It has been yet another busy week, though I have to admit this week has been full of photography adventures. It has been sort of nice to have been able to go out a lot to take photos. I do miss it sometimes. Certainly had my fill this week. It is also nice to get new things to play with. Am always a fan of that. So let’s catch up.
Magazine
The magazine, Dynamic Range has been out for 3 weeks now and I’m getting some great feedback about it. I hope
those that have read it have really enjoyed it. Would be great to hear from others about their thoughts.
If you haven’t read it, then it is still available. Perhaps a bit of weekend reading for you, the link is at the top of the website under Shop.
The Six Seasons of My Backyard
The layout is done and we have received approval from the council. So it is so close to being ready to send to the publisher. It is almost getting exciting, I’m really looking forward to seeing it published.
State Library of Victoria
As people who follow me on other social media sites are aware I was told recently that I couldn’t take photos outside the State Library of Victoria. A security guard approached me and a friend to tell us that we were not allowed to photograph the outside of the building. I said that it was ridiculous as you could photograph the inside. He was adamant and we had to leave.
We did go, but after investigation no one could find anything that restricted photography, so to find out more, I sent them an email. I was told that we weren’t doing anything wrong. The security guard shouldn’t have stopped us. So good to know we can take photos of the outside of the building.
Lensbaby Velvet 56
I received a lovely parcel this week from Lensbaby. Inside was the Velvet 56 lens. Oh I think I am in love with it. It is a 
different lens to use. Basically it is a prime lens, but one with some great effects.
I’ve been given the lens for the month of September to experiment with it and post photos on Instagram. I don’t think that is going to be a hard and have decided to take it with me everywhere, just in case where I am will be perfect for trying it out. It is going to be a very hard one to give back. I went to the Healesville Sanctuary today and took heaps with it, so Weekend Wanderings will be fall of photos from it.
Check out Lensbaby for yourself.
L bracket for my D800
Since I started doing long exposures one thing I have really wanted was an L Bracket for my camera. I wish I had wanted it before I purchased my Manfrotto tripod as I may have made a different purchase. I know everyone talks 
about the Really Right Stuff L Bracket, but to get that, I would have to get other stuff as well, like a new head for my tripod. I tried a Manfrotto L Bracket and to be honest it was the biggest waste of money. It was heavy, bulky and not very good.
Then a friend introduced me to Brett Wood. It turns out he is the Australian distributor for Sunwayfoto products. I had never heard of them before either, but they had just what I wanted, and they also had the bit that attaches it to the tripod. I was able to change the part that attaches to the ball and would allow the L bracket to connect to the tripod.
So far it has been fantastic. It is light, and fits the camera perfectly. People don’t even notice that it is on the camera. Unlike the Manfrotto one, I don’t have to take the bracket off the camera when I need to change the battery.
It wasn’t too expensive either. Definitely a great purchase.
Check out Brett’s website, click here. Here is a link to the L Brackets as well.
Photos
I have found some more photos from the past. It is from a trip a couple of years when I went to Heide Gallery. It is a great place for photography and I am planning on a trip there with the Lensbaby Velvet 56.
Jonesing on the Lensbabies. I want Sweet 50 Optic, Twist 60 Optic, Edge 50 Optic, and Velvet 56. :–D
Haha, I have he sweet 50, love it, I have the Edge 80, not so keen on it, but that could be that I don’t quite know how to use it yet. I do love the Velvet 56 and would like one myself now. Oh well, maybe by the end of the month I will have had enough, unlikely. Thanks Nicci.
I’m always interested in unique lenses. All the the Lensbaby lenses are manual focus which, given the state of my vision, is not a good choice right now. Pity, because they have interesting equipment.
Same Marilyn, but unfortunately they are all manual focus. It is a bit disappointing, though I have been surprised at how quickly I’ve got used to that. I hope you can try them one day.
If my gosh, Leanne, I can’t wait to learn about the velvet 56 through you. I took a look at their site. I love the philosophy. That expanded my idea of possibilities.
So glad you’ve got out to shoot.
Nice gallery.
I am really loving the lens Nicci, it is quite amazing. It is manual focus which is interesting, but I am getting better at it. I like the philosophy too. I’m having so much fun with their products. Thank you Nicci, it has been great being able to get out more.
Beautiful images as usual. What is the use and advantage with an L Bracket?
Thank you Anne. An L bracket means you don’t have to put the camera on the side of the tripod when you want to do a vertical shot. means that the camera won’t slip on the plate when taking photos. I’ve had that happen to me for some very long exposures.The centre of the camera is always on top of the tripod.
How beautiful in Heidi. Interesting sculptures, a gallery steeped in history.
I agree Peter, it is beautiful, I need to get back down there, I haven’t been for almost a year. I
I can tell you’re excited by the surprise package with a new lens to play with Leanne , checking it out I can see why 🙂 Wow lots of possiblilties ,comments suggest it takes a little getting used to … hope you can hang on to for awhile then . Look forward to your feedback on it and images from its outing ! Have a great weekend x
I was very excited Louise, I knew it was coming and couldn’t wait for it to get here. Yes, I does take a bit of getting used to, but the trip to the zoo helped,I think and also I’ve been using quite a few of their other products, so I am getting used to the way they work. Lots of different effects. I think I have it for a month, which is good. Thank you, I got some fun shots. You have a good one too.
Great news about the book and interesting to hear about the lenses you are trying. You certainly are getting some great effects in your macros.
BTW I finally had a chance to read the latest Dynamic Range issue from cover to cover. Really good mix of articles. Loved Emily’s and your own article and the intriguing work of Lori Nix… And got some ideas with the book publishing one. Hope people liked mine too.
thank you Chris, I am loving the macro at the moment, it is like my hobby stuff, lol.
That is great to hear about the magazine, it is really good to get some feedback on it. I’m people have loved your article, I know I did.