Sunday 24 February 2013

The road we walk....


Funny how life is full of twists and turns. My father it seems had an interest in photography. I knew from being a very small child back in the 60’s he supposedly had a darkroom and cameras in earlier days. Nothing was ever said about what happened to the dark room or the cameras. I just presumed he had sold or traded them as needed during those tough lean years after my birth. The only 2 cameras in the house, - an old box brownie (which I actually got to use for 1 roll of film) and my mother’s camera, I can’t recall ever seeing that one used.  I think that may have been a gift from my father. There were several large boxes of 4x6 glass negatives around too, something my father acquired from an old family friend – the last UK member of that particular de Helsby line. He kept the best plates to one side, the rest got Brillo pad wiped clean and the glass used for various projects or even worse, disposable mixing bases for two part glues.

When really started in photography, back in the late 80’s I started with a Zenit 12. Up to that point I’d really only used instamatic types, the sort that took the mini film cartridges.  My father and I were still on good terms at that point but oddly I can’t recall any conversation about cameras, maybe he mentioned darkrooms, maybe my mother repeated what she had said all those years ago, I really can’t remember. It wasn’t unusual for my family not to say a lot on things, they tended to try out a lot of hobbies and interests over the years, then moved on, things became footnotes, not revisits.

 My use of the Zenit was severely restricted by cost of film and developing.  I tended to limit use to my other hobby at that time; I wrote for the Journal of the BKA and required images to match.  When that camera failed, and I had moved on from the BKA, my photography took a break.  I returned when digital started to become of useable quality and more importantly, - affordable.

After moving here to Australia I met and talked to my father’s first wife Maria. My elder half-sister had moved here many years earlier and had sponsored her mother and her step father over as soon and she could. This meet was an absolute revelation to me, all those blanks suddenly filled, all those questions I had about his motivations answered.  I was concerned before the meet; I anticipated resentment, long held annoyances and worse.  What I found was a woman generous of spirit, with fond memories, and warm welcome. In all the conversations I have had with Maria, she has never said anything negative about her first husband, my father. Nor has she voiced any criticism of my mother, a person she has every right to resent.  She has explained my fathers repeated weakness for the opposite sex and his leaning on her own father for money with deep sympathy and understanding. 

My father died in 2006, two years after my move to Australia. Over the years as sometimes happens in families fractures had occurred. By the time we emigrated the relationship with my younger sister was already irreparably gone. The relationship with my father had been increasingly difficult, that with my mother well-nigh impossible, to the point where returning to England during his last weeks as the cancer took him was out of the question.

To quote a minor sci-fi series:-“The road we walk is paved with the stones that scar our feet.”

I was absolutely over the moon to get the offer of this camera from my elder sister a few weeks back, she thought it would mean most to me, a link to my father I won’t be inheriting any other way.
 
 

This camera (a Kodak 1 Pocket folding 120, serial No 997544) he gave to Maria in 1946, having bought it second hand. He had met Maria during the war in Italy, returning there to collect her after his demob from the RAF back in England. Apparently as he got to her house he called to her with a two tone whistle, a signal they had often used. In his second marriage the same whistle was used to herd up the kids, - myself and my younger sister when needed. I’m absolutely positive it would never have been used had my own mother ever known the history to it. I wonder what tugs and emotions he felt when using it or hearing my mother whistle in the same way. Perhaps like giving a camera to my own mother it was his way of recreating something he lost.

My elder sister tells me that our father had a little darkroom set up with a black out curtain in an alcove off the hall in his parent in laws house in Naples, Italy. This would have been prior to their move to England. Perhaps this is why photography was not discussed; maybe it actually harks back to his first marriage and as such would have been an interest on his “avoid” topic list.

I do wish we could have shared a common interest, and wonder if it may have reawakened the man and father I knew before his retirement around 1992, now I can only wonder.

