Tips for photographing lava fields

Do a search on the internet for ‘why use a polariser filter’ and you’ll get great tips on this fantastic filter that should be in everyone’s camera bag. There is information on why to use it for landscapes, reflections and colour saturation. However there is one landscape that does not get any mention – lava landscapes! I found a circular polariser invaluable during my shoot this week at the most active volcano on Earth – Kilauea – and its expansive lava fields.


Lava contains high levels of silicone and silicone reflects light. So my advice: when visiting lava fields be sure to use a polariser.

The Mauna Ulu Lava Flow of 1974 from Kilauea with a polariser filter.

The Mauna Ulu Lava Flow of 1974 from Kilauea without a polariser filter.

Highlighting your cause with Photography

We all have a cause. It’s usually something near and dear to us, something that rouses an emotion, holds relevance to our own particular cultural, spiritual or just ‘that’s my opinion’ belief.

That’s in fact, exactly how that phrase most of us know off by heart, “Take only photographs, leave only footprints” came about being. Derived to save our wildness, slices of our environment across the globe where now unfortunately there are few places completely devoid of any sign of man. For many photographers it has become a slogan.

Photography is a powerful medium. Through it we inspire others and I could debate heavily on the topic of ‘does it do it more than words can’, or other mediums for that matter, but that’s not for today.

Today is for looking at how we can use our photography for the cause of conservation, an issue very near and dear to me.

1. Be a show off! Show everyone your images. They may just be family and friends but they are someone and by showing someone your highlight it is telling them you care.

2. Offer images to local conservation groups. They may wish to use them on their website or be happy to hang prints on their office walls (of course with a commission for the sale). Always make sure your images have all the necessary copyright info embedded and have an agreement in writing. Committees change and things can be ‘handed on’ often with ignorance the only blame. It needs to be written clearly and simply.

3. Use your cause to give. Design up calendars, gift cards, a DVD to music and give as a gift.

4. Get into print. Contact a magazine to gauge if the topic is of interest. There’s outdoor, wildlife, holiday, driving – let’s be honest they all use images so there’s a chance you can find a niche. Remember, most magazines require editorial to go with images. You have to at least supply captions (relevant to the style of the magazine) and most these days require the full copy for an article. Writing skills are important.

5. Enter competitions. Join the local camera group, send them in to magazines, however you do it remember each time you enter a competition your image could be displayed to an audience you may never meet.

This image by Danielle Lancaster ©
of a lava flow at Dalrymple National Park, Queensland featured on the cover of Go Camping Australia and highlighted this amazing landscape.

15 Tips for Landscape Photography

1. Create Depth: Position subjects so you have a foreground,
midground and background and all are in sharp focus!

2. Choose a small aperture anything from f/11 to f/32 or smaller and watch your shutter speed – when it falls below what you can hand hold at, use a tripod.

3. Use a wide angle lens – gives a greater angle of view, the depth of field will always be greater with any given aperture than with a telephoto lens.

4. Choose either aperture priority or manual mode.

5. Don’t forget composition! Are there lines you can use to lead the viewers eye into and around your image; look for frames, contrast, colour, what about that rule of thirds?

6. Keep your horizon level – yes another you have heard before but do it!

7.Shoot both vertically and horizontally.

8. Look for a different view point – what’s it like close to the ground or from higher up?

9. Use a low ISO.

10. Learn what your hyperfocal distance is and how to use it.

11. Try not to shoot into the sun and if you really have to use a lens hood or something to reduce or avoid flare.

12. Don’t delete on the shoot – wait till you get home and see it on your computer – you may be pleasantly surprised!

13. Every day is a good day! Look at what’s around.

14. Clouds should be included and are often very dramatic as the rain is going!

15. Study the work of others and learn.

BLUEDOG’S TOP TIP:
At full moon the sky in the opposite direction to where the moon is rising or setting will often be more exaggerated in the hues of pinks and purples!

Special Places for Photographers to Explore - Fraser Island

The largest sand island in the world, a remarkable and changing landscape with diversity in flora and fauna, Fraser Island, is a photographers delight to visit. Little wonder it has been World-heritage-listed!

Sweeping sandy beaches, pristine rainforests, arid sand blows, rusting shipwrecks, clear lakes and tidal pools are just some of the attractions to entice photographers onto this isle located
just off Queensland’s remarkable Fraser Coast.

Here are some of our favourite places to visit:

1. The jetty at Kingfisher Bay Resort at sunset
As the sun dips across the Great Sandy Strait this and baths the sky in either pastels of pinks and blues or rewards you with a stunning vibrant sunset there is an array of topics to photograph. Fisherman luring the last catch for the day, the wooden jetty jutting into the ocean, yachts bobbing just offshore and people enjoying the last of the day at the ambient lit jetty thatched roofed hut.

2. Pile Valley – the only place on earth where rainforest grows on sand! This wilderness area boasts towering Kauri trees, pretty ferns, a range of wildlife that call it home and don’t miss the creek itself!

3. The Wallum - Take a drive, eco tour or walk through the open heath lands where the wildflowers bursting into bloom provide a startling contrast to the ancient Yidney Scrub and wallum. While an island of sand may not at first conjure up thoughts of wildflowers, Fraser Island in bloom is truly a sight not to be missed. Best time to visit for wildflowers is in May.

