Scattered pieces

Northward Bound

2012-02-14T10:17:00.000+11:00

Shelter

2012-02-09T09:34:00.000+11:00

In October last year I managed to find some motivation to get out of bed early (before sparrows fart) and make my way down to the coast in the hope of a colourful sunrise. The sun did rise (as daylight was present) however due to the cloud cover it was not visible, still this didn't stop photos from being taken, likewise the shelter that was sought each time the rain travelled through.

Damp wait

2012-02-07T09:52:00.001+11:00

Fishing

2012-02-06T09:17:00.000+11:00

I have been EXPOSED!

2012-02-02T18:47:00.000+11:00

Due to some fortunate circumstances of another photographer withdrawing from this months Cnet Australia Exposure feature I got asked if I was interested. If I accepted (and I did) the deadline was one week, and boy was I glad it was a short time frame because if I dwelled upon how nervous I was (and still am) then I wouldn't have done this...http://www.cnet.com.au/exposure-jason-ruth-339330714.htm

Australian Summer 2012

2012-02-01T20:21:00.001+11:00

Yesterday I found myself with a video camera pointed at me, some questions asked, answers given (nervously), and it's to be put together along with some of my feeble attempts of photography, heavily biased towards HDR processing of course....watch this space, link to come.

Bygone Era

2012-01-26T08:19:00.000+11:00

Processing images is about constantly learning and can result in old images being reprocessed, such as this one, with the added touch of Silver Efex Pro for B&W.

Somersby Falls

2012-01-24T09:30:00.000+11:00

Away from multiple exposure image processing to a simple, single exposure of 120seconds (thank you Hoya NDX400 filter).
Now I get to spend the next week sorting, describing, detailing, and the likes for something I will get to tell you about later. It's not much, but I am excited (and nervous) about a step into the unknown.

Trawler

2012-01-23T09:10:00.000+11:00

Buggy

2012-01-20T07:51:00.000+11:00

I made noises yesterday of posting a colour image, so here it is...however I do think it would work really well in mono...

Muddy Waters - MacDonald Valley

2012-01-19T08:52:00.000+11:00

Staying with the B&W/sepia toned images for the moment, however some colour ones will be up next.

Penned

2012-01-16T21:30:00.000+11:00

Still standing

2012-01-14T19:12:00.000+11:00

Into the bush we go...

2012-01-11T20:36:00.000+11:00

after a day at work I would much rather forget (upon leaving, a great desire to never return), I needed to burn of some much unwanted and pent up anger. Thinking that a 6.5km walk along Gibberagong Track will be of some help, if not then it would be some much needed exercise. A camera, too many lenses and a tripod along for the ride.

Fishing?

2012-01-07T10:33:00.000+11:00

Happy Days

2012-01-02T20:30:00.000+11:00

A day spent at home with my better half, going through photos taken from the last few years, digital processing them so that a library of images can be kept on her Christmas present (iPad). Stumbling along through the archives the day finishes not quiet half way through the back catalogue, and what do we find but some images from a F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C holiday we had in PNG, travelling, diving our way from Rabual to Kimbe; special times.

Split

2012-01-02T08:34:00.002+11:00

Split, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

East Seaham, NSW

Sunrise over Mona Vale Ocean Pool

2012-01-01T21:54:00.002+11:00

Mona Vale Pool Sunrise, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

Ye Olde Fence

2012-01-01T20:38:00.003+11:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15930779@N05/6593154245/lightbox/

Bower Pool Ladder

2011-12-28T20:53:00.002+11:00

Bower Pool Ladder, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

So Santa left me some NIK Software under the tree....

Long Reef Basin Panorama

2011-12-11T12:08:00.002+11:00

Long Reef Basin Panorama, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

Sunrise over Long Reef Golf Course

2011-12-10T16:35:00.002+11:00

Sunrise over Long Reef Golf Course, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

Little Shop of Horrors

2011-11-06T22:51:00.003+11:00

Little Shop of Horrors, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

A day out the the Australian Pioneer Village as organised by some fellow photgraphers on the RedBubble website. A top day out.

19-12-2011 Update: Little over a week ago and someone bought a poster of this via RedBubble, cool huh, certainly put a smile on my face. Thank you to whoever you are, I hope you like it.

Narrabeen Lake Sunset

2011-11-06T08:36:00.002+11:00

Narrabeen Lake Sunset, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

Def Leppard at NEC - ROCK ON!!!

2011-10-30T12:35:00.001+11:00

If you had any doubts as to where the band was from...

As a long time fan of the band, last night I was finally able to see the band live for the first time, all thanks to a mate who got 2 tickets for his 40th. Cheers Daz, thank you. DL Rocked!!!

In the Garden

2011-10-29T11:22:00.001+11:00

Alone

2011-09-28T09:11:00.001+10:00

Benched at Long Bay

2011-09-26T20:36:00.001+10:00

Benched at Long Bay, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

Time out on a Monday

North Head Swamp

2011-09-15T19:24:00.001+10:00

North Head Swamp, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

Who knew that there was some swamp, other than the STP, on North Head.

The View...

2011-08-26T11:00:00.000+10:00

More new tunes...

2011-08-24T20:11:00.000+10:00

...but was it necessary. It is a question I have asked myself after I have ripped the two new CD's to the hard drive. But only after I had looked at how many songs have NOT been played since I did my rip for my first iPod/iTunes, back in October 2008.

Before I go any further, let me introduce the latest CD's...

Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet (2007)

Porcupine Tree - Lightbulb Sun (2007 remaster with bonus DVD-A)

Bit of surprise fo me on the second CD as it has a bonus Audio DVD with the music in both 5.1 surround, or 24 bit high resolution stereo. The sound difference was enough to make me sit up.

Now back to those unplayed songs.
Back in October 2008 I ripped all my CD's using iTunes, and through to today the total number of songs is 9,921. Now, nearly 3 years later and still 2,790 songs remain unplayed. Guess it is time to drag out one of the iPods and load it with unplayed songs and make an effort to listen to them. As I do listen to music whilst at work, the plan is to spend at least half of the day listening to this unplayed stuff. Maybe I will rediscover some lost gems.

The View (from the Drivers Seat)

2011-08-23T08:39:00.000+10:00

No Apparent Aesthetic Value...

2011-08-17T11:43:00.001+10:00

You just have to read and wonder...CLICK HERE

The Peril is home

2011-08-14T21:05:00.000+10:00

It's been a longgggg day.

Starting out from Home a little before 6am on my brothers SV1000, complete with a new tyre strapped on the bike, I set out for the final stage of the Perils return. Not far from home I met with another rider brave enough to join me.

The plan: ride north straight up the freeway/highway from Sydney to Nabiac, meet my brother here, swap our bikes back and return to our respective homes.

I don't know what most normal people would do under these circumstances, for me it was a opportunity to enjoy those back/secondary roads again. So get to the meeting/swap point as quick as possible and then enjoy the rest of the day. 618km and some 10 hours after starting that is exactly what I did. Even a bit of luck played it's part during the day, with lunch at Singleton at 12:30pm, we watched a storm complete with heavy rains and thunder pass over us. Sitting in the beer garden of the Royal Hotel, under cover, the storm passed us by, wet weather kit remaining on the bikes, packed and not used. The ride completed without a drop of rain on us, it just makes me smile.

Now here I sit at home, 8:54pm, tired, physically and mentally, saddle sore, with the Peril finally back home in it's own garage, 10 months after it left for some open heart surgery. The repairs are not over yet, with steering head bearings needing a replacement and a regulator/rectifier that needs a factory one to replace the after market one in order to not to burn out another stator (something strange about the way the Koreans have done the electrics on the damn thing, but after owning the bike for over 6 years it doesn't come as any surprise). Maybe soon I can get some hassle free travel and enjoyment out of the Peril soon, however one thing I do know is that the Peril has certainly provided me with some adventures, and it's not over yet.....

Tread carefully

2011-08-09T20:32:00.000+10:00

Bra boys live here....

Coastal captures

2011-08-06T08:41:00.000+10:00

Patonga poses II

2011-08-04T20:51:00.000+10:00

Lake Macquarie meanderings - part IV (Fluffy)

2011-08-02T20:21:00.000+10:00

Sidewalk

2011-08-02T05:09:00.000+10:00

Lake Macquarie meanderings - part III

2011-07-26T21:35:00.000+10:00

Lake Macquarie meanderings - part II

2011-07-25T22:08:00.000+10:00

Lake Macquarie meanderings

2011-07-24T22:33:00.000+10:00

The lads hard at it, working against weather and daylight hours.

Patonga poses

2011-07-22T21:29:00.001+10:00

Having only camped here twice, I have become just a bit besotted by this little sea side village and look forward to every chance to get back there....

Porsche 356 - curves

2011-07-21T10:10:00.003+10:00

Porsche 356 - curves, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

Curves, curves, curves

Porsche 356

2011-07-21T10:09:00.002+10:00

Porsche 356, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

It would appear that due to a remake of the garden and the huge pile of mulch in front of the garage meant this classic got the street treatment. Lucky for me.

Day 4 of The Return - the run home

2011-07-20T08:51:00.000+10:00

Tuesday 12th July

After a good nights rest, a bit of a sleep in and a casual morning of getting ready I loaded the Beast. Once loaded, final check of the motel room (yep, got everything) it was time to fire up lumpy, get some go juice and get riding on those country roads...

Getting to grips with a 1000cc V-twin is very different to my little 650cc v-twin. From a throttle response that happens at the merest hint of movement, a seating position that has you feeling like you are sitting on the bike, rather than nestled down and a part of it, and the fact that it is a naked bike, I have no fairing to hide behind when you get it going. Yes it was going to be an interesting day.

First run was to Gloucester and breakfast, some 70km from Taree on the Bucketts Way and those potholes. At first I was hesitant with the bike, but with each passing corner and kilometre you get an increased feel for the way the bike behaves. It wasn't too bad, got to watch out for the odd wallow from the rear suspension mid corner when you find an unintentional bump. Then there is the front of the bike that just isn't as keen on turn in as my Peril (I merely look at the corner, it tips and goes), but as each corner is taken I learn a little more...actually skip the interesting part above, damn if I am not going to enjoy the last day of the ride home, I have HP to play with, I just have to learn how to hang on and not feel like I am going to get blow off (all the while grinning like a school boy that is no longer a v____).

Gloucester: breakfast at Roadies Cafe and a chance to get my cold and numb fingers are a hot mug of coffee...aahhhhhh.

A Rudge at the Roadies Cafe. Sitting next to the opposite wall, further in the Cafe was a Indian, and both of these bikes had been lovingly restored.

A couple of phone calls, one to my brother to ensure him that I hadn't been the Beast, the other to my little lady. Again fuel before continuing as the Beast doesn't have a fuel gauge (???) however the advice that had been parted on me was that a tank was good for 200km, and around 150km (or less) if you are heavy handed on the throttle :-)

From Gloucester it was a pleasant ride down Bucketts Way to Stroud Road (yes that is the town name) and then along to Dungog. On the approach to town a freight train was noticed that was waiting for the correct signal, and much to my disgust it happened before I got over the train line. A sit and wait was in order.

