Today, I spent the DAY at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) as the footy (AFL) has started again… The Sydney Swans are the Premiership Club after winning last years Grand Final!
As this was their first 'home game', they had a special ceremony for the Premiership Flag. Then, it went around the Stadium for a lap of honour! The field looked great, despite the showers about, although the first half (two quarters) was sloppy/greasy play. In the end, the Swans won, Swans 17.12(114) to Suns 11.7(73)
Unveiling Premeriship Flag Premiership Cup and Flag Premiership Cup Premiership Flg Swans Facebook Status
In other news, my other football (NRL) team, Parramatta Eels, FINALLY won a game, after losing 50-0 last week, we won over the Cronulla Sharks!
Sydney Harbour Bridge - Observatory Park Observatory Hill Tree
Ok, I know I have not been blogging as regular as I should, but having to apply for my own position at work is way to exhausting at the moment... Although, I did get out the other day to get the photos above, including the time-lapse project I also did... Let me explain!
Bayer, who are celebrating their 150 years, has a blimp that is flying people around. A friend of mine in Auckland put out a call asking if anyone was going to be out, if they could photograph it, as his brother would be onboard! So, I thought I'd help, and arranged a location to be. His brother texted me saying it would be an afternoon/evening flight around 5-7pm. So it would be a 'facing' the east composition. I thought do I do north side, Blues Point, or South Side, Observatory Hill, I opted for the later. Anyway, whilst waiting, 5pm came... And went, then suddenly, I got the text, its a "NO GO" due to winds! What to do now?
So, as I had the gear in the car, I thought I might get a shot of the Harbour Bridge whilst here, and I had my tripod as well. It wasn't until I got to my spot, I thought about doing a time-lapse of the sunset against the bridge! I had done one before, so the settings would be ok (just a little more thought) to give it a go! So I set it all up, and let the camera simply do its thing.
Settings are, if you're interested, A/V, F9.0 and ISO200. Then I set the intervalometer at a 10 second interval, with a 2 second countdown. What I should have done, was for a 5 second interval, which then would have given me double the images and a longer video! Then, in Lightroom, a sharpen, and boosted the blue, red and green spectrum's only, and VERY slightly increased temp... I also cropped at 1600 x 900 which is a better 'video' output, and then 'synced ALL 800 odd images so as settings are the same. I then outputted the video at 24 frames per second, a plug-in that you can find for Lightroom...
This pic, sort of sums me up this morning... Not the best news here at work, which sort of makes me feel sad, but hopefully, with time, something over the sunrise will be better...
Last night, for something a little 'different' I/we went out to play in the dark, with a camera in, well on a tripod, JAMMED in-between the split fold rear seat for stability...
Whilst I thought I had the setup pretty much 'ok', how wrong was I!! It wasn't that far off, but my tripod just didn't cut it stability wise!! We then headed for the M5, a toll road in Sydney that on any given occasion, is normally a carpark! If someone so much as farts, it backs up for kilometres!!!
So, why '11 Tunnels' I hear you ask?? Well here is a list of the tunnels we used... M5, Cooks River, Airport... Airport, Cooks River... Cooks River, Airport... Airport, Cooks River! Then, Airport, Cooks River and finally M5 home! Oh, hang on, that's 12!!!!
We had used two spots to look at the results, change settings and timings for the next run, and so on... Now, whilst 'happy' with the results, another car, with softer suspension than mine (also a longer wheelbase as well) would be better to remove the vibration that's evident in the photos, but, it was something new, and I had fun at least!!!
The weekend is near, and I can't wait!!! However, I am NOT doing what I should have been doing - driving to Manilla for a friend's daughters 1st birthday (born the same day as me)! So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kloey!!!! Sorry I can not be there, but the 'ole' back just couldn't handle the 5 hour drive I'm afraid...
