Archive for July, 2009
Posted on July 24, 2009 - by benmullay
Worldwide Photo Walk – Review (Part 2)
I didn’t take that many images during the photo walk as I was keen to go around everyone who was taking part. Nevertheless, I did manage to take a few images which I was happy with.
The light on the night was just fantastic. Some of my favourite shots are the ones of the firefighters. I was doing a fairly brisk run to catch up with some fellow photo walkers when I stumbled upon the local fire service doing some drills near the loch. I just couldn’t resist getting a few quick images.
Please find images below (click on thumbnail to enlarge).
I’d welcome any comments you have on the images.
Remember, check out everyone’s photo walk images over at our Flickr group here and the global Worldwide Photo Walk website here.
All the best
Ben
Posted on July 23, 2009 - by benmullay
Worldwide Photo Walk – Review (Part 1)
I woke up on Saturday morning and feared the worst before pulling back the curtains. It quickly became apparent that Shetland’s first participation in the Worldwide Photo Walk was in jeopardy. I eventually made the decision to postpone due to the heavy showers, poor visibility and the fact some photo walkers were driving a long way to get to the event. This was a real shame as I was really looking forward to it.
I made the decision to postpone until Monday evening and what a beautiful night it was down at Spiggie. Fifteen photo walkers made the event (a few down from the original number) and we all basked in the sun having fun taking pictures. Below is a few of the group in action (click on thumbnail for larger view).
A group on Flickr has been setup to showcase photos from the photo walk to be uploaded. This can be accessed here.
I will be announcing the best photo from the walk in due course. The winner will win The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3. The winning entry will be posted on my blog once the decision has been made.
I really enjoyed leading the event and will definitely be doing it again next year. I had an excellent group of people who were very keen to learn and ended up with some really good images.
Thanks to everyone that took part.
All the best
Ben
Posted on July 19, 2009 - by benmullay
Tip #3 – Can’t view your LCD in bright conditions?
Over the last few weeks I have had lots of people come up to me with the exact same problem. More and more manufacturers are deciding to sacrifice a viewfinder in exchange for a larger LCD screen. This is causing particular problem for users in bright light conditions as they can’t preview or review using their LCD screen.
Now, your camera may have the ability to increase/decrease the brightness and/or contrast of the LCD screen which can help a bit. Fortunately there is a better solution out there in the name of the Delkin Pop-Up Shade which not only protects but shades your camera’s LCD. For full information then click on their website here.
These are available in-store at The Camera Centre. Purchase one in-store and I’ll fit one on your camera free of charge on mention of my blog. The shades are available in a range of sizes depending on which camera you have. To ensure you get the correct size, measure the diagonal distance from the bottom left to the top right of your LCD screen.
Digital SLR users are catered for too. Delkin make shades for all popular SLR cameras which slide on and incorporate the menu buttons into it’s design.
Bridge camera users are the winners here as they feature both an electronic viewfinder and an LCD screen. With an electronic viewfinder ‘what you see is what you get’ which means you don’t get stray fingers featuring in your photographs, sometimes the case with digital compact cameras.
Well, that’s another tip. If you have any comments/questions then please leave them below.
-Ben
Posted on July 17, 2009 - by benmullay
UPDATE – Worldwide Photo Walk Shetland Edition TOMORROW!
Well everyone, tomorrow is the day when 30,000 photographers around the world will be participating in the Worldwide Photo Walk. I’m really looking forward to leading the Shetland version and thanks to everyone that has signed up.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
On a more gloomy note, the weather forecast is not good. Unless you hear otherwise then please proceed as normal. However, if you have not already done so, could everyone please email me their contact number in the event I have to cancel tomorrow morning. My address is ben@benmullay.com
ARRANGEMENTS ON THE DAY
The plan is to meet at the Spiggie Hotel car park at 11am. I would appreciate if everyone could be there a few minutes before so I can give a quick briefing before the walk begins. Once the walk starts then you’re free to walk around, have fun and taken lots of photographs. My suggestion would be to start from the Spiggie Hotel and walk down the road towards Spiggie Beach, Peerie Spiggie Voe and Spiggie Loch. There should be a multitude of things to photograph in those three spots to occupy the alloted two hours.
I shall be on hand to help answer any questions you have. As everyone will probably be in different areas then I’ll make a conscious effort to go around everyone to see how they’re getting on.
SAFETY
I would like to remind everyone to stay safe at all times and not to take any risks. I’d also like to ask everyone to leave a small footprint. Make sure that you have as little physical impact on the area you’re walking in as possible. In an area that is so natural, please ensure the area looks exactly the same when you leave as when you got there.
