Some announcements!! New News!!

It’s been probably the most hectic 2 or so weeks I’ve had in a long time – for those who know me, “busy” is a word I throw around a lot, almost to the point of abuse!! And I’m sure my friends no longer believe me when I say I’m busier than ever before!! But I am!! Seriously!! No, really, please believe me…. please?

OK, here’s the reason I have actually been really busy, and the news is very exciting – I have some announcements to make!! Hopefully some of you out there will be as excited as I am!! So, without further ado:

  • First up, the workshop pilot website is official and operational now!! Go and check it out at http://www.shutterclass.com. It’s rough at the moment, but the intention is simple – if you are a photographer and you want to host a workshop to impart some of that amazing knowledge on an unsuspecting public, ShutterClass can help. The website is designed to sort out some of the annoying logistics, like managing attendees and getting payments in!! And the best part? It’s free during the pilot period while I try and iron out the bugs! Particularly useful for those of you that already run workshops, let ShutterClass sort out the registration hassles for you!
  • What would a new workshop website be without some content? So I’m going to hold some workshops of my own. The first one is the “Relaxed Studio Lighting” workshop, aimed at (mostly new) photographers who would like a chance to get into a studio and experiment with some lights without stress or pressure!! We’ll have a couple of models along, talk about basic lighting concepts, and maybe work through a couple of concepts. If you are interested in attending these workshops (first one November 20), just head over to http://www.shutterclass.com and register!! They’re not expensive either, so get along and give it a shot!!
  • Of course, with a new workshop website, and some workshops to run, I really needed somewhere to hold them! So what better way to launch the website and the workshops by also announcing that I’m opening a studio!! Yes, a studio, as in a full-on space for taking awesome images!!

    ShutterClass Studios will be 3 or 4 large cycloramas (including one corner cyc), portrait walls, and a construction/wet area, along with portable makeup tables, shower/change facilities and roller-door access that can accommodate cars/motorbikes as well!! It’s all located conveniently in Huntingdale Road Oakleigh (walking distance from Huntingdale Train Station). Studio hire rates are still to be determined but they are going to be quite reasonable so even you new shooters and students can get a look in!! Keep your eye on the http://www.ShutterClass.com website for more details over the next 4 or so weeks.

That’s about it for news at this stage (phew, more than enough I think!!). There’s also a Facebook page and other bits and bobs, but these will all be cleaned up and linked together over the coming weeks!!
For now, I’m keen to hear from people who would be interested in running up a workshop through http://www.shutterclass.com (and you don’t have to be in Victoria to use the site!!). I’d love to chat to anyone who wants to know more about the studios, or wants to book them even!! They’re not built yet, but you’ll see some progress updates over the coming weeks. They’ll officially open in the middle of November, but there’s a chance for some early viewing/bookings before then!!

Righto, onwards and upwards!! Like I said, I’m “busy” 😉

Canola time of year

Ever since I started shooting (oh so many years ago), I’ve always wanted to do a shoot in a canola field. But every year, around September/October, something thwarts my grand canola plans! Canola, for those who don’t know, gives us those amazing fields of yellow that stretch forever. The problem with canola is the longevity, the best tone of yellow is in the first week or two of the bloom, and then it dulls off and thins out after that. Here’s an example of only average canola, taken today near Werribee (between Geelong and Melbourne) – this batch is now a few weeks old, and the coverage is thinning out. Plus, when it gets older, it’s also really tall and less suitable for models or fashion work.

2 years ago I found the best canola fields around, out towards Lal Lal, but I didn’t have any models with me (must have left them at home on the charger!). So I dutifully noted the date in my diary, and committed to coming back the following year. Last year I went back to the same fields (with model!), only to discover canola was not on the menu (I think wheat was though!!).

The fields in the photo above were a surprise – In 15+ years of driving between Melbourne and Geelong, I’ve never seen those fields used for anything useful, particularly not something bright and distracting like canola! Drivers have been taken by surprise too, lots of people stopping to take photos, or drifting all over the road as they crane their necks to get a better look!!

Booking it in my diary again, perhaps next year I’ll get a chance to take a model to a canola field and get the shot that’s been in my head for over 3 years now!!

(BTW, image taken on my new iPhone, 1/2700 @ f2.8, I’m pleased!!)

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