Kingdom Hearts 2 / Organisation XIII Photoshoot at Cockatoo Island
This would be the second time I've shot at Cockatoo Island, but once again in the rain. Meeting up with people from the Animania Forum, we missed the first ferry, which was probably fortunate since we had waited the rain out a bit before proceeding.
I missed quite a few things the first time around on the island and so whilst I knew of a few spots to take photos, there were also new and interesting things to try. On the upper side the the island, an entire area that was previously closed off had opened up. I didn't get many usable shots in this area, but there's always next time.
I'm not particularly liking the use of my Sigma 10-20mm on a full frame camera. The vignetting is nice (albeit strange) for a few shots, but shortly after becomes rather overused. A 35mm 1.4 is still a whiles away yet, so in the meantime, I just have to make do with what I have.
My composition needs improvement, that which can only be fixed through more (creative) shooting, but in time all will fall into place. One of my goals this time around was to make better use of my flash and whilst I made a partial improvement, I'd really like to jump to more off camera work, ala Strobist style.
Lessons learned? Know the limitations of your hardware; reframe to avoid subjects at the edges of wide angle lenses, don't rely on your 70-200mm or you'll become creatively stale. Charge your flash batteries after a wedding the previous day! -2EV or so in ambient for flash photography will fool your post processing software; think about what is being "metered" as the "correct" exposure in post. Jeans are once again such a good friend.
Photographers and Jeans
One of a photographer's best friends? Jeans. Because you're always kneeling, squatting, lying down, on your knees, on your bum and generally in a strange variety of positions.
Climate Change
The US is contributing about AU$4 billion in 2010-2012 towards climate change. For perspective: the M5 tunnel duplication project costs that much. Japan & EU? AU$12 billion. Each.
Pokemon Photoshoot at the Royal Botanic Gardens
I try to attend photoshoots whenever I can and because I'm involved with a few different groups, the subject matter is quite different at times. When a meet is arranged on the Animania Forums it usually results in a quite a strange gathering. Normal meetings for shoots are strange enough, but when you're walking around Circular Quay with Pikachu in tow, things definitely take a turn for the weirder.
This was also my first trial run of the Sanho/Hyperdrive Colorspace UDMA. In short, the device worked well although it has a few quirks, but I'll post up a review at a later date with the details.
Harsh lighting this time around and being at the Botanic Gardens, it's a good chance for me to familiarise myself with some of the hot spots to take photos from for later sessions. There are quite a few things I need to improve upon, but I've only noticed them whilst in post production. I didn't bring my flash cord, so off camera flash was not possible, but even then I only have two hands. A pity because there are a number of shots I would have loved to experiment with. I haven't made up my mind as to whether I like the vignetting on my 10-20mm. It's not bad at 20mm, but anything less than that and I'm hesitant to run with it.
Anyway, photos! I think I need to be a little less lazy when I'm shooting for fun as I didn't get all that many frames and hence not that many keepers. I could get better and improve my "hit" rate, but that requires shooting more which is exactly what I should be doing in the first place!
These photos are viewable by the public. Please contact me if you are the subject and would like your photo removed.
Wiseman’s Ferry Run
I had a nice afternoon off to check in on some property out west and I thought to myself, why not take the scenic route via Wiseman's Ferry? Then I thought to myself, why not go up the Old Road whilst I'm at it?
A - Berowra Mobil
This is a common meeting place for motorcyclists and a good place to fill up. I have a range of about 150km before reserve and that's enough to get me to Windsor and then some. Unfortunately their air pressure gauge no longer works, otherwise this would be a good place to check your pressures. The highway from here is straight, flat and boring until the Pacific Hwy turn off. A few long sweepers ease you into your surroundings at about 80km/h and then a short 60km/h straight through Cowan is your last chance to stop and fix anything that may be hazardous. From here on the roads go back to their 80km/h limit and the roads start getting more demanding.
Edit: It turns out I was wrong about their air pressure gauge! Have a chat to the guy/girl inside and grab the attachment from them.
B - Pie In The Sky
I rarely ever stop here as it's too soon into my ride. They apparently have some of the best pies in Sydney, but for the most part, I just zoom on by. On my trip I was tipped off by a car as to cops up ahead. The road opens up for a short stretch into a twist of double lanes. There are several blind corners and a few hairpins. For the most part, corners are predictable and don't tighten up on you unexpectedly. Make it over the bridge at Mooney Mooney and take in your surroundings before the twists start again. Shortly after, you pass under the Sydney to Newcastle Freeway and the road flattens out for a short while.
C - Mt White Cafe
Formerly known as the Road Warriors' Cafe, I used to stop here for a bite but lately I've been continuing northward so I don't really know how the new cafe is. Perhaps I ride at the wrong hours, but it seems like there aren't as many riders at the cafe whenever I pass by. The roads here resume their twists, but at a reduced 60km/h limit and later, 50km/h. I unfortunately got stuck behind a police car who seemed to be crawling along even slower. Try not to get stuck behind cars here; the roads are single laned and with very few straights there aren't many opportunities to pass legally or safely.
D - Peat's Ridge Rd
Google maps refuses to join up parts of Peat's Ridge Rd, so you'll have to excuse me here. The Old Road used to be closed from this point onward, so I used to turn left and slab it up Peat's Ridge Rd to the Central Mangrove Intersection. It is a very boring sub 100km/h road and you would do well to go via the Old Road and then take Wiseman's Ferry Rd for a bit of variety. For me, I didn't want to be stuck behind a police car and decided to slab it as I've done in the past.