I’m sure this camera will work. I can still get 120 film and the lenses have been cleaned.  I’m not absolutely convinced shutter speeds are correct but believe they will be close enough to get an image. Bellows are light sealed I’m sure. There is a slight lean in the lens plane relative to back plate so a little finger pressure may be required to level out for shoot. I’ll meter off the digital camera or maybe use my handheld light meter.  I’ll try with an ISO 50 film when I find some. I have downloaded the manual and no mention of film speed in there for given settings. Presumably when the model was new there wasn’t a choice.

Friday 11 January 2013

Aerial Photography over Mackay

Just before Christmas I got a enquiry asking if I did Aerial Photography. I was very pleased to get this call as it resulted from a significant outlay to advertise in the local phone book (currently being distributed in the area). I of course said "yes I do" and over the next week details were finalised. Job was to photograph one main site where earthmoving equipment had been moved back for the Christmas period, possibly a couple more sites too.

Truth was it would actually be my first session from a small plane but I reasoned it wouldn't be a great deal different to a vantage point landscape, well within my camera skills.

Ever the technical guy, - just to be certain on I was doing I read up as much as possible and also used google maps to check location out in advance. There are a few books out on aerial photography, Aerial, the art of photography by Hawkes - it is just that, mostly about the art, not the process. Small-Format Aerial Photography - Principles, Techniques and Geoscience Applications by Aber, Marzollf, and Ries goes more the other way, - being way too geoscience for my purposes. I'm sure there are more but that was all I could get at short notice.

With this information and a chat to the flight provider I could calculate best lens to encompass the ground area . Booking time of flight also gave direction and length of shadow. I realised white balance was a thing I'd need to deal with either at the time or possibly post production. Last technical issue was the that there is no chance to quickly calculate hyperfocals from moving plane with no mid reference points, I'd have to front focus and let distance give sufficient depth of field. I couldn't afford the time in a moving plane to be too "techie". 

I had used the excellent android app - photo tools by HCPL to very quickly calculate lens coverage (FOV) based on 1000 to 1500 foot height or a 3-4-5 triangle for oblique views.

Link here: - HCPL Photo tools

From this I reckoned my existing 24-105 on the 7D and the 50mm on the 5D would do it, no need to buy or hire more lenses. In retrospect a 70-200 F2.8 would have been good too for closeups,- probably instead of the 50mm.

Last issue to deal with prior to the job was to get it into my head that I needed this under my belt and my lifelong fear of heights had no place here. As a youngster I remember going up a lighthouse to the light room, I was terrified, I couldn't bring myself to go out onto the balcony outside the glass like my parents. I still remember vividly that adrenalin flood that stayed with me long after exiting the lighthouse. Even as an adult I couldn't handle the railing next to the drop on top of the Rock of Gibraltar peak. Oddly I cope OK with cable cars and the window seat in passenger jets.

Tinted window Cablecar in 2003 - Langkawi Malaysia

On the day of the flight I met up with the client at his primary site, I got a walk around to see what he wanted to include in shot and also was told the other two sites should be covered flight time allowing. Between that conversation and a little more at the Airport I had an approximate map in my head and a few pointers as to how to find those sites.

The client decided not to upgrade his plane booking so it was the two seater, he therefore remained on the ground, The pilot had a general idea where we were headed - enough for a flight plan and to inform control but I was on my own finding the specific extra sites from the client description and his pointing to my google maps on my mobile. As a loose object the mobile was left in the hangar.

 
Gazelle in Hangar

The plane we were using was a Skyfox Gazelle. Having done my homework I appreciated there would be no lens changes in flight - one big reason for the lens homework beforehand. The space in these things is snug to say the least, there is no space for baggage or moving around in the seat and swapping gear. When it came to it, everything not fastened to me including contents of my pockets stayed in the hangar.The door on my side was hooked up under the wing for the flight giving me the optimum photographic clearance. It also meant I had a sheer drop from seated hip.

Door up and open view

Once settled in the seat and flight began I tried out a few shots, we weren't too high at that point and I knew that was the best opportunity to compose myself to task, I was determined this job was going to be completed. I was forced to let go of the tubing airframe above my head and return my right hand to the camera. Both hands would be needed for every shot and I had to accept that the harness and seat weren't going anywhere.

