Category Archives: Latest

Ever since I started shooting (oh so many years ago), I’ve always wanted to do a shoot in a canola field. But every year, around September/October, something thwarts my grand canola plans! Canola, for those who don’t know, gives us those amazing fields of yellow that stretch forever. The problem with canola is the longevity, the best tone of yellow is in the first week or two of the bloom, and then it dulls off and thins out after that. Here’s an example of only average canola, taken today near Werribee (between Geelong and Melbourne) – this batch is now a few weeks old, and the coverage is thinning out. Plus, when it gets older, it’s also really tall and less suitable for models or fashion work.

2 years ago I found the best canola fields around, out towards Lal Lal, but I didn’t have any models with me (must have left them at home on the charger!). So I dutifully noted the date in my diary, and committed to coming back the following year. Last year I went back to the same fields (with model!), only to discover canola was not on the menu (I think wheat was though!!).

The fields in the photo above were a surprise – In 15+ years of driving between Melbourne and Geelong, I’ve never seen those fields used for anything useful, particularly not something bright and distracting like canola! Drivers have been taken by surprise too, lots of people stopping to take photos, or drifting all over the road as they crane their necks to get a better look!!

Booking it in my diary again, perhaps next year I’ll get a chance to take a model to a canola field and get the shot that’s been in my head for over 3 years now!!

(BTW, image taken on my new iPhone, 1/2700 @ f2.8, I’m pleased!!)

So I decided that the old theme just wasn’t doing it for me, and I liked the look of this new one – everything has gone smoothly for the most part, except for the few hours the whole thing imploded in an ungraceful display of web petulance. But some stern words and turning off all the plugins until I found the culprits had me underway soon enough!!

There’s still a main “Home” page to be done with a lightweight slideshow on it, and the Portfolio page is currently _extremely_ lame – but it will have to do until I spend the time figuring out how to get Lightroom and SlideShow Pro Director playing nicely together (or paying someone to do the hard yards for me – anyone?? Anyone at all?? Seriously, I will pay…). NextGenGallery is cute enough, but I need my image management system (ie Lightroom) directly publishing the content (to SSPD) – hands off automation FTW, eventually…

I’m rapidly reaching the day where I no longer know how to drive this fandangled interweb thingy – I completely understand how my parents felt when they struggled programming the VCR… *sigh*

I’m hoping someone can help me – it would appear I completely misplaced 2009. It was here a minute ago, but seems to have completely disappeared!! For those of you that know me, you’ll know that “insanely busy” is pretty much Business As Usual for me, and not much has changed on that front.

So, how did I track against my 2009 expectations from this post?
- Double shot count to 25000 didn’t happen, I did almost exactly the same number of images as ’08 (a bit over 11000)
- Post more online didn’t happen, deliberately. Instead I decided to stop frantically trying to update a squillion community sites and simply update this site. All the other sites now basically point back here! I count that as a win!
- Get a studio happening has still not happened, but things are moving slowly. I’m currently visiting studios and looking at commercial property leases, all very exciting (and expensive, hence why it is so slow)!
- Outside businesses are definitely on the move, a number of phases are now complete and I expect launch of at least one to happen VERY soon!! W00t, even more exciting!!
- I did quite a bit of assisting, and I am cutting down my activities to work more on my own projects. I’m trying the Bill Gates approach, why assist one photographer when I can run a workshop for 10?
- I’ve tried to catch up with friends more, but I can still work on that!
- I did take an overseas holiday, went to the UK and France for 3 weeks with my partner, it was most excellent. And guess what, I still haven’t processed the images (and the holiday was in October!!)

My 2010 is shaping up to be pretty exciting – it’s a new decade, with new challenges and new aspirations. This is the year of consolidation and completion. I’m cleaning up all my 80% projects and getting them done. Businesses will be launched or killed, projects will be completed or binned, this year is all about being realistic in what I can do with my time (and how I can better use that time for my benefit and those around me!)

Plans for 2010 will include:
- Definitely get a studio done, or partner with an existing one. This is a must!!
- Launch at least one business, they’re like baby birds that I’m scared to throw out of the nest!! Time to teach them to fly by throwing them out into space. Here’s hoping the do fly!!
- At least one overseas trip (which will probably be Vegas mid year). More would be nice, but that will depend on business success!!
- Network more. I used to be out amongst it all the time, but now I find I don’t have the time. In 2010 I plan to change that. If there are events, I want to be there. Shows, count me in. Launches, you’ll find me at the bar talking to someone! I need to rediscover my social self (can you tell I’m shy?)

I hope everyone finds success and happiness in 2010. And I hope to share mine with those around me!!

Sorry about the mess, but it was high time my old site was thrown out and a new era kicked off!! So, please bear with me while I shift the couches, re-hang the paintings, and try for some friendly ambience in my new renovated home!! Continue reading »