skill, just your work in general really :o) 

And the pressies kept on coming – a dinner date on the Thursday night with a long-lost yet dear and handsome friend I ran into randomly in the street after 20 years, a special 50mm camera lens and a birthday delivery on the Friday (a freezer for casseroles, so I can feel in (climate) control of my life at least!).  

And that’s how I like it – cha-ching! Bank account full o’ love, gaining interest (in the form of my total appreciation), every day.  I just want to say THANK YOU, FRIENDS.  I treasure you all.  I was humbled. I am blessed to have you in my life xoxo

Under the Milky Way I, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 200mm, exposure f/5.6 @ 1/100sec, ISO 200

I have an obesession with photography. 

I have an obsession with music.  

I have an obsession with lyrics.   From Leonard Cohen, to Muse, to the recently discovered Fiona Apple (thank you http://onthebeatntrack.wordpress.com/).  

Story time…. 

In my final year of high school, my first university preference was Music at Melbourne University, followed closely by Nursing at Australian Catholic University.  I attended the Melbourne University Open Day in August 1990 and visited the Melbourne University Conservatorium of Music – aka ‘the Con‘.  It was there, in the dark, that I watched a video about the work that music therapists do – I was immediately drawn in.  The power of music to open hearts, express feelings, clear blockages and heal - incredible doesn’t even begin to describe what I saw that day….. 

Music has moved me since I was a wee girl.  As I now go through one of the deepest traumas of my life, music is here for me like a dear and treasured friend – confronting, releasing, untangling, healing, uplifting and supporting me.  Helping me make sense of this strange, complex, yet beautiful world.  

At the Con  that day, I remember watching a video of a man with a serious psychological ailment (he refused to talk) bellow out the poignant Streets of London accompanied by piano in a memorable, powerful baritone voice.  

He wont talk.  

He will sing.  

The power of music.  I was deeply moved. 

I was lucky enough to secure a much coveted graduate position with the Con and was due to turn up with my cello and perform to my future university lecturers on my birthday, February 8 1991.  Two days before the performance, I received an offer to study Law at Monash Uni.  No-one was more taken aback than me, really.  I had no real interest in law.  Didn’t realise I was that academically inclined.  Being 17 and clueless, I took the advice of many well-meaning ‘grown-ups’ to undertake a law degree (and perhaps one day become a diplomat!!! Yipee!!!) rather than flitter my life away in some artsy-fartsy music career.  I rang the Con and told them I wasn’t coming.  

Perhaps I was never meant to be a music therapist.  Who knows?  The fact remains that some days, I am filled with a sense of sadness that I didn’t have the wisdom at age 17 to know what the hell it was I was supposed to do with my life.  Today, after a long journey which includes 6 years of Law School, I am passionate about my work in HR - where my focus and commitment has always been helping people find their true vocation in life  

This post marks a new category on my blog – ‘Photography & Lyrics‘ – where my most treasured lyrics are paired with imagery created by my own hand.  Sometimes obviously.  Sometimes in a more subtle fashion.  Enjoy xoxo

UNDER THE MILKY WAY – THE CHURCH 

What can I say……?  One of my all time faves from Australian legends, The Church.  I can (and do!) listen to it over and over again….. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-mQyRuHIuA

Three Moons, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 200mm, exposure f/5.6 @ 5 seconds, ISO 100

Sometimes when this place gets kind of empty
Sound of their breath fades with the light
I think about
The loveless fascination
Under the Milky Way tonight

Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find

And it’s something quite peculiar
Something shimmering and white
It leads you here……
Despite your destination
Under the Milky Way tonight 

Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find
Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find 

Full Moon in January, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 200mm, f/5.6 @1/3.5, ISO 100

Kitty cat wants a scratch
But  looks the other way
He wants you to believe
He has no time for you today

Kitty cat is not so keen
On a tender tryst for two
The rules are his
You are the prey
He wins
You always lose

Unless…….
You are a clever mouse
And figure out his game
Pretend you’re dead!
Don’t lose your head!
Or your heart he’ll also maim….

Cat & Mouse, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 55mm, exposure f/5.6 @ 1/60sec, ISO 400, flash @ -2, converted to mono in Picasa 3, taken 14 January 2010

My Beautiful Friend

The above photo is of my beautiful friend, Lindy, aka ‘Lovely Luscious Lindy’ and/or ‘Lindt Ball’ (she is just as delicious).  While the above portrait has shadows that even flash wouldn’t clear, let me tell you that this darling lady brings radiant light into my life.  I have to thank Lindy and her dear husband for giving me the most wonderful gift of two days in paradise.  

Lindy had a birthday in December (one cannot but love a Sagittarian - I am surrounded by them and their magnetic energy) and I was the lucky invitee to spend two days with this queen of the Centaurs in a country oasis.  

