My new travel camera. Almost got the hang of it

Thanks Max,
I am hoping to pull something out of the bag (Creatively) next weekend as there will be photogs from all over the world considering it is one of the rounds of the world cup. Plus next year we have the world champs
Peter

Jo, I am still learning the camera!!!!!!!!!!!!
Although I think the pic will be going in Aus Photog mag as soon as I have finished writing the story. They have already accepted the first pics I took with the camera as long as a story goes with it...... I HATE WRITING.......

So you write as well as take pictures hey!
At least there is one smart one here!

What do you have to write?

A bit about the camera, the camera was officially released to the world on the 25th July and I managed to get my hands on it on the 23rd? A bit about how I got my ideas for the shots, a bit about the settings da de da de da..... I have got 800 words together which I wrote from the comforts of my swag in Yuragir NP next to a raging fire. Still have 400 words to write. probably a conclusion too...... I so hate writing I need to be in the write head space...... Usually 5 or 6 bourbons :)

Did you say you were a mechanic or had some other trade when we were at Kunderang?

I take a guess that doing the photography must bring you some decent money though cause you are always travelling everywhere for photos!

Yes Jo, finished my mechanics trade almost 20 years ago now.
No photography does not bring any cash at the moment because I am too busy with owning (leasing) 3 excavators and a bobcat. Also looking after another 22 machines with my step father. Construction brings enough cash for me to travel.
Although I have given my notice for december 2009 to be out of debt and out of construction so as to travel, take pics and write. May do some sort of writing course next year.

I can give you a paying job for your photography skills!

I need some portait photos done when my back is all finished!

Somehow though I don't think it could match up to the photos you take elsewhere!!!!!!!!!!

Jo, you're right, for some reason my protrait work is absoloutly cra p. I do not know why but for some reason as much as I try I just can not get a handle on it. Although the weddings I have done people always rave about the pics.
Give me sports, landscapes, nature or anything outdoors and I love it.

Oh Peter! No I wasn't saying your portrait work is cra p! I am sure that is probable your personal opinion but for all of us every photo you take is amazing! I meant it as Somehow taking measly portrait photos of someones artwork on skin just couldn't compare to all the other photos you take!!!!!

Thanks Kroozer,
The camera is a Nikon D700, 28mm lens, Played with the settings quite a bit though and for some reason I am unable to get all the data from the pic??????
Peter

Kroozer,

As Peter will no doubt attest to, photos like the one pictured above are created by a photographer, not by a camera. Asking a photographer what type of camera he used to create his image is akin to asking a chef what type of oven he uses to create his gourmet meals.

IMHO the camera is simply a tool used to capture the image, whilst the knowledge, skills and experience of the photographer, particularly in recognizing the quality of the light is the key to quality photographs, whether they be portraits, landscape or whatever.

Whenever anyone asks me what sort of camera they should buy, I advise them to purchase the one that they think feels good in their hands and that can become and extension of themselves, so as to not 'hinder' the photographic process. Generally, the simpler the better. Just about ANY camera is capable of producing excellent photographs in the right hands. It is just so common these days for people to purchase an extremely expensive piece of photographic equipment, thinking that it will magically ensure that all of their photos will be wonderful. I have a 30 year old Rolleiflex camera that is so simple in operation that it doesn't even have a battery, yet the quality of image the camera is capable of producing is still beyond my capacity to maximally benefit. I need to learn more!

Often that money would be better spent on photographic text books, a tuition course or on trips to practice technical and creative skills. Much can be learned from great photographers (and I include Peter in that description) about technique and this is important in terms of the ability to control and utilize your equipment to its maximum. There are however things that cannot be taught and that is the innate ability to recognize a great image when confronted by one. The most important rule is to be there!

Here's a quick recent one taken between the rainy days on our recent WA trip. Straight out of the camera with (as yet) no tweaking in Photoshop, not even any sharpening......



I encourage everyone to have a go, especially these days with digital imaging where you don't have to waste film experimenting with exposure, depth of field, composition and gaining a feel for great light.


Cheers,

Mark

Woops - stuffed up. try this....



Cheers,

Mark

Wowww that is great!

