Taking The Scenic Route

All the prettiness a girl could want

2011-03-14T23:49:00.002+11:00

You must, must must check out the wonderful goodies at Carnival Designs. She makes the most amazing hats, hair accessories, children's clothes, pettiskirts and more. I am totally in love with all her creations. Originally intended as photo prop, but my daughter has other ideas and has snagged one hat for herself and has her eye on a few others.

I am sure you will agree these designs will make any girl feel special. Just Adorable is all I can say.

Introducing a NEW BLOG

2011-01-31T22:36:00.003+11:00

Well I guess it's obvious that my enthusiasm for this blog has dropped off. I mean just look at my regular posting , so frequent .... not.

Hopefully things are about to change a new year and a new website. you can now find me posting here "Memories of Mine Photography"

The Summer holidays means my internet time has been limited. I've been enjoying a short family holiday, a girls weekend away, family day trips here and there has been number of visits to the dentist (they haven't been as enjoyable). In that little spare time I've built a website and blog for my camera club.

please pop over and see what you think of my new look. Feel free to follow along if you like what you see. I hope to have my blogging mojo back real soon.

This is what summer looks like.

A workshop and a Baby

2010-11-13T11:39:00.003+11:00

I promised you pictures from my recent work shop to which I am reneging on. Only because there is a heck of a lot of photoshop skills involved in what I did and mine are not yet up to scratch. Practice, Practice, Practice is what I need.
If you are interested you can check out the workshop I went to, here. It was a lot of fun and I really did learn a lot in 2 short days. Mike was really forthcoming in the information he shared.

On another note I have been working hard, trying to set up a little portrait business. I'm not sure how one gets work even though I am about to shoot my third wedding for the year and have 2 potential weddings lined up for 2011. I really want to work on getting family and kids portrait work. I've set up my website and facebook page and I am running a competition for a free studio portrait sitting, and I am going to have a stand at a local market in the next few weeks, but no bites yet.

I'm going to leave you with a picture for a portrait sitting I did earlier this year.

Here in the Background is a busy place

2010-10-29T22:45:00.002+11:00

Hello, echo echo echo ........... is there anyone out there, it's been so long, I'm surprised I even remember my password to log into my account.

It's so long, I don't know where to start or what to say. I don't know how to break thought the ice and get back into the swing of things. I want to but not quite there yet. Even though it appears I haven't been around I have been secretly stalking the blogs I follow keeping up with the news here and there when I can.

I have much to do, I've just completed processing of one wedding and now have another wedding to shot in 2 weeks, plus I want to get some portrait work happening.

Next week I am on a rockin' photography workshop. I really looking forward to doing something different and hopefully I get some good images to share with you. I'm going to keep the nature of the workshop secret and reveal the surprise all in good time.

I decided to take my Christmas photos before it's too late and time slips way from me.

let me show you around my town

2010-08-26T21:57:00.002+10:00

Come walk with me and I’ll show you some historic and important buildings that make Melbourne beautiful.

Lets start in the waterfront district and visit The Mission to Seafarers building. This is a non-profit organisation run by the Anglican Church, which cares for welfare of all seafarers regardless of nationality and faiths. The Mission provides a safe place to rest and relax for all seafarers that spend so much time in dangerous waters. There are 230 missions worldwide and 4 of these are located in the State of Victoria – Australia.

Next we head east and closer to the heart of the city to the Intercontinental Hotel in the Rialto building. This hotel is one of Melbourne’s best and has been a landmark since 1891. It’s Gothic facade is heritage listed and the newer glass Rialto tower manages to not look out of place next the beautiful old building. The Rialto tower opened Melbourne’s first public observation deck in 1994. The Tower finished completion in 1986 and at the time was the 23rd tallest building in the world and the 2nd tallest out side of the United States. The Rialto tower opened Melbourne’s first public observation deck in 1994. now this building is the 2nd tallest in Melbourne after the Eureka Tower which opened in 2006.

