It has been a crazy time lately and I’ve made some decisions. It is time to start changing things up for the following year. I don’t want 2019 to be full of the same disappointments as the last few years.
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Looking at the path I have chosen for myself I realise it isn’t an easy one. Most people who pursue a photography career do so by doing portraits and weddings. It seems easy, but what do you do if you don’t want to go that way?
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It is ANZAC day here, our memorial day, I guess you would say. It is the anniversary of one of Australia’s biggest battles in the first world war. It was started for that battle, but also a day to remember all the men and women who lost their lives during all the wars we’ve been involved in.
I thought it would be okay to give you a brief update today.
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It has been. I’ve been trying to work out what to report on and there really isn’t that much. I do have a couple of things.
Australian Photography Magazine
I’m really excited that one of my articles has been accepted and now published in this magazine. It is an article on architectural photography. This one is not an article you could read online and if you are interested then you need to buy the magazine I’m afraid. Here is a link to it.
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I haven’t been doing these enough, so thought we should nut out a few things.
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It has been a funny week. I know a few of you caught on last week that I wasn’t feeling great. Thankfully I am very good at getting myself out of down moods, and I do feel better now. I wish I could say that I feeling fantastic, but not far from it. Anyway, the best thing I can do is move on, so let’s see what I can do.
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Things are almost settling down, but then other things pop up. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be bored again.
The Six Seasons of My Backyard
We have a launch date, so it seems. It is going to be launched on the 24th of November, more details will follow.
I have done a page for the book too. I am still fine tuning it, but it is almost done. Take a look, “The Six Seasons of My Backyard“.
Photo Editing Classes
I was talking to a potential client yesterday and when I looked at the page for online editing I realised the prices didn’t make sense. So I have fixed them up and put them back to Australian dollar prices. Which for many of you, if you wanted to do them would mean they would be cheaper since our dollar is doing so badly.
The other thing I offered this client was to pay for each lesson as he went, but discount the classes accordingly so by the time he had paid for the 5th class he would have paid the same amount. I know how hard it can be to find all the money at once.
Teaching a Class about Macro Photography
I have decided to try teaching Macro photography. I have found a place that is okay with me doing it and will host the class. It looks like it could be really good. It is going to cost about $150 for 4 hours and will include lunch. Pretty good deal I think. I will start advertising it properly soon when I have all the details.
Photos
Today it seemed appropriate to look at some photos I took last year. It was winter and a very foggy day. We really don’t get many days like this anymore. We seem to get lots of rain, but not fog and now that summer is definitely on the way, not much chance of getting any this year. On this day a friend and I were going to Bonnie Doon for the first time to check it out and we took lots of photos along the way. I hope you enjoy seeing them again, or seeing them for the first time.
Yesterday I told myself I had to do the post then got so carried away playing with the Lensbaby lenses I have that I completely forgot about it. I do love the Lensbaby lenses though, they are so much fun, I think I might be becoming addicted. They are different to use, so a bit of a learning curve, I think my MM photo tomorrow will be one taken with them.
Dynamic Range Magazine
Most of the articles are in. We are now editing and working through them. Looks like a great collection once again. We are publishing next month, hopefully around the usual time, but somethings have happened and it may be a little later.
We do have some interesting articles. We have interviewed Lori Nix and got some insight into the way she works and how she comes up with her ideas. We are also looking at conservation and as photographers what we can do. There is a trip to Africa and some other things. I’ve written a tutorial on how to replace a sky. You will also get the image and a some skies so you can do it yourself.
Subscribe
If you want to make sure that you get the next issue then don’t forget to subscribe. You will automatically be sent the information to download your copy and will get access to it a day before we go live with it.
Classes
I’m trying to work out if I could run small classes for people who want to learn Long Exposure Photography here in Melbourne. The logistics could be interesting, but I think I could work around them.
One thing about Instagram has been how many people I’ve met that are here in my home town. It is starting to make me realise that it would be possible to run some classes here, I just have to find the students.
I am still planning the tutorials on photo editing, but until I get the magazine and book done I’m not sure I will have time for much else. I am mulling them over in my head and trying to work out exactly what I could teach those that want to learn.
So stay tuned, there will be more on this soon.
There is no question that I am enjoying my time on Instagram. I am getting opportunities to meet some interesting people. I went out on Saturday morning and met a new person. We took some photos around Docklands, there are a couple here for you.
So the photos, as usual are ones that have been up on Instagram. One you have seen before, but I have done a lot more work to it.
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In the last week I’ve spent several hours at Docklands here in Melbourne, on separate days teaching people how to do long exposure photography. It has been quite interesting showing people how to do it and use the filters. It is not something that I ever considered that people would want from me, or want me to teach them.
A long exposure of docklands taken in the middle of the day.
Long exposure photography is very popular and it seems that lots of people want to learn how to do it. There is something very surreal about the images that you get. It is a lovely type of photography and one that I am totally in love with. It can completely transform the scene in front of you and for the work that I find myself wanting to do, it is perfect.
I am now in the position where I have enough gear that I can teach people how to do long exposures. I have two brackets and quite a few filters. The next question is do people want to pay me to learn.
A long exposure taken at sunset.
There are so many places around Melbourne to do long exposures and I think teaching people how would be great.
I have some thoughts on time, maybe a two hour class for $250. The other option is a three hour class for $350.
You would need a camera that you can use on manual with a bulb setting, a tripod, and remote shutter release. I have everything else you would need to experiment and try out taking photos.
I guess the next question is how do I find the people who want to learn how to do it. I will have to start using my Instagram account, see if that actually works.
I’ve also noticed that there is another one of those, supposedly great deals on at the moment, pay $87 for $1900 worth of stuff. All to do with business marketing for the photographer. Could be worth it. I am contemplating getting it. If you are interested here is the link, 5DayDeal.
If you are in Melbourne and do want to learn long exposure photography from me then send me an email.
In my classes one of the things I always point out to people is being very careful about taking photos, and something that comes out quite a bit is how people are not aware or don’t even think about insurance and whether or not they are protected.
Once upon a time in Melbourne you weren’t allowed to use tripods unless you had insurance, or were on a trip with a camera club so you could be covered by their insurance. I don’t think the rule applies anymore, but it is a good point.
I have heard stories of photographers causing accidents and then getting sued. I’ve also heard of people making sure they trip over photographers gear so they can sue. It is such a scary world out there and people are after you everywhere, alright, so that is a bit over the top, but it is something you need to think about.
So many of us have insurance to cover our gear being nicked or damaged, but we don’t insure ourselves for the damage that we might do to others.
For teaching I have to have public liability insurance, and for many places where I take photos, it is a must. It also means that when students are out with me they are also covered under my insurance.
With the Social Snappers, these are classes, so my students are covered, and I also do my best to make sure people are careful. It is good because in group situations people are less likely to try things. When you travel in a group people tend to stay away and not bother you.
There are still places available for people who are interested in joining me for the Social Snappers Photography Excursions.
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