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

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

Photography - It's Not All Serious!

Hi,

My name is Danielle Lancaster and I am based at Tamborine Mountian, Queesnland Australia. I have been a professional photo/journalist for too long than I care to share with you! However, what I do love is to help people refine their photography skills and be proud of their images and as I travel extensively with my work I'd also like to share with you the special places I have been to and people that I have met.

So my blogs will be on simple photography skills you can put to use and turn those snapshots into something you would like to hang on your wall! And on people and places. I hope you enjoy!

Photography should be fun and sometimes we get so caught up in making the composition, exposure and lighting just right there seems no room for any fun.













It's human nature to 'have a laugh' and people will often do funny things, always when you least expect them to.

Or you can set up your own funny photo - it can be a creative exercise and provide a few good laughs not only looking at it afterwards but doing the photo shoot as well.

As they say a picture can tell a story! Why not give it a try?
For more information visit http://www.blue-dog.com.au/ or to subscribe to our free e-newsletter simply e-mail danielle@blue-dog.com.au