You make up your own mind as to what it represents. There is one on each side of the tank.

After something like a 10minute wait for the train it was go-go-go again. The ride across these roads is not that good as the condition of the roads is appalling, and it would appear to my feeble mind that the RTA has recognised this and opted to do something about it....reducing the speed limit instead of doing repairs. Still this aside I do love the countryside around this area and the way the road is a part of it. Crests, corners, following ridge lines that give you distracting vistas, and every time I travel this way I never tire of it.

Mt Sugarloaf area....again.

At Singleton it was yet another fuel stop (something you do lots of when riding a bike distances), this time also adding a bit of oil into the mix. It was now a little after noon and I was embarking on the last stretch for home, this tank of juice would get me there. However there was a choice to be made, Putty Road or Wollombi Road, or would it be Putty Road to the south part of 10mile section and back again, then Wollombi for home. This was pondered as I rode out of Singleton, but when I got to Wollombi Rd the desire to get home, shower and put the feet up over rode the desire for 10mile. With not having the Peril for the last 8 months and not doing that much riding in the last 12, a lot had changed on Wollombi road, and for the most part for the better. The part that wasn't an improvement is the RTA's love of decreasing speed limits, something that if they keep this up then a horse will become the best means of travel to ensure we don't exceed them and their nanny state mentality.

Anyway I digress. Once off Wollombi Road, onto Peats Ridge Road and then the old road to get me home, and did I enjoy the old road on a bike with a bigger set of b___s. Then it was over, I was home, still with that school boy smile I had from the start of the day. However it was tinged with a hint of disappointment that the Peril had succumbed to the hazards of motoring...bad fuel (and a case of the "shit happens"). Still it's shouldn't be too long before the colour yellow graces my garage once again.

The FIRST candid photograph

2011-07-19T16:03:00.000+10:00

How far does photography go back? Well if this is anything to go by, then candid photography can be dated back to 1839...check it out

Day 3 of The Return

2011-07-19T13:01:00.000+10:00

Monday 11th July

Initial thoughts were to ride from Coffs to Belligen, Armidale, Walcha, Hartys Plains, Comboyne, Wingham and finishing at Taree. Then a cold front travelled through NSW that had minus temperatures overnight in places like Armidale and Walcha, which had me nervous of black ice and rethinking my travels. Yet I woke on Monday morning to weather reports of a minimum temp of 1.2 degree C at Armidale Airport which put the original plans back on the agenda. Actually, fuck the agenda, that is the way I was going...

Before being able to leave Coffs the Peril had to get some precious fluids, like some engine/gearbox oil and a new filter. Next stopping at the mechanics to give it a once over and send me on my way. Just south of town was fuel and then it was time to start part one of the run for home.

Avoiding the many new potholes on Waterfall Way, travelling through Belligen to Thora, and onto 10km of the best bit of road in the Coffs area. Cresting the rise at Dorrigo National Park had me grinning like a teenager all over again. This didn't last as by the time I got to the turn near Ebor I was feeling those low temperatures, and by Wollomombi so had my bladder....brrrrr it was cold.

As I rode into Armidale the Peril had made a very good effort to drink the entire contents of it's fuel tank, what with the fuel gauge registering ONLY the red light as I crossed into the 60kph zone of Armidale. Seeing as the first servo I saw was a Woolworths I pressed on following the signs for Tamworth only to discover that the only other servo was a Caltex at Armidale Airport, which is now CLOSED....FUCK!!! Riding with as little throttle as possible it was back to the town centre, looking, looking, looking, for a servo, then deciding that I couldn't chance it any further it was to be Woolworths. This may have be a decision that I regret later.

Fuelled, it was time to go, Uralla and Thunderbolts Way:

I am facing the wrong direction as I had just ridden down through those lovely sweeping bends. It was a sight in my mirror that made me stop, seeing that ribbon of glossy black, twisting it's way north.


The rolling plains of Uralla-Walcha.

From Uralla, to another fuel stop at Walcha (at a place I have fuelled at many times before with no problems), then to Eastward bound and down those hills of the Oxley Highway.

The moon

Then some 60km from Walcha a small gurgle, down a gear and into the bends through the Cotton-Bimbang National Park, all +40km worth of it. BIG SMILES. About halfway through these bends the air temperature started to ride and I gained some feeling in my fingers and toes. Dropping through the last of the real twisty stuff at Mt Seaview I cooled my enthusiasm and pottered my way into Long Flats. Again fuel (and another place I have had several tanks from with no problems) and with barely a pause back onto the Oxley. Leaving Long Flats I open the taps for some bends only to get a nasty shock at 5500rpm with the Peril not firing smoothly at all. Staying out of these revs I decide to continue, all the while thinking, is it electrical? is it fuel? WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG?

At this point the smart thing would have been to ride to Wauchope and the bike shop there, but I am not known for always doing the smart things, nope, it was to Comboyne, through the hills, +20km of dirt road to Wingham, and to Taree. Reaching Taree started the search for a Repco, Super Cheap, fuck, any automotive parts shop. I did find Super Cheap, and if it was going pear shaped from here at least there was a motel next door.

Buying a new fuel filter, putting it on, start the bike, it ran, slowed, give it a rev, cleared it's throat before stopping. Try to start again...no luck. Call my brother back in Coffs, and with a heart of gold he tells me to stay put, he will load his bike onto the work ute, drive to Taree when he finishes, swap bikes and take the Peril back to Coffs...CHAMPION!!!

