Lost Through the Lens

Lost Through the Lens is soon to be Lost in Space

2009-12-07T23:15:00.000-08:00

That's right.

For years now I've wanted to take photos of fireworks, on New Years Eve I never had a clear view of them. What do fireworks have to do with Space? Well, the camera settings are similar and it was the beginning of my interests of taking photos of things in the night sky.

A year or two ago I happened to witness a lunar eclipse. I attempted to take photos with my DSLR and 70mm lens, but the photos were of poor quality. The settings were all wrong and 70mm just wasn't long enough.

The next day Flickr.com was spammed with hundreds of lunar eclipse photos. That day my love for astronomy was born...or reignited from my Primary School days.

Not long ago I happened across Dark Atmospheres photography - a website of Roth Ritter's photography. His astronomy photos were spectacular! There were close-ups of the craters on the Moon, the beautiful red nebula and clusters of stars. I was inspired.

I looked up the camera he used and was taken aback by the price of it, but then I found out astrophotography doesn't have cost an arm and a leg. To get some really fantastic photos of the Universe you only need to pay $2000-$3000 on an auto tracking telescope and less than $100 on a camera adapter. Sometimes you don't even need an adapter to take photos. If you've got your own tripod (like I do) just sit your DSLR on that and set it up so the camera lens is near the eyepiece and use Live View as a lovely little shortcut. Mind you, this is a more professional set up.

A novice astrophotography set up just requires a 5"- 8" telescope (that is the amount of light that can enter the telescope - the larger the better) and like photography it needs a large f/stop. In the taking photos on Earth world (especially concert photographers) we like our f stops to be between f/1.2-f/2.0. In astrophotography that kind of f stop is going to be expensive. Something like f/5 or 6 is good enough.

Depending on where you are buying it from the cost of this telescope would be $500-$800. It depends on what you need and the build of the model. That's cheaper than a beginner level SLR and it could get you a nice non-L telephoto lens.

The most important part is your skill with a telescope and the amount of patience you need to get a photo of objects in Space. It can take hours.

I like to compare cameras (DSLRs) to telescopes. It makes it easier to separate the awesome from the crap.

Telescopes can come cheap like digital point and shoot cameras. Similarly to them they don't have the best optics, they may boast a big magnification (much like digital zoom) and their batteries don't last long (if your telescope is an auto tracker it takes 8 AA batteries).

You also got your DSLR range. The best in the camera world are the Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Olympus. In the telescope world it's the Dobsonian, Celestron, SCT and Orion.

I've adopted the idea that the Dobsonian is a Canon EOS of the telescope world. Their L Series is the Dobsonian 12" collapsable auto tracker, and it costs as much. In fact I'd go as far to call it the 5D.

The one I've chosen to buy is a Dobsonian 8" Skywatcher Newtonian Reflector and to me it's a Canon 350D (or a 500D to those new to Canon SLRs).

In 2006 I bought my DSLR. It was 8 megapixels so I compare this to the '8 inches' in my Dosonian. Did I just say 'my'? Oh well. Mega pixels are important in cameras, inches are important in telescopes. Their is also the build of the telescope to consider, just like the build of lenses for cameras. Remember my boasting of the L Series? Imagine if Canon started making L Series telescopes? Oh the weight, oh the creamy colours of the nebula.

But I shall be using my Canon 40D (a step up from a beginner level SLR) to take astrophotographs and later, much much later a 7D.

I've decided to purchase the Dobsonian 8" on March 2nd, 2010 because it's four years to the day I got my Canon 350D. I sure do love patterns!

It's funny, seasoned astronomers buy their telescope kit piece by piece and that's just what I did when I bought my second DSLR. It's cheaper and you get the best out of your equipment. Will the same happen when I purchase a second telescope? Somewhere my mum just screamed.

Another thing astronomers do is build their own telescope. Yeah...we don't do that in the photography world. Could we?

Well now I've got a lot of cash to save, time to wait, and technical astronomy terms to learn. Oh and I really need to make sure which constellation is which.

Note: I'm a noob. In fact a pre-noob, because I'm yet to have my first telescope. So I've probably got a lot of info on telescopes wrong. It's all very confusing. I'll get it eventually. So keep your criticism to yourself, seasoned astronomers.

