UA-92224-2

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!

It’s FINALLY Mine! 5D MkII Arrives.

I have incredibly supportive and loving parents. As I have discussed much lately, I have decided to pursue photography seriously as a profession. If I am to do this, I really need to do it with professional equipment. The 350D I have been using for the last three years just isn’t up to scratch, in terms of resolution, sensitivity, speed and feature set.

Even when I bought the 350D I knew that one day I’d upgrade to a full-frame camera, and waited for Canon to eventually release a follow up to the 5D, the first “achievable” full-frame digicam for a new businessperson like myself.

I knew the camera was going to be expensive, so I have been looking into bank loans, which was a frustrating and depressing experience. Fortunately, my loving parents have helped me out, by loaning the money I need. They have confidence in my ability to make a success of my photography, and they want to encourage and help me get there. I love you guys, and once again, as always, your support means so much to me.

Canon 5D MkII

Beautiful isn’t it? And now it’s mine!
Photo: Steve Keys – CC.

5D2 photo examples

I will talk about the 5D2 and what I love about it more in future posts, and I don’t want to clog this one up too much, so keep an eye out for more as I learn how to get the most from this new toy… err, tool! Below are some of the very first photos I have taken with the camera:

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3275678882' failed.

I knew the first photo I would take with the 5D2 would be of our beloved pet Chibi. I didn’t know that he would be so cooperative, and give me such a cute expression the very first time I pressed the shutter release!

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3276650010' failed.

Being a full frame sensor, as opposed to a 1.6x crop that I had on the 350D, I expected to lose some of the reach of my telephoto lenses. What surprised me was how much the 2.6x more pixels would make up for that, and exceed the detail previously captured. This photo of a blood red moon was taken on a night when smoke from the recent horrific bushfires cast a pall over the whole city. The detail visible in this 400mm photo significantly exceeds that which I was previously able to capture. Click here to see the full sized version, a 100% crop of the original photo.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3290958963' failed.

The above photo is of the “public vote” winner of the Bead Society of Victoria’s “Bead Challenge”, which was displayed late last year at the Bead Expo. I photographed this piece, along with several others for Naomi to use in the BSV’s magazine, Connect. This was the first product photo shoot I did with the 5D2, and I just loved being able to guarantee that I had perfect focus by being able to zoom to 100% on the large screen using Live View. This is going to help a lot in future with product-type photography.

The image below is a 100% crop of the above image, showing the incredible detail captured by the 21Mp sensor.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3291776606' failed.

Finally, one of the main headline features of the 5D2, is the ability to record full HD video. I’m not sure how I’ll make the most of this feature, but I’m looking forward to experimenting with it. Below is a video I took of our adorable cat Chibi, engaging in his nightly ritual of snuggling in bed with Naomi, something he has done, for about an hour each night, since he was a kitten, eight years ago.

This video was shot in very low light, and the camera performed marvelously, but would be better when mounted on a tripod for stability. The embedded video below is hosted on Facebook, as I couldn’t get any other hosting service to display the high resolution video. Please let me know if you have any problems seeing it.

A couple of days ago I asked my Twitter friends if they had any questions about the 5D2. Rather than make this post any longer, I’ll answer them soon in a separate post. So if anyone reading this wants to ask me about my early experiences with the camera, please leave a comment, and I’ll answer them as best as I can in that post.

Shooting on Film – Southbank via TLR

I have been inspired by my friend and exceptionally talented photographer Brian Auer, and a growing number of other photographers, to try shooting film. Retro cameras are back in style, and I’ve been keen for a while to experiment with them. I asked Dad if I could borrow his Twin Lens Reflex cameras, which I photographed in another post. I thought that experiencing photography as it used to be – nothing auto, no preview, hand-held exposure meter – might help me learn more about photography.

Unfortunately, it took me a while to get around to shooting, and even longer to get the photos developed, but below you can see my first roll of medium format photography, taken on a short, solo photo walk along Melbourne’s South Bank. Eleven out of twelve photos worked out, not too bad for a first effort.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3225196796' failed.

The Atrium, inside Crown Casino. Significant dust contamination on this negative and several others. I’m not sure what the source was.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3225196634' failed.

Also inside the Crown Casino atrium, at exactly the same location as the last shot, but this time looking directly up. I really liked the circular lens flare that serendipitously appeared.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3225196420' failed.

A large (approx 8-10m) metal sculpture, in front of Eureka tower, currently the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3224340617' failed.

A deliberately slow shutter exposure of a carousel. This was under exposed, but scanning the film at 16bit (greyscale) gave me the latitude to recover the photo in Lightroom.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3225196048' failed.

This is one of my favourites from the shoot. The geometric structures caught my eye, and I was impressed with the dynamic range in the 16bit greyscale scan.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3224340251' failed.

