I admit it...

I went along to help a friend from my course shoot her first wedding. Jodi was asked by her friend if she would be interested very early on in the course and her friend knew that she wouldn't be very experienced. Jodi was very nervous but she did a great job and I wish I had at least some of her creativity.

So there we were getting ready for the whole thing to get started and Jodi told me that she had bought along some "bubbles". I really must learn to be more creative and open to new ideas. I can't believe (now) that I said something along the lines of "why did you bother?"

I admit it, I'm stupid..! Sometimes...

Jodi offered the bubbles to the bridal party after the ceremony and; well see for yourself......

PS: Don't forget to check out the video clip a couple of posts below...

Who are you?

One of the facinating things about blogging is that you don't know who is "watching" you. So you get a map that shows dots to tell you that someone from somewhere has had a look. This still doesn't tell you who is watching you. So you rely on people to comment but even then you might visit without commenting.

I have found a new widget and added it to the right. It is a "followers" list, what it allows is for people to let me know they are interested in watching my blog. So, if you would like to let me know that you "follow" my blog then add your name to the list. For those of you who are shy you can make yourself anonymous but where's the fun in that?

PS: By adding this post I have bumped an awesome post. Please check out the video clip in the post below...

The best six minutes you will spend today...

I saw this on another blog and I have been meaning to watch it for some time. I finally got around to it. It is a very simple reminder that there is power in words but you need to choose the way you use them.

Watch this, you won't regret it.

Lucky me...

Working where I work I sometimes get the priviledge of access to areas that most people won't get access to. This last few days I asked nicely and was granted access to the roof of the building. Unfortunately I wasn't prepared and could only take my phone camera but the good news is, now that I know how I can ask nicely and get access for photo opportunities again.

The first photo is of the city of Melbourne from the roof.

The second photo is of the fire escape stairwell which, having never been at the top of one of these stairwells, was very surreal. Every time you move the entire stairwell seems to change shape. Trying to get the floor (40 storeys below) in the centre of the image was interesting and a little spooky...

Dating update...

I have hidden my online dating "profile"... For all of those statistical data collection junkies out there (you know you are) I had 77 contacts for the month of which I contacted half as many as contacted me.

A lot of the contacts were rejected for whatever reason (in both directions) and I have met with a few people now some of whom I will probably never see again and some who I have already arranged to meet again.

There are a couple of people who I am yet to catch up with. So for now it's time to just "get to know people". There are four on the list, all of them are interesting and have a wonderful story to tell.

Maybe this will work, maybe it won't but at the very least I have met some interesting people and maybe widened my circle of friends. At the very best I will find someone to spend the next chapter of life with. You know, the chapter where we ride off into the sunset hand in hand...

I have a new website... Woo Hoo!

I have finally "bitten the bullet" and set up a website.

It is possible to set up individual galleries for clients and then make them private (client login only) so that the clients can pick and choose the images they like and either order them or buy them directly.

I have some samples and a wedding shoot from last weekend up and so far there have been nothing but positive comments. Yay!

For all of the photographers who may look at the wedding photos - I was second shooter and the images have just been resized with no adjustments!

www.portraitpro.com.au - enjoy...

Memorial Cross

There is a memorial cross on Mt Macedon, north of Melbourne. I went there with some friends a couple of weeks ago for an impromptu picnic. It was lovely when the sun was out but a little cold in the shade.

One of the kids took his mum's camera and came up with a shot of the cross with the sun behind it, well done Sebastian. He is a pretty creative fella and I hope he keeps taking photos.

This is my version. I haven't changed the perspective at all from the original but I did try to bring out some detail in the clouds.

Dating at 40+...

Well, it's that time again... Time to get out there and find someone to share the next chapter with. So I've put up my profile on an internet dating site... Internet dating!?!?!?

Not that long ago internet dating was just a seedy sort of fringe area where you could go to meet some very interesting characters. Nowdays however it is becoming the norm. I certainly find that I have no interest going to a pub or nightclub and shouting a conversation with women in the hope that they don't actually have a huge, apelike, boyfriend buying them a drink...

The interesting characters are still there, and I guess they always will be, but there are some truly genuine people there as well (me, for example).

I have tried this site before and only met a couple of people from a few contacts... This time I have chosen a good photo (the one on my blog profile) and worked on thoughtful profile. Within the first week I had 37 contacts! OMG! What do I do with this avalanche of women who all seem to want to get to know little old me? So I hid my photo! A few coffees and a picnic later I have met some lovely ladies and even with my photo hidden I am still getting "kisses" (for those who have never considered how internet dating is done, you either send a kiss or receive one to make contact, this bit is for free. If you are interested that's when you send an email and make contact)...

I'm off for a coffee tonight! Wish me luck...