Guess what? Yep, this site is looking very unloved. What a hell of a surprise that is!
To be fair I have actually typed out three posts, but just haven't posted them here, which I guess is actually worse than not posting at all!
Having been caught up these last few weeks with a new lady friend, a death in the family and expected funeral (not a lot of fun...) a trip to Krakow, plus new camera gear to play with I haven't really spent a lot of time online, let alone time to post here. Such is life, and considering no one reads this page anyway I'm not to guilty about it. Still, that's not an excuse, hence this post tonight.
So the trip to Krakow went very well. Still have to post the photos online, but I managed to get some shots I'm fairly pleased with. Aside from that fact, I was also able to explore a new European city and sample the local foods, and more importantly - VODKA'S!! One of the new people I met for this trip had been there before, so we had to try the Mandarin one she remembered. A pleasant little tipple with a fiery afterburn. Definitely not one for the kids!
Some of the highlights include wandering through the city and its amazing architectural buildings, exploring the quarry where Schindler's list was filmed (with many parts of the set still onsite - check the photos on Flickr!) spending time with random strangers who become interesting friends, doing a little bit of urban exploring on some local building/scaffolding. Would gladly go back for more time there, as three days just wasn't long enough to get out to the concentration camps or the salt mine. Guess theres always next time though, and there is word of a future road trip through Europe doing various Urbex activities!
As mentioned, I have spent a bit of time playing with my camera recently, and have come up with some new changes in the only way I know how - hacking and modding!
Having recently bought a 50mm 1.8 prime lens I have been itching to try the bokeh effect, so devised a way of holding round cardboard discs on the front of the lens and its come out with surprisingly OK results.
I also saw at one of my cheap online retailers some ring LED lights. Wondering what they were Google informed me that they are used for car modders who stick them on their cars for giving them "eyes". All I could see was a useful and cheap ringlight, so I bought a couple to try out. I have also been lucky enough to pick up a cheap lens hood from ebay which will be very suitable to mounting the ring light into, so look forward to that exciting future post with photos!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Justin does something even more unusual...
Those that know me are well aware of my somewhat random ideas and adventures that I get up to. Some (Aka Most!) don't understand many of them, but at least tolerate and humour me when I start to share my next plans.
So what have I done now? Well that requires a little explanation of the previous month or so. So get a warm cup of your favorite and setting in for story time...
Having previously done a little urban exploring, as well as taking up photography on a more serious level, I figured Id see what groups there are online for people wanting to partake in both of these strange and unusual activities. The idea of taking a photo isn't as simple as just hitting a button (something I learnt VERY quickly with an SLR) and learning to master it can take many years. And Urban exploring? What the hell is that? Basically it is finding and exploring abandoned buildings. Said buildings can be anything from houses and castles right through to hospitals & asylum and even factories. The surprising thing about this, is that many sites are usually right in plain view but we just block them out - Unwanted and unloved, they sit, slowly dying a little bit more every day. The great thing is that structures that have been abandoned like this make for great photos - with all the paint pealing off, the rubbish and furniture strewn about and the haunted/vacant look that you get from years of dust build up.
Yeah? All very interesting, but come onto the good part - what crazy thing have you done now??
Well to see what exciting locations are in my area, I thought Id join a local Urbex group and see who they are, and where they go to. Always a slight risk, as you can usually be sure there is one person who enjoys breaking into real live working factories and stealing stuff. Im up for exploring where your not meant to be, and at worse being pointedly asked to leave. Damaging and stealing stuff? Not so cool...
So, after having one or two tentative posts on the forums, someone asked for an expression of interest to fly to Krakow (Poland!) and explore the quarry that Schindler's List was filmed in! Well... Pros and cons with this. I love to travel. I love to take photos, and apparently I love to explore abandoned places. The one HUGE CON in all this? I have never met these people in my life!!!
So I put my name down, have bought the tickets and arranged for time of work. Yep - crazy, insane and possibly dangerously stupid. But what a way to meet people huh? Besides, if its good enough for Micheal Jordan and Thomas Edison, its good enough for me!
We are planning on meeting up before the flight over, and Ive had quite a few messages with one of the members who are arranging things. I'm sure its going to work out fine...
So what have I done now? Well that requires a little explanation of the previous month or so. So get a warm cup of your favorite and setting in for story time...