Putting my feeble few belongings back into the travel bag I walk to the motel next door and get a room for the night, then once the bag is in the room it was time to retrieve the bike and push it.

A little less than 3 hours later the replacement bike arrives, it's unloaded, the Peril loaded, instructions on the Beasts idiosyncrasies were detailed and then Little Bro poured himself back into the ute and headed back to Coffs. I will say it again, CHAMPION.

This was not how this trip was supposed to go. The Peril had already done a 2,000km shake down in case anything should go wrong. So the Peril sits back in Coffs, with a high probability that bad fuel has killed the spark plugs, left water and whatever other shit in the carbies, and a bike that will not run. Watch this space for when I do know what caused the problems.

One long day over, it was time for a good nights sleep, Sydney beckons tomorrow.

Day 2 of The Return

2011-07-15T08:15:00.001+10:00

Sunday 10th July

The plan: ride south back to Coffs, over Mt Tambourine, Hinze Raceway, through Nimbin and as many other roads that we hadn't used the day before.

The roads travelled looked a little something like this map.

Starting the day off with a ride up to the top of Mt Coot-tha for a breakfast with a view was a very pleasant. From here it was then south down some boring freeway out of Brisbane, bidding our Brisbane based friend farewell and being reduced to two riders. Route No.92 couldn't come soon enough to get our rubber onto roads that are more interesting. A quick fuel stop at Beenleigh, then we head for the hills, Mt Tambourine, across the top and down a road I have learnt is called the Goat Track (no, not the Pacific Highway) and in to Canungra.

Here it was time to check maps for where we wanted to go next, first to Beechmont, then with that little loop down it was south again for the border, via the Nerang-Murwillambah Rd.

Brisbane as seen from Mt Coot-tha

Gen 3 V8 (5.7l / 350ci) engine powered trike as seen at Canungra

Once over the border another chance of new roads was taken, travelling via Tyalgum, the back towards Murwillambah but on the outskirts of town. Now heading west on Kyogle Road, but not for Kyogle, we got distracted by the smells of Nimbin. For me I am sure the road into Nimbin and out to Lismore is left in the condition it is in in order to deter you from wanting to take the drive/ride. It is a terrible piece of road, so much so that some of the local artists have made works of art of the holes in the road. The art has been done in such a way that it is advantageous to motorcyclists as there is arrows leading towards the holes, thus allowing a rider to take the right line to avoid. Very clever I thought.

Lismore was stopped at again for fuel for man and machine, and again the maps were referred to so that we could try different roads again. Some of the roads such as the Swan Bay - New Italy Rd became dirt, but all that did was slow the riding, not stop it.

Back on the Pacific Highway once more....

...had the boredom setting in until Tyndale, then we didn't see the Pacific until south of Grafton and the last leg of the days journey to Coffs.

Once at Coffs the Peril was put on a stand and the oil used to run the Motor/gearbox in was drained overnight all in preparation for some Mobil 1, and a new filter. For me it was a well earned rest, a good nights sleep before making a 2 day run for home & Sydney :-(

The return to 2 wheels begins - Day 1

2011-07-13T09:01:00.001+10:00

Starting off a 4 day weekend with an early finish to work on a Friday is a great way to get started.

One of my work colleagues was kind enough to drop me off at the airport. Departing Sydney at 2:45pm, it was clear, blue skies all the way, arriving in Coffs at 3:50pm. Once my brother had picked me up from the airport the first stop was to the mechanic and to sort out the $ side of things, then it was off to Mum and Dads to check on the Yellow Beast. My brother and father had been kind enough to do some riding of the Peril and the rebuilt engine/gearbox already had about 1,000km put on it. A quick blat around the block and any apprehension of how I would feel was instantly dismissed, I was back, so was the Peril and it felt RIGHT.

The Peril was parked for the night, it was time to say hello to the oldies and to await for another Rider who had travelled down from Brisbane, also doing the early get away from work.

Saturday, 9 July
The time had come to put some mileage on Man and Machine, Brisbane here we come.

The roads travelled

As I haven't travelled that many roads north, neither had our Brisbane friend, the duty of choosing the roads to travel was left to my brother. No choice to start, we had to get to Grafton and the Pacific Hwy was it (BORING)!!! Once at Grafton it was the first of many fuel stops for the day.

Fina, the Beast and the Peril, fuelled and ready to continue

From here it was out first chance to break with the Pacific Highway, travelling north on the west side of the Clarence River, secondary roads lined with Sugar Cane on either side, breaking through for the occasional view of the mighty Clarence. Then at Lawrence it was a chance to cross the river, Ferry style.

The Peril, Clarence River at the town of Lawrence

The Peril and the General Store and Post Office at Lawrence

Ferry time and a chance to clown about

Now back on the east side of the Clarence, the next town was Maclean and another tourist stop of the local lookout.

Maclean Lookout, complete with a Clarence River and Pacific Ocean back drop

Back on the road we had to cope with the boredom of the Pacific Hwy (again) to Woodburn as the option of other roads is very thin. Once at Woodburn it was back roads to Lismore, this time fuel for both bike and the riders. Fed and fuelled we made our way north, and west to find Lions Road and into Queensland through the Border Ranges National Park. This got us to Rathdowney, and continuing on the roads that are not the most direct, we rode to Boonah (fuel), Ipswich, through Colleges Crossing (where we got to see the Brisbane River not in flood, but witnessed just how high it got) and then to our overnight stop Indooroopilly.