In other news: I shall be photographing Tim Rogers on friday.

An update that's fit to sing

2009-11-30T19:39:00.000-08:00

Skybombers supporting You Am I, 14th November, Annandale Hotel, Sydney. CREDIT: LTTL

Gosh, I've been busy. First, I went to four of Annandale Hotel's four You Am I shows, including a secret support slot by The Vines that played under the name 'The Crimes'. I also got to meet Craig and Hamish and 3/4 members of You Am I. A plus was meeting a well known photographer named Colin Lucas who said my photos were better than Nic Bezzina (someone I admire very much).

I got ten photos published on the official You Am I site.

I also had my first paid shoot in years - Enspier at Bridge Rd Hotel in Rozelle.

It's not been very easy for me, because I recently found out that my eyes cannot take strobe lights, but hopefully my tinted sunglasses can fix that. Yes, I will wear them inside at a concert if it helps me cope.

The latest good news is that my next international shoot will be AFI; those handsome boys pictured left. Ever since I saw Talitha Conway's photos of them (especially an air shot of Jade Puget) I've wanted to photograph them. A downside is it's the same night as one of my favourite bands Motion City Soundtrack, but I'll be seeing them at Soundwave next year. I'm not sure how much work/begging I'll have to do to get a photopass for the festival. Photographing their sideshows are much more relaxing. Although photos of Faith No More...no no, I made my decision.

Next gig is going to be Tim Roger's doing a tribute to The Rolling Stones at Bridge Rd Hotel in Rozelle next week (I think). Would have loved to photograph JET this friday but I've run out of money. Damn my giving Christmas spirit.

Oh yes, I have been asked to take photos at The International Day For People With a Disability Dinner Dance. It's just local but I feel honored to do it. A few of my photographs will be printed for display on dec 13 to celebrate Disability Awareness Day.

Here are some photos from the latest gigs I've photographed:

YOU AM I, THE VINES and ENSPIER photos:

November is Aus Music Month

2009-11-09T00:42:00.000-08:00

For me it is at least.

Magic Dirt w/ Red Sun Band and Ripping Dylans Nov 6.

Deserters w/ Mink Jaguar Nov 7

You Am I w/ The Laurels Nov12

You Am I w/The Laurels and The Crimes Nov 14

You Am I w/ The Laurels and Royal Headache Nov 15

The Basics at The Factory, Nov 20

Gyroscope at Gaelic Theatre w/ The Salvagers, Nov 21

Enspier at Bridge Hotel, Rozelle, Nov 28

I don't think I've ever filled a month with that many gigs before.

I shot two gigs on the weekend; Magic Dirt and Deserters.

Check out photos at www.fasterlouder.com.au and www.thedwarf.com.au

Poison the Well + Fear Before

2009-10-27T23:37:00.000-07:00

Another gig I wanted to shoot and got to was Poison the Well at Manning Bar, October 23. I was a bit moody so didn't feel like taking social photos like I normally did. It was great to get in front of the barrier again.
I've been a fan of Poison the Well for a few years, nothing really obsessive and I've only heard a few songs by Fear Before. But they were awesome. I thought I'd get head spins from the music for sure (sensory sensitivity) but nothing like that really happened.
Ambrosia and Homewrecker were the two local support bands and they were brilliant. The singer of Homewrecker reminds me of the singer of Takedown. It brought me back to the day where I saw hardcore bands in churches and record stores and had to avoid being knocked over by the lead singer. I'm talking 'bout you Eamon.
Not really much else I'd like to add, so here are some photos:

Upgrade time!

2009-10-18T00:53:00.000-07:00

A few things I'm covering in this post: took photos for a local band called Tzar Bomber, researching new photographic equipment and a little bit about the next band I want to shoot.

Paid gigs are kind of a rare occurrence for me, so I was excited about taking promo and live photos for Nowra band Tzar Bomber. I may be taking some photos for a Kiama band too, and if I haven't scared them away with my inflated price - a band from Sydney that wants me for a few gigs.

