Well it looks like it is time to get my stuff ready to once again photograph the DGR (Distinguished Gentlemen s Ride) here in Canberra. It is one of those events that is not only a fantastic photo opportunity but you get to see some of the crazy outfits and bikes that I am sure only come out of the shed this one day of the year.
Last year it was filled with lots of dapper and class so I expect this year to be the same. For anyone that wants to come along it starts off at Joes Motorcycle in Fyshwick for breaky and then they head for a casual and gentlemen like ride around town before ending at the Kingston pub where things kind of lose the dapper. lol
If you see me wondering around slinging a camera of two, say hello and I will promise to get your photo. 🙂
I would love to hear what you think of this image?
With the onset of spring and hopefully warmer weather, it’s a great time to go back to process some of the images I captured over the colder months.
This photo was taken as the sun was rising and hitting the Brindabella mountains as seen from my backyard.
The whole week was cold but not quite cold enough to get snow here in Canberra but it was cold enough to keep a good dusting of snow as you can see.
Snowcapped Brindabella mountains
I figured if I can edit this photo I may as well record it so you guys can get to see the process and hopefully it will help you to improve not only a landscape photography but also your post processing.
Of course, if you want to learn more about landscape photography and post-processing keep an eye out for my workshops or send me an email.
You ever get that feeling when you are out on location shooting and your studio lights stop doing that flash and POP thing that you have grown to love????
I have and it’s not a nice feeling especially when you have people standing in front of said studio light waiting for the blinding flash…
Lucky for me (ok ok ok not really luck but more planning as I like to be prepared for just about anything and have a backup plan for my backup plan) I have backup lights so I can swap them out for new ones. 🙂
The trick to this little plan is that you have buy replacement bulbs and when they are 200$ each you tend to put it off for as long as you can. So with the splash of 800$ I now can replace my old bulbs and have some spare as a backup plan. 🙂
All I can say due to the cost of each of these bulbs I am glad they last more than a few shots.
I think it goes without saying that my team and I love gala dinners. 🙂
Once again, we had the opportunity to photograph the state iAwards Gala Dinner and also had the pleasure of photographing the national iAwards and Gala Dinner for AIIA (Australian Information Industry Association) at the MCEC (Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre), which included a daytime conference dedicated to innovation.
National iAwards 2016 — One of the great parts about my job is getting to follow leaders in many industries, and on the odd occasion, grab a photo with them.
2015 was a great event, and this year did not disappoint. If I’m being honest, I think this year was even better. 🙂
I don’t know about you, but where else do you find industry leaders in ICT taking time out of their busy schedules to talk about innovation? I must add, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the major supporter again this year was the Victorian Government. Too bad the rest of the country doesn’t follow their lead and start developing real plans to expand our ICT capability through innovation.
National iAwards 2016 — The other two members of our team taking people’s photos before the Gala Dinner.
My team’s day started at 8 a.m. when we packed our gear and headed over to the MCEC from our hotel room — which, I must admit, wasn’t far. We stayed at the Hilton, which is effectively part of the same building as the MCEC, so it was just a short elevator ride down to level one. 🙂
National iAwards 2016
This year we decided to do things a little differently. Instead of processing all the images after the event, one of the team handled post-processing on-site so the iAwards organisers could use images for social media. Meanwhile, my other photographer and I covered different areas of the event. In general, it worked really well — images came from the photographers and flowed smoothly through post with very few issues, which was great.
National iAwards 2016 — Me photographing the handing out of the awards.
As the day moved through the conference, VIP lunches, and into the Gala Dinner, my team and I took a moment to reflect on the day so far. I think it’s fair to say we were having a blast, and the information shared with attendees was outstanding. We all walked away with a new appreciation for innovation and some of the amazing things happening in the ICT industry across the nation. Very, very cool.
National iAwards 2016 — Do you think they have enough screens?
The break in the event also meant it was time to set up the portable studio against the media wall before the crowds flocked in. We were located in the reception and pre-gala drinks area, which was great because it attracted plenty of people to have their photos taken. 🙂
Last year we had David Huey (“Hueys”) as the MC; this year it was a pleasure photographing Shane Jacobson (www.shanejacobson.com.au) — aka Kenny, *The Dunny Man*. Without sounding biased, I can say he’s a great bloke. Not only did I photograph him on stage, but I also followed him around, chatting and watching how he interacted with guests. He was more than willing and open to make everyone feel at home, and super accommodating to my photographic needs — one of which was taking a selfie with me. 😉
National iAwards 2016 — Get down low and go, go, go!
The night went off without a hitch… oh, except for one thing! When it came to the pointy end of the evening, we discovered that the winner of the $50,000 prize money had already left because she had a 6 a.m. flight. Hahahaha! Someone in the audience had her number, so Shane tried to get her on the phone to let her know… but no answer.
National iAwards 2016 — The team.
Talking with Shane afterwards, we were both bummed that the winner didn’t answer — it would’ve been a hoot to get her on the phone and add to what was already a very entertaining night. Oh well! They eventually got in touch with her, and she came back later for her official photos.
National iAwards 2016
We wrapped up a little after midnight and went back to the hotel room to process the media photos for the 6 a.m. deadline. Thanks to the post-processing we’d done during the day, it only took me until 4 a.m., saving many hours of work.
National iAwards 2016 — Having a bit of fun with Shane Jacobson while a video played in the background.
After what turned out to be a 20-hour day, it was finally time to hit the sack and wake up early to pack and head home. My other photographer had a 6 a.m. flight, so I said goodbye to him at 3 a.m. so he could get to the airport. 🙂
National iAwards 2016 — Packed house and wow, what a room and setup!
Let’s bring on the after party… hahahaha!
National iAwards 2016
I have to admit, the lighting and the intensity of those lights were fantastic. They added so much atmosphere to the room, and for a space that large, it was a mighty feat to make them so effective without fogging out the entire area.
National iAwards 2016 — After party band.
At the end of all that, it was time for a nap — and that, my friends, is a day in the life of a corporate conference and gala event photographer. 🙂
Tonight my team and I sit looking over the heart of Melbourne and admire the view from our room while we chat about what tomorrow will bring and our plan of attack.
For tomorrow we are going to photograph the national iAwards convention and the following Gala event at the Convention Center in Melbourne where they will hand out the national ICT awards to the Australian finalists .
The day for us will start at 8am when we get on location to start setup for the day where we will erect our portable studio to get media shots throughout the day of the convention. We have a full day ahead as we capture the convention and the different rooms and sponsors along with the VIP areas and networking that is the life blood of such an event. The day will finish with us capturing the Gala event where they will hand out the iAwards for this year and close at midnight. We should get back to the hotel room at around 1am where I will have to process the media shots of the day so they are ready for media release by 6am. 🙂
So to say that tomorrow is going to be a big day is kind of an understatement but boy it will be a fantastic and we are all itiching to get into it…. but for now we look out the window and enjoy the quiet before the storm. 🙂
Melbourne iAwards Convention and Gala Event
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