Somewhere on Highway 91 (NSW)

Lions Road and the Queensland border...check out those hills in the background :-)

Colleges Crossing. Where the bikes are would have been underwater during the Brisbane Floods. In front of the bike at the front is a post that is leaning, that is a flood marker that tops out at 12metres, the floods got to 14m here.

4 Days, 2 Wheels

2011-07-12T16:26:00.000+10:00

Home again on two wheels, but the adventure is far from over. The two wheels that saw me home are not my own as a gremlin has struck the Peril and it is back in Coffs awaiting a diagnosis.

Up up and away.....bye-bye Sydney, Coffs Harbour here I come

So watch this space as I download images and GPS info to my PC and then piece together a 4 day misadventure (well not really but it sounds more interesting).

If it can capture an image....

2011-06-23T08:15:00.001+10:00

...then the images it captures can be used for an exhibit. If you doubt this and think that you must have a DSLR then you are mistaken. Follow this link and you will see that award-winning street photographer, Misho Baranovica uses an iPhone for his latest exhibition.

Sitting in a cafe yesterday morning, killing time, drinking a coffee with a wandering mind (and yes listening to music using an iPhone) I decided to put it to the above test of simple, small and discrete...

an easy test with this person sitting on the far side of the cafe and not even looking my direction. Now I know she is a person of slight stature, but how she managed to sit on these chairs in a lotus position had me stumped.

a tougher test, sitting at the table next to mine and he didn't even know...cool. I think that I did interfere with this blokes morning routine by sitting at his table. I was sitting at a table in the corner as far from everybody else as possible, this man could have chosen many other tables thus leaving space around each of us, but no he had to sit as close as possible to his usual table....how dare I interrupt his routine.

I will admit that my images are NOT even remotely in the same league of Misho (dreams are free), however Misho, through his images provides us with an insight as to what is possible.

another video link...

2011-06-20T11:21:00.000+10:00

...but this one is pretty cool. Have you a Digital SLR with an image stabilised lens? Have you ever wondered what is happening in that lens when the IS is on? Then watch this....http://vimeo.com/25219345

a little from then, some from now

2011-06-17T17:11:00.000+10:00

Three more CD's today, one from then and two from now, old rock, new rock and some gentle crooning.

Old Rock...Queen from 1973 to 1976

D.R.U.G.S (Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows) - their latest and sounding a little like "The Used", for me that not a bad thing in this case.

City and Colour; a side project of Dallas Green of Alexisonfire, and very different to Alexis. It's gentle, acoustic guitar, actual singing (Dallas can sing too) and thoroughly enjoyable.

Saturday morning and a sunrise

2011-06-06T20:20:00.000+10:00

A lazy Friday evening sees me at the computer (again), online (again) and thinking about what to do for the weekend. As the skies were showing signs that Saturday morning may be just right for one of those early starts, I was checking possible new locations. There was lots of possibilities yet I decided that navigating my way through the unknown was not a prudent thing to be doing, especially in the dark armed with camera equipment in an environment known for being very intolerant of those that don't show respect, e.g. THE OCEAN. Anyways I decide that a some dawn/sunrise photos would be a good start to the weekend proper.

Awaking in the dark, over an hour before first light, I ventured north of home and headed for Umina. Travelling along the F3 I witnessed (and cursed) the days first light, and then hoped that I wouldn't be too late. Well I wasn't and this is some of what I got....

at 6:30am

at 6:43am

at 6:54am

at 7:03am - Sunrise

at 7:07am

at 7:15am

at 7:43am

Painting a target on oneself.....again.

2011-06-06T13:21:00.000+10:00

Yet another day at the weekly grind, and yet another email from our illustrious leader. This time advising on staff changing positions, along with a direction to one member of staff to defrost the fridge in the conference room. Nothing of note you say, till you realise that the defrosting of the fridge is to occur on Monday the 13th of June, a public holiday (Queens Birthday). Not one to pass an opportunity (good or bad) I had to reply, and to everyone on that list too. Here is my response:

I know that the “Good ‘Ol Days” of half day Fridays are long gone (I shed tears every week), however having a member of staff (that is probably paid a salary) come to work on a Public Holiday to defrost a fridge is starting to set a very dangerous new precedent….

Now let me hide beneath my desk while the proverbial hits the fan……SPLAT!!!

So far no response yet from the Executive Director, however the General Manager did walk over to my desk, complete with large grin and call me a smart arse.

A Great BIG Camera

2011-05-31T12:16:00.000+10:00

You have to admire people who have the drive to see through a project like this...http://darrensgreatbigcamera.com/.

He does mention that there is some failures he goes through to get an image, but I reckon that when he gets it right, then the end result would be truly impressive.

Also whilst on the technologies of photographic yesteryear there is a group known as the Impossible Project based in the US of A. They have a range of Polaroid film that they have developed, so if you have one of those Polaroid cameras still around then don't throw it away just yet. I will admit that the film isn't the cheapest thing around but for those artists still wanting to use this medium they will find the means. Heaven forbid it even got my attention and I love the look of the Spectra 1200 camera...
http://www.cnet.com.au/the-impossible-project-lands-in-australia-339315872.htm

A moment in time - 360degree

2011-05-18T08:17:00.000+10:00

Wembley Stadium, Manchester City versus Stoke City and Jeffrey Martin from 360 Cities.net

WOW.....

