Rottnest Swim 2013

The 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim kicked off at the crack of dawn this morning so I went down to Cottesloe Beach to capture some photos of the start.

The first group of swimmers left Cottesloe Beach at 5.45am to undergo the 19.7km swim to Thompsons Bay, Rottnest Island. The rest of the groups left the beach in 15 minute intervals after the first group. Swimming groups were made up of either one of four categories; solo, duo (teams of 2), team (teams of 4) or Lavan Legal Charity Challenge (teams of 4). Colin Barnett, the Premier of Western Australia sounded the hooter for each of the groups to start their epic journey.

The first photo I captured was probably the most difficult due to the lack of light. Fortunately the cameraman at Channel 9 had a very powerful video light which I was able to use to frame the first photo. Although I did have to use ISO 8000 so I could use a fast enough shutter speed.

I wanted to try to portray the salt of the ocean in my photographs so I decided to produce some high contrast black and white photos. These 25 photos are the end result. If you wish to use these photos commercially please credit with the following details: Leigh Diprose – www.leighdiprose.com

These images are free for anyone to use. If you would like a high resolution copy please email me at leighdiprosephotography@yahoo.com.au and I will forward a copy to you.

Worldwide Google+ Photographers Photo Competition

Another successful worldwide photo competition has finished and the winner has been selected!

The entries into the Google+ Photographers Competition were outstanding! I couldn’t believe the quality of work that was submitted on Google+. Certainly is the best place for photographers. For the full details on how the competition worked click on the banner below:

Now to the important details – the winning image!

The winning photograph was a beautiful black and white photo of a sheep by Gerald Fischer. The post process carried out of the image was superb.  Gerald won himself a $100.00 B&H voucher for winning the competition!

Gerald Fischer

The images which made the finalists were:

Helena Martins – Stairs To The Past

Markus Landsmann – The Colognebay

Mathieu Archambault

Máximo Panés – Jump

Micah Burke – Eclipse Montage

All of the finalist photographs were judged on the following criteria. Each photo was awarded a score out of 100 points:

1.    (25 points) How creative the photograph is.

2.    (25 points) How original the photograph is.

3.    (25 points) What the technical photographic quality is like.

4.    (25 points) How good is the Post Processing Techniques?

The winner was selected from the highest total combined score from all the judges.

Here are the total scores for the above images:

Do you agree with the judge’s verdict? Lets see what the people’s choice would have been: Vote below in the poll:

The judging of the final image was broadcast LIVE via my YouTube channel.  Check out the full recorded On Air Google+ Hangout below and watch what the judges had to say about the image.

A big shout out to all the international judges for their dedication to photography and their time.

Matt Granger – That Nikon Guy , André Appel, Joshua Fisher, Don Noll, Andy Gray, Jack Salzke and Helen Sotiriadis.

If you are an imaging wholesaler or photography store and wish to promote your social media and reach online please get in contact with me via leighdiprosephotography@yahoo.com to find out how I can promote your business through one of my photo competitions.  

Until next time – Happy Shooting!

Google+ One Year Anniversary Photowalk

Do you want to be part of the LARGEST Photowalk in the world? 

Then sign up for the free event I will be hosting in Fremantle, Western Australia.

To let me know you are coming please sign up at the following link – Get me involved!

The Details:

When: Saturday, June 30, 2012, 7:00am

Where: Fremantle Fishing Harbour

The Event: Sunrise is at 7.17am. The main photography shoot will be around Fremantle Boat Harbour at sunrise followed by a walk into the City of Fremantle capturing some of the old buildings. We will then finish at 9am for breakfast at the Attic in Fremantle (upstairs) were we can sort through photos, mingle and enjoy great food and coffee.

More Info:

About Leigh Diprose: Who is he?

About Fremantle:   Fremanlte Fishing Boat Harbour

Attic Menu: The Attic Breakfast Menu

Parking: Parking and Travel Options

More Info: Google+ Photowalk Page

Fujifilm X-Pro 1 Unboxing Coming Soon

I will be unboxing the new Fujifilm X-Pro 1 LIVE on a google+ hangout on Saturday night at 8pm (UTC/GMT Offset +8) !!!!! Come and join me

You will now be able to watch this hangout LIVE around the world directly on my YouTube Channel. I will share the link during the hangout via my various social networks.

Look forward to sharing this awesome camera with you all!

Australia Day Skyshow 2012

Here is the first of my photographs taken at the Australia Day Skyshow 2012 in Perth, Western Australia. I will post some more next week.

Make sure you share this image around if you like it. Enjoy.