10 Reasons Why You Should Do Photography

1. Why not?

2. Because it's fun!

3. It get's you out and about.

4. It de-stresses - that's always a bonus!!

5. You meet new people.

6. You see the world in a different way.

7. You get some exercise - um..... better than sitting in front of a computer!

8. Learn a new skill - or improve on one.

9. It's fun being part of the world's greatest hobby!

10. It's fun!!!!!

Tips For Photographing Brids

1. When a bird is in flight use a fast shutter speed.

2. Know how to exposure compensate – your camera will meter read a black bird and make it grey.

3. Know the bird’s habitat, what it sounds like, eats, likes to do. Have an idea what’s in an area. No good looking for Sea Kites in the outback, or Galahs on the beach! Do they live on the ground or up high in a tree, can they fly, dive or swim? It will all help you find them.

4. Never stress a bird. If getting close to the nest stresses the chicks or the parents watching you from nearby simply go away. Always be kind to the birds.

5. Know your equipment and its limitations

6. Fill the frame with the bird

7. Be patient

Create A Frame For the View

I love using frames! And not just to mount my images in.

How many of us when we travel want a room with a view? Why not use that window?

Frames help direct the viewers eye into the image - there's the frame of the image border then the frame of the window called a frame-within-a-frame. They also help add depth and contrast.

This image here I shot at Eton Beach in Vanuatu. The colour contrast and saturation works well too.

Photography - Great For the Mind, Body and Soul!

DID YOU KNOW?
Photography is the world’s most popular hobby.
More people now own a camera than golf clubs or a fishing rod.

This is largely due to the digital era and the progress of digital photography over the past ten years.

No longer are people waiting in anticipation for that roll of film to be developed, they have their images immediately and can share it with others via email. What we are now seeing is a resurgence in photography, similar to when George Eastman, the founder of Kodak, released the first compact camera in 1888 simply because he wanted to simplify photography and make it available to others.

Getting into photography has more benefits than just capturing a great image. It gets people out enjoying and learning about their environment, they meet new people and make friends, go to new places which provides a little exercise, and plays a part decreasing stress in our ever busy time poor lives.

Photography is an antidote for stress! Better than any pill to swallow!!

I've just finished a Travel Photography Workshop and we had a very interesting scenario happen during our practical.
The photo assignment was "Shopping" for a travel mag/newspaper feature and two of my wonderful students each went into a different winery on Tamborine Mountain.
Now this is interesting:
Student 'John' had a great experience - the person behind the cellar door was very happy to show John his award winning wine, allow John to take photos etc etc etc.
Student 'Linda' at another winery was told not to take photos of the bottle as they did not like their wines being photographed, not to do this and not to do that.

This bought about some discussion - as travellers we are also walking, talking ad agency's sprouting what's good and what's bad. As we discussed the two completely different encounters we realised that John would refer visitors to the winery he went to while Linda would not and what if their photos ended up on their face book page, website or anything else - could this not be free promotion!
Pity as Linda's winery will miss out on that while John's will no doubt get repeat business - and from us as well!

Quotes from Famous Photographers

From great photographers here are a few quotes that may get you thinking!

"There is nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept." Ansel Adams

"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." Henri Cartier-Bresson

"Film is cheaper than opportunity." Steve Silberman

"A photograph is not an accident – it is a concept." Ansel Adams

"While photographs may not lie, liars may photograph." Lewis Wickes Hine

"The photographer must be a part of the picture." Arnold Newman

"Photography is a means of recording forever the things one sees for a moment." Aaron Sussman

"What use is having a great depth of field, if there is not an adequate depth of feeling?" W. Eugene Smith

"Photography is not a sport. It has no rules. Everything must be dared and tried!" Bill Brandt

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs." Ansel Adams

Vanuatu Photo Tour

Last year we were fortunate enough to head to Vanuatu for a photo shoot.
We were so captivated by the people and the scenery we have decided to start some photo tours there and our first one starts in April 2008!

This is a top spot for photography - the local Ni-vans love having their photo taken and the opportunites are endless.

You can find out more about it all by visiting: http://www.blue-dog.com.au/Vanuatu-tour-photography.htm