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.

The need for technology - is more expensive better?

After recently having an encounter with a very comptetitive and materialistic person it got me to have a look at how I decide on the possessions I need (more like want) in my life, things I am fortunate to have and blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy.
I sat through this painful conversation nodding my head whilst thinking - can they be seriously this obnoxious - do they not realise more expensive/bigger is not always better especially if it's not what you need.

OH MY GOODNESS! Something I have come to notice is seeing people with $2000+ cameras shooting on auto - what is the point of that? I appreciate if you have decided you need a great camera to capture special moments but for goodness sake learn how to use it, otherwise grab a point and shoot it will do exactly what you need it to do and prob at half the price (don't get caught into keeping up with the Joneses cause they're probably the least popular people on the block lol)! Honestly I love using my iphone camera and playing with apps - it may not be 30billion megapixel with 2millions ISO ra ra ra but sometimes its all I have on me and it'll do - not like I am blowing this image up to bill board size or doing a wedding. Here is an iphone image:

I have this as my facebook profile image I think it looks really cool!

Now don't get me wrong just because you have chosen to upgrade and you have gone all out doesn't make you an obnoxious friend, but don't compare what you have to others because you, your friends and myself included have different needs. Upgrading to a DSLR camera with all the bells and whistles can be very useful especially if you know what you want to shoot or that you need high res etc for your job - then awesome lucky you! Here is something I couldn't have captured on my iphone but remember on top of the camera is an editing program (another one of those bells):

Both these pics are a couple of my current faves but I can also find plenty I like from my old point and shoot that lasted me 3years until I decided I wanted to take this photography hobby further!

I have recently upgraded my computer for my editing software and to allow my computer to run longer and faster but all my decisions to spend large sums of money are weighed up and are for my needs not for the desire to be better then this person or that person. If you are fortunate enough to be able to upgrade awesome - but that doesn't mean everyone needs what you've got so be considerate of your neighbours and possibly their situation!

I love new technology but for me to go out and buy it I really have to have a reason to buy it because spending thousands of dollars or even hundreds on something you'll only use once not worth it for example: Those ice skates (because you were so going to get into ice skating) or Those cigar boxes (because they look good and are a "collectible" ha!) we all buy things on impulse - I still do but I buy things for me not to impress others because other people do have more amazing things then I and that's awesome maybe one day I'll upgrade to that but I'm happy with what I have and grateful!

At the end of the day if you can use what you've got then good chance you'll be doing better then those who have "better" and can't use it to it's full capability!

BLOG POINT: Buy what works for you and don't worry about the Joneses!

Happy shooting!