Photography in Plain English

I have written two ebooks to help people get started with better photography. The first and most popular is “Photography in Plain English” which is a true beginners guide.

Some ebooks start out assuming you already know the basics, so real beginners are left in the dark from the start. Other books out there seem to be more focused on demostrating the genius of the author, and put things into such jargon and complicated detail; they are more about serving the ego of the author than about helping you learn photography.

Photography In Plain English starts at the very beginning…it explains aperture, shutter speed, depth of field, how to handle moving subjects, when to use a tripod, ISO etc. All in very simple terms you can understand, and illustrated by photos from my gallery. It also explains some of the basics of composition and using natural light for you landscape and wildlife photography.

You can CLICK HERE to find out more about Photography in Plain English, or just visit me at www.naturesimage.com.au

Misty Morning – Lake Baroon, Maleny

This is something that doesn’t happen too often these days – I got out of bed early! The day before was a major fog event, they even closed Brisbane airport for a few hours…and I slept through it. So the next morning I was up early because the forecast said to expect similar conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, there was not so much fog around the general landscape, but a heavy patch of fog had settled over Lake Baroon, so I headed down there for a look.

One of the things I try to teach my students is, never settle for the first shot you take. If there is a great photo opportunity, chances are there are MANY great photos to be taken if you perservere and use some imagination.

This morning was a perfect example. I had a ball taking the photos, and captured the lake in a very different mood to how most people see it.

Hope you like the shots. Don’t forget to check out my website www.naturesimage.com.au

Digital Photography – The big plus for an old-timer.

It has been six months now, and I have had plenty of time to make the adjustment to new technology. Almost every day someone asks me about my preference; i.e. “Which do you prefer – film or digital.”

First up, let me say I really hate that question. Not just that I get it 20 times a day, but because people expect a simple answer when there really isn’t one. I am not going to try to answer it here, and I certainly don’t want to get into a big online debate. What I would like to do is tell you the one great benefit; the big plus that makes me happy I made the switch.

Here it is. My digital camera has reconnected me with photography. In recent years, I found myself making up excuses not to take photos. Excuses like – Maybe it won’t sell – Maybe it won’t work – I already have a photo of those mountains, do I really need another one? What it really came down to was cost. With the recession starting to unfold, I was always conscious of the cost of another roll of film and developing. I have such a large collection of photos, I just couldn’t justify spending money on photos I really didn’t need.

That wasn’t such a bad thing. It led me to work through my archives and discover hundreds of photos I had never printed before. But I missed the thrill of the chase; the never-ending pursuit of the perfect composition and a new challenge.

So here I am in the digital world, and I am taking photos again with my Pentax K20D. Taking photos with unlimited freedom. If I have even a half-baked idea, I give it a shot, sometimes surprising myself with an unexpected gem. I am watching the skies for the potential in an approaching sunset, and looking forward to every full moon. I am not afraid of paying for a photo that doesn’t sell, and as a result I am now selling photos that (in the past) I might never have taken.

Here are a couple of new shots from my recent outings. I hope you like them. Don’t forget to check out my website sometime: www.naturesimage.com.au

More Maleny Show Images

I got such a good response to my post showing fireworks from the Maleny Show, I thought some people might like to see a couple of other shots from the same night. Hope you like them…By the way, I won first prize at the local camera club with one of my fireworks shots. A small claim to fame it may be, but still fun to get some positive feedback.

Don’t forget to check out my website, www.naturesimage.com.au

Fireworks Photos – Maleny Show 2009

Here is something I have not tried in a very long time. The last time I shot fireworks I was using film…took loads of photos for just a couple of good results, had to wait ages to get them developed, then couldn’t remember what I had done right and what I had done wrong.

I find in many ways digital photography is not so different to film photography. The techniques I use today are pretty much what I was using 20 years ago. But for photos where you are experimenting, not quite sure what to do, it is great to see a result right away, correct any errors, get it right, and then know that you are on the right track for every photo. But I don’t need to tell you that…I am sure you figured it out years ago.