 
Off the ground. I see this and there is an old song I can't get out of my head... Little boxes...

Once over the main main site we ran circuits and I took a series of photos. The straighter runs weren't too bad but banking turns were a little harder on my resolve. Still, I got the shots.

About the only thing that caught me out was you can't stick a hand (don't point out) or camera far outside without being hit by rapid air flow. Camera must stay reasonably inside or it is in the full force of airflow.

The 2nd site wasn't too far away, maybe only 3 or 4 mins flight, a smaller site with not a lot to see other than earthworks. A few circuits and all done.
 
Off to 3rd site, this was a much bigger site and we had to increase distance out here, conditions were also a little hazier but I'm pleased to say that didn't affect final shots. This site was a clearance for housing /development. Height was increased and the only nervy moment was a sharp banking so I could get more of a direct down plan view, I got the shot. There was perhaps an extra circuit or two here due to the size of the block. All completed we headed back to the airport.

One thing I had done at main site, airport pre flight and post flight is photograph my Spydercheckr, This did two things, it gave me a good feel for white balance either side of shoot and also tested shutter speed at chosen settings. There really isn't time in flight to be changing things around. Conditions in flight were a little varied, WB from west will not be same as WB from east, nor will it be the same with all that 20 to 40% cloud that drifted through but the spydercheckr helped.

Link here: - Spydercheckr
Buy Here:- B&H

Cloud cover and resulting shadows
 
Nearly back, runway ahead.

Time in air - I'm not sure, probably 30 to 40 mins total, well under the hour flight  the client booked anyway. My on location time including visit to site 2 hours.

Touch down - I can nearly touch the rotating wheel.
 
Feedback from the client is that they are delighted with the images. As I write this we are still to decide on final printing and advertising useage. Out of respect for the client I won't include any of their specific images here.

All images Copyright Eric Bowden Photography 2003, 2013.

Thursday 13 December 2012

Equipment reviews - Zykkor C081 Copy Stand and "unbranded" 4 way macro rail

I purchased these items through Ebay recently. I particularly wanted to do macro shots on small objects and focus stacking. Unfortunately where I live makes it impossible to view examples before purchase. There are no camera stores carrying that type of gear around here.

The Zykkor C081 Copy Stand


This is a small stand with the following specifications from the Ebay listing :-

"The Zykkor C081 Copy Stand consists of a 14”x15.75” large baseboard, a tripod mount Head with Bubble Level & Quick Release Plate for your camera. This is great for product photography of small to medium items such as coins stamps, etc. Maximum Copy Size is 36X40 cm
Perfect for macro shots with digital compact cameras & DSLR or for copying artwork.

  • Copy/Macro Stand with adjustable camera mount between 6" and 23" and 14"x16" base
  • Full adjustable tripod head with bubble level and quick release plate
  • Perfect for taking macro shots with digital cameras
  • Holds your camera steady for shooting small objects, like coins or for copying artworks

    Includes:
    • Baseboard
    • Column with Adjustable Camera Base
    • Tripod Mount Head with Quick Release Plate

    Specifications:
    Baseboard (WxHxD): 36 x 2 x 40 cm (14 x 0.75 x 15.75 in.)
    Column height: 58 cm (22.83 in.)
    Max. Load: 1.8 kg (4 lbs.)
    Model: C081L
    Max Copy Size: 36x40 cm
    Baseboard Color: White"

  • Cost: - $69.95 USD plus p&p

    General

    I can't dispute this specification as far as it goes, however I do think there are a number of vital omissions. In particular it fails to mention how much of the item is made of what appears to be quite poor quality plastic. This includes the toothed rail on the vertical pillar, pillar mount, and worst of all the majority of the head. The pillar itself is a metal tube and has a number of holes, presumably to take a locking pin (not included) As fixed holes they may not match your required camera height. Any locking pin you make will support against the plastic of the moveable section. There is nothing otherwise to prevent the camera height from shifting/ gravity winding the head down the column.

