My random photos

Moved

2011-10-24T10:30:00.002+11:00

Hi all.

I have moved to my own website http://marcbester.com/

Marc

Sunday Selections - Longer exposure

2011-05-22T08:28:00.001+10:00

Another blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!

In last weeks Sunday Selections I talked about aperture and depth of field. I briefly mentioned the use of varying exposure time to gain different results, and thought I would post a few photos I have taken over the years that use slightly longer exposure times.

To vary exposure time, your camera needs the ability to function in shutter priority (Tv or T) or full Manual (M) modes. ISO is also a key part of exposure. ISO relates to how much light is needed to correctly expose the shot. Film comes rated at a specific ISO (usually 100), but digital cameras may allow you to adjust ISO manually.

A good analogy is to think of exposure as a bucket (film or sensor) to be filled with water (light). ISO determines the size of the bucket. The smallest ISO, usually 80 or 100, is equivalent to the largest bucket. A small ISO is a good thing, as lots of light = lots of detail. Having a larger ISO allows you to capture photos in darker environments. A digital Camera may try and increase the ISO to allow a faster shutter speed, reducing the possibility of blurring of any movement.

Exposure time is measured in fractions of a second, or seconds in the examples I will show here. A typical photo might be 1/250, 1/500 or higher. At these speeds any motion is frozen, hopefully giving you a good sharp photo. Once you get below these speeds, it is more likely blur will creep its way into your shot, either through movement in your subject, or movement in the camera. For longer exposures, it is vital the camera be kept still, using a tripod, or some other handy object to sit the camera on.

Ok, enough talking, time for some photos. Oh, and please click on the photos to see them at a decent size!

This photo uses a longer exposure to achieve a good exposure in a low light situation, capturing the light from the environment. Exposure details for this photo of the Royal Tasmanian Yacht Club are: ISO 80, shutter 8 seconds, aperture f/5.6. A post used to rope off the yachts was used to sit the camera on for the shot.

This photo taken in Myrtle Gully, Cascades, uses a longer exposure to change the look of the water flowing in the creek. It gives the water a 'molten' look, which usually looks quite nice. ISO 80, f/7.1, 6 seconds. Camera on a tripod in the middle of the creek, me with frozen feet!

In a similar type of shot, longer exposures of waterfalls change the look of the water to produce a nice flowing effect. DEtails of this shot of Horseshoe Falls, Mt Field: ISO 100, f/11, 10 seconds

Moving away from water, longer exposures can also be used to show the movement of light over time. This shot of a rather nauseating ride: ISO 80, f/5, 3.2 seconds

And this photo of fireworks: ISO 80, f/7.1, 5 seconds

Similar to the first photo in the collection, the use of a longer exposure time allowed the capture of the early morning light, with the moon, stars and the imminent sunrise all visible. ISO 160, f/4, 10 seconds

And the shot taken a short time later showing the great colours of sunrise: ISO 100, f/5.6, 13 seconds.

Playing with Aperture & Depth of Field

2011-05-15T09:21:00.002+10:00

Another blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!

As an enthusiastic photographer I am trying to come to terms with some of the basics of photography, and specifically the three things that effect exposure: aperture of the lens, shutter speed and ISO setting (film or more commonly these days the sensor). I've loved longer exposure times for some time, particularly the effect of a long exposure on water in a creek, stream or waterfall. Will save that for another post I think.

More recently I've been thinking more about aperture, and in particular how this effects the depth of field (DOF) of my photos. In many ways I was forced into this position by purchasing a macro lens, which is quite brutal if you dont get your head around aperture settings! All but one of these photos were taken with this lens, a 100mm Canon f2.8 L Macro IS USM.

In the age of the digital camera most DSLR's and many high end compacts have settings to allow manual control of aperture, shutter speed and ISO of the sensor. I don't pretend aperture and DOF is easy, but I will pretend it is for the sake of me being able to write about it!

Aperture is measured in f stop numbers. The aperture is a mechanism in the lens that closes to varying degrees during exposure to vary light hitting the sensor/film. The smaller the f number, the larger the opening of the aperture, and the smaller the depth of field. Simple.