I may also be getting a grant for my photography so I may be finally upgrading my equipment. I could just jump in and get a Canon 5D Mark ii with a 70-200mm lens or I could get a camera and a few lenses that will be able to give me the kind of images I need.
The Canon 7D looks promising. Might be 2-3 grand and not full frame though it has a very high ISO, a bigger viewfinder and is 18 megapixels which is 8 times greater than what my 40D is. There only seems to be a bit of noise at 12800 and on my 40D I get noise at 3200.
The lenses I am thinking of purchasing are a Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro, a 20mm f/2.8, and maybe a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS.
I would love the 100mm for up-close photos and to get good drummer shots. I'm doing ok now but once I get into a arena the drummer does get a bit further away.
The 20mm is good for portraits and well wide angle shots.
The 70-200 is an ideal festival lens. It's a must have for any band photographer, and I think it's about time that I got one.
Even the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS could be a great addition to my kit.
I need to think about what I'd use the lenses for more and if I want to get into studio work. So far I'm doing good at live band photography but I'm a novice at promotional photography. And maybe I should upgrade my 430 EX flash. I'm doing a lot of flash work now, so I should just go for the top range. Is it 580? It's probably way higher than that now.

The next gig I'm keen on shooting is Poison the Well and Fear Before, which this friday at Manning Bar. I haven't shot a heavy band like this in a long time. I should be ok as long as I bring out the 1.8 lens.
Anyway, I'm going out tomorrow to purchase the PTW 2 cd set and will cross my fingers that I get approved for the shoot.

Filth Festival photos

2009-10-11T22:36:00.000-07:00

All last week I had been planing just to take photos of After the Fall, then a day before the gig I find out it's a festival that starts at 1pm rather than 8pm. So after a week of working all day I have to get up at 7am on a weekend and catch a train to Sydney.

I was pretty much just there for After the Fall and Calling All Cars but I did enjoy a few other bands at the festival including The Vignettes, Alter Ego Mania, Royal Chant and The Protectors.

I don't really know much about The Filth but I was impressed with the festival that I'd probably go to a few more shows.

On with the photos. I haven't had much time to edit these properly because I'm working so much. I haven't even got time to say who's who in the photos.

Kisschasy

2009-10-03T04:59:00.000-07:00

I've been lucky these last few weeks because I've been getting to shoot gigs that I've planned to. Normally it doesn't all work out this good. There was the White Album concert, Tim Rogers, Angela's Dish, Grinspoon and now Kisschasy.

I've been a big fan of Kisschasy for years, since the United Paper People days. I was never really into them at first because people said they were boring live, so I decided to check them out for myself in 2005 and they were amazing. I got into them more since then. I became more of a fan after Hymns For the Non-Believer was released, shot some gigs then my obsession died down a bit. Their albums got played a lot on my iPod still.

After the single Generation Why on Seizures was released it took some time for me to get used to it. The verses sounded very Green Day and I was still in love with Hymns. After a few listens to the album I got used to this new Kisschasy sound and I think that has to do with the way Darran writes. He's a funny man-boy.

So I shot the Wollongong Uni Bar gig for Faster Louder, which means I have to take out my flash gun for social photos. I was always apprehensive about taking social photos, not because like other band photographers I found it a real bother to take 10-15 social photos, but because I have not had best track record with socialising. Ask my family, friends or teachers what kind of person I am and they're most likely going to say 'quiet, reserved, nice, shy, socially-awkward' etc.

I had problems taking social photos at Grinspoon. A lot of people didn't want their photo taken, so I didn't have the most confidence about going around and asking to take peoples photos. But at the Kisschasy gig people were more willing and so I ask a whole lot more people, and I think I spoke clearly and confidently. Taking social photos for Faster Louder may actually improve my social skills.

Hytest were the opening band, a local Wollongong rock band that always put on a great show. I photographed them a few years back at Waves in Towradgi and I seriously couldn't stop taking photos. They were just so entertaining.

After them Regular John played. I heard a lot about this band but never saw them live before. They were great. I don't know how many more shows I'd go to if they play near me again, but they had some alright tunes and were pretty good to photograph.

Kisschasy were brilliant as always. I think I sang along to every song between taking photos of them. They played a lot of songs from their last album and Seizures, with some UPP in there and an EP song. I got some really great rock shots of them. Definitely need to update my band photography portfolio too.

I met a photographer who was shooting for J Mag. He was cool. We talked cameras and lenses and how bad the lighting was (even though the photos still turned out alright).