Lets hop on a tram now and head to work, if only my work building could be this cool, just think what this sort of space could do for team moral, bbq’s and drinks after work. No such luck at my work, were we do have a bbq but our site exists in the dirtiest and smelliest part of town, and to top it off my work is a dry site so no drinkies allowed. But this work building, even if I couldn’t have a vodka and lemonade sitting on the rooftop I wouldn’t complain. Sitting out in the sunshine, eating lunch and reading a book is much more appealing that eating at my desk. The whole roof top garden is self sustainable.

The last place I have to show you is a favourite of my daughters. Come in and look around the State Library. The building is home to more than 2 million books and thousands of pictures, newspapers, audio, visual and digital material. The building continually hosts many interesting exhibitions and the highlight of the visit is its heritage listed architecture and dome in the Latrobe reading room.

Teeming with ideas but little time

2010-08-06T22:00:00.003+10:00

I’ve been away from blog land for what seems like an eternity. It’s hard to image that my life has been that busy and when I look back it feels like I have nothing to show, except for a few photos, of course.

That’s they way it goes, sometime life gets in the way of blogging. Sometime there’s work we must complete, and then sometime we must follow where our creativeness leads us, and take hold of our ideas in the moment or they be lost forever. I come to realise that I will never have enough time in the day to do what I want and need to do. So, it’s necessary to work out what is important and prioritise accordingly. Not forgetting I must squeeze in some important family rime.

I have many ideas in my head right now. Thinking about how to convert them into realities is consuming me in a good way. I feel excited, and on track to improve the aspects of my photography I set out to do when I gave up my 365 day photo project, which were posing, light and emotion.

These images were taken back in early July we went to Geelong for a daily outing and to visit family. The kids always love a visit to the foreshore.

And after being away for so long I have a back catalogue of photos for you.

Diamonds are a girls best friend

2010-06-26T21:38:00.002+10:00

This gorgeous little one belongs to a friend and it was such a pleasure to photograph her smiling little face. Though she tired in the middle and we stopped for coffee, tea and a chat. Little miss L got her second wind, at 10 months old she put up with 3 and a half hours of photos taking and went though 6 changes of clothes. I wonder if we have a model in the making?

(Coffeshop Template)

We'd been planning the shoot for a few weeks and I was a little worried about who to pose a 10 month old that is only just sitting up. Wet and cold outside we decided to take these shots indoors at my place. My studio is my dinning room after I empty it of it's furniture and place the kitchen table and chairs in the living area, I have just enough room to set up a backdrop.

(Modified Coffeeshop Template)

For some reason I have hit a motivation high and I am working hard on improving my portrait photography skills, not just in camera but also using Photoshop (This is a big part of the reason why I haven't been around much in blog land lately). I've been pouring my efforts into learning how to make templates and downloaded a few from Coffeeshop and after some experimenting I have enough skills to manipulate templates to suite my photography or to create my own from scratch.

(Graphic Authority Template)

I know in the last year I have come a long way with my work but I also know I have a long way to go. I often wonder if I will every be truly happy with my end results. Though I am proud of my work I am always striving to do better. I suppose that's not a bad things as it is what helps me grow as a photographer.

When the law forces you to lie

2010-06-18T23:26:00.002+10:00

First of all meet Puss Puss … he is a boy, around 7 months old and he is just beautiful! I have fallen in love with him in just a few short days. He is keeping me company while I work at home and he has no intention of venturing outside, the desk and my lap are far more comfortable. He follows me every where I go.

In search of finding Puss a vet I rang the one Mikaela so desperately wanted to go to all because the have a cute dog and cat sign out the front.

A nurse answers the phone and I tell her I have found a stray cat and would really like to keep it and wanted it all check out and de-sexed.She replied “If it’s a stray then we check to see if it is micro chipped and if so we contact the owner”Ok far enough, if someone has micro chipped the cat then I assume they care for it and therefore Puss needs to be returned.So I tell the nurse “If it’s not micro chipped I’d like to keep it”She replies “Well, if it is a stray you can’t keep it. It has to go to the pound and then you can go to the pound and purchase it if you really want it”Say What???Is this just dumbest law? I found a cat I am prepared to give it a home. I am prepared to pay for it’s vaccinations, flea treatment and worming, I am prepared to pay to have it de-sexed and take good care of it but I an not prepared for you to take Puss away and then send me for a trip to the pound to purchase something that is not your property to give away and not the councils property to make money out of.

