What’s going on

Sep

2019

Dance, dance, dance!!!

It used to be all about the landscapes for me but these days it seems to be mostly about shooting people in motion, be that people on bikes, running, surfing etc. Dance is fantastic for that, in fact, it should really be called the art of motion (it probably is but I just don’t know about it).

I put a call out for a dancer as I wanted to play around with some ideas that I had in my head. I was put in contact with the wonderful Pippa Ravencroft from the Pure Performance Dance School. Although I have shot some urban street dancing before, I have never shot any contemporary type of dance before so wasn’t exactly sure of the motions and names of the movements. Pippa was patient while I tried to explain to her what I was doing and then was able to do those movements but also suggested more that might suit her better.

We were only shooting for I think an hour but I learned so much in that hour alone. I want to get back out there again soon and shoot some more dancing as soon as I can. I have so many thoughts and ideas in my head that really need to get out.

Aug

2019

APPA’s, product and more

It’s been a quiet couple of weeks for me on the race photography front. There’s been a couple of weeks break from shooting the races but the fun never stops when you have a camera in your hand

Just because it is quiet on the race front doesn’t mean that my photography has come to a standstill. The Australian Professional Photographers Awards (APPA’s) were on in which I entered 4 images. I’m happy to say I came away with 3 silvers this year. I know some of my peers frown upon the APPA’s but I personally have learnt a lot from entering over the years. The need to submit physical prints forces me to print my pictures which is something I rarely do. I also find that it makes me be highly critical of my own work.

Back from holidays now bring on the weekend, its time to go shoot!!! A shot from the Cannonball Whip Wars in Thredbo,
Rocky Trail Entertainment’s Superflow at Mount Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra, 2019
Rocky Trail Entertainment’s Superflow at Mount Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra, 2019
Rocky Trail Entertainment’s Superflow at Mount Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra, 2019

I went out last weekend and shot some great products with the Tyres and Soles crew again. It’s always fun shooting with them and checking out new gear up close. Be sure and keep an eye out on their website for the upcoming gear reviews. There is still a bunch more kit to shoot with them as well such as the new ZenBivy sleeping bag, North Face duffles and more. As much as I love shooting the sports stuff I also love shooting different things. Shooting the gear reviews lets me do both, win win.

Whistler Performance Lubricants
Oi Bike Bell

Caught up with some friends as they went out on their foil boards. Whenever there is swell these guys head out, they don’t actually need breaking waves. The boards seem almost comically small but they definitely do the trick. I have been seeing the foils pop up more and more in other places too such as paddleboards and kitesurf boards. The crew definitely seems to be growing and I can see this taking off in a big way in the future if people can just keep from getting chopped up by their foils.

Some of the boys took their foils out for a spin today at Long Reef here in Sydney. A few nice waves about for it.

I have also been shooting a lot of fitness and gym stuff of late for my gym, Joe’s Basecamp. They have me shooting all their ambassadors but I will write more about these shoots soon.

This weekend coming it’s back to the mountain bike racing with the next round of Rocky Trail Entertainment’s Shimano GP at Ourimbah followed by the Fox Superflow also at Ourimbah the following weekend.

See you out there!!

Aug

2019

High above the whales

One day I will get both in the photo, a whale and a highliner. Twice now I have had the chance but I have either been at the wrong angle or lost in the moment watching the whales jumping below.

I spent Saturday sitting on the edge of the sea cliffs around Sydney again watching whales making their way back to Antartica while highliners strolled across the 220m highline high above them

Until this weekend I have never seen anyone cross a highline with a blindfold on as I saw Gabriel do on the 220m one. It has led to a couple of discussions as to whether it might actually be easier as it lets you focus better and remove the distractions around you such as the whopping big height underneath or is it more difficult as it would be more disorientating as there are no points of focus. I’ll check with Gabriel and get back to you

Whales playing in the waters below
High above it all
Walking a highline blindfolded

Jul

2019

Coondoo 2019

Sometimes I stop and reflect on how lucky I am when I do what I do for a living. I get to wander around NSW taking photos of things I love to shoot in places that are gorgeous and with a crew that is just fantastic. The weekend just gone was one of those times.

It was a weekend down in Jervis Bay to shoot the Rocky Trail Shimano Gp on the Coondoo MTB trails. It was a big turnout of almost 300 people for these trails. They are really nice and flowy without being overly technical. You get levels of riders at these races from beginners to advanced to some of Australia’s best and even world champions. The atmosphere is always fun. In short, they are a real pleasure to shoot it more like taking a few photos with your friends on the trails than anything else. Here’s a link to the full gallery

That doesn’t mean we don’t put in some solid hours both taking the photos and getting everything up and out the door as quick as we can after the race. Gil and I are both certainly much better at things these days though and we sat there among great company and watched the Tour de France while we worked.

On Sunday I drove out to Point Perpendicular. Although I had been to Jervis Bay before I had never been out here. The last time there was a bushfire burning on the peninsula so we were all evacuated. It’s a beautiful spot and so deserves a much better look around. I know it is a big climbing area and had hoped to get some shots of people climbing on the sea cliffs. I think a combination of tardiness on my behalf (finishing the race photos in the morning) and a bit of rain meant there wasn’t anyone on the cliffs, at least not that I could see. I will definitely be returning there asap with someone to shoot some climbing though.

Even just the coastal landscapes and wildlife are great though Whales off the coast, seals in the water below and eagles overhead. Definitely worth a week or so of camping and exploring the area. And I am still to get to the southern section of the bay…….maybe 2 weeks camping then

Jul

2019

Jolly Nose Superflow Champs

One of our furthest events is the race at Jolly Nose near Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast. This is the second year we have had a race on these trails but this year it was the Superflow Championships.

The Jolly nose tracks are great. Everyone who rides them seems to love them. I heard some call them the best trails on the Superflow Circuit last year. I would certainly have loved to spend some more time up that way but the day before I had Maximum Adventure’s Raffertys Coastal Run on at Cams Wharf near Newcastle and had to scoot back down come Monday. Oh well, next time

The Superflow images can be found here

And Raffertys Coastal Run images can be found here

Pelicans along the river
Cooking up a feast
The youngest competitor out on track
Sunset over the Mid North Coast

Apr

2019

A trip to the mountains

The Blue Mountains near Sydney always make for an interesting trip and a great way to escape the bustle of city life. There are some great little corners and hidden pathways, and it seems everyone who heads up loves going on adventures.

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a new 16-35mm wide-angle lens with the intention of taking more landscape photography again. I also pulled my 360 panoramic tripod head out of retirement and took it with me. Setting it up was a bit of a rush job, and it certainly needs a bit of fine-tuning, but they seem to go well together.

I also noticed the Autumn colours starting to kick in so I might have to make another trip up to the Blue Mountains to get some of those lovely oranges and yellow hues maybe even another 360-image or 2