Photographing Children

source: dftours.com.au

Let’s face it if you have a camera and enjoy photography at some stage you are going to take photos of your children or be asked to take photos of someone else’s.  Consider the ethical and legal responsibilities of photographers taking images of children and seek the parent’s permission before removing the lens cap.

That said let’s look at how to take better images of children. The best photos of children will capture a moment in which they are engaged in an activity, not when they are all lined up in matching outfits smiling dutifully at the camera.

The beauty of them being engaged in activity is firstly they forget about the camera and start to naturally show their personality and emotion. The second beauty is you can capture the children’s natural personality and emotion.

The camera never lies and natural expression is more honest and conveys so much more story than a pose image. The excitement of playing, the concentration of reading a book/playing a computer game, the joy when interacting with a favourite toy or animal, the interest in listening to a loved one talk.

To learn more about improving your techniques when photographing children visit www.dftours.com.au/photography-lessons-a d-tips/photographing-children

Being Un-Australian

Captain Australian

Newly self-appointed Australian Prime Minister today declared it un-Australian to be disrespectful to women. This may be the first time the saying has been used to help build up and strength community as opposed to breaking it down by belittling people who dare to have a difference of opinion.

Previously it has been used to besmirch people who question whether the Gallipoli campaign that forged the spirit of the Anzac was one of the nation’s greatest military defeats instead of being one of our greatest achievements (even though the Anzacs were un-successful in their attempt to take the peninsula.

Driving slowly in the right-hand lane is also considered by many to be un-Australian.

Adam Goodes was labelled un-Australian by Brisbane Roar (soccer/football) goalkeeper Griffin McMaster because Goodes dared to be proud of his Aboriginal heritage. McMaster also called for Goodes to be deported. Deportation is the act of returning people to their land of origin. In Goodes’ case this would be the traditional lands of the Adnyamathanha and Narungga people in South Australia. A heritage the pre-dates European settlement in Australia by thousands of years. McMaster clearly missed the irony his call for deportation, as his name suggests his own heritage would see he resettling in the peat rolling hills of Scotland.

It is un-Australian to serve light and mid-strength beer at a game of footy or cricket.

Former Prime Minister, John Howard declared it un-Australian for workers to strike for their rights, or to protest against war or globalisation or anything the government was doing or proposing.

The lamb industry regularly informs us that it is un-Australian to not eat lamb, particularly on Australia Day and at Christmas, Talking of Australia Day, according to some media outlets it now appears to be un-Australian to not be dressed head to toe in clothes fashioned out of the Australian flag whist drink what is clearly full strength beer.

It has been described as un-Australian for bosses to block internet access to footy tipping websites, just as much as it is un-Australian for men to like cats, or to simply drive past a pub without stopping for a drink.

For the record the term was first used by  W. Howitt in 1855 to describe a landscape as having “an appearance perfectly un-Australian”. It is difficult to deduce if he was using this as a positive or a derogatory manner.  Though it is hard to imagine the Australian landscape of sweeping plains, stunning beaches, rainforests, red dirt desserts and unique (and deadly) wildlife being describe in a manner other than of spectacular beauty.

Whilst I wholeheartedly support Mr Turnball’s use of the to encourage a safe and respectful life for all people living in and visiting Australia regardless of gender I am concerned that the term un-Australian is in itself un-Australian  as it is often used to diminish the very truths we all hold dear those of honest, friendship and a fair go for everyone.

Photographing Pets

All pet lovers know that their beloved animal has a distinct personality. A great pet photograph will capture this personality. Quieter pets, that sleep all day or move very little should be photographed to reflect this; on their bed/perch or with their favourite blanket. More active and playful pets should be photographed in a way that captures their energy, running, catching a ball

Pets will be a more cooperative subject when they are relaxed, so consider the location of the photograph. Places that are familiar to your pet are most likely going to produce a better photograph; the backyard, the local park, in the lounge room.

To learn more visit www.dftours.com.au/photography-lessons-and-tips/photographing-pets

Art Imitates Life

 The terms “art” and “life” are used advisedly in this sentence as they refer to The Bachelor and Australian politics respectively.

In life, after much public and media speculation and unfounded hyperbole the Liberal Party chose to send Tony Abbott home and kicked him out of the mansion. His journey came to a surprisingly quick end. The love affair is now officially over.

I just hope there was a lot of loooong pauses and longing looks as the cabinet members all stood alongside Osher waiting for producers to give the nod allowing the rose to finally be handed to Malcolm Turnbull.

Of course there were obligatory speeches delivered with false modesty and even greater false sincerity.