    The brand on the stand as supplied is QiHe so I presume it is available rebranded under a number of names.

    The spirit level is on the plastic tripod head mount. it is difficult to see with camera in place, near on impossible when the camera is facing down. 

    In use

    I've only tried it so far with a Canon 7D. It was immediately obvious that the weight of this camera (820g plus 130g lens) was a strain, despite the max load rating of 1.8kg. Plastic obviously flexed and the head moved down the rail under the weight - a locking pin had to be made. Since I was now limited to adjustment height by locking pin hole position I got a macro rail (see later).  My first try at photography was on a totally flat object - a postage stamp. Photographic results weren't too bad. I was using the 7D, 10x Achromat and Canon 50mm F2.5 macro lens at F22 , studio lights. I should have had a reasonable depth of field. However I did notice a drop off in focus towards one side of the image. Investigations revealed that this was due to flexing in the head. This amounts to some 3mm difference side to side across a 52mm diameter lens. The camera vertical is adjustable but comes down to trial and error between adjusting, tightening, and then checking the result of letting the head take the weight.

    The whole thing has a flimsy feel and easily shakes with the slightest touch, a shutter cable release or remote release is essential.

    With macro rail

    Adding a macro rail should negate the issues with fixed locking pin height. However it also adds 700g to the all up weight (now at 1650g total, still less than max rated load). It also takes the camera a further 8.5 cm out from the column, presumably adding leverage.

    The result of adding this to the load is horrific:- "bend" in the head is very obvious, the quick release plate skews to almost popping point from the plate mount. Sag is huge. In short - a catastrophic failure in the making. - Totally useless. I didn't have the courage to leave my camera mounted like that.

    Overall

    I think this stand may work with a really light camera, such as a compact or a camera phone and bracket. It is totally unfit for purpose with a large SLR.  My mark:- 1 out of 10.


    Unbranded 4 Way Macro rail

    Specifications from the Ebay listing :-

    "This excellent quality rail is for use with all digital and film SLR cameras and is compatible with most Nikon, Minolta and Pentax macro and EOS bellows, macro shot extension tubes, or macro lenses such as the Canon FD and FL. Smooth rack and pinion movement provides extremely fine focusing adjustments.
    The rail has a geared drive system which greatly enhances accuracy and speed of adjustment of the rail.
    Two 6" rails allow movement in four directions, right, left, forward and backward. Mounts on, and accepts 1/4x20 threaded screws, will fit most tripods and copy stands. Positive locking knobs assure rock-steady focus.
    Focusing rails are essential accessories for macro photography, which requires precise distance modifications and a steady hand, as well as other situations where accurate camera positioning is crucial.


    Material: Metal
    ·Weight: 700g
    ·Color:black"


    Cost $30.98 USD inc p&p

    General

    Item is pretty much as described and appears to be identical to rails on sale from other companies including Adorama branded.

    Most of the item is indeed metal but there are plastic parts too, most notably the channels in which both rails slide.

    The rails are graduated in centimetres but do not have any index or reference line to either rail. Given how critical focus depth is and how exact it is best to be with focus stacking I had hoped for vernier scale and micro adjustablility.

    Sender was very slow at getting item here and tracking sites given were ones that had raised a number of suspicions of fake information according to google search. I had actually raised failed delivery case with PayPal on this item, subsequently closed when item arrived..

    In use

    As already stated I got this rail to overcome the shortfalls of the copy stand. In practice that wasn't possible. On mounting the rail to the stand my first experience was that the weight of the camera took the now vertical rail all the way down to the rail stop. The locking screw not appearing to exert enough tension to prevent this no matter how tight. This would limit the rail to use with camera horizontal, not facing down. This is in addition to the issues with the copy stand itself

    Second issue is the lack of really fine adjustment. I placed a mark on the vertical adjustment knob to give me some idea how far I was travelling. My calculations gave 3.5 turns for 10cm, a little over 2.8cm per full turn. This is a lot of travel per turn. it is possible to get a rough measure by the alignment of the channel edge with the built in scale but it really isn't accurate in my opinion to any less than 1mm give or take, the scale itself sits above the channel and is also quite heavily printed adding to difficulties.. 