How I learnt of the image... http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/05/360-degree-10-gigapixel-view-from-inside-a-stadium/

Where to find the image... http://wembley360.wembleystadium.com/

How it was done... http://wembley360.wembleystadium.com/HowWeDidIt.htm

On the last one read through and check out the details on the computer used to process and stitch the images.....BIG WOW!!!

Afternoon stroll

2011-05-16T17:22:00.000+10:00

Harriette meets Josie

Sometimes you can wonder at how much people really know the city that they live in. Yesterday after saying hello to the newest addition to the Greenwood/Foreman clans, the little lady and I were not in a hurry to go home as it was a gorgeous sunny autumn day. With no idea of what to do, or even where to go when we left RNS I just turned off the main road we were on and started to drive slowly around the neighbourhoods of Northwood and Longueville. Every so often we would stop, get out and have a bit of a walk/look-see, which in doing so we stumbled across Warraroon Reserve, Hodgson Park and Tambourine Bay. What a picturesque area that was so quiet that at times I had to remind myself that we were only 6kms (as the crow flies) from Sydney CBD. The only time that this illusion was shattered was when someone decided that their lawns needed mowing. This area forms part of the Harbour Circle Walk, of which you can download information about from here. Check it out for yourself and enjoy another side of Sydney.

Off the beaten path?

Filtered

2011-05-12T09:50:00.000+10:00

Smokers = Litter Bugs

A little bit of honesty here from me. Over 10 years ago when I used to smoke cigerettes I too was guilty of doing this. It gets mentioned over and over again, hindsight!

Between the lines

2011-04-28T21:34:00.001+10:00

...grey-crete

2011-04-20T08:51:00.001+10:00

Back cataloguing

2011-04-18T15:01:00.000+10:00

With the re-ripping of the CD collection now underway I am finding stuff I haven't listened to in quiet a while, along with music that hasn't made it onto the iPhone (reckon the 32Gb one will be a good size next time around). At the same time I was reminded of albums on vinyl that hadn't been bought on CD, so a little wander to the shops on Saturday returning with 2 x CD's......

Pink Floyd - Animals

I have no doubt that there will be a few more of these purchases made during this process and it will be interesting to see what else is added.

Music, What bit rate for me?

2011-04-14T18:25:00.000+10:00

Having indulged in some new toys for the ears (Shure SE425 in-ear-headphones, or canalphones as some call them and a Headphone Amp from Firestone Audio Fireye Mini) I figured it was time to work out what was the best compromise bit rate to rip my music collection at. First step was to choose some songs, each one different to the other.
Before I go any further I will mention I AM NOT AN AUDIOPHILE, I am just an average person who enjoys music and can appreciate good sounding audio equipment.
The songs: 2 from Tool, one from the album Aenima (Forty Six and Two) and one from 10,000 days (Right in two). The other song was from Metallica, album; Death Magnetic and the song was All Nightmare Long.
The bit rates: 160kbps (VBR, variable bit rate), 320kbps (VBR) and Apple Lossless.
Software: Windows 7 64 bit and iTunes
PC: Gigabyte P35-DS3P Motherboard with Intel Core 2 Quad Core Q6600@2.4GHz, 5Gb DDR2 RAM
Now with that sorted, songs ripped and now transferred to the iPhone (3GS), it was time to plug in, close my eyes and listen. Listen, skip forward, listen, skip back, listen, skip forward, and on it went. Volume quiet, volume at a mid level and of course fairly loud.

Conclusion: I could hear a difference between 160kbps and 320kbps, but I didn't notice any difference between the 320kbps and the Apple Lossless format. For me it wasn't huge differences, what was noticeable in the 320kbps and lossless formats was that some of the notes became more defined, where you could pick out sounds/notes that become a little blurred with the rest of the music in the lower bit rates. What I did notice more was in the lower frequencies, such as the bass guitar, having a fuller sound, clearly more defined, to my ears anyway.
So what did I do?
Nothing yet, but I am going to re-rip my music collection to 256kbps (VBR) as a compromise between sound quality and space usage. The thought of this doesn't excatly have me jumping for joy as it will involve some +700 CD's, a large amount of time and a reduction in the number of songs I can load onto a 16Gb iPhone.

Escaped

2011-04-11T19:49:00.000+10:00

Today I left the house for the second time in 6 days. On Saturday it was a walk to the shops for medicinal purposes. However today it was more than a walk, it was a drive, a drive to work :-( still it is another step on the long path to fully recovered vision.

House bound and over it

2011-04-10T09:58:00.000+10:00

Finding that I can cope with short periods of being at the PC (so yep, back to work tomorrow) here is a little something I worked on.

I look forward to when my left eye is no longer in "soft focus" mode.

Vision impaired

2011-04-07T17:41:00.000+10:00

A short note as I am really struggling with using a PC. It's back and it is the left eye this time, iritis that is. The specialist tells me it is only a mild bout, but two days after seeing him (pun intended) it doesn't feel this way. Essentially trapped indoors, lights off, no TV, no PC, only music and a wandering mind. Not exactly how you want to take a week off work :(

Lifting fog over Sydney

2011-03-31T09:22:00.002+11:00

Lifting fog over Sydney, a photo by scatrd on Flickr.

Looking out the window of a waiting room in a medical clinic....WHAT A VIEW

A forced change of perspective

2011-03-30T20:23:00.000+11:00

Recently I had to suffer getting another year older and another step further into my 40's I did receive a new lens for the photography kit. This time it is my very first fixed focal length lens, a Nikon 50mm f/1.8d. It is interesting to use as I do love how fast it is, the ability to have a very short depth of field which has been something of an issue on the lens I own and the fact the camera I use has a APS-C sensor resulting in an increased DOF. One of things I am loving is that it makes me look at my surroundings in a different perspective and these are some of the results to date.

