Canon XL1 Mini DV Camcorder

This is an introduction to my Canon XL1 Mini DV Camcorder.
It is old school technology now but was way ahead of it's time in many ways.

The Pentax K Mount Camera and Lens System-Part 2 0f my Cameras Review

The Pentax K mount manual series of lenses and cameras. Part 2 of a series showing my progression as a photographer and equipment I have used. This is a review of my camera collection with view to selling many of them probably after the Pandemic is over.I will be putting still pics of this collection on my trading post blog.

A Photographer's Journey as he selects and acquires the right equipment.

The Pentax screw mount or M42 manual series of lenses and cameras. Part 1 of a series showing my progression as a photographer and equipment I have used.I will progressively reviewing m collection with a view to selling much of it when the Pandemic has subsided.

Destination Weddings

At Tidbinbilla in ACT Australia

Over the years I have done a number of weddings that they now call destination weddings.
This means you are travelling a long way from home to do the wedding.
It could be overseas or interstate or in a neighbouring country or county etc.
Mine have all been within Australia which is of course a very broad canvas.
I have photographed weddings in Perth on the Westcoast and Canberra and Mollymook Beach on the East coast.

On Darling River at Bindara Station in NSW

On Kangaroo Island South Australia

At Wandiligong Victoria

Bright on the edge of the Australian Alps and Broken Hill in outback NSW and also Bindara Station on the Darling River in outback NSW.

I have also photographed 2 weddings in the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria.

You will need more thought and preparation if going to an overseas destination.

So what are the considerations when you take on a wedding that has this amount of travel.

1. Mode of transport. Borrowing a car or hiring one.

2. Timetable. Must inclue mobile contact details of all the key personnel.

3.Equipment required and how to get it there.
   Can you use less if needing to go by plane?

4.Accommodation

5. GPS and Maps if driving there.

6. A local person assigned as your guide. You will easily get lost if you are in unfamiliar territory.

7. Your quote for your assignment needing to cover all transport and accommodation.

8. Access to money via credit card.

9. Travel insurance.

10. A mobile phone that will work in your location.

11. A knowledge of local customs and a translator if needed.

12. Supplies of any medication you take and some form of letter from your doctor authorising you to take it.

Thus list is not exhaustive. It is a little bit more complicated if you are travelling outside your country.

Remember if you fail to plan you plan to fail.

An Overview of the Pentax 6x4.5 Film SLR Camera. Another Friday Flashback

This is an overview of my Pentax 6x4.5 Film SLR Camera.Another in my series of Friday Flashbacks. I welcome any comments or queries. This will also be available for viewing on my youtube channel.

The Pentax SFXn Film Slr- Some thoughts

Discussing the Pentax Sfxn film camera and more.I omitted to say this camera has two power source options. Double A batteries or a Lithium Battery. You need a dedicated handle add on for either of these. I prefer using double A's as they easier to get anywhere and the lithiums are expensive and can expire fairly quickly.

Wedding Photography in the 80's.

I did wedding photography for many years. I started with film and then transitioned to Digital. I am now no longer doing weddings but occasionally get asked. Before auto focus and digital my cameras were mainly Pentax. Pentax 35mm and Pentax 645.The Pentax Super A was my favourite from those days and coupled with a Metz Flash and Quantum battery pack I was ready for anything.

After the Pandemic. Restructuring Wedding Photography by Geoff Thompson

We are living in very turbulent times amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic.
It came with little warning and has had a huge impact world wide.
Many in Photography are commenting what they can do to survive as photographers.
For many years,as you can see from this blog, I was a wedding photographer.
I never managed to see that I could do it full time, although I did a couple of times.
But I looked at the situation realistically and knew I had a mortgage and a family to support.
If I was a standalone operator with none of those responsibilities then I am sure I could have succeeded.
Albeit with some lean times.
I knew the difficulties of making a career in anything to do with the arts.
That could be Photography,Theatre,Writing, Painter,Singer, Actor and the list goes on .
I used to work in the Australian Government and would interview people accessing un-employment benefits.
Sometimes I found myself interviewing people who were well known names in the arts but between gigs things got rough at times.
Now I am grateful for the decision I made to be a "weekend warrior" as a wedding photographer.
I had a job all those years and superannuation was accumulating.
The money I got from photography was a bonus.
I still had the satisfaction of producing good photography and often mixed with those who were full time.
Indeed I found also I had an ability to teach photography.
I occasionally taught courses in wedding photography and some went on to be quite successful full time photographers.
I hope they are coping now.
I got a leaflet in my letter box yesterday for the first time from a local portrait studio.
That is a sign things are tough.
So my proposition is that Photographers may need to shift the goal posts a little.
Modern technology is such now that I think the time has come for people to rethink how they operate.
It may take a lot to swallow some pride and do the unthinkable and seek an alternative employment but maybe the time has come.
You can still pursue your craft with much satisfaction and financial reward in a different way.
I am sure many of the photographers whose work and blogs and youtube channels I enjoy have transferable skills.
I hope and trust all of you out there at this time are healthy and doing all the necessary things to stay so.

Essential Non Photographic items to Photograph a wedding

Much is made of Camera Equipment and other things photographic when people are seeking information about getting started in Wedding Photography.
There are essential items that are overlooked and usually you will already have them.

1. A reliable air-conditioned car and a full tank of petrol.
In Australia the wedding season is usually in hot weather.
You need to stay cool and be cool when photographing a wedding and moving around the different locations.
Also if you car stops you are in big trouble.
I once went off in my Camry station wagon  on a wedding and forgot to fill the tank up before I went.
I was still a long way from home and realised the tank was nearly empty.
Thankfully I had completed the wedding.

A well earned cup of coffee after the wedding assignment is completed. Roof of my car is used as a table.

2. A GPS navigating system and a street directory.

If you get lost you are in even bigger trouble.

3. A time sheet for your wedding day.

Essential to have a plan. See my previous post on wedding timetables.

https://geoffthompsonsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/wedding%20photography%20timetable

4. A wedding photography agreement.
 You need to have yourself covered by a contract if things go wrong.See my previous post on this.
https://geoffthompsonsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/wedding%20photography%20agreement

5. Water and food.

You need to stay hydrated. You need food also to keep your energy levels up.
Your clients will not necessarily be supplying you with food and drink.
It is a long day.

6. Phone. When I started mobile phones were unheard of. Could you do one now without your phone.

7. Drivers license.

You could get stopped by police. I have been.
Ironically I was on my way to photograph a police wedding.

8. Credit card and/ or cash.

You might need to pay for  a car park  or even by something like batteries or an sd card if the need arose.

9. An assistant to help you on the day.

https://geoffthompsonsblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/working-witrh-assistant-wedding.html

Either as second shooter and/or as a helper.
I started out doing weddings by myself but found it essential as I got into it to have an assistant.

If you haven't got all these bases covered you may strike problems on the big day.