The photos below all have a small f number, thereby a small depth of field. The depth of the area in focus not only depends on aperture, but also the focal length of the lens (eg 50mm vs 100mm) and the distance between the lens and the subject. See, still simple.

To demonstrate, heres a photo of a butterfly. The aperture is f2.8, the smallest possible for the lens. The distance between the lens and butterfly was about the minimum distance possible, producing the greatest magnification, with the smallest DOF.

here are a few more shots, all with minimum possible aperture

Increasing the aperture a little now, giving a slightly larger depth of field, but still throwing the background out of focus - f3.5

And now to slightly larger apertures..

f7.1

f9.0

Easter Twitter/Facebook Lunch

2011-05-08T15:16:00.000+10:00

Another blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!

Last year I was lucky enough to be invited to a small gathering of twitter & facebook folks for Easter lunch by Stephen Estcourt. Having had a great time and meeting wonderful people, I couldn't help but jump at the opportunity to go again.

This year lunch was to be at The Source restaurant at MONA in Hobart. The Museum of Old and New Art is a recent addition to Hobart, and has been drawing huge crowds. Admission is free! Details on The Source, and MONA, can be found here.

The day started off with a brief look around MONA, before heading off for lunch. The food was extraordinary, and so too were the drinks selected by Stephen to complement the meals.

My Favourite photos from Malaysia/Vietnam/Cambodia trip

2011-04-24T09:40:00.000+10:00

Another blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!

I have posted a few photos from my recent trip to Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia, but I thought it would be nice to do a post of my favourite photos. Some I may have posted before, some not. I will let the photos speak for themselves. Some might just be included to make you hungry though!

Sunday Selections - Vietnam

2011-04-10T08:53:00.000+10:00

Another blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!

So a couple of weeks ago I was in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Vietnam. Despite being an incredibly busy place, it is also a very emotional and beautiful place I would recommend anyone to visit.

Sunday Selection - Black & White

2011-04-03T09:21:00.000+10:00

Another blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!

OK I have been MIA for a couple of week while touring around South-East Asia. I have a few shots processed that I took on my travels, and thought I would share them here as they are my favourite photos, and also, black & white.

Cambodia

Angkor Wat Cambodia

Vietnam

Freycinet National Park - Tasmania

2011-03-13T07:28:00.004+11:00

Another blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!

Freycinet is one of Tasmania's two oldest national parks, founded in 1916 with Mt Field National Park. The Park is on the Freycinet Peninsula on the east coast of Tasmania. The park is famous for Wineglass Bay which is often voted one of the best 10 beaches in the world, and the three Red and Pink granite peaks referred to as"The Hazards".

The closest town to Freycinet is Coles Bay which is a popular holiday area due to the beaches and crystal clear water.

There are a number of walking tracks in the park, one of the most popular to this view of Wineglass Bay.

Other popular walks lead up the side of Mt Amos, the middle of the three granite peaks.

Superb views of Coles Bay from Mt Amos.

The Hazards at Sunrise

Random Tasmania Food

2011-03-06T07:50:00.002+11:00

Another blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!

So far most of my sunday selections have shown off some off some of the natural beauty of Tasmania. Today I thought I might show off my other favourite part of Tasmania: the food!

Sourdough bread from Companion Bakery, Oatlands

Both photos above feature Bruny Island Cheese

Tasmanian Angus Beef steak sandwich at Festivale.

A table full of fresh fruit and vegetables at the Tasmania Farm Gate Market

Lamb Kebab, Baklava and Kataifi from Estia Greek Festival

Glutinous rice balls

Goyza at Umai Kingston

Rare Food Tasmania

Grandvewe Cheese

Bay of Fires Tasmania

2011-02-28T20:28:00.001+11:00

Yet more photos of my stunning home state of Tasmania. This time the Bay of Fires area on the north east coast of Tasmania

The Bay of Fires is a stretch of coast north of St Helens.

There are a number of campsites along the coast. This one is "Cosy Corner"

Sunday Selections - More Mt Wellington

2011-02-27T20:31:00.004+11:00

My sixth blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!

Last week my Sunday Selection post on Mt Wellington featured many images of the mountain, but there were still many in my collection so today I will add a few more.

