Monthly Archives: April 2011

Something is a bit fishy!


Fish? What the?

Shouldn’t it be birds on my blog?

PTGui Pro Tutorial – What you need to know


If you are doing a bit of stitching for landscape photography you will more than likely be using PTGui for stitching your panos together.

There are a few things that I will show you that you may not know about.

Before you open your images follow these steps. By following the simple steps you will be keeping your 16bit files as 16bit not 8bit (8bit is the default for PTGui)

I hope that this helps everyone in the blogging world maintain the highest quality in their photos. If this has helped you make sure you link it on your blog so you can share it with everyone.

Until next time

Happy shooting.

White Rhino


I remember being so scared on this day. These two HUGE White Rhinos decided to walk a little bit to close to my car. With horns as big as my arm these animals can do serious damage.

As they came close my instant reaction was to put my camera and lens inside the car while staying perfectly still.  For a good 20 minutes they both just stood near the car. I heard each giant breath exit their mouths and the sound  seemed to be coming closer. My legs were shaking now! I was thinking just how fast is this car?

If I turn the key will I have enough time to get away, then I remembered that they can run 60km/h!  I couldn’t start the car or they would charge.  I would be crushed for sure!

I braved the risk of being crushed alive to get some shots (as any photographer would). This one was before I put my camera away! After about 20 minutes of what seemed to be a staring contest they moved on. Each THUD was felt as their feet hit the ground with weight as they walked passed the rear of my car.

All I can say is that I’m glad I got the shots!

Got to love Africa hey?

Skye


Here is another photo from the night that I caught up with Adrian and Skye.

You can check out Skye’s blog here

Her blog is quite inspirational.  Currently Skye has set a challenge for herself – to last 30 days without eating any confectionery! Is it me or is that just a crazy challenge? I don’t think I could last 30 days without lollies! Could you?

Lilac Breasted Roller



Little Beach Ocean Motion


This was a six image stitch blended with PTGui.  Shot with my Canon 17-40mm f4 and Manfrotto 303SPH. Andrew Halsall was standing right next to me when I took this…talk about pressure to get it right!

If you use PTGui there are a few little hints that I will share with you at a later stage (when I have some spare time).

So until next time

Happy Shooting

 

One Small Step


After a busy day I have still managed to find some time to share a photo with you all.

I remember a good mate of mine Andrew Halsall once said…always look behind you when you are out taking photos….you know what? He was right!

Off to walk the dogs now followed by the treadmill. For those of you who don’t know the plan for me is to loose 36kg – just image how much more camera gear I could carry! I started on the 10th March…so far 5kgs down 31kg to go!

Until next time

Happy Shooting.

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive


I caught up with some of the guys from the world tour driving this extremely economical car. Couldn’t help myself I had to take a portrait!

A little bit about what they are trying to achieve:

With the “Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive” we will prove that the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL can manage not only challenging street and weather conditions but is also ready to inspire the world. Consistent with the 125th anniversary of the automobile, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL will circumnavigate the world in 125 days, giving journalists and Automotive Fans the opportunity to join in a round-the-world-trip while experiencing fuel cell technology at its best. The hydrogen required during the tour will be supplied by the Linde AG, who supports the F-CELL World Drive.

Facts of the “Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive”

  • Start of driving on January 30th, 2011 in Stuttgart
  • Ending on beginning of June, 2011 in Stuttgart,
  • Three B-Class F-CELL vehicles, driving-distance per car: about 30.000 kilometers
  • Countries: Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, USA, Canada, Australia, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany

    • For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/mercedesbenzfcell

    or to view a map of where the cars have traveled: http://fcellworlddrive.posterous.com/f-cell-world-drive-der-start

    Also if you haven’t subscribed to my blog please enter your email address at the top right of the page.

    Until next time.

    Happy Shooting!

    Hearson’s Cove



    I shot this image on my last trip to the Pilbara just over a  week ago. Hearson’s Cove is situated on the Burup Peninsula just a short drive from Karratha or Dampier.

    Fujifilm Launch in Perth


    I would like to say a big thank you to all those enthusiasts and professionals who participated in the launch of the Fujifilm Finepix X100 last night. The Malt Supper Club in Perth Western Australia certainly didn’t disappoint when it came to catering for a crowd of hungry Fujifilm fans.

    The two feature photographers Brad Rimmer and Christian Fletcher shared their own photographic experience of the Fujifilm x100 throughout the evening. I personally found their portfolio of work to be inspirational from the iconic ground breaking x100 camera. Both photographers have grown up in Western Australia and interestingly portray different styles of photography that compliment the X100.
    If you haven’t checked out these great photographers – do it now!

    Camera Electronic and Team Digital were given the opportunity to invite 100 people to this exclusive free launch. Over the coming week keep any eye out for video and stills from the evening. It was a rare occassion ( considering recent worldwide events) to see a total of 8 Fujifilm X100 cameras circulating in the hands of keen enthusiast and professional photographers.

    So if you were there at the launch of the x100 let me know your thoughts by submitting a comment as any feedback is appreciated. It’s not often that we get to see something of this magnitude in Perth so let’s all get on board the x100 train!

    Adrian & Skye


    A big thanks goes out to Adrian and Skye for coming out for a shoot on such late notice to see the mighty X100 and play with some camera gear in the dark! If you haven’t already seem some of Adrian’s blog then check it out here.

    We ran into trouble with this shoot as there was absolutely no light to focus the camera at all.  Adrian had to use his iphone torch app to shine some light on Skye and himself just so the camera would focus! Two 580EX II flash units were used for this image.

    Stephen Geppert – Amazing


    Funny story actually….about seven weeks ago, as I was driving to Geraldton from Perth and about 200kms out of Perth, I saw this guy walking by the side of the road with two camels. I considered pulling over and taking a photo of the human caravan but alas as we all know photographers can be quite lazy so I ended up driving by and not thinking much of it at all….until last Thursday as I was driving from Port Hedland to Karratha I saw him again – seven weeks later! I decided it was time to put my portrait skills to good use.

    I pulled over and introduced myself and asked if it would be alright to take a portrait. Stephen was more than happy to pose and even get on the camel for me.  Stephen Geppert explained that he is walking around Western Australia and the least I could do for the somewhat energetic traveler was take his photo for him.

    From the research that I have conducted it seems that Brisbane born Geppert is planning to walk from Perth to Mitchell Falls at the top end of our massive state with two camels from Kalamunda Camels.  In the scorching heat of the Pilbara it seems that Stephen was in good spirts with his two companions, Wasim and Herman. He explained that one of the camels would normally be carrying the majority of his water (a total of about 238 litres) but he ran into trouble when the camel developed a saddle sore. As the dilemma unfolded he planned to have the camel’s saddle couriered from Karratha to Port Hedland to give the 20 year old beast a rest.

    I am just amazed at what we can achieve if we can put our minds to it. Stephen seems to be the kind of guy who makes one believe that anything is possible. I only met him for about ten minutes but he certainly left an impression. His journey will take him through this great State of Western Australia where he is yet to experience the Tanami, Gibson, Great Victoria deserts followed by the Nullabor before continuing on back to Perth. I wish him all the best. I have sent this photo to him so he can treasure the memory forever.