Barrington Focus

Last weekend we visited our favourite camping place at Barrington - Camp Cobark. We took photographer, Glenn McKimmin with us. The purpose of the weekend was to find great photography locations for a photography workshop.... and that we did! There were so many great locations - too many to fit into one workshop! We scampered down the scrub, explored private properties, stood in the middle of rivers, jumped fences, got up at 5am all in the name of art!

Glenn had a great eye for detail and picking a great location - many of which I have driven past many a time and never noticed as a great photo opportunity. It was such a blast taking photos alongside someone of such experience and knowledge - thankfully he is a very patient man.

What are some of the things I learned?

Make sure your alarm doesn't turn off when you place it under your pillow so not too wake the kids at 5am! (I've never bounced out of bed so fast - I was standing in a paddock taking photos - 10 minutes ago I was fast asleep in bed)

Carry a compass in your camera bag - it is very handy to know where the sun will rise or set

Splash the exposed rocks in the river so they aren't so "bright" in your photo

Not all "pretty" locations will make a great shot... there is SO much more to consider - light, back ground, fore ground, lines etc

I'm really looking forward to the workshop we have planned in March. Glenn has a wealth of knowledge and I think we have put together a fantastic itinerary that will ensure every participant will get loads of great shots, heaps of new and relevant hands on experience, tuition and perhaps a touch of exhaustion - but it will be way worth it!!

Sunset - Sunrise

I am really enjoying photography at the moment! It has always given me a huge buzz to take a great shot and over the years the time I've spent enjoying the hobby has dwindled. I've continued to take photos - mainly of the kids, but my real passion has always been landscapes and nature. I completed a course with Ken Duncan earlier this month and well it could be an understatement to say my passion has returned!

In the early years of our marriage Stephen began his love of four wheel driving and camping. I thought it was great because for me it meant taking me to great locations to take photos. The two go great together. It is really quite neat that we can go on the same trip, both love it and get a great buzz for two totally different reasons.

Here are a couple of photos from Mt Oxley, Outback NSW. This was the one rare time Stephen took a photo. I did the sunset and Stephen the sunrise (I was about 8 months pregnant and wasn't getting out of bed early for anything!)

The Joys of Camping - Flies!

In 2004 we took our two small girls to the Flinders Rangers in South Australia. It was the days before the red Patrol and the days before camper trailers. I found the days a little long with constant fatigue and MORNING SICKNESS! The nights were COLD and uncomfortable in a swag. Call me soft, a wimp... whatever you like, but I do LOVE our camper trailers. Thank goodness the days of travelling in our bouncy 4 Runner and sleeping in a swag are long gone!

Enjoy these photos of our Lily as she has become totally oblivious to the flies and enjoyed a juicy, fresh orange.