Instagram & Karijini - Match made in Heaven?

I know I've written about Instagram before. It is a marvelous program that seems to have the ability to turn every photo into a masterpiece. Nearly - it doesn't seem to work that well for me.

It does seem to bring out the colours of Karijini quite nicely.

































But it does frustrate me a little bit. OK, more like a lot. I'm not sure why, it just does. It's given terrific photos to your fingertips - instantly - but you can't actually do anything with them! They are too small to print, they are square, and I get really tired of the presets.

Have I mentioned how great it is for Karijini though? It does do a marvelous job of highlighting the colours, enhancing the shadows an creating interesting images.

Pilbara Gems: Python Pool

The landscape of the Pilbara is vast and arid. There are continuous subtle changes for those driving for more than an hour that may go unnoticed to the unappreciative eye. For those willing, there are a number of small but precious gems scattered across the region.

Python Pool is one – situated in Millstream-Chichester National Park, it is a local haunt when it has had a flow. Sure, it’s not the grand canyon, it’s not even Karijini, but for a relatively short drive, it’s refreshing.

Not to mention the drive out there is spectacular. I am planning a trip out there soon – we have had a lot of rain and I can just imagine the wildflowers that will be gracing the roadside!
My last visit to Python Pool was in April this year. I am only showing you the photos now because I was about to format my card when I realised  I hadn’t backed these ones up yet. Always, always double check!

Python Pool. Canon EOS 50D (Betsy) f/3/5 1/400 ISO 200 +2 step exposure bias 18mm, shutter priority

Dragonfly Python Pool. Canon EOS 50D (Betsy) f/5.6 1/400 ISO 200 +2 step exposure bias 200mm, shutter priority

Dragonfly Python Pool. Sitting on my camera bag. Canon EOS 50D (Betsy) f/5.6 1/400 ISO 200 +2 step exposure bias 200mm, shutter priority

How to Harass your Husband

I am in no way, shape or form, an early morning riser. My husband calls me a morning zombie. I do not function without coffee and even then it takes a good hour for full brain functionality to flow.

We recently purchased some kayaks, one thing I have always wanted to do. In order to fit it into our busy schedule last weekend, we decided to ditch cleaning the house on Saturday morning and go kayaking instead. This of course meant getting up at 6am. At the moment, this requires rising before the sun, which according to myself, humans are not supposed to do.

We trundled out to Cleaverville Beach, which is midway between Karratha and Roebourne. It’s known to be infested with two things – flying creatures that bite you and grey nomads.

We pull into the ‘boat ramp’ (that is, a muddy gap in the mangroves) and I immediately start helping my husband unload the kayaks…or would have if I didn’t have Betsy in the car and decide a better use of my time was taking advantage of the early morning sun. I so rarely get to see the light after sunrise due to my not-so-rare condition!

This of course is a perfect way to annoy your husband, especially one who was up half an hour before you packing the kayaks. My photography adventures with him are all about balance – photos, being with him. Hence, on this occasion, not too many photos were taken. I tried to be a good wife.

Cleaverville Boat Ramp. Canon EOS 50D (Betsy) f/3.5 1/8000 shutter, ISO 500, +1, 18mm. Cropped. Edited in Photoshop Adobe RAW

Canon EOS 50D (Betsy) f/3.5 1/8000 shutter, ISO 500, +1, 18mm. Cropped. Edited in Photoshop Adobe RAW

PS: Pirate Instagram

Just as a postscript to the previous post, I also snapped this Instagram of Pirate Cove, just to prove how impressed I was with the colours! (I was also impressed there was phone reception there…not so remote after all!)

Pirate Panoramas

Arrr, She’s at it again!

I finally have a weekend where I can sit down on a Saturday morning, drink my coffee and edit my photos. Unfortunately I haven’t been out much taking photos lately. To tell you the truth, I’m struggling to find new inspiration. There are only so many times you can climb the Karratha Hills and take photos of the sunset!

Last month I had the opportunity to go out on a charter boat to some of the islands of the Dampier Archipelago for a social function. Of course I took Betsy with me, despite the threat of rain. I must confess, I took some okay photos of the local rock art, but I am unsure of whether or not it is appropriate to post them on here. You may see those pop up in the near future, but for now I will focus on the shots I took of a place called Pirate Cove.
We climbed the rocks and there were some amazing colours. I’d wager you would be hard pressed to find these colour combinations anywhere in the world – Iron rust red, sandy yellow, ocean blue, mangrove green, black and grey all contrasting stunningly with the turquoise water. It’s spectacular.I was left behind by the group at one point (this is actually a frequent occurrence!)

This series shows some experiments – and that there are a number of ways to skin a cat.  Some are better than others. All edited in Adobe raw, with presets for the stitching, they still don’t quite fit together which is unfortunate. The sun just didn’t do as it was told! Which one is your favourite?

Also bear in mind I was clambering over unstable rocks…in bare feet. Real smart.

Canon EOS 50D (Betsy), f/3.5 1/800 sec ISO500, +1 step exposure bias, 18mm. Auto white balance, Shutter Priority mode. Five portraits stitched in Photoshop. Edited in Adobe RAW to enhance colours

Canon EOS 50D (Betsy), f/3.5, 1/8000 sec shutter, ISO 500 , +1 step exposure bias, 18mm, shutter priority. Two landscapes stitched in Photoshop. Edited in Adobe RAW to enhance colours.

Canon EOS 50D (Betsy), f/3.5, 1/8000 sec shutter, ISO 500 , +1 step exposure bias, 18mm, shutter priority. Two landscapes stitched in Photoshop. Edited in Adobe RAW to enhance colours.This is slightly crooked. Oops.

Canon EOS 50D (Betsy), f/3.5, 1/8000 sec shutter, ISO 500 , +1 step exposure bias, 18mm, shutter priority. Two landscapes stitched in Photoshop. Edited in Adobe RAW to enhance colours.This one will annoy you when you see it. I'm not going to point it out. But it's annoying. Very annoying.