Thanks to all those that keep coming back and reading my disjointed bunch of cyber words. May your Christ’s Birthday be Merry, and your 2009 be all that you want and more.
Happy December 25th
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2008, looking back at the photos.
With the year winding down in an awful hurry, it seems all the big players are posting their “Year in review” articles. And better still, alot of them are photographic year in reviews. Some that I have found so far are….
The Age right here in Australia have 176 photos from the past year.
The Boston Globe’s excellent site, The Big Picture, has parts one and two of a three part series. It really is worthwhile keeping an eye on their site, it is tremendous.
Travel photographer of the year have the list of winners here.
MSNBC have a fantastic multimedia display looking back at the past year. And also a wrap up of the sports shots of the year.
Time magazine has their wrap up here. McCain being patted down by security makes me smile.
If you find anymore, let me know.
When the timing is right.
Big Pete, originally uploaded by norbography.
Are you a gear whore seemed to stir up plenty of conversation on a couple of photo forums and Flickr groups I posted it on. It was mention in one discussion that no matter the gear, if you managed to capture what Cartier Breson called the “decisive moment”, it would make for a good photo. The shot above is one time I have managed to do exactly that. Pete is a friend of a friend, who I have only met 2 or 3 times, but this photo captured him perfectly. The boy can giggle. This shot was taken with one of my old film cameras, a Nikon FE with a Sigma 24 f/2.8 lens. Shot under pretty ordinary lighting, it captures Pete having one of those moments where you just let it all hang out. We had just all been told a rather dirty joke that obviously tickled Pete’s fancy. Although the photo isn’t technically great, the content more than makes up for it. I get a bigger buzz out of this sort of photo than some technically great shot or some arty shot that I fluked.
Love to hear peoples thoughts.
WordPress 2.7 is sexy.
Just upgraded the blog to WordPress 2.7. I have to say, it is very good to look at in the admin panel now. Well done to all involved.
Panoramics, nearly worth the effort.
12 photos went into this baby. Was it worth it, well, it took a bloody long time to smooth it all out in Photoshop, but I think it might have been. Maybe.
A 1958 camera rocked my socks.
Monday this week, a package arrived. Nothing out of the ordinary there, ever since the obsession with old film cameras has had me checking the Vintage Camera section of eBay every day, it seems I find some old gem that I must have and part with some hard earned for an ancient beauty. I have talked before about this sudden obsession with film and how it has changed the way I look at photography. But for months now, I have been trying to grab a TLR camera. And last week, I made a successful bid on a Yashica 635 TLR camera. See below.
Wow. What can I say? The viewfinder alone is enough to send the pulse rate up. This version of the Yashica TLR also has a 35mm kit that lets you use standard 35mm film in it. Why you would bother is beyond me, but it does make it pretty unique in the world of TLR’s.
I have just finished my 1st roll of 12 exposures (which by the way gave me an excuse finally to use the old Yashica light meter I bought ages ago). I expect I will develop that film over the weekend, but I don’t have a film scanner capable of scanning 120 film. Oh well, looks like its time to do some more ghetto scanning. If the camera works ok, I am even contemplating grabbing some colour 120 film and seeing how that looks. Exciting times for this mug photographer.
Remembrance Day.
Originally called Armistice Day, this day commemorated the end of the hostilities for the Great War (World War I), the signing of the armistice, which occurred on 11 November 1918 – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Armistice Day was observed by the Allies as a way of remembering those who died, especially soldiers with ‘no known grave’.
On the first anniversary of the armistice, in 1919, one minute’s silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony. In London, in 1920, the commemoration was given added significance with the return of the remains of an unknown soldier from the battlefields of the Western Front.
The Flanders poppy became accepted throughout the allied nations as the flower of remembrance to be worn on Armistice Day. The red poppies were among the first plants that sprouted from the devastation of the battlefields of northern France and Belgium. ‘Soldiers’ folklore had it that the poppies were vivid red from having been nurtured in ground drenched with the blood of their comrades’.
After the end of World War II in 1945, the Australian and British governments changed the name to Remembrance Day as an appropriate title for a day which would commemorate all war dead. In October 1997, then Governor-General of Australia, Sir William Deane, issued a proclamation declaring:
11 November as Remembrance Day and urging Australians to observe one minute’s silence at 11.00 am on Remembrance Day each year to remember the sacrifice of those who died or otherwise suffered in Australia’s cause in wars and war-like conflicts.
Taken from http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/remembrance/
So on this day of remembrance, I thought I would look into the lives of some famous war photographers. I suppose the name that comes to mind when i think of war photography is Robert Capa. Born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary in 1913, he was obviously to young to photograph the Great War, but is famous for his photos from the Spanish Civil war and WWII. He helped found Magnum Photos and is often quoted when people talk about street photography with this all to often heard quote.
“If your photographs aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.”
It was in that terrific series, “The genius of photography“, that I first heard of Tony Vaccaro. He fought in the US Army and took his camera along. He talks about develpoing film in a helmet on a moonlit night during quiet times in the fighting. Certainly makes you think. I have troubles in my garage, and there is no chance of a bunch of Germans shooting at me through the window.
It really must take a ton of courage and a clear mind to take photos in times of war. So as well as remembering the soldiers today, I say we remember the photographers and journalists who reported on wars, and still do today.
Lest we forget.
Fun with Poladroid
Fun with Poladroid, originally uploaded by norbography.
Was sent a terrific link to a program that will turn your digital photos into polaroids.
It is only working on Mac at the moment, but a PC version is due soon. Give it a go, its great fun.
Toorale Station sold.
In what seems like a first, the massive water holdings on Toorale Station will be released back into the Darling River. No, I haven’t turned into a green activist, my interest comes from the fact that I was there just a few weeks back.
More info can be found here. I don’t know about the local economy, it seems Bourke is dieing anyway, but it has to be good for the river.
Some recommendations.
Here is a list of places I would recommend if you are ever in the area.
Accomodation
Trilby Station on the Darling River. I stayed in the Shearers Bunkhouse which was great. Liz was very friendly, and the property is on a fantastic bit of the River. Its a rough old road to get there, but I would love to get back out there and spend more time on the station having a look around. Thanks Liz.
The Salt Bush Motor Inn at Hay was easily the most luxurious and best value accommodation of the trip. It is a very new establishment, and it is well looked after by Gary and Ellen. Large comfortable rooms, a spacious bathroom and free internet access makes this the stand out accommodation in Hay. I will be back, thats for sure.
The Oasis Motor Inn at Broken Hill was the other really good accommodation I stayed at. Not as flash as Salt Bush in Hay, but clean and the staff are very friendly.
Attractions
Shear Outback is like a Shearers hall of fame. I think i was there for well over 2 hours. Billy Garner, the Gun shearer is a great bloke who has lots of funny stories. There is also a great gift shop and a water exhibition that tells some sobering facts about Australia’s water useage.
Broken Hill rail Museum in the heart of Broken Hill. The best $2.50 I have spent in a long time. Lots to see and read about. And if you are a train buff, get ready for a few hours of wandering about.
Also, the drive down the Darling from Bourke to Wilcannia, although slow going at times, is a great drive to do if you like the outback. Drop into Toorale station and see the old homestead and shearers sheds where Henry Lawson worked as a rouseabout. Spend the night at Trilby station and soak up some country living.