After much diligent research, Lindy chose the most incredible place…….Buddha Rose, in the heart of Spa Country, Hepburn Springs: http://www.stayz.com.au/67965  

Row Boat and Lake, Buddha Rose, Hepburn Springs, Victoria

Gazebo, Buddha Rose, Hepburn Springs

Take a Seat, Buddha Rose, Hepburn Springs, Victoria

The purpose of our break was to relax, feel pampered and enjoy each others’ company.  It was a celebration of Lindy’s birthday and a tonic for my recent woes (which we wont go into, because they are slightly dramatic and do not make for light reading!).  

It’s one thing to read about a destination, it’s another to arrive there, shrieking “Oh My God, Oh My God!!’.  Once we arrived at Buddha Rose, there was really no leaving.  The place had everything you could need – 4 post beds, stunning decor,  sun beds, a Balinese gazebo, wildlife, a private lake, chocolates, wine and total tranquility.  Honestly, we both seriously considered converting ‘a-la Daylesford’  and never returning home!  

The Four Post Bed

I did manage to make it into the town of Daylesford (what a beautifully picturesque town) for a Tarot reading and some shopping.  Will I meet a man who will love me for all eternity?  At this juncture, no.  Apparently, the cards say I am viewed as just a bit of fun! Moi?  Fun?  But we did scour some amazing galleries, print shops and  bizarres and found some cute bits and pieces for our beloved children.  

Back in paradise and in spite of our sexy surrounds, our only night time visitor was a Huntsman that we affectionately called ‘Hunter’ (yes, we know, not awfully original, but apt nonetheless).  I did delight in telling Lindy that he (although I cannot confirm the gender exactly….) was much closer to her bedroom than mine and that in the absence of  a three legged man (and we’re not talking about my tripod), Hunter could give it a good go in the middle of the night……(chuckle, chuckle)!  

Hunter

Apology: The author of this post sincerely apologises for scaring the hell out of you/grossing you out with the above photo.  

In summary, the highlights of my two days in paradise:  

• two days with my beautiful friend, Lindy – je t’aime!

Lazing in the Hammock

• two days of feeling like a Princess, gliding through this amazing, galley-style house;

Buddha Rose, The Back Verandah

• two days of reflection, reading and just ‘being’;

A Time for Reflection

(Can I just make a quick aside for any photography geeks reading this….I am so loving low-light photography at the mo…..)  

• two days of taking my camera out and shooting the incredible wildlife and surrounds

To Catch a Dragonfly

Cheeky Cocky!

I will always treasure the perfection and beauty of Buddha Rose xoxo  

Joy, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 27mm, exposure details f/4 @ 1/250sec, ISO 640, shutter priority (to catch the bubbles), centre weighted average

I reach for her…..

Come here
Let me squeeze you tight
My darling

She giggles…..

Together, us two
Let me hold you close
I breathe you in

She pulls away, laughing, runs down the hall…..’mummy, come!’

My daughter
My light
I kiss your cheeks
And say I Love You

She snuggles close…..

You sleep
I stroke your hair
Sing songs about your teddy bear

She is…..

The greatest beauty
My greatest love

My heart…..
It lives for you and loves
For you

Beauty

Maria & Kenny - a 'Syn'ful moment, Nikon Coolpix S210, focal length 6mm, exposure f/3.1 @ 1/60th sec, ISO 60, converted to mono in Picasa 3.5, Red Filter applied

Last Friday night over 1000 hard workers gathered to celebrate the end of a gruelling year at the annual do.  It was the firm’s largest turn out ever – so many of us desperate for some fun social interaction, a reprieve from the responsibility of our day jobs and and a bevvie or two.

W suggested that instead of elbowing half of Melbourne out of the way for a taxi, I stay over night in the city (I think W simply couldn’t be shagged getting out of bed at 2am to come and get me and was prepared for me to spend $200 for him to have a nice night’s sleep – fair enough, I say).

Chez moi in room 716, I enjoyed a nice pre-party shower and a glass of bubbles with my wing-woman, Miss C (not the shower part, just the bubbles).  Friends soon arrived to join me (for the bubbles, not the shower) and we discussed our alter egos that tend to appear after a vino or two.  On Mr D’s suggestion, we agreed that our alter egos would take our second names.  For me, that’s Maria.  She is warm and affectionate, wickedly funny (in her own mind) and totally gorgeous (again, in her own mind).  See her above with Kenny.  Below, a happy snap of Miss C & Mr D, to emerge later that evening as another Maria (let’s call her Maria Too) & Kenny:

Miss C & Mr D (Maria Too & Kenny), Nikon Coolpix S210, focal length 210, exposure f/3.1 @ 1/60 sec, ISO100

Despite consuming several glasses of Syn champers (the name held great promise, I thought) the evening went by without incident or accident.  After lounging in the downstairs bar for a little while telling my work colleagues how much I love them (ah, Maria), I thought it time to go back to my giant marshmallow bed and enjoy a long, deep, undisturbed sleep until 10.45am (check out a  nice 11am).   Kenny’s parting words as he and Maria Too went to get their cab were ‘be tall, like a giraffe‘.  OK, then!

