Well ALL the Bookdepository orders have shipped, the Garmin Oregon 600t Handheld GPS arrived today and also the Impala Blue Cat Deterrents. So Chemoux is going to be pushing for the outside world now. Unfortunately I’ve not yet broached the subject of her arrival with Bob & Jan. No dodging it any longer I guess. Seems like a job for Friday!
Archive for the ‘Photography’ Category
The Price of a Day Off…
2014 -
11.04
Sometimes it can be costly staying at home for the day! This morning it was Bookdepository, and this afternoon it was a Garmin Oregon 600t Handheld GPS that I’d had my eye on for some time. Both purchases were significant, and both for the Photography.
Additionally over the weekend there was the purchase of 2 more Cat Deterrents to ease the idea of Chemoux with my neighbours who like to provide a bird friendly environment in their home. I bought two when the advised that Tigga was concerning them with her presence in the areas they provide to encourage birds to the property. They seem to have been quite successful every time I’ve asked about their effectiveness. I can only assume that a couple more won’t go astray with another cat about the place.
Now it’s simply a matter of what arrives when…
And Then There Were Two…
2014 -
10.30
I became possessed yesterday, and was drawn to the R.S.P.C.A. mysteriously. I seem to have left becoming the pet of yet another Death Row Moggie…
My idea was that I would give a “Senior” a home for her last years of retirement, but I was mesmerised by Chemoux who will be coming home on Friday. There’ll be some photos by the weekend. I suppose that means she will need a blog too!
Maybe this should be “And Then There Were Three…”!
Week 43…
2014 -
10.25
Well another weekend has come around, and yet another week of work has passed. A busy week but it hasn’t exactly dragged, so things are certainly feeling better overall. I think I shall slip off to the wetlands about 500 metres away just before sunrise and see what little feathered critters I can photograph early this morning. I did go over for a scope on Wednesday night, just to get a feel for the light in the evening, and I think the morning should be interesting too. Tiggakat is out and about after a night on the doona, things must have cooled down a bit for her overnight. I got the head massage about 4:00 this morning, but for once I think I’d slept solidly right through the night without waking, so it didn’t feel quite so harsh. It’s been a big week.
Shards of the Futures Seen…
2014 -
10.12
Well it’s been a pretty good week so far. Work’s been OK, things seem to be settling back down there now.
Saturday was a day wandering about around home in the yard with the camera, picking up odd shots here & there including catching the Tiggakat napping. I also managed and a chunk of reading up on photography in a variety of aspects ranging from the technical through to the philosophical.
Sunday morning I was off to the World Rowing Masters Regatta at Lake Wendouree. Still working on the shots, really haven’t even given them a good initial culling yet. I’ll slip some up later during the week. Probably one here, and anymore on Mirrormere when I get to them. I have to say that Tiggakat’s birthday present of Binoculars was very helpful. Clever little Furbag managed to buy me a set that magnify to about the same factor as my Tamron 150mm – 600mm. Makes shooting and composing quite a deal easier.
I’m currently in the process of deciding on a business card, and making the effort to start an increase in focus on Photography. Now that the depression appears to be managed to a significant stage of improvement; I think I’m going to start moving in a direction I’d like to see my future going towards. I have nearly a dozen requests for Pet Photos from people at work, so I will start organising them soon. I’ve clearly lost the “zest” for I.T. related work, but with almost 20 years in one form or another in this business now, it’s perhaps not surprising.
The weekend’s been great so far, photography both days, as well as the usual mundane tasks related to living. Housework, shopping, and tidying up a few small tasks that have been waiting a while.
Good Glass…
2014 -
10.06
About six weeks ago I picked up a new lens, the Tamron Di 150mm – 600mm. I’ve been so impressed with it that I am in awe of it’s performance considering it’s price to the big name “equivalents”. I use the work “equivalent” with some “looseness” given that so far none of the Nikon or Canon lenses have the range and are at least $4000 more expensive.
I bought it mainly for wildlife photography, and had the idea of using it for some sports shooting too. So far it’s provided amazing performance. The critics reviewed it quite favourably although indicated a drop in performance at the last 50mm of the range. However, can’t say that I’ve noticed that much drop: considering my savings of a bit over $3500 from the closest Nikon currently available. My one comment is that it DOES need plenty of light, having a minimum aperture range of F5 – F6.3. I’ll be putting some shots up on Mirrormere very soon, just need to catch up on a few imports. I am even making an effort to try and get to some sports events! I went to shoot the Cycling at Buninyong last weekend, and shot about 750 shots, and culled it down to 500 or so after sorting through.
A friend of a friend was riding in the race, and here’s one of him (Nat) on his first lap.
Nat on Lap 1 – Sat 4th Oct 2104
Here’s another one of a pleased rider.
Made it!
I also sent an email around work asking for “pet” models, and was very surprised at the response. I have had probably about a dozen responses. So many that it’s going to take me several weeks to organise such shots. I even got an offer of a Bonsai collection to shoot.