Having previously done a little urban exploring, as well as taking up photography on a more serious level, I figured Id see what groups there are online for people wanting to partake in both of these strange and unusual activities. The idea of taking a photo isn't as simple as just hitting a button (something I learnt VERY quickly with an SLR) and learning to master it can take many years. And Urban exploring? What the hell is that? Basically it is finding and exploring abandoned buildings. Said buildings can be anything from houses and castles right through to hospitals & asylum and even factories. The surprising thing about this, is that many sites are usually right in plain view but we just block them out - Unwanted and unloved, they sit, slowly dying a little bit more every day. The great thing is that structures that have been abandoned like this make for great photos - with all the paint pealing off, the rubbish and furniture strewn about and the haunted/vacant look that you get from years of dust build up.
Yeah? All very interesting, but come onto the good part - what crazy thing have you done now??
Well to see what exciting locations are in my area, I thought Id join a local Urbex group and see who they are, and where they go to. Always a slight risk, as you can usually be sure there is one person who enjoys breaking into real live working factories and stealing stuff. Im up for exploring where your not meant to be, and at worse being pointedly asked to leave. Damaging and stealing stuff? Not so cool...
So, after having one or two tentative posts on the forums, someone asked for an expression of interest to fly to Krakow (Poland!) and explore the quarry that Schindler's List was filmed in! Well... Pros and cons with this. I love to travel. I love to take photos, and apparently I love to explore abandoned places. The one HUGE CON in all this? I have never met these people in my life!!!
So I put my name down, have bought the tickets and arranged for time of work. Yep - crazy, insane and possibly dangerously stupid. But what a way to meet people huh? Besides, if its good enough for Micheal Jordan and Thomas Edison, its good enough for me!
We are planning on meeting up before the flight over, and Ive had quite a few messages with one of the members who are arranging things. I'm sure its going to work out fine...
Monday, September 21, 2009
Breaking things down into bite sized pieces
Well its been a little while since Ive posted any love here, but I have now realised why after reading another useful blog. It turns out that when faced with a task that seems too large to tackle, its just easier to run and hide - or pretend that its not there. Instead what I should be doing is breaking things down into smaller tasks, which not only makes things easier to get done becasue your only tackling many small problems, but the sence of acheivement that comes on the completion of a task gives you the phycological boost to want to achieve more and more. Then, before you realise it, the huge problem that you couldnt bare to face has been sorted out!
If only I was told this when I was younger, and then I might have been inclined to finish my homework and achieved something greater in life! Instead what I have decided to do, is get some photos that Ive taken posted to the various online sites, as well as post something to this poor neglected page of mine. And Look - here is something posted!
Im proud of myself, for no other reason than I get to go to bed tonight with the sence of achievement - and thats a worthy reward in itself!
The other thing of mild interest that has taken any free time away (after photography, travel and general computer stuff) is the world of Geocaching. Many moons ago I discovered this crazy idea that people all over the world were doing, and figured Id check it out. So with my trusty Wingman, a borrowed GPS and more than a few cans of Scotch off we went in search of treasure! Well it turned out to be a lot of fun, but like most things I seem to get involved with it fell by the wayside until a friend recently mentioned it again. So now I find myself spending the weekends (and even after work!) out trecking through the English countryside, all in the search for small plastic lunchboxes containing....
The best bit about it though? Not so much the search for them (though there is a secret joy in knowing where something is hidden) but the fact that Im out in the fresh air, seeing parts of the countryside that some locals dont even know exists, and doing it with like-minded friends.
Things not so grand? The thought of geocaching come winter, and sludging through snowy fields while loosing feeling in various extremities. Thorns, thistles, stinging nettles, bees and wasps and various other murderous British flora and fauna.
But all in the name of good fun!
If only I was told this when I was younger, and then I might have been inclined to finish my homework and achieved something greater in life! Instead what I have decided to do, is get some photos that Ive taken posted to the various online sites, as well as post something to this poor neglected page of mine. And Look - here is something posted!
Im proud of myself, for no other reason than I get to go to bed tonight with the sence of achievement - and thats a worthy reward in itself!
The other thing of mild interest that has taken any free time away (after photography, travel and general computer stuff) is the world of Geocaching. Many moons ago I discovered this crazy idea that people all over the world were doing, and figured Id check it out. So with my trusty Wingman, a borrowed GPS and more than a few cans of Scotch off we went in search of treasure! Well it turned out to be a lot of fun, but like most things I seem to get involved with it fell by the wayside until a friend recently mentioned it again. So now I find myself spending the weekends (and even after work!) out trecking through the English countryside, all in the search for small plastic lunchboxes containing....
The best bit about it though? Not so much the search for them (though there is a secret joy in knowing where something is hidden) but the fact that Im out in the fresh air, seeing parts of the countryside that some locals dont even know exists, and doing it with like-minded friends.