Another great gig. Next weekend is my favourite band to hassle After the Fall at Annandale Hotel.

Festival shoots - not for the novice

2009-09-18T21:42:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a lot around the Soundwave Festival forum of people that want photo passes. If they had experience they need not to ask it, so I assume they are new to it.
Sure, at first glance shooting a festival sounds like a fun experience but for me being a punter and a shooter are two completely different experiences. There are things one must know such as the basic rules; three songs no flash, take photos from where security/promoters tell you to, and the unwritten rules of respecting other photographers. If you don't know about 3 songs no flash (which is the amount of time a photographer can shoot a band for) then you really aren't experienced enough for a festival. I found out about 3 songs no flash at Coca Cola Live n' Local 2006, and back then it was really hard for me to get any decent photos in that short time. Now that I'm used to it I can be done in two songs or less.
Respecting security is something I reluctantly do. I don't want to give myself or the comapny I shoot for a bad name. So, suck it up and just do what they say, unless they are in the wrong, e.g at Soundwave Sydney 2008 they wouldn't let us in the photo pit at stage 2 so we had to go find their boss to set it straight. When it came time to take photos of Motion City Soundtrack they still wouldn't let us but Matt Booy came to the rescue.
Don't be a snobbish shooter: move out of the way if another photographer wants to shoot from where you are standing. Do not shove them, but politely say ''cuse me" which I find works quite well. If you accidently bump them or get in their shot say sorry. Manners are very important in the photo pit. At gigs and festivals especially there's a lot of waiting time so take the time to chat with the other photographers and ask who they are shooting for. If you are rude to the other photographers then your reputation is on the line.
Something else that novices may not consider is what equipment to use. At Soundwave 2008 my earlier shots didn't work out that well and I had to play around with my settings a bit. I was using the very heavy but brilliant 24-70m f/2.8 L lens, which is great but when the light gets too low it starts to fail. A 50mm f/1.8 or 1.4 is good for when the light gets low. I did manage to get a few ok photos with my 24-70 at night. Actually for my next festival shoot I might just purchase the 85mm f/1.8. It's a beaut!
Flash photography isn't allowed at festivals but some shooters get away with using a hot shoe flash (not a built in one - never use that at a gig with such spectacular lighting). Even though I'm a non-flash person I do encourage the use of a hot shoe flash if you know how to work it. Using a lens between 1.2-1.8 will get you better results because you'll be able to see the stage lighting a whole lot more.
Another point to consider is your health. Festivals are usually on very hot days and a photographer will have to be on their feet the whole time, with barely any time for lunch and dinner. Make sure you eat something though. I recommend eating well, exercising and lifting weights a few months before you shoot a festival (L glass is very heavy).
A few alcoholic beverages are ok, but if you're shooting for a magazine/website then don't overdo it. If you screw up your shots you may never get the chance to shoot for that company again.
Most importantly make yourself a shooting timetable. What I did was calculate how many minutes I'd get to shoot (10-15) and work out how much time I have to get to the next stage. Organising a break time is very important to.

Deadlines: a deadline for a festival shooter is something like 9am the next morning, or some companies may give you a bit more time, but nothing over 24 hours. I was fortunate to not get one with Bombshellzine but I still sent my photos off a few days later.

So you see not everyone that wants to shoot a festival can. It's stressful, tiring and feels more like work than fun. A punter just has to obey venue rules and pretty much do what they want. Get drunk? Yeah whatever. Getting to shoot can be hard to. Not only do you need a good portfolio and you need to convince your editor that you're reliable but you have to get in before another photographer does. If you haven't heard back in weeks or months don't fret - you will probably hear back a week before the event, or in my case the day of the event. It's a stressful job but the photos are rewarding enough.

I have contacted two comapines to shoot Soundwave 2010 for. If that doesn't work out then I still have two more to contact.

Don't Call This a Comeback

2009-09-18T00:46:00.000-07:00

So, LTTL must be truly back. Just shot a gig for Faster Louder. Mmm, got given a piece of plastic gold (photo pass). I shot the Grinspoon gig at The Factory on thursday night. I never thought I'd ever go and see them, not because I don't like them (I do and have for 8-9 years) but I guess I was just too much into the punk scene to give them a chance.

