My name is Andrew and I live in Artarmon (Sydney). I'm an academic at Sydney University.
I was a P-n-S shooter for many years, using my mum's vintage 1986 Fuji AF camera. As a uni student, I could never ever afford a proper SLR even when I'd wanted it. No ebay for cheap bargains you know. One fine day in 2000, as if a sign from god, some bastard decided to steal my bag containing my mum's camera while in the midst of moving place. I saved hard, got myself an F100, then upgraded it to a F5. The rest is history.
If you haven't already noticed, I'm a film guy (Nikon F5 & FM3A). I'm a digital virgin with very limited experience of taking photos with DLSRs. Well I did take a few shots using my mate's Canon 10D 2 years ago and that's about it. Tried digital processing but they never ever looked as good as my slides. Hence I'm still stuck with film.
Anyway, here are some of my favourite shots, 3 of which are digital (Canon 10D). Click on thumbnails for bigger images. I've written some of my thoughts to accompany the photos. There are heaps of room for improvements of course, and I'm always keen to learn and to improve. Nevertheless, these photos carry special meanings for me. I don't really specialise in any particular type of photography - I just go out and shoot whatever I want.
Kids are really hard photogaphy subjects. Full stop. They bring to me a new level of understanding about what "decisive moment" means.
3 digital photos I took back in 2003 with my mate's 10D (50mm lens):
These 2 photos will always remind me of that faithful moment when 3 security personnel thought that my Gitzo was a weapon. Good on ya fellas, keep the opera house safe.
I'm a student of kendo. I practise kendo at the Sydney Kendo Club (Willoughby) where I'm the president. Kendo is a challenging photography subject because flash photography is not allowed during competition and I have to use filters for colour correction.It's hard to correct for the right colour balance in any given hall- my slides got some funky colour hue. Also, ISO and shutter speed need to be factored in. Two reasons why I need to go digital. To date, I've yet to shoot a photo on kendo that I really like.
Misc photos:
I won an award for this photo at my local photography club in a category in which there were much better quality photos than mine. I still have no idea why I'd won:
Favourite b+w film: Kodak Delta 100
I really like macro, yet it seems tough gathering material for it. Macro and apartment just don't mix. I use my 55mm AIS lens and PK-13 for macro most of the time.
I paid money for these flowers. So sad.
Actually it looks like a cabbage.
Random photos:
Taken on top of Broadway shopping center:
Port Stephens (taken with circular polarizer):
Bondi:
Did I just whinge about my apartment? my Sony. These parakeets decided to drop by to say hello one day:
"Domo yoroshiku oneigaishimasu" - Please teach me.
Andoru
