E620: First Photos

Although I havn't really tested the camera out to the max, I was able to get a bit of a first shoot in yesterday. It seems to live up to my own expectation well enough. Strangely enough, I don't think the sensor is that different from my old one apart from a few more mega-pixels. Even then, 99% of the time those extra megapixels don't play a huge role. I have a new lens coming, but even so the kit lens is an improvement on what I had. I am enjoying some of the extra features on the camera even though they don't really alter things that much. The E620 is not really made for low light shooting as the ISO ability is not the greatest. I have a feeling that to get that extra step up in low-light quality would require another level of sensor.

On the whole, I'm pretty happy and expect it to last me a fair while - the Canon 5D will have to wait. Until, then I expect to get stuck into some more photography - WITHOUT DOTS 

OLD PHOTO: (The old sensor played havoc in any dark exposures over 1"). 

Have a fantastic week!

On The Road Again

It's been a while since I have been able to get out and take some photos since my old camera gave up the ghost. However, finally got another one today - found another olympus: E 620. SO, there will be more photography to come!!

I have had my eyes on the full-frame EOS 5D. However, after taking some of my own advice from an old post I decided to continue with a cheaper option until affordability provides option for the full-frame camera.

The upsides to this are that I get to continue with the Olympus brand and style that I have enjoyed over the last 10 years. Secondly, all of my sparse assortment of lenses and accessory items will remain compatible with the new camera.

Wireless flash capability is certainly something that I am looking forward to using. However, I think the E 620 limits this to use WITH the on-camera flash.

Anyway, regardless of specifications I'm sure I'll be pretty happy with a working machine as long as it is needed. People often ask me "What's a good camera to buy?" Although this is a perfectly good and valid question, there are a many lot of great cameras around these days especially if you stick with the known brands and basic specs. Therefore, whatever you end up with will probably be quite a good camera to buy (However, please DO NOT quote me on this after you buy an under-performing boxy that's been megapixally overpriced) Point is, I'm looking forward to USING what gear I now have.

Have a great weekend!!

IT Help Desk

As things have done for a long time now, many operations (including photography) are highly dependent on some form of computerised mechanism. This is fantastic as it creates such a diverse range of sources for things although the downside is that it is based on a number of computerised languages.

For a while, I have been hoping to get a nice-looking gallery of photos going for this blog. After chasing threads and forums around the internet, I have managed to come up with what I feel is a satisfactory outcome. I have also come away with the realisation that a higher level of computer knowledge and understanding would be beneficial.

The end result that I managed to find a roundabout way of displaying images through the blog site without having to wade through tonnes and tonnes of unreadable code. Although the regular software engineer would likely find this a walk in the park, I feel quite chuffed to now have it done to a level of satisfaction.

You can find links to the galleries at the top of my home page. 

Use of Flash

Regarding the use of flash lighting, there are two main camps of thought. One says that you should never/rarely use flash and instead use only the natural lighting of the area. That is a fantastic idea, especially when the natural lighting is very elegant or conducive to your photograph. However, this is clearly not always the case. This leads to the second ideology which is that the flash is simply another part of your toolkit to be utilised in creating your photographs. I stand much closer to the second camp of thought. 

For obvious reasons, much of landscape photography is limited to using natural lighting. However, there are many instances where a flash really comes in handy. Even in a landscape shot, it can help to bring out certain elements of the scene. Here are three keys that I find useful when dealing with flash:

1. KNOW some of the important principles about the nature and intensity of light. For example, the most basic is that light travels in a  straight line. There is not actually any such thing as light that nicely "wraps" around your subject. What you are dealing with here is the RELATIVE size of your light source. I could go on much longer about this, but the point here is that you learn more about the light that drives EVERY one of your images. 

2. The best practical tip I have is to get your light off the camera's optical AXIS. The simple reason for this is that MOST things will look more pleasing to the eye if lit in this way. There are more visible shadows and the object is given much better definition than direct light. 

3. Thirdly, try not to rely solely on your flashgun. Having a BALANCE of the lighting is often the key to a nice looking photo. Reflectors can be a good way of utilising the power of the sun to light aspects of your scene without the use of flash. 

David Hobby at http://www.strobist.blogspot.com.au/ has some much more in-depth explorations about lighting. I have benefited greatly from reading and practising some of his tips. 

Have a fantastic day!