Getting out of my turquoise dress and into my jim-jams, I checked myself out in the full length mirror.  How much better did I look at 2am after a little bit of Syn than I did getting into my dress at 6.30pm earlier that evening?!?!  Totally hot.  And not at all like a giraffe.

OK, sleep time………lie down now……..waiting……..wired……..

So what does one do at 2am when one is wired?  Get some camera therapy.  I rolled out of bed, opened the block out blinds and grabbed my point and shoot.  I also grabbed a half-consumed, warm and very flat bottle of champers we had opened earlier that evening at pre-party drinkies – I think that bottle must have been called Bad Idea. I sat on the carpet in the dark and breathed in the view with my tired eyes.  Beautiful.  A bit tiddly and still going, I managed to work the self timer and play with the exposure compensation.  Here is the view from room 716.  Noisy at an ISO of 800, but nice:

The View from 716, Nikon Coolpix S210, focal length 6mm, exposure f/3.1 @ 1 sec, ISO 800, -2 exposure compensation, self timer on widow ledge, 2.03am

The city lights eventually lulled me.

I woke suddenly with a thumping head.  Dear Lord.  It looked like I was going to be paying heavy penance for my Syns and the Bad Idea.  I had no idea what the time was and thought it must be close to 9 or 10.  Nope.  6am.  And totally wired.  FFS!  Why can’t I sleep??????

I had a bit of time to kill before 11am but was too tired for the gym.  I washed my already coiffed mane (why not?) and ordered a feast.  I watched Rage and chose a new ring tone for my phone.

As the most glorious light came through the window, it was time for some more camera therapy.  Self portraits.  Let’s do it.

Strike a good pose or get the camera settings right – never the two shall meet when you are afflicted with a hangover and sleep deprivation.  I forgot I had moved my exposure compensation to +2 earlier that morning, but this very over-exposed pic does capture the almost celestial light.  Like an angel on a cloud (ha!):

Self Portrait Hilton I. Nikon Coolpix S210, focal length 6mm, expsoure f/3.1 @ 1/60th sec, ISO 200, +2 exposure compensation, soft focus applied in Picasa 3.5, 8.05am

And here is another shot that seemed to work pretty much off the bat.  I think Maria may have still been visiting…….she’s lovely, isn’t she (chuckle, chuckle)?

Self Portrait, Hilton II, Nikon Coolpix S210, focal length 6mm, exposure f/4.6 @ 1/140th sec, ISO 60, -1 exposure compensation, 8.08am

Completely spent by 9.30am, I finally crawled back into the giant, delicious marshmallow for a mid morning kip.  Heavenly

Little Angels, Southbank, Melbourne, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 35mm, exposure details f/4.5 @ 1/400 sec, ISO 100, metering Centre Weighted Average, +0.7 exposure compensation

I am completely zausted as we drag ourselves towards Christmas break.  Work is cranking and everyone wants a piece of me (just as Britney sings it).  I have played cello at my daughter’s school to a very tough audience of 5 year olds (hours of rehearsal to get that theme from Stars Wars just right), attended many a Christmas cocktail function, snapped several kids’ parties and the end of year school concert, and worked it in the gym.  My body is angry (begging for sleep and a detox), but my creative soul is alive and thriving.

I want to thank Mr T for his awesome course in night photography, which came to an end last week.  After this course, this deliberately conservative corporate pretender is much more ready to ‘go there’ – to shoot things that I have always connected with but am afraid of or choose to deny.  This marks the beginning of an exciting creative path for me.  So thank you, Mr T, for your insights (from centre weighted average to white balance to Shoot the Male to Vermeer and the beginnings of photography to what you can do inside and outside the camera), encouragement, opinions (that support creating, however one wishes to do it), time and passion – very generously given and much appreciated.  My husband remarked how much more passionate I am about photography as a result of this course – I didn’t think it was possible to go beyond obsessed, but there you have it!

And thanks to Colin, Dan & Dave – for your company in the mini van, your modeling and your cupcakes!  As well as for your patience as I set up my tripod along side you and grilled you about what camera settings you were using – I learned a lot

There’s something about the night.  I feel very much ‘in sync’ at night.  C/F 6.30am where, while I love the serenity of morning and a freshly brewed tea,  I feel tense and disconnected from the world, as if I am observing it in a surreal (and mostly cranky) state.  I like the mystery and grittiness of the night.  I like the fact that the day is officially over and what I do from that point on is down to me and me only.  Those I work with often chastise me for sending emails at midnight – I tell them not to worry – this is when my brain is switched on and those Alpha waves go to town on the problems I am vested with solving.

