Eclectic Trio

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 Photoshop enhanced

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f32, 1/60 sec

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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 HDR

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A Photographer's Life 1990-2005 and musings

Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/60 sec

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The American photographer Annie Leibovitz famous for her celebrity portraits and work for Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and Vogue magazines, has a exhibition in The Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay. The exhibition is called 'Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life 1990-2005' and has been touring the world since 2008, now its Australia's turn. Quite frankly with a couple of exceptions it was pretty ordinary. I was interested in her lighting techniques but many of the portraits were a bit 'soft' and although compositions were interesting a focus on her now, sadly, deceased gay lover and some quite mundane happy snaps of her during her fight with cancer were not at all interesting photographically. But what would I know? There is no photography allowed in the exhibition so I cant show you any examples. I recommend people go to see it and make up their own mind. Its on at the MCA till March 2011 so plenty of time. I do hope Ivan and his girlfriend (below) are performing outside when you are there they make quite a pair. Ivan was terrific but I found his partners performance a bit wooden :-)

Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 116mm f2.8, 1/1000 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 116mm f2.8, 1/1250 sec

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I also took some random shots on the street on my way back to my car. . . .

Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 70mm f2.8, 1/250 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 78mm f2.8, 1/2500 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 70mm f2.8, 1/400 sec

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Perspective and a New Toy

Hmm found a real bargain lens whilst browsing in a camera store the other day, so on an impulse I splashed out. The 50mm focal length is a 'standard' lens on the full frame (film 35mm equivalent or FX format). Like the Nikkor 35mm f2 prime I have which, which is about equivalent in its effective focal length to a 50mm prime would be on a full frame camera (Nikon D3, D700 or a Canon 5D Mk II etc). That is its closest to what you see with your eyes for the D300. The 35mm f2 is tack sharp and has great bokeh too and has been on my camera a lot since I got it.

The 50mm 1.4 gives extremely sharp, crisp focus and is ideal for portraiture on the D300. It translates to a 75mm lens and is the similar in performance to an 85mm 1.4 of a full frame (FX) body. 1.4 maximum aperture means this is a very 'fast' lens and is great for very low light conditions and gives fantastic and pleasing bokeh (background blur). Maybe this will be new favourite, well see. See related concepts in this * POST *

Chinese Lucky Buddha Beer bottle, mmm contents was good too . . .

Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/60 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f5.6, 1/400 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/1000 sec

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Peek a Boo Dog hiding and watching . . .

Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/250 sec

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