Goolwa Excursion – Different points of view

from Bruce Nankivell

Hi James,

Not sure I can match these photographs and as it turns out the best ones from my little collections turned out to be pelicans (oh no!).

I have simply attached them as they are, so no work done on them at all.

(Editor – I did some tweeking)

I also put a few words together about my experience (see below) as promised. Hopefully these words are in fitting with your article.

Cheers and thanks again, Bruce

A NEWCOMERS DAY OUT

Arriving with a new camera and lens and as a relatively new member to the club I was both excited but perhaps a little daunted with the possibilities for the day. I mean, here I was with a group of experienced photographers who certainly knew their stuff and had all the “good gear” and then there was me who was pleased to know where the on button was. I could only learn more.

To my absolute delight it turned into a day among not only competent and passionate photographers but also a day where these people happily took OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA me on board and helped in any way they could. They were keen to offer advice and to share their wealth of knowledge and they did just that with great enthusiasm and friendliness. As hoped I did learn much yet at the same time I came to understand that my journey was only just beginning and I somehow sense that this is the type of activity where perhaps you never really stop learning. Something to seriously look forward to.

from Graham Brice

From Ron Hassan

Hi James
I had almost finished writing an email with a bit of body to it to give you a hand in embellishing the Camera Clips. Unfortunately while adding an attachment, something untoward happened and swallowed the lot. So this is the 2nd attempt, with much less enthusiasm unfortunately. But as you want me to say a few words, I’ll make the effort.
Anyway the art hasn’t changed.

I’m sorry to say the tern fishing needed a longer lens and a faster shutter speed, perhaps 1/1000. But the light went dark just prior to the photograph. So I didn’t have that option. So I had to stop down and the lost the speed.
The hawk (Whistling Kite photo above) needed an implement closer to a telescope, rather than the 300mm lens that I had. I cant wait until the 1.4 tele converter finally gets here.

Thankyou for your time
Regards
Ron Hassan

Hi James
I’d like to thankyou very much for leading the group sunday , everyone I spoke to loved it. The new member (Chris?) cant get enough. Its a pity the rest of the day wasn’t as nice as the sunrise and early morning, but its one of the things we can’t control.

I’d like to ask for some advice please regarding this shot. To understand the intention is important, so please bear with me…. So I (the student…me) was listening and watching what and how the more experienced and knowledgeable one, …. and how he goes about things. Its an overview if you like. So the story behind just developed. At that moment, at the same second you decided to “see” your photo, I saw the photo of the teacher showing us how it was done. So I blasted away.

I thought it was important the green light on the back of the camera was on to accentuate the moment. It had to be bright, and to me, it’s that single spot that “makes” the shot.
See anybody else that wasn’t there wouldn’t understand the intention. But how could I have shown that split second better? Please ….. I rattled off a few shots desperately looking for the subject in front of your lens… Alas I couldn’t see it and get you forming your photo at the same time.

Is it a matter of firing and hoping to get what you’d like to see, or is it a case of picturing what you’d like and waiting? Because I used to wait for the moment, and before I knew it the moment was gone. But what I have learnt is that you have to be there to give yourself a chance to take that shot to start with. Sitting back and watching and waiting hasn’t been working. I’d appreciate any advice you could pass on. Thankyou.
Regards
Ron Hassan

Reply:

Black Ducks Flying I wouldn’t take everything I do too seriously Ron. I’m not a Jedi Knight. Regardless I love the poetical way you describe the moment of hesitation waiting for the shot to eventuate. My advice – Just take the shot. Wait when you have to. Take what you see now because it might be gone in a moment.

By comparing the time stamp on your photo with the ones from my camera I can sort of work out what I was concentrating on at that moment: Black Ducks taking to the air.

from Kerry Malec

Hi James

Hope this photo is ok for you. I have not looked up the species of bird as yet. You may know what they are, I know that they are young ones.

Kerry

They are not the young Kerry. – That’s the adult bird. They are only tiny. – They’re born in Russia. They are the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. They migrate from Siberia and spend the Summer in Australia.

James

from Heather Connolly

Royal Spoonbills

Hi, I have no good photos of sandpipers, I think that those near the island are Terek sandpipers, long beak. The others Sharp tailed sandpipers. What do you think? Heather

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