Below are some of my favourite pics from the course, how they were shot and why I like them.  Hope you like them too (click the pics to see them BIG)…

Which Way to the Casino, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 18mm, exposure details f/3.5 @ 3.2 sec, ISO 200, metering Centre Weighted Average, -2.0 exposure compensation

This shot is a boy’s favourite for some reason.  The lines and angles? The masculine shapes?  Shot at the widest angle possible on my lens, I do like its lines very much.  It is also relatively sharp for a long exposure and blustery night (and I am nuts about sharpness, to the point of distraction).

Inside Honeycomb Bridge, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 18mm, exposure details f/4.5 @ 1/6 sec, ISO 400, metering Centre Weighted Average

This bridge is very cool and is one of Melbourne’s little treasures.  Shot wide again, I love it because the white balance matches the architectural feel of the construction.  The coolness of light matches the coolness of the bridge.  I also like it because we had a fun night that night, and it’s a memory.  Could be sharper though…..

Visiting Sarah, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 33mm, exposure details f/9 @ 32 sec (BULB), ISO 100, metering Centre Weighted Average, full manual mode. Not Photoshopped (I don't even own the program...)

So talking about facing things we are afraid of, the class shot in Willimastown cemetery in our last week.  In the above shot, Dave whimsically hugged Sarah’s headstone for 7 seconds as Mr T painted him lightly with a torch.  He then jumped out and Mr T continued to paint the headstone and surrounds for another 20 seconds or so.  Cool, huh?  What’s a little freaky is that Dave’s car wouldn’t start after leaving the cemetery and he thinks it may have been Sarah not wanting him to leave……I have chills (and they’re multiplying)!

Sarah, he used you.  Move on.

And last but not least…..

Untitled, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 18mm, exposure details f/8 @ 16 sec, ISO 100, metering Centre Weighted Average, full manual mode, not Photoshopped

A beautiful example of what you can create without Photoshop and how much fun this thing called photography can be, here Dave was dancing around the cemetery path as Mr T flashed him with a hand-held device (does that sound wrong???).  This will be Dave’s album cover, if he ever chooses to make music.

And there we have it, my friends.  The end of a great course.  But the start of a new photographic journey.

Nigh, nigh.

Under the Bridge Downtown, Southbank Melbourne, 3 images merged in Arcsoft Panorama Maker 5, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 20mm, exposure for each frame, f/3.5 @ 1/8th second, ISO 100

What a fun (and frozen) time we had a photo school last Monday night.  We probably walked 6km along a windswept Yarra River on quite a crisp night.  Most of us were like chilled desserts by the end of our 4 hour session which finished well after dinner time (me, I was like an Eskimo Pie, my latest frozen dessert fetish).

Teacher, otherwise known as ‘Mr T’, became pretty excited about the prospect of shooting panoramas.  I can’t say it really got me jumping out of my skin – I’m not really into postcards unless they are retro – but I practised the technique anyway, like a good student.  Some key things Mr T told us to remember:

• shoot from left to right on a horizontal plane (I did shoot from right to left on one of my images due to brain freeze – the camera knows but doesn’t really care which frame you took first and you can re-arrange them later);
• keep the camera on an even plane – three legged man (tripod) ESSENTIAL;
• in a scene where exposure is likely to be varied (most scenes, really), choose the critical point of exposure, read it in Aperture priority, flick to full Manual and ensure consistent exposure in each frame i.e fix your shutter speed, aperture and ISO;
• choose your main focus point and then lock your focus (easy – just switch to Manual focus at that point);
• aim for one-quarter to one-third overlap in each frame – no more no less;
• load your selected images, all sorted into one neat file, into a program such as Arcsoft Panorama Maker 5;
• watch the program ‘Analyse & Stitch’ (Eskimo Pie in hand).

Done!  If it sounds complicated then trust this non-technical nuff-nuff when she says it is pretty simple.

I gave it a go in two locations.  I wasn’t particularly selective about the scenes I chose, I was more interested in giving the technique a go.  After using Arcsoft, I am now thinking this could be loads of fun……..!!  Next time, I will pay more attention to my scenes of choice (and I will take a jacket!).

Long Walk to Honeycomb Bridge, Docklands Melbourne, 3 images merged in Arcsoft Panorama Maker 5, Canon EOS 450D, focal length 18mm, exposure for each frame, f/3.5 @ 1 second, ISO 200, -0.3 exposure compensation