    Overall

    Can't be used in vertical orientation
    No real functional graduations or scaling.
    Coarse adjustments

    May be ok for larger objects outdoors, flowers etc.  My mark - 3 out of 10.


    Tuesday 2 October 2012

    DSLR Workshops

    I've decided to run a few workshops.

    This will be an ongoing thing, Probably monthly.

    I've got presentations together, practical demos, all of which participants try for themselves, a great little venue with all the necessities and am keen to go....

    For the first workshop subject:-

    Aims are: -

    Ø To provide understanding of the technical aspects of Digital SLR photography through tuition/hands on lessons

    Ø To give participants a firm grasp of how camera settings modify the outcome of the shot, and how they can be used to completely control the shot
     
    All groups will be limited to 8 max.

    Workshops are half day , probably 10 till 3 with lunch break. (date(s) TBA with group requirements) and will expand with further subject workshops.

    So if you are close to Mackay QLD and need a workshop drop me an email or comment here and I'll send details including costs..

    Tuesday 31 July 2012

    A little more about my work - Part 2

    When I moved back to Mackay from Brisbane I envisaged that product photography would probably be my main field. Maybe it will, time will tell. Mackay is in the middle of a bit of a boom business wise. It has a massive support industry for the mining sector with major industrial sites still expanding, particularly in the Paget area.  Of course everything else goes with that, jobs mean people, people mean demand for goods, entertainment, leisure and dining. To an extent I overestimated how easy it would be to tap into the advertising requirements that creates. I forgot Mackay is still a word of mouth region. I forgot many companies are national or international with marketing decided at head office, I forgot smaller businesses just won't or can't pay for bespoke images. Worst of all I forgot these strong economic times mean businesses are just doing far too well to need advertising.

    I had a number of companies tell me they can't handle more business, the last thing they want is advertising. Hotels / motels are at full occupancy almost constantly, several never having advertised or having any web presence, and the panel beaters has a 7 month waiting list on minor repairs.

    How has this translated into my business?

    Well first of all how did I try marketing it? In the past 18-24 months, (which includes educational and Brisbane time) my accounting software shows outgoings on courses and gear of over 27,000 dollars and income (as anticipated) for new start seriously in the negative. This means advertising budget is non-existent. I've taken space in the Local Directories (yet to enter print) and also a 12 months in the Mackay Telegraph. Beyond that it is what I can get by leg work. I had a bound Portfolio printed up. More about the trials of the portfolio printing in a later blog.   The 12x12 folio was then duly walked round nearly every business that seemed like a potential client for as long as my business cards lasted. Of over 900 business cards dropped only 1 booking has resulted so far. For the amount of time pacing the industrial areas a poor return indeed. What have I learnt? Well I am still sure the business is there, am I getting past the just out of school receptionist? (usually not). Am I there at the time they want images? (probably not). 

     I went to the QME 2012 (Queensland Mining Exhibition) with over 600 exhibitors, all used photography to illustrate their displays, 99.9% was the type of photography my skill set and equipment set can do. Only trouble there was;- A. They already had their images, posters etc, B. As a QME visitor I can't promote my trade. I was too late on scene for them all.

    Overall I think I've learnt to look far more often at feedback available to me, i.e. does a card drop/cold call reflect in website hits, do I get more calls? If I don't do I have another tactic? My new tactic for this last couple of weeks has been the Telegraph ad.

    One area that has seemed potentially to be a good one was small Restaurants and Cafes. I've had 3 very strong enquiries about this, I rated one as almost a certainty. The 2 smaller independent cafes I wasn't too sure would go with it. Simple reason is that food photography is very labour intensive and time consuming. It therefore isn't cheap, even in the customers time. I strongly recommended to both outlets the image should reflect what they sell, not be generic shots  not the -"strawberries and chilled smoothies on the tropical beach" type thing. I can do that, but feel it is a let down to their customers and is just doing the stock photography thing. One of the two was quoted, I'd already been told no budgets so as anticipated it was a knock back.  Why did neither go for it? Well I'm sure I'm up against cheap stock images, second is I can show my previous food images, but not their food, they don't have an idea of what they will get. I could offer a free test or single set but they still need to commit time and effort, there is too much resistance to that first step.