Anyway, I hope you like my new fireworks photos. They were taken at the Maleny show a couple of weeks ago. Not a bad display for a small country show. I have not done any real editing, these are pretty much ‘as shot.’

Don’t forget to check out my website www.naturesimage.com.au

PSQ – Photographic Society of Qld guest speaker

I don’t know why I haven’t mentioned this before. Maybe it is just because most of the people who read this blog are on the other side of the world. Anyway, it is happening so I might as well put the word out.

The PSQ – Photographic Society of Queensland – have their annual convention in a couple of weeks, and I have been asked to be one of the guest speakers. Freaks me out just a little…I teach classes for BEGINNERS and I live in fear that someone in the room secretly knows more than I do. Imagine how I will feel talking in front of around 70 confirmed photo junkies!

Anyway, I just thought I would mention it in case it helps draw a few more interested parties into the fold. You can find out all you need to know about the PSQ convention  when you CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile, don’t forget to visit my website www.naturesimage.com.au

Bribie Island – Sunset over Pumicestone Passage

Lately I have been pretty busy and have not put up to many new blog entries. Those I have posted have been more about thoughts and issues instead of what I really like doing, which is sharing my new photos. So here is a recent shot taken on Bribie Island. Not much to say about it, except it wasn’t the shot I was planning for. You can get great views of the Glasshouse Mountains from Bribie, looking across the water. But this afternoon became so hazy you could barely see the mountains in the distance. Luckily, I found some other great subjects to fill my lens. So without further ado…

Bribie Island Sunset

Don’t forget to check out my website: www.naturesimage.com.au Hope you like the new photo.

Film or digital – Will this argument never end?

I sent out a newsletter from my website this morning. In it I included some of the things I have learned since buying my first DSLR…a story which has been well documented on this blog.

I got an email from one of my subscribers, with an unexpected question: Which do I think is better, film or digital?

I say unexpected, because I really thought this argument was over by now. Yes, film still has some advantages over digital photography, but for all practical purposes its day is over. Virtually all the services relating to photography now involve computers, so whether you like it or not, digital is the only real choice if you want to function as a photographer in the modern world. I am not saying that’s how I like it, but I do believe that’s how it is.

I have plenty of long-winded opinions on what I think is great about digital photography and what I think is really a pain. But I don’t want to pontificate on a subject that I am sure many people are tired of. But I thought I would throw open the question, if for no other reason than to see if anyone cares anymore, or is this argument really dead.

SO…which is better, film or digital? Let us hear what you have to say. If this entry produces any meaningful debate, I will take the time to add more of my thoughts on the subject.

Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to check out my website www.naturesimage.com.au (By the way, most of the photos on the website are taken on film, but that is really just because I am so very, very, old).

New Images and Impressions on Digital Photography

I have been going out every chance I get to try to add to my collection.  As winter approaches the days get so short I don’t have much time after work. Lately I have closed the gallery early a few times if I saw a good cloud formation building, so I could get to Lake Baroon by sunset. It is about 20 minute’s drive from my work. Here are a few of the best shots from my recent adventures.

After a few months with my camera I have come full-circle in my approach to photography. I have used for many years a fully manual Nikon FM-10 film SLR camera. Every time I took a photo, all I had to do was choose the aperture, shutter speed, check my lightmeter and shoot.

Ever since buying my Pentax K-20 DSLR, I have been seduced by the huge range of options. Five or six shooting modes, various options for choosing ISO, three metering modes, three focus modes…the range of options was a real eye-opener. And to tell the truth, it was kind of bewildering. If I had plenty of time to set up a shot, it was great to take my time and work through the options to get the shot. It may not have made my photos any better, but at least I was getting to know my camera.

The problem was when I did not have a lot of time to set up a shot. If for example I was photographing a sunset and a bird flew past, I had to quickly re-set my camera for the new type of subject. Unfortunately, by the time I had worked my way through all the different choices I had to make, the bird was long gone and I had missed the shot.

After plenty of practice I still found the complexity of the camera was causing me to make too many mistakes when I needed to think fast. Finally I have returned to my old ways. I have set the camera to manual mode, and now all I have to do is…SET THE APERTURE AND SHUTTER SPEED, CHECK THE LIGHTMETER AND SHOOT!