POST-WALK
I’ve arranged with the Spiggie Hotel to have soup ready for us on completion of the walk. This will enable us to review what everyone has managed to capture. I appreciate that some of you won’t be able to stay behind afterwards for the review session. Any food/drinks ordered will be chargeable also.
UPLOADING PHOTOS
I shall email you after the walk has been completed on how to upload your images. The best photograph from our walk will win The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3. This will be chosen by yours truly. All photos uploaded will be in contention to win the grand prize taking into consideration all the photo walks across the world. To see what you could win then please click here.
That’s it everyone. Get those batteries charged, lenses cleaned, waterproofs and rubber boots at the ready to be ready for tomorrow’s photo walk. I look forward to seeing you at Spiggie Hotel just before 11am in the morning. Keep those toes, fingers and legs crossed that the weather holds up 
Ben
Posted on July 14, 2009 - by benmullay
UPDATE – Worldwide Photo Walk Shetland Edition Only 4 Days To Go
I thought I’d do an update on the forthcoming photo walk which is taking place this Saturday at Spiggie with an 11am start.
So far we have 12 photographers signed up for the walk which is tremendous particularly as I know there are a few more yet to register. If you have not already registered then go to the offical Worldwide Photo Walk page here and sign up.
WEATHER
Unfortunately, according to Dave Wheeler, the weather outlook is not too favourable for Saturday. However, the forecasters have often proved to be wrong when it comes to Shetland weather so here’s hoping for some favourable conditions between 11am-1pm on Saturday.
As a result of this forecast, I’d thoroughly suggest everyone takes suitable clothing in the event of rain. I’d also recommend rubber boots regardless of the conditions, especially if you intend on walking near the loch and marshy areas.
PARKING
Parking is available at the Spiggie Hotel but I’d suggest you get there early to ensure a spot. Perhaps folk can team up and travel together thus reducing possible congestion at the hotel.
EQUIPMENT
Make sure those batteries are charged Friday night and take a spare if you have one. There’s nothing worse than seeing a great shot and then running out of juice. Also give those lenses a good clean and format your memory card ensuring you’ve backed up your images first. I’d also advise taking some kind of waterproof cover for your camera.
Personally I’d suggest travelling light as you’re not wanting to carry loads and loads of gear. Perhaps set yourself a mini-project by only taking one lens. There will be a multitude of things to photograph at Spiggie such as landscapes, wild flowers and wildlife. The two hours will no doubt go very quickly, so by focusing on one aspect of photography you’re sure to get a lot out of the event. I’ll be on hand throughout to try and answer questions people have.
MERCHANDISE
If you would like an official Worldwide Photo Walk t-shirt then visit here. $5 from every sale will go to support the Springs of Hope Orphanage in Kenya, Africa.
PRIZES
The best photograph taken on the day will win the Digital Photography Book, Volume 3. Plus, all photos that are uploaded onto the global worldwide photo walk website will be in contention to win the overall grand prize. Click here to see what is up for grabs – some simply AMAZING prizes.
FURTHER READING
Advice on Saturday’s photo walk can be found on the official blog page here. There is also seven great tips for this Saturday’s photo walk here
CAMERA TIPS
I posted a quick tip recently on using your camera’s self-timer to help give you sharper pictures. Click here to read this article.
POST-WALK
Full information on what to do with your photographs from the walk will be disclosed at a later date. The photographs will come to each cities leader (me!) and be uploaded onto the global site. Click here to see photos from last year’s walk which I’m sure will wet your appetite for Saturday.
Well that’s it for now. There are plenty of links above to look at ahead of Shetland’s first participation in the worldwide photo walk on Saturday. Thank you again to everyone that has registered, but there is still time for those who have not registered. Click here to access the registration page. If you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact me by posting a comment below or by emailing me at ben@benmullay.com
All the best
Ben
Posted on July 3, 2009 - by benmullay
Tip # 2 – Cable & Wireless
My second tip idea originates from thinking about my forthcoming photo walk which will be held on the 18th July. To sign up visit here.
If anyone out there is like me then you’ll often forget to pack that cable release into your gadget back. Furthermore, you might not even own one, or your camera may not accept such a device.
For those of you who don’t know what a cable release is then it’s a corded control connected to your camera which means you can take a picture without risking shake from pressing the on-camera shutter release. Obviously your camera will need to be supported on a tripod/monopod for this to work properly.
Right, here’s the tip. As long as your camera is fully supported then you can simply use your self-timer control to release your shutter which will give you the same end result as a cable release device. If you have a modern digital camera, you should have the ability to specify what time delay you require ie. 2 seconds, 5 seconds or 10 seconds. Personally I’d suggest 5 seconds as there may still be a small amount of shake after 2 seconds having pressed the camera’s shutter release moments before.
Feel free to leave any comments/suggestions and I hope this tip helps you get sharper pictures.
Ben