That's very nice Mark..... I can't wait till I can see a scene like that and actually get some pics of it......
Got to be in the right place at the right time huh :)

You guys have got a grasp on it all right and took to it very quick. I am trying to teach a mate at the moment and it is very frustrating as he is not getting the results that u guys got. He was all excited when I got back from our trip because he was the proud owner of a D80 as well.
I am still waiting for the pics from your trip up north. I bet there are some stunning images to show off.
I may also be down your way over xmas/new year. Would be good to catch up

Hey Trevor
Stop encouraging him, just when I think I am getting the hang of our new camera Peter goes and puts up photos like that.
It is quite obvious he does not play well with others, talk about take the wind out of your sails.

Well done Peter.
Just put me down for the next course with Trevor.....LOL

Green with envy

Regards Ross

Hey Trev and Ross,
I'll keep you guys in mind if I do start classes. Am finding it very frustrating at the moment as I am trying to teach a mate at the moment and we are not really making any progress. :(

But is it something you can 'teach' someone?
We are all capable of learning.. but from what I've noticed with people.. there are the ones that are taught something, and they aren't too bad, (some aren't too good either!) and then there are the people that are just naturally gifted. You Peter.. are one of the naturally gifted ones!!!!!

Hey Trev,
It is sunset and is the third shot in a series I am doing. I only need one more pic to complete the series and it is a sunrise pic....... Bloody Olympics have distracted me too much to be able to get up at 4.30am to get the last shot. I have set the alarm every morn for the last 2 weeks but have not got up to get it. Now the olympics are finished hope to get an early night and be up at 4.30 in the morn.......

but as Mark E above says...an expensive camera aint going to help us part time happy snapper party photographers one little bit......


i reckon, take lots n lots of photos. write down what when why and how for each pic and learn from what was good and what was crappy...cant remember the exact words Jan Dalton called it...but it meant the same.....he was my tutor when i did course ..he taught Black and White....I still havent mastered it

Hey Nige,

I am old school and I still have 80 rolls of Velvia 50 sitting in the freezer....... That is were my training has come from, learning to take pics with the legendary velvia. Having said that. I do not have time to work on my pics on the computer. I have an excavation business! All my pics taken with a digital camera are as I see them with no manipulation. I have just printed it out on an 8 colour printer and it looks superb.
Peter

Peter, thanks for the info... loking forward to seeing some more.

I'm definetly old school, still enjoy taking my 4x5 with B&W film out for a stroll and don't play with the digifiles too much either, but for travel the DSLR is rather handy.

Cheers, Nige

My guess is a very nice tripod was used too...

MM

No Tripod.
Picture is as it came off the camera. I do not ever make any adjustments of pictures I take.
HHHMMMM..... North shore camera club? I live on the north shore and I have thought about joining a camera club one of these days.

Impressive - hope I didn't offend you by suggesting otherwise, just jealous! Here's a link to the North Shore Camera Club in case you want to make contact -

link to camera club site

sorry I hit submit, instead of insert link! DOH

I note from the list of committee members that my Mum is no longer president - geeze see how slow news travels to WA!!

I recognise all the names of her friends however in the list. Some amazing talent there.

MM

No offence ever taken, very hard to offend me although I may answer my posts otherwise...... I don't mean to sound offended.

I was going to ask Sandy if she was related - but I haven't run into her yet :-).

Hey Cocka,
One of my ambitions is to go to Antartica, have even applied to work there 3 times to no avail. They don't seem to need qualified motor mechanics that can operate excavators, bobcats, backhoes and can build roads. Oh well May just have to keep saving..... :)
I also scored one of the first D200's bought into Australia and because I had taken about 80 000 pics I needed an upgrade. Was going to go for the D300 but heard the 700 was coming out of course I had to upgrade.
I wasn't going to post these but u inspired me to. Now the games are over went down for the sunset tonight and here are a few results.

Pressed submit instead of insert.....

Image Could Not Be Found

Image Could Not Be Found

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Have printed them out and they look awsome.
But they are still not what I am looking for at the moment. am hoping to get down there at 5am

Peter

nick off Peter...
your making us jerks feel inadequate by showing us those ...:)))))

Not quite what you are looking for at the moment...

Just add in the girls off your rig pic and you are good to go!!!!!!!

Sunrise,

Image Could Not Be Found

Image Could Not Be Found

Peter

;)))

Hi John,
No I have not recieved an email. Send one here
peter at extremefilm . com . au
Peter