School yard steps

School yard bench and ball

Old feet

2011-03-23T20:06:00.000+11:00

My Two Feet, 41 years old

Photographers and the thin line

2011-03-22T08:43:00.000+11:00

Recently I have gotten myself along to a couple of exhibitions only for it to leave me feeling cold about photography.

After the most recent exhibition that was a attended I had the pleasure of having dinner with my inlaws, two people whose opinion I value greatly about photography and it's place in the world as art. During dinner I voiced some thoughts about these exhibitions and those behind them and it went a little like this.

At the end of the exhibition I bought a memento of having attended and in the middle of this memento is an essay, which I could only bring myself to read the first paragraph. If you can read beyond that, then hats off to you as I felt it resembled something like the aftermath of eating bad food, but in words.

The other thoughts/statements made to the inlaws was that the only difference between a photographer of note and someone who owns a camera is their social circle, and that the difference between happy snap and art is again who took it and the social circle in which they mingle. From this I now know I will never be a photographer of renown, nor will it ever be a full time career as the people that can make or break you are ones I would enjoy the simple please of snotting them one straight and square on the nose.

I do question why a photo cannot simply be just that, a photo, just a simple statement of "this is the world through my eyes and what I am seeing" without all the bullshit. So often you read descriptions that others (people other than the person who took the photo/image) attach to an image, yet I read this and wonder what the photographer was thinking when they took it, their real motivation for taking the image.

I even question why I have taken up photography, sometimes I have no answer (and this will result in periods of being uninspired) yet the one thing that does stand out is that it makes me pay greater attention to the world around me instead of rushing past it (yes the old cliche of stopping to smell the roses is very apt).

2011-03-21T20:49:00.000+11:00

Commute (Wednesday 16th March)

My Two Feet (Thursday 17th March)

Commute (Thursday 17th March)

2011-03-18T18:46:00.000+11:00

Commute

My Two Feet

A must see....

2011-03-17T09:58:00.000+11:00

at the NSW Art Gallery is one of the current exhibitions "Photography and Place" and is one that I do plan on going to have a little looksee at. It started yesterday (16th March) and runs until the 29th May 2011. If you need any further incentive, it's FREE!

2011-03-17T09:30:00.001+11:00


Commute (Here comes the sun and I am on my way to work. I so hate getting up for work in the dark)

My Two Feet
(I actually got out of the office at some stage during the day)

A little bushwalk

2011-03-16T10:06:00.000+11:00

From the website www.wildwalks.com.au

Time to get off the street and into the bush

This makes me question who had it right?

Where the Blue Gum Walk starts and finishes

and here in the bush you get the pleasure (NOT) of seeing territorial markings. Oh sorry they are just the tags of teenagers saying they were here (dickheads)

(Not to forget) My Two Feet

Another sterling display of delinquent behaviour. I will admit to admiring the effort they would have gone to to get this here, however rubbish is rubbish and it doesn't belong in the bush.

2011-03-15T10:10:00.000+11:00

Commute

My Two Feet

2011-03-12T20:06:00.000+11:00

Commute

My Two Feet

Wednesday Wanderings

2011-03-11T08:44:00.000+11:00

Commute

My Two Feet

Trigger Happy Tuesday

2011-03-10T09:14:00.000+11:00

Commute

My Two Feet

Split

2011-03-09T09:05:00.002+11:00

My Two Feet

Wanderings

2011-03-08T13:02:00.000+11:00

My Two Feet

Blended days

2011-03-07T07:49:00.000+11:00

From Thursday the 3rd of March;

Commute


My Two Feet

From Friday the 4th of March;

Commute

My Two Feet

Hump Day

2011-03-04T12:38:00.000+11:00

Commute

It's Tuesday

2011-03-03T11:40:00.000+11:00

Commute

My Two Feet

(sing it with me)...On the road again...

2011-03-02T11:43:00.001+11:00

With the Mother inlaws impending birthday fast approaching it was decided that this year we (missus and her parents) would going away for a weekend of camping. As my Father-inlaw and I researched possible locations, discussions were had as to where, how far away, etc. In doing this I created a map on Google Maps with locations of camping sites I knew of, had been to, etc, and in doing this there was some sites I had previously seen mention of on the NSW State Forests website (Dept of Primary Industries). As the details were sketchy at best and being the missus works Saturday on most weekends I decided to do a recce (??) up to Dungog and it's surrounds, home again in one day.
The day started with the little lady and I leaving at the same time, one to work, one to explore, and explore I did. What a day out! I found the campsites mentioned, covered a few kilometers of dirt road driving, and a little more helping out some pimply nosed teenagers who had broken down on the Allyn River Road. Then finally making my way home to get there at 6:30pm, from a 7:30am start, 11 hours of mostly driving, the odd stop for food, personal hygiene and of course the odd pic or two. Encountered a few drivers that felt that a unmarked (no lane markings) road meant that they were entitled to use all of it. But oh what a day out, a couple of great spots, most very popular, a couple not so and some great scenery to boot. Next step is to return for more than a blo-through.

Then and now....II

2011-02-09T20:48:00.001+11:00

My first attempt at processing of this image, well 5 images (-2, -1, 0, 1 and 2ev)...

Tonight I continued flicking through older images and I didn't like how dark and brittle the foreground of the image was, so a re-processing was in order...