A “busker” blows giant soap bubbles with detergent, rope and dowels, and sells the devices. One little boy was fascinated for many minutes.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3225197592' failed.

I had to squeeze my way to the front row to get the angle I wanted for this shot, but I think it worked. I like how the audience watches on, and the volunteer’s head is cut off. Naomi thinks it would have been better with the face in shot. What do you think?

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3224341891' failed.

The arch of the iconic South Bank footbridge acts as a dynamic element to draw the eye into the composition.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3225197306' failed.

I liked the symmetry of this starkly geometric, architectural photo of part of the South Bank mall.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3224341605' failed.

Old and new stand side-by-side. Eureka tower in the background.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3225196990' failed.

Looking down the covered walkway in front of the famous Flinders Street Station. By this time I was really enjoying myself and was disappointed when I realised that this was the last photo on the roll.

Your Favourite Photos 2008 – Results

A few weeks back after I posted my Top 10 photos from 2008, I invited readers to link to the favourite photo of theirs which they made last year. There has been a fantastic response, with twenty-one people sharing their best shot.

I’ve collected all the photos here for you to enjoy. There is such fantastic talent on display here, and some truly remarkable images. Scroll through the images below, and make sure you click on the image to be taken through to the photographer’s web site or image gallery. The images are shown in the order they were submitted, and the description which accompanies them were provided by the photographers.

Jessyel Ty Gonzalez

Jessyel Ty Gonzalez
I think this was my favorite photo this year that I took. Had a great night and the whole thing was just an experience.

wheeliebin

wheeliebin
My favourite simply because of the surreal fog!

Martin

Martin
"Grazing" is probably one of my favourites from 2008.

<strong>Crystal</strong><br />One of my favorite photos is one that I took early on when I just got my 50mm F/1.8 lens last year. I can’t wait for summer to get here again.

Crystal
One of my favorite photos is one that I took early on when I just got my 50mm F/1.8 lens last year. I can’t wait for summer to get here again.

<strong>Vijesh</strong><br /> This is a hard, but still I need to pick one. This would be my favorite. I had never seen her so beautiful like that before, an its the memorable vacation I had with the people that mattered most to me. Shot at Karwar, India.

Vijesh
This is a hard, but still I need to pick one. This would be my favorite. I had never seen her so beautiful like that before, an its the memorable vacation I had with the people that mattered most to me. Shot at Karwar, India.

<strong>Fee Easton</strong><br />I have 2 favourites but i will go with this one as being my fav

Fee Easton
I have 2 favourites but i will go with this one as being my fav

<strong>Jessica</strong><br />It’s hard for me to pick, but this is what I chose on my blog. I like the mood and contrast of old world and modern. It was one of those moments when I just happened to have my camera, was out with a friend doing something else, and just saw something that made me start snapping away. I love it when that happens! Starting my photoblog about Rome a few months ago has really been a fantastic experience for me and I’m looking forward to continuing to use it to expose my adopted city to others and explore it even more myself.

Jessica
It’s hard for me to pick, but this is what I chose on my blog. I like the mood and contrast of old world and modern. It was one of those moments when I just happened to have my camera, was out with a friend doing something else, and just saw something that made me start snapping away. I love it when that happens! Starting my photoblog about Rome a few months ago has really been a fantastic experience for me and I’m looking forward to continuing to use it to expose my adopted city to others and explore it even more myself.

<strong>Ariston Collander</strong><br />My favorite was of model Laura Shodire from ModelMayhem. This photo IS safe for work. Capturing her hair and face as she threw her head back, along with the lighting and general warmth of the image made it look fantastic.

Ariston Collander
My favorite was of model Laura Shodire from ModelMayhem. This photo IS safe for work. Capturing her hair and face as she threw her head back, along with the lighting and general warmth of the image made it look fantastic.

<strong>Tony</strong><br />2008 was not a great year for my photos it seems :) But here is one of my favorites.

Tony
2008 was not a great year for my photos it seems :) But here is one of my favorites.

<strong>Jason</strong><br />This photo was taken at the Terracotta Army historic site in Xi’an China. It was overcrowded and people were snapping photos on all sides of a statue in a glass display case. I saw this boy looking up at the statue with a wonder-filled expression and pulled the trigger just in time to capture this image.

Jason
This photo was taken at the Terracotta Army historic site in Xi’an China. It was overcrowded and people were snapping photos on all sides of a statue in a glass display case. I saw this boy looking up at the statue with a wonder-filled expression and pulled the trigger just in time to capture this image.

<strong>Leif</strong><br />My photo was taken at the Werribee Zoo, of a female rhino whilst on the special close-up tour on the back of a ute.

Leif
My photo was taken at the Werribee Zoo, of a female rhino whilst on the special close-up tour on the back of a ute.