The two support acts (Bridgemary Kiss and Philadelphia Grand Jury) were great as well. BMK were the typical Brit indie band, even though I'm sure they were just putting the accent on. PGJ were a whole lot of energy. What was weird though was all the between-song-banter was pre-recorded. At first I didn't know who was talking.

I didn't know what Grinspoon would be like live so I watched them on Rove and that was a really tame performance. Then when I saw them perform at their own show I was quite surprised. The first few minutes was a blur to me because all the band members were just moving so fast around the stage. Then I tried to focus and eventually was able to get some good photos. I thought I had only taken photos for two songs when security ushered me out of the photo pit but it turns out the first song was just very short.

I stayed for a few more songs, but I wasn't getting into Grinspoon like I do with other bands so I left. Maybe a few more drinks would have made me stay. I was very glad to be in a bed though, because I had to get up early to buy my Soundwave ticket. So far I know I can at least attend. I'm not sure if I'll get to cover it for any music magazines yet. I would like to.

While I was in Sydney I did a bit more experimenting for the Canon Photo5 contest and I ended up damaging my bokeh hood. I think I've got a final photo that I'll enter into the competition. I like it but I don't think it looks like a winner. Only time will tell.

The next gig is October 3rd and it's either Kisschasy or Wolf & Cub. I hope it's Kisschasy because I've been listening to them a lot. I just want to take it easy and work towards finishing my portfolio for Disability Week and do more for The Pictures street team that I run.

For more Grinspoon photos check FasterLouder.com.au

Canon Photo5 Competition

2009-09-14T00:49:00.000-07:00

So I got my box today, twenty or so minutes after I found out that I have another photo project, but more on that later.

The Canon Photo5 Competition starts with a cardboard box and inside there are 5 different photographic categories. For example there is an action one where you must capture paint splattering, another is a close-up of hundreds and thousands and another involves a person and a pair of spectacles. I'm racking my brains right now trying to figure out how best to present these. It's going to be a lot of fun though.

What I need is a volunteer for the spectacles/ portrait category. If any of my friends want to be involved in that let me know. It'll have to be done in the next couple of weeks. Entries close November 1st.

Tomorrow I'm going to attempt the Bokeh/ experiment category.

The prize is a Canon 5D Mark II, which is perhaps the best model Canon has.

The other news is that I have been chosen to display some live band photos for Disability Week in December. So I have to print out some more images to show Essential Personnel (my job network).

Tight Jeans 'n Slippers

2009-09-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

My taste of music has changed a lot these last couple of years but I'll always have a soft spot for pop punk. The last gig I was at had just a bit of everything I love about pop/punk and post hardcore bands (note: I'm awful with band genres so don't correct me - I'm looking at you Josh).

I went to see and photograph Angela's Dish at Hopetoun Hotel last friday. Angela's Dish are a band I've seen so many times I've lost count. The supports were brilliant too. Mayhem Addition sounded like my favourite Welsh band Funeral For a Friend and Me Vs. You were just one awesome and energetic rock band. I've actually put off seeing them until that night, and I shouldn't have. They were awesome.

I got to the gig early, I'm talkin' I was the only one there not in a band or that worked at the venue. It was all good because I got to watch Angela's Dish soundcheck and had a very long chat with Josh the guitarist and good looks of the band (pictured: left)

I wrote a little review for The Dwarf and here it is:

September 11 is a memorable day for two reasons; one because it is a day of tradegy that changed the worls forever and two because so many bands play on this night in Sydney that it's hard to know what gig to go to.

There was a small crowd Hopetoun Hotel for this reason. The headliners Angela's Dish usually pull a pretty big crowd. Or perhaps they have a large under 18's following or they have suppoerted such international act as Anberlin and 30 Seconds to Mars?

It was their first Sydney show in a year so they decided to be generous and let the first fifty people to contact them on their guestlist.

The opening act was Mayhem Addition from Penrith. The band seemed to be quite influenced by Funeral For a Friend down to guitar riffs and even the lead singers mannerisms. All he needed to do was swing the micropone around a bit and he's have Matt Davies down pat.

