What sort of photographer am I??

Today I did a photography workshop through Obscura Gallery in St Kilda, Melbourne. It was a basic introduction to the principles of photography, with a photo shoot outdoors and then back in for a brief photoshop tutorial. Most of the way through I found it fascinating, and took plenty of notes, but on my journey home it made me think - What sort of photographer am I? I think the answer is a different one.

I'm modest most of the time with any compliments that I recieve on my work, but looking back - damn I've come a long way since 2008 when I first got my Panasonic Lumix FZ-7!!!! The Panasonic FZ7 is still my weapon of choice, and has lasted me well, along with a 10 megapixel 5x zoom Nikon Coolpix that fits in my hand bag for going out every day or when we are drinking etc and I dont want to risk the "good camera"... I have dreamed for years of owning a digital SLR but to be honest - I am not sure I want one, they appear big and bulky, whereas if I need the Panasonic it also fits in my handbag, and there are soooo many different lenses for SLR's - the Panasonic has one fixed lense and allows me to add different filters/magnifiers if I want. Plus I still have SO much to learn about the basics of photography, and the various settings on my camera, I think I would be lost with an SLR. Right now, at this moment in life, I have just started to enjoy photography again, and I think if I went out and got an SLR it would be put in the "too hard" basket again.

I don't enjoy sitting in front of the computer for hours playing on photoshop to edit/correct photographs, At this stage I would much rather take a few shots and then move on, and if I do not get a good shot - ask myself what I missed, and use it as learning. I used to attend a local camera club and their main interest was Photoshop. After a year of being president I soon lost interest and no longer attend meetings, which is sad because it was a good social outing, but I just have no real interest in photoshop...Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy digitally playing with my photos,  - but more in the way of digital scrapbooking, not editing and fixing various parts or removing things. I think it comes down to I am an impatient learner, with little time lately and there is way too much for me to get my head around!! Maybe one day I will truly be able to appreciate the editing that is required, but as an amateur photographer, I dont see the point in me  attempting to learn this, as I only do photography for fun, not as a profession and nor do I intend on it becoming a profession.

What sort of subjects do I enjoy photographing? Anything!  I do photography because it allows me to "escape". It gets me thinking and I go off in my own little world, playing with settings and zoom etc to attempt to teach myself what is required for a good photo.  Anyway enough of my rambling, I will post some pics below ranging from 2008-today. (They are4 not in order though) Thanks for reading :)

I hope my post does not offend any of my professional photographer friends - I frequently look at your work and am in awe. You are all truly gifted in both editing and photography x

Apparently there's a wedding on today....

Yup. The royal wedding has caused wedding fever to hit around the world. Inspired by Megs and Chantelle at FatMumSlim I have decided to share some of my favourite Wedding photos from my big day. I couldn't decide as I had so much fun and it shows in most of our photos, so be prepared for pic overload! x


My favourite B&W pic of the two of us...

 Our awesome bridal party - The two Renee's, Andrew and Clint

Our yummy cake - white gold mud & choc mud. Home made and decorated by Lukes mum & Sister, personalised NUTR33 cake topper made in Perth

Luke and his car

Our friend Shagga "stealing" me away from Luke

 Just after becoming man and wife

This shows our personalities so well, Me trying to be silly and get Luke to laugh

 and again our personalities showing - Photographer told Luke to whisper something sweet in my ear, he stuck his tounge in my ear and gave me a wet willy!!

Story Telling in 30 photos... PART 2

Time for part 2 of the Story Telling....

