What’s going on

08
Oct
2017
SF Super Series

SF Super Series

There are some things that are definitely worth throwing your support behind, SF Super Series is one of those things. It’s actually a collection of challenges

There are some great events held in some fantastic locations. There’s the Surf Coast Century, a 100km trail run held on the Surf Coast in Victoria for the Gears and Beers in Wagga which ties a 130km bike ride in with the local craft beer and cider festival, Big Feet, Little Feet which will see you walking across a car-free Sydney Harbour Bridge and of course the Endure 24, the 24hr CrossFit event held locally at Crossfit Manly Vale. There are plans afoot to try and get more events on board as well.

Each event aims to raise money to help the Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation in the fight against Sanfilippo syndrome. Sanfilippo is a genetic disorder which is rare and sadly fatal. Children affected with it have a life expectancy of between 12 and 20 years. Although there are no signs in the early years of childhood an enzyme deficiency prevents the body from going through its normal recycling process, causing cellular malfunction.

Posted by Richard in What's going on, 0 comments
06
Jun
2017
Bboys and Cypher

Bboys and Cypher

I had the chance to get out and shoot with some of the Bboys from the Cypher dance show as they came to Sydney. Cypher is a show featuring breaking or breakdance that was playing at the Sydney Opera House. I had met Bboy Blue last year when I was shooting Destructive Steps for Redbull last year. Destructive steps was the qualifying round for the biggest breaking contest, Redbull’s BC One.

 I met up with bboys Blue, Stevie G and Akorn at the Opera House and we wandered around grabbing a few shots when we found a location that we thought would be cool. We didn’t shot for long but these guys made it super easy to get some great shots. The skill and coordination these guys display is just amazing to watch. Below is a bunch of the shots we got on the evening. 

Be sure and keep a lookout for the show if it comes your way. I think its over for this season but I am sure it will be back for next year

Posted by Richard in What's going on, 0 comments
16
Jan
2017
Downhill Nationals, Awaba

Downhill Nationals, Awaba

The weekend saw the first of the Downhill Nationals rounds for 2017. Since it was at Awaba (which is not that far away from me) and I figured I needed to get my eye in again after the christmas period I headed up for a couple of days shooting. The plan was more to just play around and try some new things than do any serious shooting. I missed the Friday practice due to other commitments but after hearing that the temperatures hit a toasty 45C I was quite happy I missed it.

 Despite having shot at Awaba on numerous occasions it was the first time that I had ever shot a downhill race there and the first time I did a complete track walk-through. I love shooting new tracks because all the angles are new and fresh. It’s also good because when I need to shoot here again I know where to go to get the good shots.

Events like this where I am not committed to give me a chance to try different techniques. I played a bit with panning and blurred shots this time too. It’s not something I get to do too often as I usually need to see numbers to identify the competitor in the photo. 

You can see the full selection and purchase your favourite images here on my website. Just put your number into the search box at the top or click the view all tags button beneath the search box and find your number that way.

If you have an event that you would like covered swing on over to Outer Image and touch base with us so we can work out how best to suit your needs

Posted by Richard in Bikes, Events, What's going on, 0 comments
02
Nov
2016
Pace Athletics Run Club

Pace Athletics Run Club

I’m always up for a quick shoot somewhere. It gives me the chance to play around with my lights and get some practice in. Each Tuesday evening the Pace Athletics Run Club meets at Manly.

I have managed to get down for a couple of visits now and have been shooting them on what is known as Snake Hill. I went down for a quick visit again last night. There is quite a few familiar faces in the group that I have seen from shooting races like the Coastal Classic and Rafferty’s Run with Outer Image. The group is led by Matty Abel, the owner and head coach of DBA Runners. So if you are looking to getting a bit more active or polish up a bit on your running fitness be sure and get down there and join in the fun. You never know I might see you there next Tuesday.

You can check the  full gallery from the afternoon here but for now here’s a couple of shots to whet the appetite.

Posted by Richard in Trail Running, What's going on
31
Oct
2016
On the Local Trails

On the Local Trails

With no races booked in this weekend I decided on a quiet weekend at home. I didn’t realise the East Coast Titles were on at Greenvalleys MTB Park which would have been fun but sometimes a bit of downtime is needed anyway. My relaxation however usually involves getting out and taking photos somewhere. This weekend I kept it close to home. I took myself out to the local trails and caught up with the local crew that I hadn’t seen for a while.

The guys were doing shuttle runs up and powering it back down the track. I found myself a nice location and shot them as they went on by. Each lap they did I changed it a bit and found another spot. It’s a great little corner with plenty of features to shoot all within a stones throw. But a note, be sure and take your mosquito repellent. There seems to be a great swarm that lives around there. I also managed to find a tick chomping down on my leg. Bug season is upon us!!

I find getting out on the local trails is a good chance for me to practice playing with some lighting setups.  It also helps me to just keep my eye in. I find it amazing how quickly I start to get rusty if I don’t go out shooting a particular sport on a regular basis. One of the things I am trying at the moment is to step away a bit from using my flashes. I love using my flashes and they certainly have their place but I am always aware that I use them at times to an excess. So one of my projects at the moment is to try and define to myself when to use them and when to go with out. 

Here’s a couple of shots from the morning. Some more can be found in the galleries here

Posted by Richard in What's going on
06
Sep
2016
Australian Professional Photography Awards

Australian Professional Photography Awards

Once again the Australian Professional Photographers Awards (APPA’s) have come around. Last year I struggled. Even though I managed to scrape together a point I failed to get any awards which was a bit disappointing for me. So this year I spent time looking into how I could improve.

I’ve learned a couple of lessons in the last year regarding the print as a product. The importance of paper choice and how it effects the final outcome of the print was my main lesson learned. Before the previous year I was rather ignorant on some of the finer points in paper quality. I printed my work on Canson Rag which although it’s a beautiful paper didn’t suit my type of work so well. It is a matte paper that gives the image a beautiful soft, almost dreamy feel with its low contrast. Great for landscapes and portraits but not so great for action sports. I needed something a bit more edgier, more contrast. I ran various test prints on various papers in the last year and have settled upon Ilford Gold Fibre Silk. It’s a semi gloss with enough contrast in it to give the print some punch.

I believe printing is a whole other branch of photography with its own unique skill sets. It’s one that I never thought I would follow but with the introduction of the rule last year whereby photographers must submit printed entries to the APPA’s, I have had to start down that path. It has been interesting learning about the art of printing. I went to a couple of print reviews put on by AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers) and picked up a few tips. I had them critique my previous years prints to see where I had gone wrong.

Perhaps the biggest boost along the road is to have the support of Angus from Gusha Pro. Angus spent time with me looking over my work and pointing out what I can’t see. Sometimes being too close to your own work can blind you to how others may view it. Angus’s help has also been invaluable to me as I have started on the path for printing. If you are ever looking to get high quality prints done and need some advice on which direction to choose I highly recommend getting in touch with him.

This year I am happy to say that I have walked away with 2 Silvers and 1 Silver with distinction. The gold still eludes me so I shall have to pick up my game again this year and set my sights higher for next. Gaining points in the APPA’s this year has given me the honour of becoming an associate with the AIPP which I am very happy about. Next title on the list to aim for is Master Photographer.

Posted by Richard in What's going on