Photography

Now that the majority of my studies have been completed and life is returning to normality I can get back to what I love, blogging about my passion. I have always been a lover of photography but have not always had the time or the means to explore it as I am today. My interest was started by my Uncle Danie (pronounced 'Daa-nie') when I was about 10 years old as he gave me a "Box Brownie Camera" for my birthday, ....no I no longer have the camera as I have three younger brothers and I was never able to say no to my family.

I was just getting into film (16mm, 8mm and Super-8mm) when it became necessary to leave our homeland in trying circumstances. I was able to pack and send one of my camera's to myself but unfortunately it was damaged in transit so that was the end of that for some time. In 2011 after some serious health issues I was advised that I had passed my 'use by' date and that I should get away, de-stress and enjoy what was left. Well I bought a few camera's and booked a world tour with my (wife) Bonnie Ronnie, determined to experience and record as much as possible. I didn't expect to actually complete the seven month tour, which had become a quest to reconnect with as many family members as possible and this was a determining factor when deciding where to visit.

Between us we shot 30,000 short video's (most badly as it was memories not quality I was after for my family, especially Bonnie Ronnie) and 35,000 photographs, a good 50% of which were of no interest to anyone but us. We put up a travel blog and made many (about 90) entries while sharing our experience and images of interest thus reigniting my passion for photography and videography. Along the way we decided that, should we reach Singapore we would invest in some equipment for our hobby and this we did.

It has now been over two years since our return and only yesterday did I open the last package that I purchased in January 2012. What did we purchase? - Enough equipment to set up our own studio (not a professional studio but a very nice hobbyist studio). We have been learning how to use each piece of equipment and only moving to the next when proficient with the currently open equipment, a slow process. By the way the last package contained a completely manual Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF Lens. I had a fear that it would not fit my Sony a99 as this was purchased here in Australia, after our trip. I am pleased to say that not only does it fit but it works like a charm. Now I just have to become familiar with it.

When we first got back from our holiday I spent a little time starting to get back into video and movie making, I produced a couple of very amateurish clips ( New Zealand and Hawaii) before deciding that I needed a few lessons on photography and videography. Well the 'few' lessons have turned into a 2 year study of photography and I'm only just starting the videography stage.

Last night I entered my very first 4 prints into club competition and I'm very nervous, but excited at the same time. I've included a copy of one of the images here - I'd love to get a little feedback from you.

I absolutely love what I'm doing and love the fact that people are interested enough to join me on this journey, it's about to get a lot more interesting I assure you.

Altered Reality-Creative Print called "A Blast from the past"

Till next time, take care and stay safe.

PCC - club outings

Phew life has been very hectic of late and time seems to fly. In my last blog I was about to go on my second PCC club outing, which I did. We went to the Redcliffe Airport where Ron Byrne our "Outings Officer" had arranged for access to the tarmac and to the mound surrounding the landing strip.

We met at 09h00 and were to make a day of it, with shots around the airport in the morning, lunch on the peninsular opposite the Scarborough Yacht Club with afternoon shooting of parachutists on advice of the drop zone. The drop zone for parachutists changes depending on the weather and wind direction and so the drop zone (beach) is not known until shortly before the jump.

Ronnie was looking after a friend with a medical condition so I went off on BBB (Big Blue Beauty) my Kawasaki Nomad 1600VN but I wasn't sure what to expect so packed only the Sony a99 and my 18-250 zoom lens into the panniers. About 20 club members attended and it was marvellous having not only the opportunity to photograph a variety of aircraft from many varying angles but also the opportunity to learn from the most experienced club members.

I managed to take a number of wonderful shots, one of which would go on to score a Merit in PDI B grade open contest. I also received some valuable advice from Glenn Rossiter the club Vice President who noticed that my zoom lens opened unaided when my camera was hanging at my side. It seems that this is a fault unique to this particular lens but can be corrected with a little tape being applied just right - this has worked a treat.

Just before lunch Ronnie called and asked me to come back to her as she needed a little muscle to help with her friends needs so  I apologised to Ron and took my leave, promising to return in the afternoon if circumstance would allow it.

I did return in the afternoon but the event had been cancelled due to a fatal aircraft accident at Caboolture which claimed the lives of five people, the pilot and four skydivers.

I decided to collect my big 70-400G SSMII lens and put it through it's paces properly. I have used it several times with mixed results and I was determined to get the hang of this big lens, it weighs a ton (figuratively speaking of course - but heavy non the less).

After collecting the lens and a mono-pod I rode over to Pelican Park as there is usually quite a bit of activity on the water with Jet-skies, Kite Surfers and the like. As it happened there were a number of Jet-skie tube rides which were ideal for panning, object tracking and quick focus. The lens has three preset focus buttons which I'm still struggling with, I tend to press them accidentally a lot while using the zoom.

More practice needed. Till next time I'll leave you with my merit winning image - so proud :)

Camera Club

I apologise for being rather quiet for so long - a number of our family members and a couple of close friends have been going through some rough health issues and this has taken it's toll on our time and our spirits. We feel as though we have crossed the hump with most of these issues and although far from over we do need to take a little time to put life back in perspective.

Several months ago I joined a local camera club so that I could socialise with like minded people and to learn the fine art of photography from those who have been practising this form of art for a time. I have to say that this is definitely one of my smarter choices. The club meets once a week on a Friday evening generally there are two competition nights per month, one for Prints and one for PDI (Projected Digital Imagery). There is also a beginners night and a program night each month both excellent and I have to say that whilst I have been an amateur photographer for 50 years I have learned from some exceptionally useful beginners tips, particularly in relation to lens care.

Once a month the club organises outings which allow access at affordable prices to area's that would be considered off limits or too costly for the average amateur photog. I have only been on one of these outings to date but it was wonderful to spend time with my peers, everyone looking out for each other, comparing notes and assisting the general public who took an interest in our antics.

We have a few up and coming young photographers who have particularly outstanding imagery and it was such a pleasure to be invited to take a particular photograph with specific settings for an upcoming competition. The young lady's camera had an AP-C sensor while mine is full frame allowing me to use shutter speeds well in excess of hers but still she shared her exquisite find with me. I mention this not because this is exceptional behaviour for a young photographer but rather because this is the norm within the photographic and art community in general and exceptional behaviour for today's youth in general.

There are four sections of competition into which one may enter images; Monochrome Prints MP, Colour Prints CP, Mono or Colour Creative-Altered Reality Prints ARC,  Projected Digital Images PDI. I have decided to hold off on the prints for the time being primarily due to the cost (not that they are excessively expensive) until such time that I feel I'm ready to enter images on this medium. I have however entered the maximum quota for all the other sections of what I consider to be my best imagery for the second time (None were accepted on my first attempt as my set topic was incorrect, how embarrassing was that. On the bright side the non-acceptance was not recorded :). So now that I have decided to go with "Open" topic rather than "Set" I should have no embarrassing issues but hey this is me we are talking about, so watch this space.

All the joking aside, I would recommend joining a club to anyone who has an interest, regardless of of the activity because you will meet great folk who have a similar interest and we all learn from one another no matter age, culture or political persuasion. Life is short, find your passion and pursue it to your hearts content.

Tomorrow is my second outing with the club and I'll be sure to blog about that soon. Till next time, take care out there and stay safe.