Ramshackle at The Sando, March 23

Finally! It's been like 7 months but finally I've gotten to see my boys play. And the best bit is, this gig was for a band comp (The Inner West Festival- despite the fact none of them live there) and they got through to the semi finals which means there'll be more in about two weeks! *cheers*

As much as i like the effect of the occassional under exposed shot I really need a brighter lens. The noise when theres not enough light is killing me! Of course, a better camera would be ideal but I'm not in the financial position to buy... well anything right now so lenses seem a much more realistic aspiration. Something with f1:1.2 would make my life.

And if the DoF is this narrow with a 1.8, just imagine a 1.2!

I used my wide angle for a few shots, to save from changing lenses between filming. I really like the length of it, because I'm not used to getting full body shots but of course it was a challenge getting my shutter fast enough. I don't mind the odd blurred shot.

The final band of the night, the Ravenous Rabbits, had all of their fans wearing bunny ears. It was actually a little bit creepy to walk into that room.

Expect more pics soon! I'm shooting a gig for Marlow, and probably a few other bands, on Saturday and the Ramshackle again the Wednesday after so there's plenty on it's way!

-mb

Night.

Last Wednesday we had a night excursion with my short course. We went into Circular Quay, because it's one of the few places that a bunch of photographers with tripods don't look out of place. Unfortunately, it rained, which made for some interesting shots but my shoes didn't dry for days.

Playing with sparklers

Panning was something I hadn't tried before. Put simply, it's a method of photography that gives the illusion that the background is moving, rather than the subject. All you need to do is take the shot on a reasonably slow shutter speed, while panning the camera along with the moving subject. If the camera moves at the same speed as the subject, the subject will appear still, but the background will blur. The shots below are all examples of panning and I'm really happy with how they worked.

Lots of shots coming up soon. Gigs,gigs and more gigs. So stay tuned.

I've been trying to work out my studies this year. I had hoped to do the certificate IV in Photoimaging at Ultimo TAFE, then go on to do my diploma next year. Unfortunately, the course is surprisingly competitive, due to the sheer number of people interested in it, and I didn't get in. I'm currently doing a short introductory course in SLR photography at Sydney Community College, which I started to increase my chances of getting into the certificate course at a later intake. Then I found a correspondence certificate course which I've enrolled in. So we'll see how that goes.

Anyway, the short course I'm doing is fairly fun. It's designed for beginners though so it's a bit basic. This week we had a homework excercise on exposure, and the above shots are a couple from that. It was just to teach us the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, and how the way in which you take the reading affects the shot. There was a lot of "take a general reading" and "take a reading of just the face" etc.

Mostly, I think it was a great way to irritate James for a little while.

Marlow 27/11/2010

I told you. Did I not tell you that photos were on their way? Well here they are!

I delivered. Sorry for the delays. Slow computers etc.

-m xx

I swear to God

Photos are on their way.

I shot a Marlow gig a couple of weeks ago, it's just taking me ages to get them up here. But in a few days, I'll be at my dad's house, with access to them, and I'll do my thing and get the good'uns up.

For now, have this quick snap as an apology:

Yup, that's a spidey-web.

-m xx

Just want to say

That I'm home in 3 days so the blog will be a bit more functional soon. Photo uploading has been near impossible in most places I've been, but I promise to give you many many post of photographical yumminess!
I preview of what's to come:

• Seductive nom noms. Food is so much sexier on camera.
• The product of boredom with buildings (and other lifeless objects): my recent experimetation with small apertures (22. zomg!) and slower shutter speeds.
• Miscellaneous photos that are surprisingly good. Including some crowded street shots in Amsterdam. It's great to zoom in on people's facial expressions.
• The few "portraits" I've managed to snap from willing (read: unsuspecting) participants. Just call me paparazzi, baby.

Also, something not-really-photography-related-but-sorta-kinda. I'm thinking it'd be a kinda cool idea to get a tattoo on the side of my right hand (picture Cheryl Cole or... someone else with a side of hand tattoo) as it's my shutter hand. It has to be witty, but not so funny that it get's a little less funny everytime.

Like the B Sharps.

I'm pretty excited to get back to normal life and hopefully some more shooting soon, especially since I start my art-fag studies next year.

-mb

Ramshackle promo shoot #2, 27/06/10

Scaling fences, climbing ladders, hocking loogies and licking pre-historic pay phones.

Just a regular day with the boys of Ramshackle.

Concept by Andrew Lopez

I'm up a ladder. May I just mention I'm completely terrified of heights.

The white glob on Jared's knee is his spit.

Concept by Andrew Lopez