Emotional Photography

Something I like about photography is that it is often part of a bigger story. I was looking through some old photos an found this one. It certainly brings back memories of the time and place in which I was living at the time and I'm sure everyone has different images that trigger certain feelings and memories. I have enjoyed photography since I was a kid and the whole time have liked capture these things in a photo. 'Capturing the moment' is a pretty cliche statement, but that is what photography is about. It is momentary and no more, but I like how a photo can bring back more than a moment of thought.

Anyway, the point here is that I am keen in future photography to bring more feeling into the picture. I feel that it will certainly add to future work, unless of course I am trying to convey an impersonal place of cold emotions.

Have a great day!

Hamelin Pool - Stromatolites

Such a long time between posts...

We recently got back from a week away up in Exmouth. A lovely place to go and spend some of the winter break. ON our way back down to Perth, we stopped and camped at a great little caravan park near Hamelin Pool. Here, the stromatolites are one of the historical attractions of the area. Hence, the photo below. 

However, this is to be one of my last photos in a while as my camera eventually decided to die. After having lots of sensor troubles over the past couple of years, the shutter finally packed it in. 

On the upside, this means I will be looking at getting a new camera soon. I am on the hunt for a new one as soon as I can. At this point, I'm considering the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. It seems like it has everything I would like to see in a camera. 

I'm now looking forward to some much better and more reliable gear!!!

Itchy

Although the past few weeks have been very intense, I'm keen to set some time aside specifically for photography. In case you weren't aware, I've recently made the move back to uni to become a paramedic.

I get itchy for photos from time to time, especially after a break from the camera. We had a picnic by the river this evening which was fantastic. Taking the photo here made me want to get out more. Between study, work, training, and family at times it unfortunately seems hobbies get pushed to the side a little. Anyway, I thought I'd put this one up for now.

Enjoy

Hopeful

I love getting out to the country. Partly because that's where I grew up, but simply because it is beautiful.

This weekend, I'm really looking forward to spending the weekend camping at the beach. My brother-in-law-to-be is having his bucks down south. I'm hoping to have some fantastic weather for swimming and fishing. However, I'm also pretty keen to get a few nice photos whilst we're there. While I can't guarantee anything will happen, I'm hopeful.

For the sake of uploading a photo, I'll leave you with this beachy picture that I currently have hanging on my wall.

Have a great weekend!

Edit Note

There are many different views on editing. Some feel as though the use of photo-editing programs is somehow a tarnish on the photographic field. However, my view is that it is simply an extension and development on the processes always used by photographers.

Either way, I thought I'd post a word or two on the topic. To make things simple, I've thought of four tips to remember whilst editing.

1. First tip is KEEP your original file in some format. The more work you do on a file, the more information you lose especially if you are in the (possibly poor) habit of merging layers along the way.

2. Have your COMPLETED image in mind before you begin editing. If you know where you want your image to end up, the process will be much easier, faster, and more effective. In saying this, keeping some spontaneity in your work has much going for it.

3.  KNOW your editing tools. Photoshop is far more powerful than I regularly utilise. Again, both speed and quality will improve drastically once you begin to master your program.

4. Clearly the biggest tip I have begins long before the file arrives on your computer. Have your image in mind before you push the shutter. A small improvement in camera regarding lighting, composition, or colour is of much greater value than what most editing can achieve.

As a rule I generally won't alter much when it comes to landscapes. However, if a picture can be improved easily, I figure why not do it! Here is an example of a relatively simple edit I recently worked on. I was reasonably satisfied with the outcome and it didn't take too long. As you can see (apart from the removal of Runner 32) I personally prefer to keep editing pretty simplistic if possible.

New Work!

Firstly, my apologies for the long time since my last post. There are a couple of reasons for this. One of which is a valid photographic cause. I have been appreciating some of the more beautiful things in nature and in the sky without over-analysing its photographic content. At times it is much better for the soul to simply sit and enjoy what is around us. Hence, whilst it is important to keep pushing the shutter it is also a valuable practise to sit and relax.

The second reason is simply that I have had a lot of my time and energy taken up with more immediately urgent things such as work and a new exercise program.

The point of this post, however, is to inform you that I am planning to display a selection of my work in a yet-to-be-revealed gallery. Should it go ahead, it will be a privilege to show work amongst some well-known local artists. There will be some of the same works as from Fremantle (Some same frames, some new frames). HOWEVER, there WILL be some new photography on display as well. At this stage, I am thinking I will probably use about 4 or 5 from Fremantle and add another 4 or 5 NEW images.

This page will be kept updated as to the location and the timing of it all.

Enjoy your week!