Here's a gallery of some of the faces I've encountered over the last few years. Some are locally produced, others are imported but once we call this place home then we are each Australian.
A very Happy Australia Day to those who got 'lumbered' with Australia by birth, those who chose to call it home (and those who are trying) and especially to those whose heritage and essence rolls back through years too many to properly fathom.
At this time of year there is always discussion about who we really are, is this the right day to celebrate and is the flag we have the one we deserve? Well, knowing Australia like I do, I'm sure these 'discussions' will go on a long time before a final decision is made on any or all of those topics.
In the meantime, today is as good a day as any to celebrate, commemorate, and enjoy but I reckon next Thursday week would work ok as well. We don't need much excuse for a party. As for the flag, well, the more ideas the merrier until we find one that works for us all. It's only really important function is to rally us - not divide us.
And who really is an Australian? Who knows - but here's some faces to show we come in lot of varieties.
Whether you use a phone, expensive DSLR (or anything in between) your finest photographic moments deserve the best reproduction. You have unleashed your creativity now let my experience and skill give your pictures the same Fine Art treatment I give my own award winning prints.
You are probably not going to use this service for every picture you make but, for those times when everything clicks, doesn't your masterpiece deserve the fine art treatment?
I won't alter your vision or concept, however, by using colour managed software and monitors as well as a large format 12 ink Canon printer I will fine tune the file to achieve an art quality archival print ready for you to sign, frame and hang on your wall.
This Gallery of sample layouts allows you to order your Fine Art print in a size and format to suit.
I've used some of my own images as well as some great iPhone pics my nephew, Sean, loaned me to test for print quality. He used an iPhone 4 and the Hipstamatic app for some fantastic effects.
Sean, by the way, is the member of a band called Crystal Cove. Check out their music here: http://www.myspace.com/crystalcovemusic - I am definitely biased but their music is great!
Your picture will be printed as large as possible within the dimensions indicated. To order just select one of the sample layouts for the size you require and click on the Buy Image button. Then, follow the steps to complete your secure purchase.
Once this is done email me a high quality JPEG file and quote the transaction details from your order. If you are not sure about the technical quality of the file email it to me first and I'll check it out for you. Just convert it to a high quality JPEG before sending.
For JPEGS over 10MB please contact me to arrange an FTP transfer or mail the file on a disc to:
Paul Foley's Lightmoods
PO Box 995
Spit Junction, NSW 2088, Australia
Your picture will not be cropped so the printed size is subject its format. The print will be supplied with a white paper edge to allow you to sign and title it along the bottom as well as a white paper edge to show on the top and sides when the print is matted and framed.
I only print on the best quality archival fine art papers (Matt or Gloss). For a true gallery look I strongly suggest the matt - its a beautiful cotton rag paper from Canson.
Prices begin at $25.00 and at the moment if you quote Masterpiece in the coupon box at the checkout you'll get a 15% discount off your total order.
All prints are covered by a redo or money back guarantee for quality and against damage during shipping. The small prints are flat packed while the larger prints are sent in extra wide tubes.
Let me know what you think and by all means please tell your fiends!
...is not the usual style of 'first for the year' blog entries. They are most often filled with happy greetings and accompanied by a plethora of suggestions and inspirations for the brave new year. Not so this blog! Even though my 'old friends' are inanimate objects and I am responsible for their dramatic demise I could not let their passing go un noted.
The fateful day, just before Christmas, saw me slip while climbing a steel ladder near the little lighthouse at the end of Cremorne Point on Sydney Harbour. I had been scouting locations on the rocky shore carrying two camera bodies (a Canon 1Ds with 24mm TS-E Lens and a Canon 5D Mark2 with a 17mm TS-E lens). I wouldn't normally take two bodies on a scout but I needed to compare the angle of view of each lens and wanted to avoid changing them in such a damp, salty environment.
Anyway, I was climbing the ladder when I slipped just a few steps from the top. Self preservation took hold as I lurched to regain footing and a firm grip. And so it was that the reliable, sturdy 1Ds (with the always versatile 24mm tilt shift lens attached) was sacrificed to prevent me joining them on their plummet to the rocks about 4 metres below
I heard the thud as I turned to watch the camera tumble across the rocks.The lens broke from the body and then clattered some distance to end up in a small rock pool. In the corner of my vision I noticed something fly through the air and splash into Sydney Harbour - I later found out it was the camera's battery pack.
It took a few moments to regain composure and get a stronger grip on the other camera still hanging by it's strap on my right shoulder. My first instinct was to climb straight down and collect the pieces - as if there was a longer variation of the 3 second rule for dropped food that might be applied to cameras. Instead, I climbed the last few steps and found a place to rest the surviving 5D before (very gingerly) heading down the ladder to retrieve what I could.
In the meantime a few waves had washed across the rocks and made sure that any slight hope of resuscitating the camera body was completely futile. When I got to the camera I was surprised to see the lens mount was still attached - it was the body of the lens that was a few metres away. I was also surprised how little structural damage the body had sustained. They make the Canon 1D series very tough indeed. I retrieved the rest of the lens from the rock pool to see that, as well as being torn apart, the front element was badly scratched.
It's about now that the practicalities set in. Sure, I was sad to see two favourite pieces of equipment that had helped my successful transition from film to digital in such a sorry state. And, while their destruction was spectacular, there would be no valiant tale of bravery, dogged devotion to the 'decisive moment' that could embellish the event. I had just slipped!
So my mercenary, professional mind soon went to thoughts of insurance. I have always appreciated the value of insuring my gear since an unfortunate time in the early 80's when I didn't and some person decided that what was mine was his. Even though I knew my policy was current I still had that momentary, stomach churning thought that it wasn't.
The insurance claim process was efficient, professional and speedy considering that Christmas was less than a week away. With a same day assessment and written report by Canon Professional Services (thanks Jay), the prompt and understanding processing of the claim by WSC Insurance Brokers and Lumley Insurance (ta Jacqui) as well as the quick supply by Kayell Australia (thanks Suresh), I took possession of a new Canon 1Ds Mark3 on Christmas Eve.
The insurance experience has also led to a re-assesment of my valuations. The camera body had had two updates but also a price decrease since I first purchased it so it was over insured while the 24mm TS-E had been discontinued and replaced with an much more capable lens (with a significant price increase) so it was under insured. Unfortunately you can't apply the balance of the the over insurance to help make up for the deficiency in the under insurance. Needless to say, I am updating my valuations at the moment and will be sure to do this each year at renewal time.
I wrote about the 24mm lens in an earlier blog entry. It was a favourite and I look forward to replacing it with the updated model when I can spare the 1K or so that I need to make up the insurance shortfall.
So, there it is, my first blog entry for 2011. Not an inspiring, uplifting concoction of ideas for a healthy, happy and prosperous new year - just a salutary lesson about keeping insurance values current and perhaps a resolution to watch your step.
Have a great year and feel free to provide your inspiring, uplifting ideas in the comments :-)
