The Canon Collective Australia South West Road Trip

Last week, Wing and I headed out on a photography trip. To be honest, I wasn't sure I would be up for it, as there was some hiking involved.

We got to the Bunker Bay Resort, and that place was just a beautiful as I remember from years ago. When the concierge was informed of my knee issue, coupled with the fact we were about as far from the reception/parking area as we could be (we had the bungalow near the lake), we had golfcart transport to and from our bungalow.

Moving on.

Thursday. First stop was Sugar Loaf Rock, one of the most photographed rock formations in Western Australia.  I looked at the ‘overlook’ area and was started the slow climb up. Yay! Made it!

Everyone takes a photo of the formation with the water and waves all around it durning sunrises or sunsets, and they’re lovely, but I wanted to do something a bit different.

Sunset at Sugar Loaf Rock.

 

Also had a Nankeen Kestrel keeping watch over our activities.

 

Friday: Next stop was the Albany Wind Farm. Due to some misinformation, I was told the person I was looking for to return a lens was at the very top of the trail.  I managed to go almost to the very top, only to find out the person I was looking for was at the bottom  

Also revisited the Canal Rocks, and first time visit to The Reflecting Pool.

 

 

Saturday: We went back to the Albany Wind Farm at Dark O’Clock to get some shots of the Milkyway over the wind farm. Then we headed to “The Gap and Natural Bridge” later in the day for some sunshet shots. And also got a great shot of the “Albany Brig” with almost perfectly still water reflecting.

 

Sunday: We got up again, at O’Dark O’Clock to get some Astrophotography at The Gap and Natural Bridge.

 

After sunrise, we got some photos of the harbor, the shipping port and other local points of interest.

 

And then it was time to head home.  Took a while to get all the photos culled and processed.  

 

It was a great road trip.   Here’s hoping the next one is just as much fun.

Canon 5DmkIV, first impression

First off, even with the new features and buttons, the Canon 5DmkIV is familiar enough to use straight out of the box. Got things set up, and then read some (not all) of the manual.

4 images, BIRDS ON A STICK! lens correction done, cropped down to main subject for close viewing, no other editing.

 

The Good

1: Handles higher ISOs wonderfully.  I shot these photos at ISO 800, one in direct sunlight, one in partial shading and two in full shade.  I didn't run any noise reduction, either in camera or in post. No noise worth mentioning at all.

The Good part II.

2: Sensor is MAD with details!  Even in shots #2 and 3 which are in shadow, the fine details in the feathers and on the twigs is clearly visible. Dynamic range is much better than its predecessor.

The good thing this is good because the other is just ok.

3: The high speed continuous shutter speed is a helluva lot quieter in the 5D4 compared to the 5D3 or the 7D2, and faster than the 5D3. This is a good thing, because the low speed silent continuous is slow. And I mean s..l..o..w.  That being typed, with the high speed continuous nowhere near as noisy as in previous or different Canon models, it can be used if you need a faster frame rate, but still want to remain rather quiet.

Now, I have only had it for a few hours, reading the manual, setting it up and will have a more detailed review after some serious use.

There be Whales!

Early this morning, Wing and I headed out for a #CanonCollective Event, Whale Watching on the Rottnest Express.

I ‘suited up’ with the padding the Doc gave me, got camera, lens, spare battery, wet weather coat just in case, and headed out.

Spotted Humpback Whales and the captain of the Rottnest Express, steered us slowly toward them, and we coasted to a stop.  Then I found out an interesting thing. I had zero problem with motion sickness on any boat, ever. However (and I'm sure you knew that was coming) it seems that staring through a view finder of a camera can and does cause acute nausea.  I made it to the lee of the boat, and 'fed the fishes'.  Crew mate brought me a bottle of water, and instead of drinking it, I rinsed off my lens which got hit by 'blow back'.

Brought inside, and one of the other crew mates told me that the nausea via viewfinder happens, and even to her when she uses binocular, but you won't know you're susceptible until it happens. 

Well, I wasn't going to let something as a bit of "Chunder Down Under" stop me.  So, after a drink of water, my stomach calmed down. I went back outside, took some photos. Nausea hit again, so I made it back to my table, grabbed the 'bag', hurked. Cleaned myself up again, got another drink of water, and went out again.  I repeated this a few times. :D  So, I am just a wee bit stubborn.

But I think it was worth it, yes?

 

Humpback Whale breaching, Perth in the background.

Breeching a bit closer

Tail Slapping.

Blow holes, and water sheeting off its back.

Flipper Flap!  almost like it was waving to us.

A Tail and Three Whales – one on the left did almost duck out before I got the photo.

Kept "Spy Hopping", but missed it peeking at us.

Can you give me an "ARRRRRGH!"?

Canon Australia has opened February's "Canon Light" entries a little over a week ago, subject "Street Photography". 

I only have a single candidate so far because of  firebugs!

I have asthma. There are fucking arsonists lighting fires in the bush areas.  The air tastes of smoke and ash, and I have trouble breathing, to the point I am indoors with the a.c. running.

I know there is still time, but I don't want to have to choose one image at the last minute, but I also want more than one to choose from!