Things not so grand? The thought of geocaching come winter, and sludging through snowy fields while loosing feeling in various extremities. Thorns, thistles, stinging nettles, bees and wasps and various other murderous British flora and fauna.
But all in the name of good fun!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Quick update before I shoot off again
Ever get the feeling that your always "on the go" and yet never actually achieve anything?
I seem to always be in this state of motion - under the preasure of balancing several things at once, yet when I look back at the recent weeks I cant really say that Ive been working on this task, or that project. I find this really frustrating, and yet I supose I have always been this way so why bother changing now!!
OK, as Im off to Edinburgh tomorrow this will be a short post detailing my movements in the recent weeks (also a good reminder to put some details in a future post when Im back). Since my last post I have spent five days exploring the lovely reigon of Dussledorf in Germany. Met some interesing people, drank local Alt beer and got to sample propper German food. Unfortuantly this didnt include my beloved snitzel, but I think I'll save that for another post.
Soon after coming back from the land of Beer and Sausage I had the pleasure of getting sick and spending a weekend in bed. You know your ill when you cant even be bothered getting out of bed to put the TV on or even getting online for check emails! (Good excuse for not updating my blog? Maybe not good enough!)
Anyway, tomorrow morning I shall be hitting the road North towards the land of Buckfast and Haggis to spend time with some good friends and possible catch some shows at the Edinburgh fringe festival. Always good times, and considering my standing history of the Melbourne Comedy Festival, the Edinburgh show is the crown jewel in stand up comedy, and has been on my list of "Things to Do" for some time now. Will be sure to post some Flickr pics and blog a few stories of excitement when I get back. (Will possibly be visiting a special resturant where they serve Zebra. Mmmm... Zebra steak...)
I have also ordered another set of remote triggers for my camera/flash setup today, so will probably discuss the awesome setups planned for that too. I can tell your all quivering with excitement!
Also, to the one person who reads my blog - thanks for being understanding of the sporadic postings! I will try to be more regular!
I seem to always be in this state of motion - under the preasure of balancing several things at once, yet when I look back at the recent weeks I cant really say that Ive been working on this task, or that project. I find this really frustrating, and yet I supose I have always been this way so why bother changing now!!
OK, as Im off to Edinburgh tomorrow this will be a short post detailing my movements in the recent weeks (also a good reminder to put some details in a future post when Im back). Since my last post I have spent five days exploring the lovely reigon of Dussledorf in Germany. Met some interesing people, drank local Alt beer and got to sample propper German food. Unfortuantly this didnt include my beloved snitzel, but I think I'll save that for another post.
Soon after coming back from the land of Beer and Sausage I had the pleasure of getting sick and spending a weekend in bed. You know your ill when you cant even be bothered getting out of bed to put the TV on or even getting online for check emails! (Good excuse for not updating my blog? Maybe not good enough!)
Anyway, tomorrow morning I shall be hitting the road North towards the land of Buckfast and Haggis to spend time with some good friends and possible catch some shows at the Edinburgh fringe festival. Always good times, and considering my standing history of the Melbourne Comedy Festival, the Edinburgh show is the crown jewel in stand up comedy, and has been on my list of "Things to Do" for some time now. Will be sure to post some Flickr pics and blog a few stories of excitement when I get back. (Will possibly be visiting a special resturant where they serve Zebra. Mmmm... Zebra steak...)
I have also ordered another set of remote triggers for my camera/flash setup today, so will probably discuss the awesome setups planned for that too. I can tell your all quivering with excitement!
Also, to the one person who reads my blog - thanks for being understanding of the sporadic postings! I will try to be more regular!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Shooting Food
Who would have thought taking photos of food was so tough? I mean we stuff our face with it (mostly) three times a day, and everyone can appreciate good food when they see it. What is it about the sights of glistening juices and succulent smells that get peoples mouths watering? And how the hell do you translate that into a photo?
Yes, its the latest project on the Strobist blog - Taking sexy photos of food, and with the brief play Ive had today I think I need to revise my game plan before close on the weekend. What did I do? Well seeing as I was working lates today I figured Id shoot some random food stuffs from Tescos. Yep, the compulsory bag of cookies from the bakery section and some spicy chicken and tomato pasta from the too-lazy-to-cook lunch area.
The idea was to have some delicious and interestingly shaped pasta (with the greens and reds of the peppers/capsicum showing through) sitting in a white bowl and the murky greens and browns of the kitchen table blurred into the background. That was the theory anyway, and it sounded like a great idea until I realised I was halfway through eating said pasta I was planning on shooting. Mmm... Not enough to shoot now, so will have to see what magic I can do with the cookies. If they last long enough that is...
