Project COVID Skies - Part 16

August 23, 2020 Geoffrey O'Hearn

Yet another week has passed by, one week blurring into another of continual monotony. Don’t ask me what I have been doing because nothing has changed for a while. Still the time goes quick. The weather has been particularly wet and cold, winter is giving us one last blast (hopefully) with colder than average temperatures heading all the way up into NSW.

The new case numbers have been better this week and for the first time since mid July we have had consecutive days with under 200. The numbers for the week are; 263, 211, 208, 237, 169, 177 and 202. On the deaths, Monday was the worst day with 25. The other days have been around the teens. These numbers were to be expected following on from the new cases in the last couple of weeks. Aged care has been hit particularly hard as has medical staff. There has also been a large outbreak linked to Frankston hospital.

NSW remains in control and New Zealand is working through resolving their cases. Life goes on in those areas under modest restrictions.

Project COVID Skies - Part 9

May 31, 2020 Geoffrey O'Hearn

After nine weeks this is the final instalment of “Project COVID Skies” in its current format. From 11:59 pm tonight restrictions will be relaxed enough to the point that we are no longer bound to our homes and have freedom of movement. There are still a number of restrictions in place for the handling of the pandemic, mostly to do with numbers of people in a location with guidance on proximity, and it is far from over.

Over the last nine weeks I have published over 300 images and I have processed over 700 images. Whilst I now have the ability to leave my house for photography, it is not an option I will be looking at taking great advantage of. It is time dedicate my efforts to different projects and learning in the world of photography.

Habits break hard so there will be photos still taken of the sky and they will be published in future blogs under the “Project COVID Skies” banner, just not at the same frequency as has been through the project. I also intend on putting together a behind the scenes post on this blog.

Thank you to anyone who has followed this project and I look forward to continue to share my passion for photography with you.

25th May 2020 9:32 am Not a cloud in the sky

25th May 2020 11:35 am OK, I turned around and found one, but that was it for the day.

26th May 2020 8:48 am Morning fog burning off.

26th May 2020 2:55 pm Flying nice and low.

Zoom Burst Photography

July 13, 2018 Geoffrey O'Hearn

Like a jump to light speed in Star Wars, the zoom burst is a technique that can be used to make creative photographs. The concept and actions are rather straight forward and result in great photographs that will leave your viewer intrigued to the composition of your subject. Another way to think of it is that you are creating your own light trails as the action of the zoom causes the position of the light source to move through your frame.

Just the same as the lines burst from stars in the Star Wars movies, the best results come from fixed and distinct light points. This makes, but not limited to, night time cityscapes as an ideal subject for zoom burst photography.

The materials required for this technique are a zoom lens, tripod and if shooting in bright light a ND filter.

To perform zoom burst photography; set your camera on your tripod and adjust the ISO and aperture so as to expose for a 1-2 second shutter speed. I have found it best to use the delay function to take the photo so that you can concentrate on the zoom. When you hear the click of the mirror opening then give your zoom a steady twist to zoom at a speed to match the duration of the shutter being open.

There you have it, the below image I took from the Seafarers Bridge in Melbourne Australia with a 24-70mm zoom lens, f/4.0, ISO 100 and a shutter speed of 1.3 seconds.

Seafarers Bridge, South Wharf, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Beginnings

April 19, 2018 Geoffrey O'Hearn

All things must have a place to start. This blog entry is the first for my venture "A View From a Lens Photography"

Leading up to this moment, has been a lifetime of unrealised interest in photography. All my life, I have enjoyed taking out my camera and taking photos. Somehow, I never made the connection that with time and effort I could develop my natural inclinations into a real ability and a future. After many months of soul searching, the "what should have been so incredibly obvious," finally revealed itself to me. When I say "should have been obvious," it was a case that before telling anyone that I decided to take up photography professionally, I would ask them, "What is that you see that i like and enjoy?" The top answer from everyone was, "Take photos!"

*Beginning of a new day.... Flinders, VIC, Australia*

Since, awaking the giant and realising my interest, I have spent countless hours learning and practising photography. There are so many countless hours to come, a lifetime really. There is so much to learn and enjoy from photography, so why not take this natural interest and turn it into opportunity to do what I love. It all makes so much sense and I have committed myself to becoming a professional photographer.

I now have my creative output. It has taken me half a life-time to find it and I am excited for the future to come. My passion for work has come back! I look back at my journey so far and can see how every step has lead to this moment. Now is the time to combine all my skills, creativity and experience to follow this new exciting path.

My intention is to be able to earn from photography and to give back by sharing my learning and experiences through these blog posts.

This venture is still largely under construction and it will grow and evolve in time. I welcome you check out my portfolio and contact me to purchase any prints, license any images or to engage my photographic services.