I personally am much happier with the second round of processing of this image, though I did experiment with the first image as a mono and that actually worked Guess there is a place for both of them depending upon what you are looking for in your image, or what you remember seeing when you took it.

Here is the mono...

Then and now....

2011-02-08T18:18:00.000+11:00

So here goes.......

This is an image taken back in April last year (2010) and processed in that same month. I was never too happy with which probably goes a long way to explaining why it never saw the light of day, until now (and now I know why I wasn't too keen on it surfacing either).

It's a bit of a shocker.

Now for whatever reason I was going through my old images seeing what I had, from the originals to unfinished processed images. From doing this I found the folder that this image was in, played around with some other images then decided to look at processing this image from it's originals. This time instead of using the full set of 5 bracketed images I used only 3 of them and the -2, -1 and 0ev images at that. Using Photomatix to create a HDR then tone mapping it into a 16 bit tiff file, open with PSE, reduce the noise using noiseware and then do a very subtle curve adjustment. End result.....

I do enjoy using Photomatix and tone mapping a 23-bit HDR image to a 16-bit image (and what you see here is a 8-bit jpeg lowres version) however these days I do find myself cringing at the toxic saturations the tone mapping can create, and yes I too was guilty of it, however these days there are attempts to avoid going back there.

Of Mice and Men,,,,

2011-02-08T08:10:00.000+11:00

The best laid schemes of mice and men

Go oft awry

This pretty much sums up things at present and that is fairly obvious by the fact that my last post was way back in September 2010, 5 months ago. Until the other I have had no inclination to even post anything here, then a couple of days ago I looked at my blog and thought about mentioning a little bit about my photographic journey from what I processed over a year ago and what the results would be today with the way I now process my images. I got as far as re-doing a HDR image I did back in April last year, which now sits on my hard drive as a tiff file awaiting the next stage of final processing. The idea yesterday was that after getting home from work to go through a couple of more images (examples) and then post before/after comparisons but shopping got in the way, along with a couple of calls to Mum (who was feeling very sick and miserable who at least sounded happy by the time we got off the phone). The end result was that none of that happened, hence this post. Who knows, maybe in the next couple of days I may actually get to do what I planned, albeit later than I wanted.

Absence of mind

2010-09-17T11:52:00.002+10:00

From being on holidays for a couple of weeks, now back at work a couple of weeks and getting sick once back at work has left me without the energy to care. As a result I haven't kept this here little blog up to date; rather sad isn't it.

My priority upon returning from holidays was to make sure that all the photos taken were uploaded onto the home system. This was done and then I got distracted into wanting to look at some processed results. In the mean time the happy snaps taken with the pocket point and press have still yet to be uploaded. The end result is that I have dropped the ball in terms of "Daily Snap". It is something I need to get back to as I have barely taken a photo since returning from holidays.

2010-08-08 - 15:42 - Grilled

2010-08-09T20:53:00.003+10:00

Where:
Yarramalong
Why:
An old AEC Matador Crane Truck, now an immobile fixture on a farm paddock. It has been a long time since it last turned a wheel in anger, or for help. Now it is merely a place for cattle to seek some shade either first thing in the morning, or late in the afternoon.

2010-08-07 - 13:10 - (Substitute) Walkway?

2010-08-09T20:51:00.001+10:00

Where:
Sirius Road, Lane Cove West
Why:
Walkway? Yeah Right, more like a bush track that has an appearance that makes you wonder if it goes anywhere (it does).

2010-08-06 - 15:30 - Topless

2010-08-09T20:48:00.003+10:00

Where:
Ryde Road, West Pymble
Why:
Analogue Car for the Analogue Man. NO ABS, NO Power Steering, NO Air Conditioning, just an old school classic with stunning looks, personality and a sweet, sweet sound. I would be happy to have one in my garage.

2010-08-05 - 13:39 - Stirrer

2010-08-06T09:56:00.002+10:00

Where:
Work
Why:
Paddle Pop sticks; Icey Pole sticks; tea and coffee stirrers, and there are many more applications....crafts!

2010-08-04 - 16:20 - Stop

2010-08-06T09:53:00.003+10:00

Where:
Artarmon
Why:
The selective colouring makes it fairly obvious; how many different ways do we have to be told to STOP!

2010-08-03 - 07:07 - Path

2010-08-06T08:28:00.004+10:00

Where:
Work
Why:
I tried to take a few photos this day in the hope that I could capture some of the movement of the trees and leaves from the VERY windy weather we were experiencing. None of them really worked, including this one.

2010-08-02 - 15:04 - Ramp

2010-08-03T07:48:00.002+10:00

Where:
Lane Cove Business Park
Why:
The beauty of nature divided by the harsh straight lines of a man made structure. I must be at work!

2010-08-01 - 20:54 - Feathers

2010-08-03T07:45:00.004+10:00

Where:
Home
Why:
A continuation of the "Red and Green should never be seen....". This time it is a toy we use at home to entertain the cats.

2010-07-31 - 08:36 - Puddle

2010-08-03T07:41:00.002+10:00

Where:
Eastern Creek Raceway
Why:
A track day at Eastern Creek for me and the day starts out cold, wet and uninviting. Here is a puddle in the garage/pit area. The race track looks no better and on the first run I found out what a slippery track feels like.

2010-07-30 - 17:33 - Rear

2010-08-01T12:03:00.002+10:00

Where:
Home/Garage
Why:
The Peril has been cleaned, degreased and made ready for a day at the race track, tomorrow. It's only a track day at which I can ride as fast as I am comfortable and not fear the Blue Bomber. This is the view I hope to inflict upon some fellow riders.