4. Rainbow Gorge - A short walk off Seventy Five Mile Beach through a cypress forest are the amazing colour sands and sand formations of Rainbow Gorge. Almost an eerie lunar like landscape, the winds of millions of years have carves some wonderful patterns to capture creatively! There are many other sand blows on the island well worth exploring.

5. Cathedral Beach and the Maheno -The most famous of the wrecks on Fraser, the rusting hull of the Maheno lies onshore about 10kms from happy Valley. Washed up in 1935 during a cyclone the once well-known trans-Tasman liner was on route to a Japanese wrecking yard. Not far from the wreck is The Cathedrals - coloured sand cliffs again sculptured by the wind and rain.

And not to be missed is Fraser’s wildlife! From slithering carpet snakes to the huge mariners of the deep - humpback whales – Fraser’s is a nature lover’s haven. One our favourites is the whales which migrate each year from late July to early November – don’t forget a longer lens.
Top Tip:
Don’t have a 4Wd to explore Fraser Island? Then head on out on a Kingfisher Bay personalised Ranger-Guided Eco Tour. You can design your own or let you guide show you around. We’ve done one and they are really great. Find out more by visiting Kingfisher Bay Eco Tours

Pile Valley; Reeds;the Maheno; Kingfisher Bay Jetty

Landscape Photography - Don't Forget to Look Over Your Shoulder!

I often talk about looking over your shoulder while doing landscape photography and yesterday I experienced a classic example of this. I was out touring around on Thurlby Station, a 33,000 acre cattle property west of Charleville with Peta Debney and we thought there may be a good sunset so picked a possie and crawled into the back of Peta's 4WD ute.

We were right, the rain was looking like it was going to do one thing or another, drench us or go away and there was a band of cloud heading towards the horizon which we were hoping the sun would beat, and it did.

But while we waited we were treated to an array of colour as the clouds, sky and mulga covered country changed hues as the sun set. Then behind us we saw a rainbow trying hard to form against the storm clouds while the mulga glistened golden.

The whole scene didn't stop changing and our heads were continually swivelling and my finger didn't stop clicking.

Here are three from the arvo shoot - if you look closely at the one of the rainbow you can see the shadows of Peta and I as we stood in the back of the tray. Sorry these are also unprocessed but thought too good an example not to share. Yep I ended up soaked as well but hey it was worth it!

Peta and husband Justin have opened a camping/caravan ground on their station - Evening Star -am thinking this and Bonus Downs would be a great outback trip if anyone would like to tag along with me again. Check out www.eveningstar.com.au

A Bous Photography Experience

I've just spent two days on a farm stay called Bonus Downs, 46km south of Mitchell in western Queensland.

This amazing historical property is owned by Lyle and Madonna Connolly who bought the 33,000 acre station in 1990.
It was once owned by Sir Samuel McCaughley, a pioneering settler who acquired the property in 1908 when it spanned a massive 300,000 acres. Sir Samuel quickly built the place up - within five years there was 130,000 merino sheep lining up at the 42 stand shed which employed 100 men.


When Madonna and Lyle moved to the property with their two young children, a woman had not lived in the homestead for more than 30 years.


To say it was derelict is an understatement but with the couple's fire, passion, determination and a lot of hard work the property has been restored to its former glory.

For those looking for an outback experience to keep the shutter finger occupied this could be it. While a spectacular outback sunset eluded me due to heavy dark clouds threatening rain, there was loads of memorabilia, rustic artefacts, a shearing shed with fleeces, farm activities and animals (including two ever so cute blue cattle dog pups which I admit I am a sucker for) glorious gardens and an ancient Ooline forest dating more than 1.6 million years. Thanks Madonna, Lyle and Grant - I hope to one day come back again soon.
For more info on Bonus Downs visit www.bonusdowns.webls.net





Images: Top to Bottom
One of those cute pups, Cattle during cattle work in the yards, A bunch of keys done with unlocking, Grant breaks in a horse

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

Great Skyscapes in Australia

We are so fortunate in this vast land down under to have some absolutely brilliant opportunities for capturing great skyscapes.

Often people ask me what makes a great skyscape? I think one of the most important factors is compositions and the other is clouds.

Composing a sky scape so it looks pleasing to the human eye is vital. Where is your horizon? Unless you image is a reflection your horizon should run along either the bottom or top third of your image. Ask yourself what is more important - is it the sky or the land. If it is the sky, then place your horizon along the bottom third, if it is the land, then place you horizon along the upper third.

Double Rainbow (c) Danielle Lancaster

Clouds also help make wonderful skyscapes though saying that we are very proud of some our own without any clouds in them at all. Generally when there is some atmospheric turbulence then the clouds will appear and the sun reflecting through them can make for stunning images.

While we do not have a long twilight in Australia our sunsets are often very rewarding especially if you can get into the outback where the sky stretches from horizon to horizon uninterrupted.

Australian Outback Sunset (c) Danielle Lancaster

If you'd like to see some more skyscapes log onto our website and visit our image gallery. http://www.blue-dog.com.au/

Cheers till next time - Danielle