Here comes spring

That’s right, it’s spring time … and there’s no other way for nature to tell us than with a sudden influx of insects.  So many in fact, that I don’t even have to travel further than my balcony to get a day’s worth of shots.


Camera: Canon EOS 5D MkII

Lens: Tamron 90mm macro

I’m not actually sure what this is, but it’s definitely a young one.  It wasn’t moving a whole lot either, in fact it only flew away when a bug half its size chased it away.


Again, I have absolutely no idea what this is (I’d make a terrible entomologist I know)

I definitely know what this one is though :).  This is a baby dragonfly, or whatever they call them these days.  As photographic subjects, dragonflies are probably the most beautiful insects.  They come in all sorts of colours, sizes, shapes even.  Unlike some other insects, dragonflies look amazing at all stages of development.  I;m assuming there is a nest (resting place) near my balcony so I’ll continue to monitor the area and hopefully catch them in future photos as they become fully grown.

It’s hard to appreciate these insects until you see them up close.  Maybe next time I’ll catch some HD videos too, Sir David Attenborough style.

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Full frame anyone?

Today is the day we officially welcome a new member to the family.  It’s probably time I change the name of this blog as well since my primary camera won’t be a 50D any more.


Ladies and gentlemen, the 5D MkII has been added to the collection =).  Full frame has been everything that I expected and more.  The colours seem richer, the images seem to have that extra wow factor, and to top it off … wide angle is actually wide angle.

Both shots were taken with 5D MkII & 24-105 f4L IS.  (NB: San Churro had some of the best chocolate I’ve ever had”.  The video capability of this camera is great, when used properly the results are amazing.  Most people will say that they don’t care for it, but those people don’t know what they’re missing out on.  Since I can take photos while I’m shooting a video, I can now take more cinematic/documentary style photos that I never would have picked up on with the old 50D. 

Did I mention the high ISO performance was AMAZING?  Here’s the settings for the above image, and you can decide for yourself.  1/15, f4, ISO 12800.  That’s right, 12800.  In case you it didn’t get through to you earlier, here it is again … 12800 .. that’s 1-2-8-0-0 or twelve-thou-sand-eight-hun-dred.  I didn’t even dare think about using that type of ISO on the 50D. 


As always, there’s plenty more to come, so stay tuned for more.

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The start of something new

Today could have gone in 2 directions, we have now headed into the 2nd direction …

Most of you will know, that after the unbelievable run at the end of the season where Parramatta won 10 of the last 11 to go from nowhere to the grand final has ended in disappointment (figuratively).  As players and fans openly wept in disappointment after perhaps the biggest game of rugby league to date, it’s hard not to be excited for the future. 


Ofcourse we all wanted the fairytale finish, and nobody wanted it more than the carryovers from the 2001 grand final defeat.  The final score isn’t too much different from that game in 2001, but this is different.  2001 left a taste of bitterness and frustration in an embarrassing defeat.  As a result, players left, coaches eventually found new teams, and the eels crashed back into mediocrity.  2009, same spotlight, still a defeat, but as the camera showed the myriad of young faces on the Parramatta squad, you can’t help but be excited for the next few seasons. 

 

The likes of Mortimer, Hayne, Moimoi, Inu, Grothe and Reddy flanked by seasoned vets such as Cayless, Hindmarsh, and Burt already sounds like a promising future.  Let’s not forget the return of much loved centre Timana Tahu, and the additions of Shane Shackleton and Justin Poore starting from next season.

I hope the young players remember this feeling and hold onto it until they win a grand final.  This feeling is what’s going to drive them to victory, it’ll make them work that much harder in training and in the off-season.  And Hindmarsh … well we all just want to see him win.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t do it today.  But we got a great young team, and we’ll give it a good crack next year” Nathan Cayless during the post game ceremony.  All Parra fans should be proud of this team and how far they’ve come, you’ve done us proud and we’ll definitely be there in support come opening game next season.

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