11. Someone I tell everything to - Luke of course. I love this photo of him from our wedding

12.  A picture from my everyday life... This is Ginge cat. He is always squeezing himself in any spot that he can. Luke took this photo a few years ago

13. A picture from a place I love... The beach at sunset, this particular photo was taken in Caloundra

14. A picture that reminds me of old times... My first trip to the V8 Supercars many years ago at Winton. I was so excited to get some signatures on my jacket :)

15. A picture from a great night...Palooza 2011 with Kell and Fleur. I had an absolute blast that night out at Retro!

16. An unusual picture... The "wanking" angel in Warrnambool

17. A picture of my spare time... harrasing Luke in the shed of course! This is a pic of me after I performed my first service on the old magna :D

18. A picture of people who are closest to me... My "baby" sister and my husband

19. A picture of someone who is always there...My dad. Luke is always there too but I have put lots of pics of him up already so I will add a photo of my dad. Day or night I can call him and chat, drunk or sober. I love my dad and would be lost without him.

20. A picture of a time in life I miss...Technically I don't remember it, but I'm sure things were easier being a baby!

The 3rd and final installment of story telling in 30 photos shouldnt be too far away!
Ciao for now,

Storytelling in 30 photos... PART 1

I saw this over at Leila's Blog - Emerald City Girl and thought it would be a cool challenge, but was a bit overwhelmed by finding 30 photos, so I will do it in a few parts... I had great fun looking through all my old photos though I was unable to find some pics to suit each topic.

1. Someone I spend alot of time with... This one was easy - It is Luke  of course :)

2. A picture of myself - excited about all ages freckle making!





3. A picture of someone in my family - My nephew Lincoln and his mum Stacey

4. A picture of something that makes me happy - Cuddles with Ned

5. An old picture of myself - Back when I had the VL and was skinny... those were the days!

6. A picture of a sibling - hows a picture of 2 of my siblings and I? Me, Renee and Erica at Erica's 21st

7. Class photo - none digital sorry

8. A random photo of you and your significant other - Luke and I back in 2005 on the ferry to Rottnest Island

9. A picture I havent posted online before - This was hard but I think I found one -  a flower taken up at Sky High, Mt Dandenong.

10. A relative of mine - My brother and Nanna Bates

Stay tuned for parts 2 & 3, coming soon! :)
Ciao for now,

Meet Me Monday!

I was trawling my friends blogs as I usually do when I have some down time and came across Lucy's Meet me Monday post. I clicked on the picture-link and found the creator Never Growing Old. I have decided to participate this week, so without further ado....


Meet Me Monday...

1. Caesar Salad or Garden Salad?
I much prefer Caesar Salad, especially when you add chicken to it - Garden salad is too plain for me

 2. Will you be watching the Royal Wedding on April 29th?
Definately not, I am heading to Melbourne that night and will possibly record the Chasers version of the Royal Wedding over on ABC just for kicks. Im sure it will be replayed over and over on the news so I wont miss much!

 3. Last thing you spent lots of money on?
It's nothing exciting, I recently paid a massive phone bill...  Havent spent large sums on myself in a while as we are saving for a house4. Window seat or aisle seat?
Window if I can fight hubby for it, I hate being bumped into!


5. Do you know your blood type?
I should - I have a card in my wallet, but sadly if you were to ask me, I would not know...


So there you have it folks, my debut in Meet Me Monday. Hope it wasnt too boring for you :)
Ciao for now!

The CMCA 25th Anniversary Rally in Deniliquin

Today Luke and I travelled to Deniliquin for the open day at the 25th Anniversary Rally of the Camper Van and Motor Home Club Australia (aka - CMCA) Info here
It was amazing. Over 1000 motorhomes of various sizes and shapes all in the one area,  mindblowing, not to mention everyone we spoke with was  happy for a chat and extremely friendly.

Lukes parents own a motorhome which they have built up themselves over the years (Double J, pictured below) and so we figured being that they were so close to home and it was the open day we would go and say hello. We arrived at about lunch time and after a feed of Roast Potatoes we spent the afternoon wandering around with Luke's parents looking at all of the various market stalls and displays, as well as sticking our heads in some of the new (and very expensive) motorhomes. I think I have picked out about 10 that I would like when I retire (if not sooner haha) My favourite was the Wirraway brand. They are all hand crafted in Mildura, Victoria and the luxuries had me oooing and aaaahhhhing.

Anyway enough of me blabbing on, I just wanted to share the day with you all, I know if they have another rally near home, I'll be there on open day for sure!

