Author Archives: Brendan Maunder

Cancer Doesn’t Kill Anybody!

The amazing and fantastic thing about cancer is that no one actually cares until it kills a loved one, and then they seem to care.

I would almost think it’s hard to believe in this day and age and certainly, as you get older that you have not met or been touched by someone that  has been lost to this deadly and unforgiving disease. Cancer doesn’t care whether you are black, white, Christian, Muslim, American, male, or female. Cancer will take your life, it will take the life of your loved ones and it will take the life of the people you know. It is unforgiving it is the black plague of our society and kills thousands of people every year.

There are different variations of cancer as we all know and each of these has different degrees of severity and in left untreated, they will all take your life.

Tomorrow is pink ribbon Day, this is a day that brings awareness to breast cancer to encourage people to get checked and also self-check. It is also a day of fundraising which I must say and it should go without saying it is more important now than ever.

Yesterday in Canberra the motorcycle community banded together as they do around the world to support this cause. They gathered at old Parliament house and road to Bungendore while raising much-needed funds along the way. While I didn’t attend this event I have friends which did and I also have friends which are suffering from cancer which also rode in this event and it was great to hear the fun that these people had in banding together to support such a cause.

So if you can do one thing tomorrow bring awareness to breast cancer and in particular pink ribbon Day. Go to work dressed in pink, by a ribbon or just open up a conversation that hopefully will encourage people to get checked.

Help us to reach a goal and fight cancer and help us to kick cancers arse because without your help it will take the life of someone you love.

 

Pink Ribbon Day
Pink Ribbon Day

Strange Birthday Party and Birthday Party Lights.

I must say as an event photographer that gets to also travel where ever the events are, I attend all sorts of parties but yesterday was a first for me.   While it was  a party it wasn’t for anyone but for the 1st birthday of FRoC (Female Riders of Canberra).

These are a bunch of motorcycle riders that just wanted to have a club for the ladies and it was their first birthday yesterday so why not get a portrait photographer to come along and get photos of the ladies with their bikes as a way to celebrate?

So that is what I did. 🙂

This shoot was different, though.  I knew the ladies wanted to get shots with their bikes and I know they would want the best lighting possible and I knew that my largest softbox was only 90cm x 90cm that is great for single or couple shots it isn’t really big enough for things like people and bikes unless I gang a few of them together.

Having done that a heap I wanted to avoid it as it brings in its only problems and as I also want to start to photograph the larger object or using a single light source I bit the bullet and bought a new 190cm Elinchrom Litemotiv and to say it is huge is an understatement.

Elinchrom Litemotiv 190cm used to photograph multiple motorbikes in full midday sun.
Elinchrom Litemotiv 190cm used to photograph multiple motorbikes in full midday sun.

It is fair to say after using it for this shoot and the amount of light and quality that this  pushes out in full midday sun, this is now a valuable part of my portrait and event arsenal.

Throwing my assistant in to be my model while setup the lights.
Throwing my assistant in to be my model while setup the lights.

As you can see from the image above there is very little shadow and it is almost impossible to see any bright patches on the grass from the massive 190cm Octa.  Very nice I must say.

Some more playing with this new softbox is on the card in the coming weeks to see where I can push it, which I will add should be a lot of fun. 🙂

What’s The Time?

Talking with a client today about product photography got me all inspired to whip out the lights and one of my watches for the sole purpose to photograph it and produce this little video for you. So sit back for the next 60 seconds and enjoy the excitement that is post processing a watch. 🙂

Do make sure you watch the video or boy oh boy you will be missing out big time..   hahahahaha  Ok Ok Ok I have almost drawn out all my time/watch jokes but watch this space as I can get one last one in here just in the nick of time.

Quick watch edit
Quick watch edit

RIP Max “Tangles” Walker

Today Australia is morning the lose of an Australian legend – Mr Max “Tangles” Walker.  He was one of our best cricket bowlers in the 1970’s and although I am not really into much sports as an adult, I have fond memories watching cricket as a kid as it not only kept us off the streets but allowed for mate ship and bonds to grow that were and are life long.

Well today he bowled his last ball and is now an umpire in the great cricket pitch in the sky.

He was one of the boys and a real Aussie block even after spending nearly all his life in the spot light in cricket and then TV broadcasting.   He had an infectious smile and a personality made everyone turn their heads when he entered the room.

Cheers to you big fella, may your eternal life be filled with hat tricks and you be surrounded by golden ducks. 🙂

Max "Tangles" Walker and I
Max “Tangles” Walker and I

Boy that was fun….

A day in the sun chasing the riders down that were participating in this years Distinguished Gentleman Ride,  leap frogging them along the route from Fyshwick, up to Black Mountain, then off to the National Arboretum and then for a quick stop into the Governor Generals residence to say a quick hello to his excellency, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd).  I must add what sort of an event photographer would I be if I didn’t let him get a photo with me. 🙂

It was a great turn out with the Canberra ride raising $30,000  – Everyone should be very proud.

His Excellency, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) taking time out to get a photo with your truly.
His Excellency, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) taking time out to get a photo with your truly.

 

Canberra Australia – 25th of September 2016. The distinguished gentleman ride is sponsored by triumph and was held on a sunny day here in Canberra. This is a charity ride, whether riders pay to participate with all funds going to prostate cancer research. It started off in Fyshwick ACT progressed to Black Mountain, National Arboretum and onto the governors generals residence before the riders headed off to the Kingston hotel for Raffles and an afternoon drink.
Riders brief before we leave.

 

Canberra Australia – 25th of September 2016. The distinguished gentleman ride is sponsored by triumph and was held on a sunny day here in Canberra. This is a charity ride, where riders pay to participate with all funds going to prostate cancer research. It started off in Fyshwick ACT progressed to Black Mountain, National Arboretum and onto the governors generals residence before the riders headed off to the Kingston hotel for Raffles and an afternoon drink.
Not sure what the names mean but I feel there is some importance there

 

Government House in Canberra - His Excellency, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd)
Government House in Canberra – His Excellency, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd)

 

Government House in Canberra - His Excellency, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd)
Government House in Canberra – His Excellency, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd)

 

Canberra Australia – 25th of September 2016. The distinguished gentleman ride is sponsored by triumph and was held on a sunny day here in Canberra. This is a charity ride, whether riders pay to participate with all funds going to prostate cancer research. It started off in Fyshwick ACT progressed to Black Mountain, National Arboretum and onto the governors generals residence before the riders headed off to the Kingston hotel for Raffles and an afternoon drink.
Canberra Australia – 25th of September 2016. The distinguished gentleman ride is sponsored by triumph and was held on a sunny day here in Canberra. This is a charity ride, whether riders pay to participate with all funds going to prostate cancer research. It started off in Fyshwick ACT progressed to Black Mountain, National Arboretum and onto the governors generals residence before the riders headed off to the Kingston hotel for Raffles and an afternoon drink.