Huts

The mountain has a number of stone buildings. Most of these buildings were constructed after bushfires that devastated the area in 1912. Information on the large number of recreational huts that existed prior to the 1912 bushfires can be found here.

The Chalet - Beside the road to the pinnacle, this is a great resting place for many of the walks on the mountain, and is the starting point for the organ pipes track.

Rock Cabin - beside the Lenah Valley track that starts at The Springs

Lone cabin is a short walk off the Lenah Valley Track

Junction Cabin - as the name might imply, Junction Cabin is located at the junction of a number of tracks. About 6 tracks converge here, and I have often found walkers camping in the area as a base for the mountain treks. This cabin has BBQ facilities

Some rock formations on the plateau of Mt Wellington

Some of the native flowers

Some snow on rocks on the Organ Pipes track I thought looked nice

Hobart from the snow covered summit

a View of The Organ Pipes and Summit from Sphynx Rock

Another view

And my view of Mt Wellington, from my front door

And finally this photo also taken from my front door last week, in Summer here in Tasmania

Sunday Selections - Mt Wellington, Tasmania

2011-02-20T08:48:00.007+11:00

My fifth blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!

Mt Wellington is the 1271 meter peak that rises above the city of Hobart, Tasmania. Known as kunanyi by the indigenous aboriginal population, or more commonly as 'The Mountain' by locals, Mt Wellington is now a large park managed by the Wellington Park Trust. It is almost impossible to have a photo of Hobart that does not feature the mountain in some form. This photo shows the mountain with the iconic Organ Pipes, a dolerite formation on the face of the mountain.

And this side on view taken half way up the mountain near a location known as "the Springs"

The mountain is accessed by a single, winding road the leads to the summit, and there are numerous walking tracks and fire trails that criss-cross the mountain.

Many of the tracks cross over some of the large boulder fields that have formed on the mountain. Many of these boulder fields are visible from the city, although the scale of them does not become apaprent until you walk through them.

They are impressive in either this form..

or in their winter form, covered in snow.

The mountain also has many streams and waterfalls, most in the foothills that are within easy, short walking distance. Silver falls is on the pipeline track

and more impressive after rain is Myrtle Gully falls just north of the Cascade Brewery

and the stream downhill from the falls..

The summit or Pinnacle to the locals is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike and has several viewing platforms and an enclosed viewing room which offers spectacular views of the Hobart area and surrounds.

One of the popular tracks that tourists take to walk to the pinnacle is the zig zag track which leads directly up the face of the mountain. I find it offers a more challenging walk to take down the mountain, particularly when covered in snow and ice..

My personal favourite track is the ice house track. As the name might suggest, this track was historically used to transport ice down the mountain to the young city of Hobart. Once you make it up the side if the mountain you find yourself on the plateau which allows 360 degree views.

Sunday Selections - Maria Island

2011-02-13T21:09:00.001+11:00

My fourth blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and check out hers and all the others linked there!

Maria Island is 4km off the east coast of Tasmania. The island is 22km (13 miles) long and 13 km (8 miles) wide. The entire island is designated as a National Park. Access is only by ferry, and the only motorised vehicle on the island belongs to the Park Ranger. Transport is by pushbike or walking. Pushbikes can be hired on the island.

Like many Tasmanians, I hadn't visited Maria Island prior to the visit I made in 2009 as part of a camping trip I was making up the east coast.

The ferry Leaves from Triabunna and docks at the wharf at Darlington, the site of the main settlement on the island.

For a time Maria Island was mined for limestone and a cement works was constructed. These rather ugly silos remain from that time.

A number of structures remain, mostly from the period the island was used as a penal settlement. Below is the Penitentiary, which is now used as bunk accommodation. There are also a number of camping sites around the island.

Other than the peace and quite, the real drawcard for me is the native wildlife.

One of the many wombats

some friendly wallabies

some inquisitive Kangaroos...

One of the popular spots to visit is the painted cliffs, a natural sandstone formation

Another popular spot is Fossil Cliffs, the site of the limestone mine

and a great time to visit the area is for sunrise..

Sunday Selections - Tassie Ice

2011-02-06T08:57:00.000+11:00

My third blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and Check out hers and all the others linked there!