Cleaning the Windows…
2014 -
09.12
Looking I see that it’s been about 6 months since I last updated. During that last 6 months quite a bit has happened, mainly on the Depression front. Obviously this was the main task to deal with over the last six months, as I was disappearing down a vortex, feeling like I was never to return. I finally bit the bullet and acquiesced on the Anti-Depressants. I must say that’s been a positive choice for me. My GP favours a gradual approach, so I’m pleased to say that outside of the first fortnight, I experienced no devastating side effects. My outlook on my place of work has changed enough for me to be able to function quite positively again. I can get there on a regular basis again. I’ve not had a period of depression that has had me debilitated to the point of not being able to get to work.
Financially things are getting much better, I’ve had my two big spending efforts for the year, and I’m now back on track to knocking of the last of the debt outside of the house. I’m loving my iMac 27″, and my Tamron 150mm to 600mm lens. Now it’s back to financial responsiblity.
From a more general perspective life has changed too. Considerably in some aspects. I get up now about 4:40 on a work day, about 5:00 to 5:30 on a “non” work day. Mornings are something I am beginning to appreciate again. In fact if I do sleep in, I’m quite frustrated by how much of my day I’m losing out on now. Overall I’m more social again and am getting out again far more. I’ve been making quite active efforts to keep in touch with people on a regular basis again, and it’s been good to renew some old friendships (yes Papoose that’s you)!
At home the “maintenance” tasks aren’t appearing so overwhelming now because there’s generally no one else to assist.
Photography is providing far more enjoyment again. I’ve got some trips planned for some shoots, and there’s a good quality handheld GPS on the list soon. My work has been improving, and my skill set is continually growing. I’m very pleased where that is taking me.
A Different Sort of Blossom…
2014 -
03.01
A friend asked me to help her out with her pet project that she’s been working on for the last couple of years. Her project is called Blossom Connect. Give it a look, it’s a worthy pursuit. Our Society undervalues our children and short changes them so much by stinting on Educational and Social Resources.
Louise’s been working on this to see that local children get the support they need to assist their “learning and development”. She wanted some photos shot of her with some of the children she seeks to help while she was playing, interacting with them just to help give the site a bit more of a sense of what it’s about and who it’s for really. Louise’s invitation was a bit surprising since I’ve never made much secret of being any good with children or being particularly fond of them. Still it’s a challenge worthy of pursuit and I’m pleased she thought to give me an opportunity to stretch out my repertoire and help her cause. Hopefully I will do both her faith and the Children justice. Many thanks to The Children, their Parents, and Louise for the opportunity. I won’t be using any of the photos on my site, as I didn’t gain permission for that sort of use, so the finished products will only be available to see at Blossom Connect. As I said it’s worth a look, you may want to use it yourself or suggest it to someone you know in the future.
Not Toblerone Cheesecake but still a treat…
2014 -
02.23
In my pursuit to rid myself of the Perils of Microsoft outside of work hours, I’ve just about completely retired the PC. Over the last 12 months I’ve changed my approach to it and only turn it on when necessary. Let’s face it, I’ve not been using Windows for anything other than games at home for several years now. Yes I have a beefy PC, but really I’ve not been using it for much other than games since I started using the Intel Macs. This week I received my most recent addition: 27″ iMac with 256 Gig SSD, Nvidia GTX 780, 32 Gig RAM. Couple that with a 4TB USB 3 external (soon to be Thunderbolt hopefully) and I’ve pretty much given the PC it’s last call.
Basically it’s this year’s treat.
The last couple of years I’ve been busy making the most of the $AU for overseas shopping with regard to Photography Equipment. Now that the $AU is losing it’s ground, I will now be consolidating my Photography skills & techniques with the very good gear I’ve managed to accumulate thanks to the value for money overseas shopping has provided the last couple of years. Hopefully this year I will manage to come up with some solution for my Studio needs, and be getting a few shots into some of the competitions I’ve been watching over the last couple of years. I honestly believe I’m getting to a point where I can submit some work. No doubt I’ll be getting some arse kicking once I start submitting, but sooner or later something positive will come of my efforts. I’ve manage to turn one hobby into a career / income, hopefully I can do it again.
The Glitter of Time…
2014 -
02.23
I had a different sort of photography shoot last weekend, a still life, but something a bit different. My friend Stu brought his Watch Collection up for me to shoot for him. He collects watches (mostly diving it seems), and wanted some shots done to be able to present them to other people who also collect such watches. It was definitely good to have a different type of challenge. He wanted them shot in Natural Light, and it’s amazing how much light can reflect off a watch when you’re trying to photograph one. Surprisingly after a few shots with the Macro on the D7000, and then my D600 with the Tamron 24-70mm it was clear that my Tamron 24-70mm was the lens for the shoot.
Still I learned a trick or two, and although I’ve not finished the post processing yet for him, I feel some good work was achieved, and some new knowledge and skills developed. I’ll get some shots up on Mirrormere in a week or so. Thanks for the chance Stu!