They had some catchy songs including Shout My Reply and had a song about the Victoria bushfires called Black Saturday. If you like going to Hot Damn for the bands then you'll like these guys. They are a band that are definitely going to go places.

Me Vs. You were the next band up. They've had a big following for a couple of years, They're an active band on stage with a lead singer that could be an ethic Ian Curtis, a beardered guitar player that loves rock moves and another guitar player with hair that makes him look like cousin It when rocking out on stage.

If their infections rock doesn't get you at least nodding your head along to the beat you must be a narcoleptic.

To end this already superb night was Angela's Dish. All three guitarists had long hair and looked more metal than pop/punk or looked like they were more likely to play Nirvana covers. Singer Mick and bass guitarist Pete looked like identical twins with their hair and same dark shirts. Mick also sported a pair of slippers - how very rock n roll. He was in full form tonight with rock moves and Mick Jagger facial experessions.

They previewed some new songs as well as playing some old favourites including Soft November and On A Sign. There were a few changes in the band including guitarist Josh proving that he's more than a pretty face when he sung lead vocals in some of the songs.

Call them pop/rock, emo, whatever. You can't deny this is a band that knows how to rock out on stage.

Yes, it was a great gig and full of many memories. I met the singer of the first band who gave me a bit of info on his band.

I was actually supposed to be at KRAM. I feel bad for letting down my editor again but there's no way I regret going to Hopetoun Hotel last friday.

You know where to find photos >www.thedwarf.com.au

Tim Rogers @ Heritage Hotel, Bulli

2009-09-10T02:08:00.000-07:00

This was the last gig I shot at, and I'd be mad not to post a photo from it. Last friday, september 4th Tim played at The Heritage Hotel in Bulli (near Wollongong) to an intimate crowd.
I don't know if it's just me making weird comparisons again (see my Darran Coredeux and Dave Larkin comparison) but Tim reminds me of the 1960's left-wing folk singer Phil Ochs; they're both acoustic artists that use witty banter when they play live, except Phil is more about mocking politicians and Tim just makes comments about the crowd, or anything really.
It's probably the closest I'll get to seeing Phil Ochs live so that makes me happy.

Anyway, it was a great gig with a great set list. I don't think I've ever heard Berlin Chair acoustic before - I like it.

More photos can be found at www.thedwarf.com.au

VB RAW test sesh

2009-09-10T01:05:00.000-07:00

I had been waiting about a week for my Canon photo5 Box, so when when the delivery man came to my door with a large box I thought 'yes, finally - can't wait to get started on this beauty.' But then the delivery man said someone sent me some grog. Really? What? Who? Huh? "Well you did something right" he says as he leaves.
It was grog - beer! I had signed up for a taste test of the new VB RAW. I put the bottles in the fridge to get them nice and cold. Then I got some Doritos, opened up a bottle and put on some music. It was a pity my friends were still at work or I would have shared it around.
The beer was great. The lower end of beer for me goes: VB, Tooheys New, Carlton Draught (you know when you're down on your last buck but you want a drink so bad you go for the cheap ones). This is one of those beers I'll probably have as my regular beer (like TED or Coopers). I'd definitely have this during a gig or at a club. I usually hate the aftertaste of beer but it's barely noticeable with VB RAW.
I got a few more bottles left that I just might have on the weekend.

Off topic post? Kinda, but they say they may put a few gigs on. Knowing me I think I told them to put You Am I on.

Re-introductions

2009-09-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

I had a photography blog long ago, but being me with a fabulous memory I forgot both ID and password. The old blog ended with me having a whinge about not getting anywhere in the band photography world, but now I'm back and really I don't care if I never take photos at a festival or inside a massive arena, because I've been there and it ain't that great.

Late last year I had some problems, mainly getting stressed out at gigs. Turns out I have Asperger's syndrome which is a form of autism. It was a lot to deal with at the time, but I'm pretty cool with it now. Going to gigs is still tough especially with my hypersensitivity to sound.

You can read all about it here: http://latedx.wordpress.com

I've been taking photos of a lot of bands this year, nothing compared to a few years back but it's a competitive industry.

Oh yeah, wanted to at least call this blog LTTL but that was taken, so I threw in another of my 345 nicknames.

Stick around, hopefully I'll get to add some photos to this blog soon.