<strong>Sinisa</strong><br />No dilemma. While driving tired late in the evening on Iceland, practically stumbled upon glacial lagoon under full moon. Surreal.

Sinisa
No dilemma. While driving tired late in the evening on Iceland, practically stumbled upon glacial lagoon under full moon. Surreal.

<strong>Brian Auer</strong><br />My favorite is this photo of my Wife and Daughter. It was shot on a 1956 TLR on b/w film and printed in my darkroom.

Brian Auer
My favorite is this photo of my Wife and Daughter. It was shot on a 1956 TLR on b/w film and printed in my darkroom.

<strong>Lisa Newton</strong><br />I just got my new camera, a Nikon D40, so I’ve been taking a lot of pictures, just to get used to it. In fact, I just started a blog where I can talk, get to know people, and post my pictures. I’m so excited. On the first day I had it, I went to the beach, my favorite place to be, and took this shot.

Lisa Newton
I just got my new camera, a Nikon D40, so I’ve been taking a lot of pictures, just to get used to it. In fact, I just started a blog where I can talk, get to know people, and post my pictures. I’m so excited. On the first day I had it, I went to the beach, my favorite place to be, and took this shot.

<strong>Cody Redmon</strong><br />This image is my favorite of the year because it captures everything I like about my geography in a rather dramatic minimalist image. Thanks for including your readers! :-)

Cody Redmon
This image is my favorite of the year because it captures everything I like about my geography in a rather dramatic minimalist image. Thanks for including your readers! :-)

<strong>Martin Waters</strong><br />A fifty foot spider attacking a city proved memorable and out of all the shots I took in 2008 this remains my favourite, simply because it captures the whole “war of the worlds” feel the organisers were aiming for.

Martin Waters
A fifty foot spider attacking a city proved memorable and out of all the shots I took in 2008 this remains my favourite, simply because it captures the whole “war of the worlds” feel the organisers were aiming for.

<strong>Neal Eiserman</strong><br /> I have a lot of favourites from last year, but I think I’ll go with this one as my overall fav. I like it because it captures a wonderful moment from a wonderful day. I also like the composition, the lighting and the depth of field.

Neal Eiserman
I have a lot of favourites from last year, but I think I’ll go with this one as my overall fav. I like it because it captures a wonderful moment from a wonderful day. I also like the composition, the lighting and the depth of field.

<strong>Arpad</strong><br />I would choose the photo posted first: this picture is special because it was done for my first architectural project. I was amazed and excited at the ease and peace the dog had even though I was setting up my equipment and lights. It helped me to feel more at ease and confident.

Arpad
I would choose the photo posted first: this picture is special because it was done for my first architectural project. I was amazed and excited at the ease and peace the dog had even though I was setting up my equipment and lights. It helped me to feel more at ease and confident.

<strong>Chris Prout</strong><br />Here’s one of my favorite photos of 2008. It was taken at the Detroit Red Bull Air Race.

Chris Sprout
Here’s one of my favorite photos of 2008. It was taken at the Detroit Red Bull Air Race.

<strong>Antoine Khater</strong><br />Really hard to pick up only one Neil I hope you understand :)

Antoine Khater
Really hard to pick up only one Neil I hope you understand :)

<strong>Anthea</strong><br />My favourite photo would have to be the one that makes me happy just by looking at it. It is of my favourite flower - a tulip.

Anthea
My favourite photo would have to be the one that makes me happy just by looking at it. It is of my favourite flower - a tulip.

Which is your favourite photo? What do you like about these photos? Do you have a favourite photo taken last year? If so, please leave a link to it in the comments below.

I look forward to doing this again next year!

Meetup with Manifest Friends at Chelsea Beach

It’s summer down under (well almost), and that means trips to the beach. This time to the gorgeous Chelsea Beach with a bunch of friends from the Manifest forums. These guys are always energetic and lots of fun, and far from camera shy. They always give me plenty of opportunities to experiment with my camera and flash, as you can see below.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3041952327' failed.

Flash handheld at arms length to the left at about 1/4 power.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3041952055' failed.

I love Clyde’s t-shirt :) (Melb=Melbourne in case you missed that)

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3042794122' failed.

Group photo by fisheye, with flash held at arms length to the left at about 1/4 power.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3042793722' failed.

Fisheye photo by natural light.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3041951227' failed.

Flash held by assistant to the left at about 1/4 power.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3042793336' failed.

Flash handheld at arms length to the left at about 1/4 power.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3042793180' failed.

Flash held by assistant to the left at about 1/4 power.

Flickr Tag Error: Call to display photo '3041950515' failed.

Flash handheld at arms length to the left at about 1/4 power.

If you’d like to see the full collection of 227 photos, you can see them in my gallery.

Copyright © Dandelion by Pexeto