Hello and Merry Christmas.
It’s been a busy year but things are about to get even busier. With the hustle and bustle of Christmas right upon us, a move for our gallery at Erina Fair and a year long trip around Australia to start in the New Year there is plenty of work to be done.
If you’re just starting your inevitable search for presents for loved ones then look no further. Our landscape images make ideal present that will last a lifetime. You still have time to order online and for us to deliver right to your door for Christmas.
News
The Big Trip
Early in the New Year Richard and family will be undertaking a trip around the whole of Australia. The Brief: to photograph Australia in all its’ natural beauty. So look out for news of the trip and new images appearing on our website during 2008.
We are moving
Due to Richards commitments during 2008 our gallery will be moving back to it’s original position in the Boardwalk at Erina Fair. We’ll be situated directly in front of Lowes. We’ll also be opening a new gallery on the Central Coast during 2009.
Competition Winners
Congratulations to our latest competition winners;
- Oct 2007: John Sirois, NC, United States
- Sept 2007: Shelly Jones, Charmhaven, NSW, Australia
- Winners Archive
On Location
Again Richards focus has been around Newcastle and the Central Coast. We have 11 new images in our gallery. Take a look;
Tips
Filters: Using Neutral Density Graduated (ND Grad) Filters
Graduated filters are used to even up the exposure in a scene. Typically they are used to hold back (darken) a bright sky in a scene so to balance the exposure of the sky with the foreground.
The filter itself comes in varying different strengths and transitions (see above image). A regularly used ND grad filter would have a density of 3 stops. This means the darker area of the filter will stop 3 times the amount of light reaching the cameras sensor/film than the clear area. The transition from dark to light can be ‘Hard’ (as in the above image), or 'Soft' when the need for a more gradual transition is required.
A filter holder is screwed onto the front of the lens to keep the filters in place although they can be hand held which can be useful when pushed for time or when getting creative. You can even move the filter during exposure if the area you're trying to hold back is of an irregular shape.
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taken without filter
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taken with 3 stop 'Hard Edge' ND Grad filter
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The transition of the filter is placed along the horizon in a scene to even up the exposure in the shot. The same effect can be achieved by taking two shots at different exposures, firstly one to expose for the sky the second to expose for the foreground. These two shots can then be combined in Photoshop (or similar program) to create the final image. Although this is just as valid a way to create your shots I would recommend using filters. Creating the final image in camera will mean less time in front of the computer and more time out shooting.
Useful Websites
Entry level filters
Cokin Filters
Professional quality
Singh-Ray Filters
Lee Filters
Have a great Christmas,
The Team