Yes, its the latest project on the Strobist blog - Taking sexy photos of food, and with the brief play Ive had today I think I need to revise my game plan before close on the weekend. What did I do? Well seeing as I was working lates today I figured Id shoot some random food stuffs from Tescos. Yep, the compulsory bag of cookies from the bakery section and some spicy chicken and tomato pasta from the too-lazy-to-cook lunch area.
The idea was to have some delicious and interestingly shaped pasta (with the greens and reds of the peppers/capsicum showing through) sitting in a white bowl and the murky greens and browns of the kitchen table blurred into the background. That was the theory anyway, and it sounded like a great idea until I realised I was halfway through eating said pasta I was planning on shooting. Mmm... Not enough to shoot now, so will have to see what magic I can do with the cookies. If they last long enough that is...
Monday, July 6, 2009
Flickr Updates
There appear to have been a few new changes to this blogsite since last looking at it. Apparently I can link my Flickr page into this as well - Whoo Hoo!!
A few months ago after a trip back to Australia I saw a friends DSLR photos and was amazed at the quality of the shots. So soon after getting back I decided to splurge and get one. While I could have picked up a brand spanking new one through Customs I ended up getting a Canon EOS 400D on eBay cheap (ish). The sad thing was that the previous owner had never used it - only taking 600 odd photos! Ive taken more than that on a wander through a local village festival!!
Soon after buying the camera a fellow I work with bought a flash for his 450D, and after seeing the extra wow having a flash brings to the shots, I decided I needed a bit of that action too. Thankfully I found an amazing blog that details the world of Strobist photography, and now with a great DSLR, an awesome 430EX II Flash and some budget remote flash triggers from Hong Kong Im ready to take on the World!!
Oh, and Flickr.. Yeah, almost forgot. The Strobist blog posts to Flickr, and so I figured Id start posting there as well as DevientART. From what Ive seen, the Flickr pools are a tough crowd, though it you ever want to feel good post something on DevientART - Im promise someone will love it and post kind comments. :D
A few months ago after a trip back to Australia I saw a friends DSLR photos and was amazed at the quality of the shots. So soon after getting back I decided to splurge and get one. While I could have picked up a brand spanking new one through Customs I ended up getting a Canon EOS 400D on eBay cheap (ish). The sad thing was that the previous owner had never used it - only taking 600 odd photos! Ive taken more than that on a wander through a local village festival!!
Soon after buying the camera a fellow I work with bought a flash for his 450D, and after seeing the extra wow having a flash brings to the shots, I decided I needed a bit of that action too. Thankfully I found an amazing blog that details the world of Strobist photography, and now with a great DSLR, an awesome 430EX II Flash and some budget remote flash triggers from Hong Kong Im ready to take on the World!!
Oh, and Flickr.. Yeah, almost forgot. The Strobist blog posts to Flickr, and so I figured Id start posting there as well as DevientART. From what Ive seen, the Flickr pools are a tough crowd, though it you ever want to feel good post something on DevientART - Im promise someone will love it and post kind comments. :D
First Post (Doesnt apply when its your blog)
Wow - its been a long time since using this page, and I must apologise to those who signed up when I first looked into writing a blog. Ah, who am I kidding - anyone who showed an interest has lost it long ago!
OK, so this is basically a revival of this page. An attempt to document my life, and just like my life at the moment, its going to be a mix up of all sorts of craziness. A breif documentation of the interests that currently take up my time. Yes - There will be spelling mistakes, but whos life isnt perfect huh?
So now that youve read that, your wondering who I am and what sort of "Documentation" you'll be seeing on this page? Well when I use the word "Documentation" Im using it in the loose sence of the word. Really really loose. Basically anything that holds my interest for more than a few minutes, be it about photography, electronics, computers or whatever. For those who care can keep up to date with it, and with any luck you might even find a twisted sence of humour in my writing and possibly even return to visit for another read!
Enjoy
OK, so this is basically a revival of this page. An attempt to document my life, and just like my life at the moment, its going to be a mix up of all sorts of craziness. A breif documentation of the interests that currently take up my time. Yes - There will be spelling mistakes, but whos life isnt perfect huh?
So now that youve read that, your wondering who I am and what sort of "Documentation" you'll be seeing on this page? Well when I use the word "Documentation" Im using it in the loose sence of the word. Really really loose. Basically anything that holds my interest for more than a few minutes, be it about photography, electronics, computers or whatever. For those who care can keep up to date with it, and with any luck you might even find a twisted sence of humour in my writing and possibly even return to visit for another read!
Enjoy
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