    Image: - Coffee and gear. Shot in Studio.

    The final enquiry was for (potentially) a set of images for a new chain of Cafes, with possibilities for wall and menu images. I got raves about my existing images, I followed up in several ways within his time frame but was unable to gain further conversations/contact. No idea why.

    Of course chasing this type of business isn't just about the product, it can equally well result in images for;- processes, training manuals, environmental, executive  and staff portrait, real estate, handover, certification, insurance, lifestyle etc etc.

    Thursday 19 July 2012

    A little more about my work. Part-1

    Most photographers specialise, whether it is wedding, fashion, press, commercial, forensic, whatever.  Many go through a "reinvention" every few years, choosing a new direction and style. How they go about choosing that 1st speciality is often interesting, many fall into it through assignment or by who they have assisted, sometimes it is a big client that chooses a successful direction for them. I've met a few that have been "press ganged" into a wedding shoot , usually by mates or relatives, and ended up being so good they stuck with it.

     For the moment I'm still defining my absolute path, more by eliminating the sort of photography I don't want to do. For me that has so far eliminated any schools, graduation formals, and formal weddings. I have done employee group shoots for companies. I will do narrative style wedding shoots. Formal shoot requires crowd control, I don't do that. I usually have to explain the difference between narrative and formal shoots; - and for most brides and grooms narrative isn't chosen. I can understand that, I'd make a good second photographer hire at a wedding, providing the alternative POV.   

    Similarly I don't see myself as an overseas photojournalist, I like travel and exotic places as much as anyone, but war zones, NTY. I like to get home at the end of the day, and I don't run that fast these days.

    So where am I pitching my work? Well, mostly in the following areas:-

    Product,
    General Commercial and Industrial including Manufacturing
    Editorial
    Portraiture
    Executive and Environmental Portraiture
    Real Estate
    Event
    Fashion and Beauty
    Natural History

    These aren't exclusive disiplines, for example Fashion could equally be Product, or Event or Portraiture depending on the shoot conditions. 

    In Mackay I probably see fashion as being the least popular of the above list, the city just isn't big enough. Posters or brochures/advertising for independant retail outlets are certainly a possibility but many outlets are national chains with national marketing.

    Natural history is possibly one for either stock photography, magazines, or perhaps tourism, again limited appeal but one I enjoy.

    Of the rest there is no clear winner at this point. I can cover most scenarios in all those without issues. Editorial is perhaps the greatest "catch all" and event is I feel almost a subset.

    Mackay local band - The Fat Cigars.
    Playing News Years Eve 2012
















    Event isn't just about photographing the entertainment, whether that is a band, a race or whatever (that I'd label editorial anyway), more about the client/customer whether it is a birthday, reception or a staff party (or other staff function like a team building).


    Birthday Party - April 2011








    Wednesday 18 July 2012

    Starting this blog

    As with any blog, there has to be a reason, a purpose. So often I see that blogs are dismissed as nothing more than personal vanity or ego. I make no excuses for my purpose here, firstly I believe it is a necessary step in todays climate for business purposes. Secondly it is to self educate, either through my customers or through fellow freelancers and photographers that may comment on like minded issues.

    I am new to the photography business in Mackay. I lived here prior but had taken a couple of years out in Brisbane, where I didn't waste my time, choosing to build on my photography by completing a Diploma in Photoimaging and starting full time freelance. Moving back some six months after course completion hasn't been without its challenges, but here I am with a young business trying all the methods at my disposal (including this blog) to step forward.

    My intent here is to show some of the actual "hands on" processes to completed jobs and also raise some of the trials and tribulations freelancers face.