Author Archive
Knox B&W competition
by webmaster on Jul.07, 2009, under Competitions
We have been invited to be one of six clubs competing in the annual Knox B&W competition.
Our entries are in and the judging night will be on Wednesday the 22nd of July.
It will be an excellent opportunity to go and see some monochrome photography and I really do hope that Waverley can muster as many representatives as possible.
The venue is the Boronia West Primary School, Tormore Road, Boronia at 8pm.
Mt Macedon Outing
by webmaster on Jul.07, 2009, under Outings
Sunday the 5th of July was scheduled to be the club outing to Mt Macedon no matter what the weather and the weather was such that only five people braved the cold and slightly damp conditions. Stephen was in shorts (as usual) so it couldn’t have been too cold! The temperature gauge in my car said that it was 3 degrees up at the Memorial Cross, but we also had some welcome patches of sunlight.
First stop of the day was a lake in Macedon and I honestly thought I would be the only one there but Natalie soon rolled up and we went for a stroll around the lake. Fish were jumping out of the water but not in slow motion so neither of us got a shot. We did find an abandoned kids bike in amongst the pines which I found to be an interesting subject.
Next port of call was supposed to be the Forest Glade gardens but it was closed so Nat and I went to a waterfall in Mt Macedon where we caught up with Stephen. This was the first time shooting a waterfall for all of us and while it wasn’t the most spectacular fall it was a good learning experience.
The Memorial Cross was the next stop and as is usual for a camera club trip the view was obscured by clouds. There were large patches of sunlight travelling across the landscape teasing us but nothing came of it except for some frosty noses. It was at the Cross that we caught up with Perry and Rachael and the touring party was complete.
After a hot chocolate in the cafe it was off to Woodend for lunch but along the way we stopped to look at some funky cows (which have a proper name – Belted Galloways) but they were off in the far paddock and the light was pretty dull so we continued on our merry way.
The Victoria Hotel is an extremely popular place for lunch and we hadn’t booked so it was off down the road to Keatings Hotel for lunch. Having warmed up with some good food we ventured out once again and headed off to Hanging Rock. We got there about three and headed on up the hill stopping at several places to take some photos. Naturally the sun hid behind some clouds when we got out of the cars and didn’t come out again until we had descended but we were rewarded with a very nice rainbow at the end of the day.
Driving back back to Mt Macedon we had to pull over to try and take advantage of some of the most intense late afternoon light I’ve ever seen. We had about three minutes before it was gone but it was good to see. We drove back past the paddocks where the funky cows were and they were all up on the fence close enough to touch but by this time it was practically dark so they will have to wait for another time. I doubt I’ll be able to retire on the strength of the images I took on this trip but that was hardly the point. Yet again I thoroughly enjoyed myself due to the people I was with and I’m already looking forward to the next outing.
Pete
Macedon Outing
by webmaster on Jun.26, 2009, under Outings
Outing on Sunday the 5th of July.
The outing this month is to Mt Macedon and surrounds. There is a wealth of fantastic locations in the area and we will struggle to get through even a few of them. There will be a number of meeting points throughout the day so you can turn up whenever suits you best.
The first is in Macedon (not Mt Macedon) at a lake that doesn’t have a name. We’ll meet there at 8:30am. To get there take the Calder Highway towards Bendigo. Get off at the Macedon exit and turn left onto Black Forest Drive and head towards Woodend. Turn right into Nursery which isn’t all that far past the Black Forest Motel. Head towards Macedon on Nursery until you see the Nursery on the left. Just past the nursery you will see a railway bridge going over the road, the lake is on the left before you go under the bridge. It’s not sign posted but it’s hard not to miss.
Next stop will be the Forest Glade Gardens in Mt. Macedon. We will meet there at 10:00am and it’s a $6 donation to get in. It is on the road from Mt Macedon over the top to Woodend. It’s on the right hand side of the road roughly three kilometres from the antique store with the red petrol pump out the front. The antique store is on the left as you travel to Woodend. Parking for the gardens is on the side of the road.
Next stop as we make our way to Woodend is the Memorial Cross. We will be at the Cross at MIDDAY. Parking is free at the Cross which is easy to find as it is well sign posted.
Woodend is the next port of call where lunch will be had at the Victoria Hotel at 1:15pm. The Victoria Hotel is the white pub on the left hand side of the road as you head north.
From the pub we will head off to Hanging Rock for the rest of the afternoon. As it’s $10 per car to leave Hanging Rock (entry is free) it might be a good idea to carpool from Woodend if indeed you aren’t already carpooling.
We will leave for Hanging Rock from Woodend at 2:45pm. The picnic area at Hanging Rock closes at 5pm (I think) at which time everybody heads home having had a splendid day out.
As usual you can call me if you want to know where to find us.
See you there,
Pete
Upcoming competition
by webmaster on Jun.25, 2009, under Competitions
The subject for the next competition is: Still Life/Table Top.
This means that all your entries must be either a Still Life or a Table Top setup.
A still life is something that you have set up yourself. Just like the old still life paintings the subject can be whatever you choose. It could be a vase of flowers, a bunch of shells, a bottle of wine or anything else that takes your fancy. The object is for you to come up with a pleasing composition with however many subjects you put in your picture.
Table top photography is much the same as still life but encompasses more. The shots taken at the sound triggered flash workshop would qualify as table top. Be aware that if everyone enters a shot of a balloon bursting it could make for a very repetitive judging.
Workshop Night Tuesday June 16th
by webmaster on Jun.04, 2009, under Workshops
The June 16 workshop will be a sound triggered flash and still life night.
In one room George Skarbek will set up his sound triggered flash rig and in the other we will attempt to do some table top photography. This means you have to bring some stuff with you on the night… Your camera and tripod for one.
For the sound triggered flash you can bring whatever you like that will make a noise to set the flash off. George is going to bring some balloons to pop with a dart. It wouldn’t hurt to have more balloons on hand so if you have some handy bring them with you. Other things that will work on the night could include breaking a light globe with a hammer, perhaps we could get in close and photograph a match being lit.
I am counting on you to come up with some more, interesting options. What about coating someone’s hands with flour and getting them to clap? There are endless possibilities so please bring any blown light globes you have lying around and anything else you want to have a go at. Please keep in mind that if you want to make a mess you will have to clean it up.
Because we will be smashing glass please bring your sunglasses or another type of eye protection with you. The last thing I want on the night is to have a piece of glass lodge itself in someones eye. It’s unlikely but best to be prepared. I will have a few pairs of safety goggles but not enough to go around.
In the other room we will attempt to do some table top photography. Dave Sumner is going to bring some older style cameras for us to take pictures of. You might have a bunch of flowers or a model train that you would like to shoot.
BRING THEM IN.
It doesn’t matter what it is this is really an exercise in composition and lighting. We also need you to bring some light sources with you. Any kind of light source will do be it a desk lamp or torch or whatever else you can think of. If it needs to be plugged in we will also need you to bring extension cords and powerboards. If you have these things and don’t bring them in then what’s going to happen if everyone else thinks the same as you?
This has all the makings of a really fun (and educational) night but it’s up to us – we’re only going to get out what we put in. See you there.