Most people associate Tasmania with being cold. Indeed it can be quite cool at times. This morning it was a very refreshing 7 c when I felt brave enough to get out from under the doonah. I thought a few photos that reflect the cool Tasmania might be appropriate for my Sunday Selection.

Frost - In most areas of Tasmania it is not unusual to wake up to a thick layer of frost, formed when the moisture on the ground freezes. This shot is of frost on some pine bark in my backyard.

And this shot was taken on the aptly named Ice House Track on Hobart's Mt Wellington

Ice - Taking frost one step further. While not common in the urban areas, there is certainly pelty of icy conditions to be found in the rural and highland regions. This first photo is again from the ice house track, and shows ice that had covered the walking track.

The next two show a large frozen pond beside Dove Lake near Cradle Mountain.

Snow - The type of cold that most people love to see. It certainly can look great!

This photo taken on the Mt Wellington plateau.

This also from Mt Wellington looking down over Hobart and the Derwent River.

And now some more classic views of Tasmania - Snow on Cradle Mountain

Right Place, Right Time

2011-02-05T10:58:00.002+11:00

Most of the time I deliberately go out to take photos of a specific nature. Once in a while, everything aligns and I find myself in the right place, at the right time, to take what I think is a great photo.

In this case, I was at a friends wedding. I had taken a few photos at the ceremony at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, so my camera, my trusty Panasonic Lumix LX3, was on me. After the ceremony we had moved on to the Sandy Bay Yacht Club for the reception. The function room has one side facing the water, and I happened to be seated at the back of the room facing the water view.

The view is pretty enough at the best of times, yachts swaying in the gentle seas of the docks. However, just as desert was being served, I looked up and saw the lighting had changed, the sun had set, and it looked, well like this: (please click on it for the full view)

Snapshots: 60 Great Short Walks

2011-01-30T11:53:00.002+11:00

My Second blog for Frogpondsrock 's Sunday Selections! Go and Check out hers and all the others linked there!

Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania have a collection of walks around the state billed as offering the best of Tasmania's walking opportunities. Details of the 60 Great Short walks can be found here.

While I have not made it to all 60 walks, I have managed a few over the last few years. The walks range from 30 minute gentle strolls to full day walks requiring some level of equipment and experience. Below are some snapshots for the walks I have completed. The walks are all signed clearly and have good directions.

Walk 1: Organ Pipes Mt Wellington

This track starts at the Springs, half way up Pinnacle Road. It offers great views of Hobart, the Organ Pipes and surrounds. Takes about 3 hours and does have some steep uphill walking. A shorter alternative is to walk to Sphinx rock and back, about 45 mins.

Walk 5: Cape Hauy

This is a fairly demanding 4 hour walk and is not for children due to exposed cliffs. Having said that, you do get some great views of the sea cliffs around the Tasman Peninsula.

Walk 9: South Cape Bay

Drive as far south as you can (Cockle Creek) then walk for another 2 hrs and you will have reached South Cape Bay. It is impossible for one photo to do this place justice. The walk is mosty flat, so go do it and see for yourself!

Walk 11: Lake Esperance &

Walk 12: Hartz Peak

Lake Esperance is a 45 min walk along the Hartz Peak track and is an ideal short option/picnic location.

Hartz Peak can take up to 5hrs return and is slightly more challenging, but rewards you with stunning 360 degree views.

Walk 13: Tahune Airwalk

The Tahune Airwalk is very much a tourist destination. If you live in Tasmania and have not been..get yourself there. Easy walk, if somewhat high in places.

Walk 14: Lady Baron Falls Circuit ,

Walk 15: Russell Falls &

Walk 16: Tall Trees Walk

All situated at Mt Field National Park, these three walks can be walked as a loop starting with the Russell Falls Track. Don't miss Horseshoe Falls shown here, it can be spectacular if there has been rain.

Walk 29: Dove Lake Walk,
Walk 30: Enchanted Walk,
Walk 31: Crater Lake Circuit

All at the Stunning Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair national Park.

This shot of Cradle Mountain taken around 5pm over a still Dove Lake!

One of the locals having a feed beside the Enchanted Walk track!

At the lower end of the Crater Lake Circuit!

