Listening to the Voices in My Head

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.

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.

  Here’s hoping the next one is just as much fun.

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 at 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.

I brought a list of questions to ask about the 5DS and 5dsr... and oddly enough, it's not something I want or need. Nice piece of hardware, but for what I do, not of any use.

Larger megapixel sensor means it’s more sensitive to camera vibration. Since most of what I do isn’t studio, or landscapes or other tripod mounted shots (photographing birds, wildlife, street) tracking erratic flight of birds, if using 5DS/5DSr, it would cause a lot of sensor vibration, and screwed up shots.

Also, I asked "If I want a 50mp shot, I will take 4 photos, import them into layers, align them, blend them.", and he honestly added that I would get the same results, but with studio work, you get that all in one photo. Fair enough, but I don't often do studio work or landscapes.

After asking all the questions I had on my list it comes down to this: The new Canon 5DS and 5DSr are great pieces of hardware. But what I've got now does everything I want and more.

Finally got my hands on the new Canon 11-24. Focuses surprising fast. Only got to use it indoors, though. Will have to hire it to try outdoors.

The 300mm Prime is ok, but I have 100-400. True, it's 'only' an F4, but I am normally shooting at f/8 or above.