Ah, technology.

Don’t forget to check out my website: www.naturesimage.com.au . Hope you like the new photos.

 

Photography Workshops – mid year dates

My first few Photography Essentials workshops for this year have gone really well. I am even getting the chance to add some great new photos to my collection while working with the students.

Last weekend at my April workshop

A lot more people are finding my workshops online these days. (i.e. they have not been to my gallery or met me elsewhere…they have just found me through this blog or direct to my website). So I thought it made sense to let you know the dates for my upcoming classes. To find out more about the workshops, CLICK HERE.

My may workshop is almost sold out, but there are still some spots available. That’s May 9 and 10.

I have just started taking bookings for June 27 and 28, and also for the weekend of July ll and 12.

To be at one of my workshops you obviously need to be able to spend a weekend at the Sunshine Coast. You don’t need an SLR camera as long as you have a genuine manual mode with separate aperture and shutter speed contol.

I don’t usually use this blog for blatant business promotion, but if this is where people are looking, it makes sense to keep you up to date.

Don’t forget to check out my website www.naturesimage.com.au

My Pentax K20d – the story so far

If you follow this blog you know that I recently bought a Pentax K20d SLR camera, and I have been having fun learning the ropes of my new toy. I have also been showing off some of my new shots, and I am very happy with the camera’s performance.

What you may not know is that there has been a little mini drama going on in the background. I thought I would share it as a lesson to all who find themselves in the same position. As you read this, remember I have just moved up from a fully manual film SLR, so I am new to the world of electronic cameras.

Within two days of getting my camera I had a problem. Every now and then when I switched the camera on, it didn’t work. Then when I switched it off, it wouldn’t go off either. It just stayed in this annoying, non-functioning, not-really-on-and-not-really-off mode. The only way to fix it was to take the battery out, then pop it back in. Then the camera would work fine, until the next time it malfunctioned.

The camera store were great. They replaced the body no questions asked. But this camera had the same problem, only it happened a little less often.

This is not a cheap camera, and I was starting to feel jinxed. I spoke to a Pentax tech support guy, he said he had heard of this problem, it was extremely rare and he didn’t know what could cause it…only that you would have to be incredibly unlucky for it to happen twice.

The camera store were great – again – and organized a replacement. But this time the Pentax rep came to my gallery to switch the camera himself. Although the problem was very intermittent, it happened while he was testing it, so he knew it was not my imagination.

So now I had my THIRD body…and it had the same problem, but now much more regular. I phoned the rep the next day and he couldn’t believe it. His next thought was that it couldn’t possibly be the body. It must be the lens, interfering with the electronics of the camera. He would get me a new lens.

In the meantime, he suggested we also try a different memory card. It was unlikely, but just possible that the memory card (also electronic) could be interfering and causing the camera to misfire.

I took it back to the camera store and asked if they had a lens – any lens – that would fit. They found a lens, different model to mine, and we tried that. The camera malfunctioned almost right away.

Then we tried a new memory card, exactly the same as my original one…and the camera worked like a charm. And it has worked like a charm ever since!

You can imagine my frustration with this whole process, and my relief when it was sorted out. I felt bad that they had wasted two camera bodies, but I also felt as the customer, it was not my responsibility to identify the problem, and someone who knows better than me should have suggested the card sooner.

The moral of the story…if you have a problem with your expensive digital camera, start with the cheapest possible solution, and work your way up. Don’t trash a $2000 camera for the sake of a $50 memory card!

It is important that I make it clear…I am completely happy (thrilled in fact) with my Pentax camera, and both Pentax and the camera store have gone above and beyond in making sure I was happy in the end.

I found a person in a forum who had the  same problem as me. Once I had my solution I went back to the forums and tried to find him to let him know my experience, but I couldn’t find him. So I am posting this here so perhaps anyone who has a similar problem might learn from my experience.

By the way, still very happy with the camera and taking some great shots. Don’t forget to visit my website www.naturesimage.com.au and if you sign up to my mailing list, you will get to see even more of my new shots each month.