On a recent Melbourne trip i had a spare evening to get out and make some images. I love the Tram lines and old architecture down there. I especially liked the symmetry of this spot.

As one of the official photographers for the Pan Pacific Masters Games, i shot the Moto-X on the weekend. It was both hot and dusty, but that didn’t deter the hundred odd riders from giving it their all in a great days racing. All of the Masters Games photos are available for viewing and purchase on the Masers Photos site.  http://www.mastersphotos.com.au/

Last weekend i attended the Brisbane Zombie Walk with some zombie friends. I don’t know how many zombies were there but it was well into the thousands. A lot of brains were eaten, i’m looking forward to next year.

http://www.brisbanezombiewalk.com/

I’ve been upgrading a few of my old lenses lately, here’s what came yesterday. I’m looking forward to a model shoot i’m doing this weekend to give them a whirl..

On the weekend i had the chance to shoot photos and also assist a friend, Sue Black  http://sueblackphotography.com/ at the Gold Coast Body Painting Expo http://www.facebook.com/?tid=1398771973267&sk=messages#!/profile.php?id=100001255441958 . It was an excellent experience, with a huge range of amazing art and photographic opportunities. Sue placed in the top five of the photography competition with some brilliant shots. My only regret for the weekend is not having any business cards on me. Next time…

I have been playing with some new extension tubes today. Here are a shot of my wifes eye. I have a few more ideas for shots like this to come in the future. Keep an eye out for them..

I’m sure you have all seen photo’s where people appear to be levitating, but have you ever tried it out for yourself?

It’s not really all that hard. All you need is:

1. Camera.
2. Tripod.
3. Flash. (optional)
4. Ladder, milk crate, box , chair or anything to support you above the ground.
5. Photoshop or any editing software that allows you to work with layers.

First of all, set up your camera on your tripod. Set your camera to manual and take a background shot. Once you get your exposure how you want it, be sure to keep your settings the same in all of your shots.

Next step is to get levitating! To help you fight gravity, position yourself on a ladder or whatever you have handy. (I’ve used milk crates here) If you’re shooting alone you’ll need to set the timer on your camera or use a remote to release the shutter. Or, if you have a good friend named Dean, like i do, set everything so it’s ready to go and get him to press the shutter release for you. (Thanks Dean)

Now it’s time to open up photoshop where the illusion will all start to take shape. Open both images using the image without you in it as the background. There are a few ways to remove the milk crates. The eraser tool will do it, but it is irreversible, so if you make a mistake you’ll have to start over. The best tool for the job that i’ve found is the “Layer mask”, it lets you paint out any detail you like, and if you make a mistake you can paint it right back in again. If you don’t know how to do layer masks, go and google it. But hurry back, we’re just getting to the good bit! If you do know how to do layer masks go right ahead and start to paint out the milk crates. When you’re satisfied they’re all gone it’s time to go to layers and “flatten image”.

Once the milk crates are gone, there might be a dent in your bum, legs or stomach in my case, from where your weight was on the milk crates. To fix this go into filters and select “Liquify”. Use a medium size brush and carefully push out the dented area.

Once you have everything where it should be, just edit the image to your liking as you would with any other photo.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful.

Now go get levitating!

Good luck!

Dean, part time model, full time web designer. http://thriveweb.com.au/

The Gold Coast Photographic Society are having an exhibition in Robina at the moment. There are a number of amazing images that are well worth going to check out.

I have a piece going in the exhibition at Reap N Sow this saturday and sunday. Come along if you can..

On the weekend we (the GCPS) went for a sunrise shoot at Elephant Rock, Currumbin. It was cloudy and didn’t look too promising from home, but first light brought with it some beautiful colours and great photo opportunities.

My wife and I drove up Tamborine mountain today for a little bit of quality time. As there often are, there were a bunch of hang gliders lining up for their turn to run off a perfectly good mountain. It’s worth a look if you’re ever in the area on a weekend day..

This morning a friend and i went to Fingal Head for a sunrise shoot. After just a few minutes of shooting a freak wave came in and drenched me and my camera before i could get out of it’s way. Luckily my camera is weather sealed, and so am i. I got a few keepers, so it was worth the wetness.

Here’s a pic of my last dry moment..

I have a piece in the ‘Decksabition’ exhibition in the ‘oneway project’ which is a part of the Surfers Paradise festival. A hand full of artists were given skateboard decks to use as canvases. Mine of course is photo based. Come check it out this saturday if you like arts, music and food and have nothing else on.

Copy the link into your browser for details.

http://www.surfersparadisefestival.com/art/detail.php?id=34

I have a project that i am working on at the moment for an exhibition. Mykaela was the model, and she was perfect for the job.

Here’s an image from the shoot.

I just upgraded to Adobe Photoshop CS5 from CS3. It seems to have some nice new features, ill keep you posted as i get time to learn more.

I recently became a member of the Gold Coast Photographic Society. If you’re located on the Gold Coast and interested in surrounding yourself in like minded individuals, come along. Everyone is very welcoming and friendly.

http://www.gcps.org.au

I went to the Spit recently with my camera for a look. For $1.80 you can go out on the sand pumping jetty where you can catch an unusual angle of surfers doing their thing. I plan on going back next time there’s some big swell.

I have a few block mounted photo’s on display and for sale at Reap n Sow in Burleigh Heads.

Even if you’re not interested in my stuff, you have to go and say hi to Chryslyn and Magnus and check out this amazing little gallery/shop/artspace located Upstairs at 6/1710 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads between Sunnies Central and Burleigh Photos. 5535 2704.  reapnsow@rocketmail.com

Yesterday, along with the Gold Coast Photographic Society (www.gcps.org.au), i attended a photoshop workshop with Philip Andrews.

Philip Andrews is Adobe Australia’s official Photoshop and Elements Ambassador. He is an experienced photographer, author, magazine editor and online course creator. He was previously a lecturer at the Queensland School of Printing and Graphic Arts, Australia and Nescot, England. He is a beta tester for Photoshop, an alpha tester for Photoshop Elements and a Photoshop specialist demonstrator for Adobe Australia. Philip is also co-founder of photo-college.com an online photography training college. He’s a regular contributor to several magazines including Shutterbug, Amateur Photographer, Australian Photography and Better Photography, he is senior contributing editor for Better Digital, columnist for What Digital Camera and Co-editor and publisher of Better Photoshop Techniques magazine.

He is a great guy who really knows his stuff, and had an answer for every question.

Thanks Philip and everyone involved in making the day happen.

Photo courtesy of whatdigitalcamera.com

I attended a beautiful wedding on the weekend, not as the photographer but as a groomsman. There were times when i was really itching for my camera, It was a perfect day with my favorite people.

Photo courtesy of Shaun Campbell.

My first camera was a Hanimex 110 very similar to this one. Unfortunately i don’t have mine anymore, i lent it to someone years ago and never got it back..

New logo thanks to Dean Oakley at ffive.com.au

Starting to build this site.