E - Central Mangrove Intersection
For some reason, this intersection weirds me out. It's pretty large for an intersection, probably for trucks, but it's in the middle of nowhere. I don't think you can miss this intersection at all. From here, take Wiseman's Ferry Rd to the west and you immediately realise that this isn't a road for the new. Corners aren't signposted, the road surface is terrible, the road narrows down to barely enough for 1.5 cars and the limit changes erratically from 60 to 80km/h in places. Whilst you can carve up the Old Road, Wiseman's Ferry Rd is a completely different story. If you're going to travel at any speed, get up on your pegs and be prepared for the rear to break out every now and then, otherwise the signposted limits are sufficient for a quiet scenic ride.
F - Spencer
Wiseman's Ferry Rd can be demanding depending on your particular style of riding. Spencer is one of those nice quiet towns by the water's edge that gives you the chance to grab a pie from the general store and take in the view. Again, I generally don't stop here, but where I have in the past I've never regretted it. The roads here are quite consistent all the way through, except for a short patch where mobile traffic lights restrict traffic (if there is any) down to a shared single lane. As Wiseman's Ferry Rd crosses over several creeks, there will be a few wooden and cement bridges, not all of which are completely flush with the road. Get up on those pegs and grip that tank with your thighs!
G - The Ferry
All I can say is don't get caught out by maintenance! The ferry closes for two hours on the first Thursday of every month. On this side of the river there's not much to actually do so it can be a long, boring wait. Despite what Google Maps says, there's no fee to use the ferry.
H - Wiseman's Ferry
To me, this is the destination, where the ride ends. Go to the pub if that's your thing, but I prefer to grab a burger and a drink and sit outside for a bit. Depending on how far you've got to go, you can fill up here. Typically this is my first stop and I'm pretty knackered after a few hours in the saddle so I usually end up sitting around for quite a while before moving on.
I - Old Northern Rd
Exiting Wiseman's Ferry, there's a hairpin and a few tight corners, but aside from that, Old Northern Rd is quite sedate. Keep this in mind if you're approaching Wiseman's Ferry from the south as more than a few riders have been surprised by the few sudden tight corners after what seems like a relatively leisurely road. If you're the sort that likes to stop every now and then, there are two lookouts shortly after leaving Wiseman's Ferry, but otherwise this stretch is quite boring up to this point. Reaching Maroota, you can take Wiseman's Ferry Rd to head to Winsdor (or Sackville) , or you can continue on Old Northern Rd if you need to head back eastward. A nice way to get back east is through Galston Gorge, but if there is traffic, I'd say forget it.
So that's my little long way out west, borrowed from other routes that I'll some day cover. Wiseman's is a large part of the Three Ferries route and the Old Rd, well, that's a short run that is often taken by itself.
Canon EF 24-70mm 2.8L IS USM & EF 70-200mm 2.8L II IS USM
Currently out of the rumour mill is news that Canon will be releasing a new and improved version of the highly coveted EF 70-200mm 2.8L IS USM, and also providing the already very popular EF 24-70mm 2.8L USM with Image Stabilisation.
Whilst there are lots of rumours, these two have to be the most relevant for me and probably quite a large percentage of amateur and pro shooters out there. I purchased the 70-200mm 2.8L IS USM a while back, but relatively speaking, I've had it for a very short time considering the design is almost 8 years old now. Whilst not everyone owns the 2.8 IS version, the release of an update to it will certainly drive the existing price down, opening up new avenues for those who were previously considering the non-IS or f/4 flavours of the 70-200. So whilst Canon delays the announcement of the update to the 70-200mm, everyone will be sitting in limbo, wondering what to do with their money.
On the 24-70mm side of things, the $2,000 (or so) question used to be 24-70 2.8L or 24-105 4L IS? If Canon releases a 24-70 with IS, I expect their 24-105 sales to drop overnight. Those that went the 24-70 2.8L path usually did so because they needed those extra stops. It wasn't hand-hold-ability, at low light levels they needed to be able to stop motion. With the 24-105, IS was forgiving of the slower aperture, but it wasn't a low light lens. It wasn't meant to be. It was low light versus versatility. Stopping motion versus stabilisation. Drop IS into the 24-70 and suddenly the additional 35mm of reach doesn't really count for as much any more, especially if you own any of the 70-200 range.
Whilst Canon is apparently making an announcement for the 70-200 early 2010, I wouldn't hold my breath on IS for the 24-70 until Canon themselves has something more to say.
Update (6/1/10): Canon has released an announcement confirming the release of the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
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Twitter (mukimu)
- Looking forward to shooting this weekend and w/ the 35! Sharp as wide open. Great focal length. Really hard to put down. 14 hours ago
- Should I wait for the Gillard presser at 4:15? Or will it mean that I'll never get to go home? 19 hours ago
- If it's down to Gillard or back to the polls, y talk about reserving the right 2 a vote of no-confidence? It's a Gillard win. #ausvotes 20 hours ago
- Lol.. Got a bit tired of Katter talking so I went and got lunch. I come back and he's still speaking. 21 hours ago
- Sweet, sweet 35mm 1.4 goodness! (Will now also be eating peanuts in place of meals) 1 day ago