Walk 55: Wineglass Bay Lookout

The wineglass bay lookout walk has been redeveloped and is quite suitable for all walkers. Don't just go to Freycinet National Park for this walk though. Spend a few days there, its a stunning place.

Walk 59: Painted Cliffs &
Walk 60: Fossil Cliffs

I had not been to Maria Island off Tamania's east cost pror to the visit I took the shots, which is a great shame. A short ferry trip from Triabunna and you arrive at this incredible island which has no vehicles apart from the local ranger. I could fill a blog with photos from Maria Island, and probably will one day. For now, one of the Painted (sandstone) Cliffs and one of Fossil Cliffs.

To see more photos visit my Flickr collection here

Hong Kong Food!

2011-01-25T19:08:00.002+11:00

Last year My Sister, Brother and I shouted my mother an overseas trip for her 60th Birthday. It was to be her first ever international trip. As a frequent traveller (and originator of the whole idea) I was given the task of organising the destinations, and acting as tour guide to my mother, her partner and my brother. The destinations picked (flying Air Asia x) were Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur and Penang), Singapore and Hong Kong. Hong Kong was certainly the pick of destinations and the food was certainly a highlight!

Breakfast was often at a very busy but great cafe 5 mins walk from the hotel. They were very friendly and the meals were incredibly cheap. They also had some westernish dishes.

Here are some dodgy phone photos of Hainanese chicken, A western breakfeast of eggs and bacon my mother got stuck into and satay beef noodles I had one visit for brekky!

Early one day I dragged the group over to Hong Kong Island and up a hill under the mid level escalators, which work one way, being downhill early in the day to bring workers into the city. On my last visit I had developed an addiction to fresh egg tarts, and I was keen to try them from what was reputedly the best source in Hong Kong: Tai Cheong Bakery. The smell of the freshly baking egg tarts filled the street, and after sampling one each, we made off with a take away order! Devine!!

Leaving the bakery we stumbled upon the Central District Wet Market. The wet market was the equivalent of our supermarket and had everything from fruit and veg to hardware and flowers. It was a great introduction to the local culture as this is how things have been sold for centuries. Meats of all types were butchered and hung in the open, and fish were either alive in buckets or freshly killed and laid out on tables.

Some meats were cooked, either by roasting or boiling, as is the case with this large container of intestines!

Other Foods it was a bit hard to tell. I'm not sure of the intended use of this cage full of live frogs. I never saw frogs legs on a menu..

Close by the locals were busy making the days Tofu

And offering an astonishing range of fruit and veg

The food that we just kept going back for more of was the roast meats: Duck, pork and chicken. Either whole pieces or chopped and served with rice. The ducks below are priced in Hong Kong Dollars. For comparison, HK$110 is about $15 Australian dollars!

Last but certainly not least, were the dumplings. Divine mouthfuls of flavour.

Sunday Selection

2011-01-23T07:32:00.003+11:00

This post is part of Sunday Selections hosted by Kim over at Frogpondsrock. Head over, check it out and join in!

The stunning Mt Field National Park, Tasmania
(Please click photos for full image)

Continuing on with the Nature theme: Cradle Mountain

2011-01-23T07:22:00.006+11:00

Cradle Mountain & Dove Lake

(click on the photos to see full view)

The area around Crater Lake is stunning too

This is a macro of a small plant growing by the lake. Just beautiful. No idea what plant it is though!

In April the area around Crater Lake comes alive with the colours of Fagus, Tasmania's only winter deciduous tree.

Myrtle Gully Hobart

2011-01-22T14:55:00.001+11:00

A collection of photos from Myrtle Gully, at the foothills of Mt Wellington, Hobart, behind Cascade Brewery

Alans 5th Birthday

2009-11-01T14:58:00.000+11:00

Ok I was commissioned (as is usually the case) by my best friend Jo to make a birthday cake for her son Alans' 5th Birthday.

His order was for a chocolate volcano cake. The rest I was given free reign over!

The base mix..chocolate vinalla and raspberry!

Assembly begins

First casualty at the party!

Farmers Gate Market

2009-11-01T10:30:00.000+11:00

After hearing everything sold out pretty quickly at the new farmers gate market in Hobart last week thought I'd get in there nice and early this week!

A line up for salad greens!

Grandvewe Cheese

Bruny Island Cheese