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P365 Day 101

The Manifest anime convention is coming up, and I’ll be there as Press as always. This year I wanted to use my new Mobius Actioncam to create a timelapse of my experience of the con from my point of view. I was struggling to work out how to mount the camera on me till I found this idea.

I attach the camera to a small ball head, which attaches to the hotplate of my B-Grip, which slides nicely into the elastic pouch on the strap of my Think Tank camera bag! It’s perfect! I don’t think it will get in the way, and I can easily remove it when I need to put the bag down.

via Flickr http://flic.kr/p/fnzZDX

p365 Day 83

Naomi’s grandfather found this fantastic collapsable camera in a garbage dump years ago and salvaged it. I don’t know when it last worked, but it doesn’t now. It still looks fantastic, and makes a great prop!

via Flickr http://flic.kr/p/fck4et

Chasing the Solar Eclipse of 2012

Solar Eclipse 1999 – Source

In less than a week I fly to Cairns to watch and shoot the total solar eclipse. It will be my first time seeing one!!

I’ll be flying thousands of kilometres and spending hundreds of dollars to shoot five cameras at an event that lasts just two minutes and has about a 50% chance of being completely clouded out!

No pressure XD

In this post I’m going to talk briefly about what I’m planning to do with the different cameras I’m taking, and tell you how you can all (hopefully) watch the eclipse live with me!

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Portrait Photography Short Course Announced!

I am thrilled to announce that in late July, for the first time, I will be running a short course on portrait photography. The four week course will be held in Southeast Melbourne from July 20, and will have a maximum of ten places. You can book a place in this course now by phoning 03 9885 7952 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm) or emailing enquiries@ashburtoncc.org.au. The course will be run on Monday 7:30-9:30pm or Saturday 2:00-4:00pm depending on demand.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3002842696' failed.

Here are the details so far. This is my first draft of the course plan, and any or all of these details may change prior to the commencement of the course, however they are a good idea of what you should expect. The price has been finalised.

Creative Portrait Photography
Tutor: Neil Creek

Learn how to take creative photos of family and friends using flash and natural lighting.

Cost: $130AUD
Location: Ashburton Community Centre, Melbourne, Australia
Date: TBA – After 20th July
Days: Monday 7:30-9:30pm or Saturday 2:00-4:00pm depending on demand
Classes: 4 x 2 hour sessions including one location shoot with model

Requirements: Participants must bring a digital camera with a flash hotshoe* and full manual controls and have basic photographic knowledge. Maximum 10 students (minimum 6)
* Sony Alpha users will be unable to use their camera in the flash exercises with the provided lighting gear due to the proprietary flash mount.

  • Session 1 – Introduction to Portrait Photography, lighting, basic camera operation and functions of shutter speed and aperture, studying example portrait photos
  • Session 2 – Importance of light in creative photography, types of light, light quality and direction. Familiarization with electronic flash and in-class interactive demonstrations with lighting gear provided
  • Session 3 – Viewpoint, angle and pose, adding impact to your images with creative composition & viewpoint with in-class interactive demonstrations with lighting gear provided
  • Session 4 – Go on location to experience photographing a model in natural light, and using flash to supplement natural light. This will be a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Students will receive detailed class notes to accompany the sessions, and students will be encouraged to participate in the demonstrations to gain a hands-on perspective of the lessons.

Depending on the demand for this short course, a second one may be run concurrently. If demand is very high, one or two more courses may be run following the first one or two.

I would very much like to know if you are interested in participating in this course. I am looking at the possibility of offering off-camera lighting kits at special prices if I can find an interested retailer. Do you have any other ideas that would make this course even more valuable to particpants?

I hope to see you there!

18 Bite-Size Photo Tips From My Twitter – 31DBBB

Every now and then, when I think of a quick photography tip, I’ll post it to my Twitter stream. As part of the Problogger 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Challenge, day two calls for participants to make a list post. I thought this would be an ideal subject for the post. So here you go, 18 bite-size photo tips:

  • Wearing a white tshirt outside can be a handy fill card, to light your subjects front.
    4:29 PM Dec 23rd, 2008
  • Timing is critical. Practice your timing by photographing sports or people on TV. Catch interesting moments.
    10:20 AM Jan 4th

    • Hueg Cat Liek Teh Grass

  • A tip re dog/cat #photog: Fisheye lens, camera on monopod, held upside down (camera near ground) remote trigger= http://is.gd/eyCf
    10:25 AM Jan 5th
  • Tip re changing light in timelapse. Set to manual, use natural light if you can, if artificial set exp to <60th/sec
    2:23 PM Jan 5th
  • If you’re a #photog and haven’t seen “The Genius of Photography” you’re missing out. Watch it here http://is.gd/fNrb
    1:57 PM Jan 14th
  • When buying a tripod resist the urge to get the lightest. Sturdiness is key, light=flimsy.
    11:38 AM Jan 27th
  • When shooting macro, focus is tough. Rough focus, then use yr body to move back/forth while looking thru viewfinder & shooting.
    1:15 PM Jan 27th
  • On very hot days like today, don’t leave camera gear in car or outside. The glue on rubber feet and grip rings can loosen.
    9:52 PM Jan 29th
  • #tip for daylight lightning #photog Stop WAY down to lengthen exp time &increase chances. Use ND or polarizer for same reason. Keep shooting
    1:15 PM Jan 30th
  • If you need to use a tripod, you probably should use a cable release or the self timer to minimise potential shake.
    1:12 PM Feb 5th

    • Milky Way over Telescopes

  • If stability is critical, eg for astrophotography, do not extend tripod post or legs. Shorter=stiffer=less shake.
    1:15 PM Feb 5th
  • Improve stiffness @ slow shutter by twisting camera slightly, like wringing a cloth. Makes grip firmer w/o shakes
    12:49 AM Feb 20th
  • When shooting handheld with slow shutter, shoot several frames in a burst. It dramatically increases the odds of a still shot
    11:54 AM Mar 25th
  • If you are one of two or more photogs at a wedding, work out who will be a “lead” to direct the action, or no one will.
    1:10 PM Apr 8th
  • A couple may request photos b4 ceremony. This is challenging cos the mood isn’t same. Push them to interact. Avoid if poss.
    1:12 PM Apr 8th
  • If friends are hanging round, get them in the photos or leave. Time chatting takes from photos, and eyelines from camera.
    1:14 PM Apr 8th
  • Take charge of a wedding shoot. Don’t just wander around and shoot. Suggest ideas, ask for poses. Aimless session=lame shots.
    1:17 PM Apr 8th
  • Pocket Wizards (or reliable flash radio remotes) are AWESOME. High reliability wireless flash shooting was a revelation for me.
    1:19 PM Apr 8th

I’ll continue to offer such tips via twitter as I think of them, so be sure to follow me there. Every few months I’ll collate the new ones and post them again as a blog post.

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