Droplets on Glass

This is my how to on how I did the shot below...

Firstly this is simply MY own version of how I pulled this shot off - I have seen other blogs with different methods in particular being able to get the water drops right. The other methods didn't work for me or I didn't have everything I needed to do it their way so I improvised.

When it came to the water drops I tried just water using an eye dropper and spray bottle - I tried waxing the glass and then wax in the water and I just couldn't get it right so I used OIL from an eye dropper and it was perfect for what I wanted!

Let's get to the start by giving you an equipment list of what I used -

1. Camera (DSLR)Nikon D90

2. Macro Lens Nikkor 105mm

3. Tripod

4. Glass sheet (I took one from a cabinet door)

5. Something to sit the glass on

6. Light Source

7. Back Drop

8. Eye Dropper

9. Oil

10. Shutter release cable

11. Something to photograph

There are photos at the bottom to show my exact set up and what I used

I began by setting the glass up and cleaning it.

I put my tripod in place (I have one that allows my camera to be directly over the glass) which I counter balanced using the pool table behind.

I put the backdrop underneath the glass and what I wanted to shoot on top of the back drop - I found the more colourful the better.

Set the light up so it wasn't glaring on the glass but lit up the subject.

I put my camera on the tripod with my cable relase in. The camera was directly above the glass looking down.

I then used the eye dropper to do lots of oil drops around the area that would be in shot. I did different sized drops in an erattic sort of pattern as I found straight lines boring.

I set my camera to manual focus and turned the VR off and then manually focussed the camera to bring just the drops into clear focus. I also made sure to have a decent distance between glass and camera for a nice DOF.

I then clicked away and checked my composition.

I tried different subjects but I was happy with the pool balls because you could see the numbers and real definition and with the bright colours they stood out.

My Meta Date for the shot above is:

NIKON D90

105mm

ISO 200

F/3

1/40s

ENJOY!

Hope you have fun with this technique as I did!

Queensland Spirit

I’ve always been proud to be a Queenslander and I have always loved my state. I must admit though over recent years in some ways I have become disheartened, in that I had begun to feel as though we were losing what it meant to be a Queenslander, to be a maroon, to have that spirit and soul of QLD.

After visiting the Outback I have a renewed faith that the QLD spirit is alive and well, sometimes it bleeds but it endures and always overcomes. To go out to the wonderful places and visit not just the icons such as the Birdsville pub but to go into the communities of the Outback, meet the people that are truly the heart of our great state is an amazing experience and one that was most definitely not lost on me.

Jimmie

When I first decided to go out on the Outback tour with Bluedog Photography my thoughts turned to sand dunes, clay pans, the Birdsville Pub and Lake Eyre. As we began to move through the towns and the communities the tour turned into so much more. I was astounded by the genuine kindness and hospitality of the people. Every car waved as you passed, people greeted you as you walked down the street (and not that awkward if I keep my head down and look like I’m on the phone no one will feel obliged – oops I made eye contact better say hi-greeting) a genuine “hi, how are ya?” greeting. You could have a conversation with anyone and they were happy to answer your questions and tell you about the place.

I was fortunate enough to be on a tour that was led by someone who knew the areas and the people in the towns. This gave me an opportunity to meet some true characters of not just the Outback but of QLD. To push me to step out of my comfort zone and meet people and truly get to know the place. I learned a lot about being a photographer but also about being a visitor in someone elses town, community – their home.

The countryside was stunning, I saw the clay pans covered in grass, Lake Eyre at close to full, Big Red surrounded by water, Hawks everywhere you went, Wedge Tail Eagles in flight, Brolgas, Kangaroos, Emus and there were a couple of flies to keep us company too (it’s one way to nail the Aussie Salute)!

A well vegetated Sand Dune

One of many hawks

Have you ever seen a phone box in the middle of nowhere, the Hilton hotel without an elevator, the native shoe tree or living room ready and waiting for you by the side of the road? It’s all there just waiting for you to stop on by- it’s the QLD outback.

There are some things you should remember when travelling anywhere but especially in our wonderful backyard and that is our locals need our support. They don’t need a hand out, nor do they ask for one they need us to support their economy, their jobs and their community. It’s as simple as stopping in and buying a cold drink, a beer cooler from the local pub or an ice cream to cool you down. The little things go a long way. When you see a place that offers free morning tea or a loo for you to use just remember for them to get supplies out there makes a dent in their pocket and you’re loose change for that drink helps them keep doing what they do best – entertaining us because we are that fortunate!

The desert near Lake Eyre

I always thought travelling to the Outback would be too difficult a task, that it would be too hard, that I needed a 4wd and an abundance of knowledge about cars, camping and driving. All I really needed to get started was a brochure on tours of the Aussie Outback. Jumping on a tour is easy, worry free, organised, fun and you’ll be amazed by how cost effective it really is. All I had to worry about was getting my luggage underweight with all my camera gear and making sure I was on time for breakfast. The transport was sorted, hotels organized, food taken care of, the wildlife ready and the scenery well now that was just spectacular!

Do yourself and our state a favour get out and experience our backyard especially with how it is right now because it isn’t often you will see the desert filled with trees, water flowing through it and an absolute abundance of bird life.

Do something good for your soul take some time not just to see the outback but to experience it - to live it.

Carcorry Ruins

See it - Live it - Love it

Sunset Shooting

I went out to snap a couple of sunset pictures today because I love the warmth of a sunset and thought I would share my top 5 tips (well 10 but I've split them into two categories). I am not a professional these are the things I do and find useful - also there are no doubt many other tips and tricks to sunset photography so experiment!

Organisational Tips:

1. Check the sunset time and also check your gear (including that its clean and the battery is charged)

2. Sunset shots are often taken by water etc. so have insect repellent on hand

3. Find a good spot and then walk around, change levels to find the BEST vantage point

4. Arrive early to set up

5. Use a tripod

Camera Tips:

1. Pick your lens prior to arrival if possible - this way you have less risk of dust/sand getting in

2. Have your focal point preset so that yourcamera doesn't try and refocus every time you take your shot because this can be problamatic if you hit directly on light (but remember to adjust it if you adjust your focal length)

3. Check your horizon line is straight because it can really upset your image if it's not and whilst you can straighten during processing you may lose parts of the image you wanted to keep

4. Have something to add depth/ interest to the shot - a tree or people etc.

5. Personally I shoot in Aperture Priority mode - it works for me but remember to keep an eye on your settings to ensure you aren't receiving a hi/low reading and to adjust your aperture accordingly if you do see these pop up

One extra little tip that I find useful after any shooting is to return your camera back to what you consider your "standard" settings eg. Flick back to Aperture priority, flick VR back on and also autocus on both the lens and camera. Put your ISO back to your normal too. This way it is ready for when you need to pull it out next.