The real test of the relationship has only just begun. Now that the winner has been announced, the party can leave the house and start to be seen together in public. As we saw in the last season of the political dating show (and the last season of The bachelor) the chosen one did not turn out to be all they were cracked up to be and ultimately the party went back to their previous choice.

In art, after even more public and media speculation and even more unfounded hyperbole Sam chose Snezana (sounds like parmigiana) and her daughter, despite bookies odd on favourites Lana (sounds like parmigiana) who was first of all the losers and historically therefore the most likely to end up with Sam in the long run and Heather who will return to anonymity.

The decision has divided the nation and the talkback shock-jocks love it. The pro Snezana callers full of love and hop balance by the pro Lana callers who are full of vitriol and venom. There a growing call for the public to be able to have a greater involvement in the selection process to choose the winner.

In both circumstances the media is the only real winner with endless pages and minutes of airtime filled with endlessly repetitive descriptions of the events, gossip and conjecture masquerading as “expert” opinion.

The decisions have been made and ultimately - in art as in life - will have little if any bearing on the day to day lives of the vast majority of the Australian population.

Photographing Bridges

Tasman Bridge, Hobart Tasmania

Bridges are more than a structure to help to cross from one side of a landscape feature to the other, they are interesting architectural creations for photography. Either as the main subject or a point of interest in a broader scenery shot…even the simplest of bridge design. Learn about the equipment, image composition and basic camera set up to get the best photographs of your favourite bridge. Visit dftours.com.au/photography-lessons-and-tips/photographing-bridges.

Chasing the Sunrise

Sunrise is having a working holiday. David Koch has the gall to comment “don’t say we never do anything for you”.

Unless I am on the plane and staying in the hotels in Dubai, London, New York, Niagara Falls (Canada) and Cancun with them then I am sorry Mr Koch but you are doing nothing for me.

You are doing something for current sponsors particularly Accor Hotels, Flight Centre and Toyota as well making a great push for future potential sponsors. You are definitely doing something for the cast and crew who will get a fully paid trip around the world.

Yes there is already a cavalcade of stars lined up to tell inane stories and anecdotes, but let’s be honest they are all promoting their latest project whether it be  an album, movie, book or tour, thus fulfilling their obligations to their own sponsors.

Talk about a cash cow!

So what will the viewers really get from this.

A slight niggle of jealousy, perhaps.

A team of presenters delivering slightly awkward, meant-to-be-funny stories and in-jokes, yes.

Casual racism in the form of costumes, joke, accents and patronising attempts to participate in local customs, definitely.  (It started at the announcement).

David Koch telling awful dad joke, of course! He is David Koch after all.

Then there will be the segments. Time for a game of Sunrise Bingo

1.Travel tips, always presented on a slide a series of 5-7 dot points

Getting an upgrade

Surviving a long-haul flight

Making the most of your accommodation

Traveling on a budget
Traveling as a family
Traveling as a woman

2. Behind the scenes footage.

·        

A presenter falling asleep (fake falling asleep counts)

·         Presenters in pyjamas

·         A female presenter without makeup

·         All presenters getting their hair and makeup done with a key tourist attraction in the background

·         Presenters raising concerns about the local cuisine

·         Bloopers

·         Montage of checking in and waiting at airports, boarding planes, collecting luggage and hailing a local taxi – all done in fast forward

3. Postcard stories

·         

Presenters each experiencing a local attraction and having simply the best time ever regardless of how ordinary it looks and how miserable the weather

·         The whacky weather presenter, Edwina Bartholomew, will be somewhere be whacky and borderline culturally insensitive.

·         The presenters trying to prove they are being culturally sensitive by participating in a local custom but end up being condescending – cue Sam Armytage, Natalie Barr and Edwina wearing head scarves in Dubai

·         Mark Beretta will visit a famous sports venue

·         Local cooking class, my guess this will be in Mexico because spices are funny

·         The male presenters will be wear shorts on camera, because legs are funny

·         The Cash Cow, because that is funny

·         As many clichés as you can imagine

What will Kochie and his mate be doing for me? Dishing up the normal, boorish breakfast television that is as interesting and fulfilling as the bowl sugar-free, salt-free, fat-free, flavour-free bowl of bran I am eating for breakfast.

Selecting a Tripod

Tripod Ball Head

Tripods are almost an essential piece of equipment for all photographers – regardless of the level of experience. Hand held photography will not produce the desired results (in fact it will be almost impossible) for long exposure and night photography and very challenging with high ISO or small aperture settings.

With so many tripods on the market which one do you choose? I won’t recommend a specific brand or model, in fact I will not answer this question for you. Instead I will pose ideas for you to consider, helping you answer this for yourself.

Read more about selecting a tripod dftours.com.au/photography-lessons-and-tips/selecting-a-tripod