Cheers to the CMCA!

Some pictures:

The CMCA stand and the "Denni Ram"

 Close up of the Denni Ram, with a 25th Anniversary medallion and sitting on a motorhome. (For those who dont know, Denni Footy Club is the Rams)

Looking from the stairs of the shed out onto one of the ovals. This was only about 1/4 of the motorhomes! The smaller ones got parked out on the oval as it is a new surface and was quite boggy when they were parking up.

Some of the motorhomes near Lukes parents bus

Really cool motorhome, We think it is an ex-fire engine. The solar panels rotate to catch the sun throughout the day.

DOUBLE J - Lukes parents bus

Sunday Shenanigans.... Aka - Dog School Adventures

So Ned has been with us a few months now, and one of my promises to Luke if I got another dog was that I would enrol him or her in obedience classes. So last week, Sunday 3rd April, we started with the Shepparton and District Dog Obedience Club.

The first class came at a bad time, we had finally arrived home at 2am the night before from 4wding, and after a cruddy night sleep on the Friday, a 7am wake up and get organised was not looking good...

Class for new dogs starts the first Sunday of the month at 9am, We had to be there at 8:45 so by 8am we were all loaded into the Pajero raring to go. Achy after my fall the day before I was really dreading school, I had no idea what to expect considering Ned had only been socialised with other dogs and travelled in the car when he was in the pound and when we brought him home.

We got less than a km from home and I was already asking to go home. Ned kept sooking and barking and howling, even though we were paying him attention and had his favourite toy with him. So we pulled over and he sat in front with me. Things went a bit smoother from there and we arrived at dog school about 40 minutes later.

I went in to enrol and pay membership fees while Luke walked Ned around the oval. I was gone less than 20 minutes but by the time I got back to Luke and Ned he was at the end of his tether and was struggling to keep him under control. Ned was extremely excited (understandably). This was where I took over and as instructed inside walked Ned amongst the other dogs. This was to encourage socialisation and calm him down. We were going well until he met a massive doberman looking dog. It was HUGE. Ned instantly collapsed, rolled over, tounge hanging out his mouth and closed his eyes - he was playing dead!! I couldnt stop laughing at him! I am annoyed at myself for not getting a photo of this, the big dog kept sniffing and then when Ned thought it was safe he jumped up and went to keep socialising with other dogs "more his size"

The first lesson went ok, considering my eyes were hanging out of my head I learnt lots. We studied how to get our dogs to sit, heel and also do a right about turn and then were congratulated on our efforts and sent home to practice. Ned and I practiced madly for 10-15 minutes each day, heeling (walking alongside) then sitting, then heeling and then a right about turn and before we knew it week 2 had rolled around.

This morning we were running late, I had trouble getting started so early on a Sunday morning. My body kept telling me "But its the weekend stupid!" We arrived spot on 9am and had no time to socialise or calm down. It had been raining overnight and the wind was freezing! The lesson started with recapping what we had learnt the previous week. Of course because Ned hadnt had a chance to socialise he wanted to play with his new friends and was not interested in heeling or sitting or turning around. This went on for about 10 minutes before we moved on to our next lessons - Getting our dog to stay, come and do right angle turns. WOW. I was so scared Ned would bolt away, but it was nothing like what I expected. We had a hold of he dogs leads the whole time and by the end of the lesson Ned had no qualms in staying and then running to me when called. I can't wait to see how he responds in the future and eventually off the lead!

So I guess so far it is all good.  I must admit by the end of the lesson we are both buggered. Ned and I both crash in the car and Luke enjoys some silence for the trip home, then Ned and I both had a few hours sleep when we get home!

I will update you all again after our 4th lesson. The "beginners" class goes for 4 weeks and then we are graduated to the next level if we want to. After 6 weeks of dog school they hold a graduation ceremony too. Fingers crossed we both have the patience to make it that far!

You can find more info on the Shepp Dog Obedience Club Here
Ciao for now