Going Vertical

I have always had a thing for vertical panoramics. I like the way they capture a whole slice of a scene, from the smallest rocks at your feet, to the expanse of the skies above. But there are practical reasons as well. For instance, houses have many long vertical walls ideal for vertical panoramics.

I have tried many, but this is the first one that I think is worth uploading (just). Getting the composition right is strangely difficult, and then there is the problem with stitching. I don't know why, but stitching these little suckers is almost impossible.

The Cloud Makers

The day I captured this shot was eventful. I had been meaning to explore a forest not far from home and it turned out to be an amazing rainforest. The shots from there didn’t really turn out, but I will be heading back.

From the rainforest I had to do a quick dash to the nearest town for fuel, it was completely out of my way but it meant travelling via the Victorian Cloud Makers. Stopping to get some shots, I headed into a paddock. Not being the first paddock I have been in, I was unsurprised to see some cattle coming my way. Usually they are just curious, but these turned out to be angry young bulls - one started to charge, and while bolting to the fence my mind was racing trying to work out how I was going to get over it, with my camera and tripod, safely. The fence was about 50 metres away, and the bull was gaining quickly. But luck was on my side today, and when I was about 10 metres away from the fence, the bull stopped. This shot was taken just before I realised that I needed to get out of there.

The sunset was also worth stopping for, but again the shots didn’t really turn out.

Almost There

It was a great morning, I was not expecting anything special as the cloud cover was heavy, but it cleared just as the sun was rising and turned the sky an amazing red.
I only wish I had the skills to capture it to its fullest. I was too slow, and I was not happy with the location I had chosen. My composition could be greatly improved. Also, I still don’t know how to correctly capture a stitched panoramic. Although I have enough overlap between images, Photoshop could not line up the horizon correctly and the image was curving down.

Before Work

This year, work moved me to a great coastal town in South East Gippsland called Inverloch. The coast is beautiful and because it faces south, it works for sunrises and sunsets. I can now head out in the mornings before work, grab a sunrise and still make it to work on time. Work also put the 44 inch printer in the same office as me. So I can now print at the correct size of 2m wide.

This is one I shot before work. It was a great morning to be out shooting, much better than sitting in an office looking out the window.

Taken at Eagles Nest, between Inverloch and Cape Patterson.

Enjoy.

Painted Trees

I really enjoy looking at this shot. The way the trees look like it’s been painted or drawn.

This one was taken near falls creek. A fire went through the region in 2003 creating a very strange feeling landscape. I went to the alpine area of Victoria over Easter looking for some autumn colours. But I walked away with a black and white, odd how thing rarely go to plan.

This panoramic was taken with the telephoto lens (200mm), it’s a record for me coming in at 110 megapixels. At 100% you can see textures on the tree trunks. I cannot wait to see it printed on something massive, it can easily go 2m wide.

I See Red

The first good sunset I have had in Inverloch. The sky lit up a vivid red, the clouds forming an odd arch shape. Taken at the same location as the previous shot I posted , it really goes to show just how much difference the sky makes. The mood has changed completely. The cold blues are replaced with warm reds. Again this is a big panoramic of 9 images stitched together making it 65 megapixels. Looking forward to seeing this one printed really big.

After Sunset

My wife always complains when I stick around after the sun has set and all the colour has faded away. She keeps saying “You never get a keeper once the sun has set”. Having looked at what I have posted online, it’s hard not to agree with her. Golden hour is the best time for photography, but once the sun has set, the challenge rises. You really need to pay attention to what is happening behind you. Keep an eye out for interesting tones and colour contrast.

The fading light to the West lit up the cliff face, and with the moon rising, it created a brilliant blue sky. What is more, since the sky was darker, I didn’t need any filters to balance the light. But it still had it challenges. This panoramic is a stitch comprising of 9 x 30 second exposures, making the whole shot take over 5 minutes to capture. Shooting from darkest to lightest helped keep the light constant over the 9 shots.