Which Camera to Buy?

As technology brings discernable quality improvements, consumer expectations become higher. So, even if you'd like to hang onto your camera longer, as a professional photographer your customer base may not take you seriously if you're using older equipment. It's a fact that many professional photographers today buy the most expensive cameras they can, not just because they're better than less expensive models, but also because they are perceived to be better by their customers. It is expected that professional photographers use the best equipment available.

Unfortunately, in some quarters, it can still be a big ask for a female photographer to be taken seriously. Imagine showing up at a wedding, as the professional photographer, with equipment no better than that owned by the groom or, for that matter, the driver of the bridal car! It shouldn't matter, providing you can use what equipment you have well and have the necessary people handling, creative and technical skills. Sadly, professionalism is not just about knowledge and behaviour. It's also about perception and knowing how to 'walk the walk and talk the talk'. This is particularly important for the young, less experienced photographer. So, sadly, many aspiring photographers may feel the need for their kit to include equipment the customer doesn't have, hasn't seen before or can't afford. It's pathetic, but a reality for many working photographers!

First Shoot with new Canon 5D Mark II camera

Just before Christmas 2008 I acquired the new Canon 5D Mark II camera together with the Canon 24-105mm f 4 L series USM lens. I'd been using the original Canon 5D for the previous 3 years and felt it was time for the upgrade. I believe the new Canon 5D Mark II is a fantastic camera and, while it won't be at the cutting edge in 2 years time, its 21.1MP full frame CMOS sensor, high definition (HD) Video capabilities, Live View, 14 bit color, DIGIC 4 image processor, improved quality 3" LCD display, excellent high ISO noise performance and Sensor Cleaning made it well worth the price.

The following images were all made on Christmas Day at my parent's home in Hamilton, a small town of around 8,000 people located in the state of Victoria, Australia. We'd just got back from Christmas lunch and had said goodbye to my eldest Brother, his wife and youngest daughter. Suddenly I felt the need to make some pictures before the rest of us that had been able to make the trip back home had to head off to satisfy the needs of the other half's family. So, within about 5 minutes I had made some pics out on the front nature strip, a few of which are included here as examples from my very first shoot with the new Canon 5D Mark II camera.

Pic of the Week - Sleeping Buddha

This image is important to me. The original photograph was made at Duck Point, Wilsons Promontory National Park in Victoria, Australia. The Prom is one of my favourite landscape locations, situated on the southern most tip of the Australian mainland. The weather at the Prom is very changeable, and is often affected by cold waters bringing rain and wind from the Southern Ocean. But, together with the beautiful natural beaches, mountains, walks and secluded gullies it's this diversity in weather pattern that adds a sense of drama to the park. Unless you're on an overnight or multi day walk, a range of facilities are rarely too far away. Yet, despite this, much of the prom is actually quite wild, a fact evident to anyone visiting many of the more secluded locations. The feeling of being emersed in nature is particularly strong when you visit at the edges of the day and/or off-season.