In following up on the recent trip to both Melbourne and then Hong Kong, we spent a night doing some night photography whilst in Melbourne. The plan was to meet some others in, or near, Fed Square, but when the tram pulled up short, it became evident this would be very difficult. The amount of people there for the event, was HUGE, and the following morning, the news wires were reporting in excess of 300,000 people!! there was a lot to see, too many people to get clear shots of things, but here is a sample of some of the local bits and pieces; enjoy!
Richmond Church Spire
Fed Square and the Eureka Building
Herald Sun Building (and passing traffic)
White Night Melbourne 'ART'
Yarra River and Melbourne CBD
So, what will I be doing over the weekend? Apart from resting the back, I am not really sure at this stage, but I am wanting to try a new 'style' of photography. This will be either tonight OR Saturday night, so stay tuned (if it works, and if it doesn't, forget this post...). Seriously, I will post a photo, even if it is a dismal failure!
Life is SO cruel at times... This last week, I heard of a friends battle with cancer, whilst cancer took a mate from school.
A cold wind will soon blow, and cast a little spell. Causing all of the leaves to turn, and make them look unwell, and then a little few will fall, whilst others rather fell. (not quite a rhym, but close...)
I knew it was love when I first saw her, poor sweet Bronty.
When in Hong Kong last week, it lacked sunshine and blue skies.
A little nap is wonderful in the late afternoon, especially when soaking up the autumnal sunshine!
Steak and Chicken, as is Lamb, are my favorite things to eat for dinner.
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to editing MORE photos from the trip away, tomorrow my plans include removing the Lavender Hedge out the front, and tidying the front garden and Sunday, I want to have a relaxing birthday, as my in-laws are throwing me a BBQ for lunch!
As you know from Wednesdays Post, I have recently been to Hong Kong. In the first couple of days, we did a few 'tourist' type stuff, whilst on the Saturday, it was a day at the Horse Races at Sha Tin; I will post about that tomorrow (I promise) when I have edited those photos tonight!
After arriving late in the afternoon on Thursday, we caught up with my mate there, and we went to dinner that night; a Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui. Dinner was great, we had a few beers, and then retired for the night quite late.
The following morning though, we had decided to go up to "The Peak", even though it was quite hazy! We walked to the Ferry terminal and caught the Star Ferry across to Hong Kong Island. But, this time, instead of catching the tram up, we caught the bus, which took about 40 minutes or so, but it is actually well worth it (not to mention, it saves time waiting for the tram)! On a clear day, it would be much better, as it winds its way around the suburbs of Central Hong Kong, past Happy Valley Racecourse. We saw the 'Ding Ding's', a Double Decker tram, road workers working 'hard', and some pretty amazing architecture.
Aquarius
Star Ferry Crossing Victoria Harbour
Road Works
When we arrived at the top, yep, not much to see, but I still had fun anyways, so we went and had something to eat at Bubba Gumps! Food was ok, just, but it hit the spot.
The Peak
There's Hong Kong (I think)
We then made our way to catch the tram down, which is an experience in itself, as it is steep, and in reverse! We then headed back to the Star Ferry for the trip across the harbour, and then onto some camera lens shopping. A busy day in the end!!
Recently, I went to the Avalon Airshow on the outskirts of Melbourne. We stayed in central Melbourne city itself, and drove out daily for the fly-ins, as we would not actually be there for the show itself. However, I was there on the Trade Day as well, so these photos are a mix of arriving aircraft, display practices, and of the trade day itself... Its interesting to see how 'the other half' commute in some of the photos as well!
"Sunrise over Victoria Harbour" "Sunrise over Victoria Harbour"
I've just returned from a hectic short trip, down to Melbourne and then onto Hong Kong. The weather, typically, in Melbourne went from clear blue sky's and sunny warm conditions, to that of pouring rain and cold, yet in Hong Kong, it was typically hazy. However, on our last day, we woke to the most stunning sunrise coming in over Victoria Harbour!
I will post some more photos tomorrow, mainly some aviation though, of the trip to the Avalon Airshow!