Have they not heard the term “finders keepers”

Needless to say I didn’t take Puss to that particular vet. I rang a friend and she recommended another one. I then lied to this vet and told them I had been given the cat by someone who no longer wanted it. I felt stupid that I had no idea what sex the cat was or what age it was bla, bla bla. I could have ended up looking like a cat stealer if Puss was already micro chipped but I took the risk and luckily it paid off.

Puss has spent today in surgery having the snip and getting micro chipped. Now he is officially mine.

Dogs 3 ... Cats 1

2010-06-16T00:11:00.002+10:00

I have to admit I’ve always been a dog person. I’ve grown up with dogs in facts since the day I was born there has always had a dog in the family. My current dog Sally the beagle (13 years old) is living with my mum due to where I am now living, the back yard is to small, I have no grass (only garden) and no under cover shelter for her to protect her from the heat or the rain or other extreme elements.

My kids have nagged me for another dog, they love Sally and play with her often at my mums but she is getting old and not as eager to fetch a ball as she once was. My brother has a small Maltese X dog, which Callum adores and does not leave alone. A friend of mine has 2 of the most beautiful Border Collies you have ever seen, they are such wonderful dogs and my kids could throw them balls at the park all day long.

I get pestered for a dog, Mikaela wants a Chihuahua and has picked out the name Romeo. I keep saying maybe Santa will bring you a dog for Christmas hoping the idea of a pet will wear off by then. My friends think I am cruel for not getting my kids a pet to have at home. My response is I killed 10 gold fish in less than 2 weeks before I realised the responsibility of keep even the smallest of things… fish.

It’s so easy to say NO when the animal is not in front of you. The other week a friend found a stray kitten and asked me if I wanted it. I answered “NO”.

However today after school Callum was followed home by a cat and at 7:30pm it was still sitting on the door step with no intention of leaving. The cat is a nice looking but very skinny, very friendly and affection and has tolerated all of Callum’s attention.

A neighbour up the road tells mum that the cat was dumped on the empty block across the road a few days before.Now I am dealing with a cute looking cat, the smiles on my children’s faces and the please, please, please can we keep it. I will clean it’s poop and feed it blah, blah, blah.

Before I know it Mikaela has dragged me to the supermarket we have kitty litter, cat food and a diamond collar in hand. I know nothing about cats, I’ve never cared for a cat, I don’t know if it’s a boy cat or a girl cat. I need to take Puss Puss to the vet and I have my fingers cross that Puss Puss has already been de-sexed other wise Puss Puss is going to cost me money.

I can’t believe that I am so soft and I caved under the pressure. I am now a cat owner. I will take photos of Puss Puss soon so you can all see what I am dealing with.

In the mean time I’m off to bed to contemplate what I have done.

I need a Hero

2010-06-09T22:34:00.000+10:00

If I were a superhero, I’d like powers that would make my life easier rather than powers that could be used to save the lives of other. I know that's totally selfish but there are just not enough hours in my day, and well frankly I’m just to exhausted to rescue people hanging out of windows in tall building or fighting villains that are plotting world domination. So if you happen to find your self hanging out a window, stuck in quick sand or tied to a train track please don't pin all your hopes on me coming to your rescue.

The only powers I desire are ones to help save some time such as,

Super Speed – this would allow me to do house work, ironing and other chores quickly and effortlessly.
Flying – could possibly come in handy and would mean not having to battle peak hour traffic. With the onset of winter I hope my costume and cape are water proof or otherwise I’ll have to take the car.
Invisibility – this power would allow me to hind form my children occasionally and I just think it would be really cool, you could have a lot of fun with this power.

On the 29th May people of all ages dressed as their favourite superhero and converged on Federation Square to break the Guinness World Record for the most number of people dress in super hero costumes in one location with 1245 people dressing up for the event.

Even though numerous villains were lurking about, the streets of Melbourne were safe with the good guys out numbering the baddies at least 10 to 1. While the good guys seemed more focused on eating, sipping coffees and taking a break the bad dudes just roamed around, happy to take the spotlight for a change and pose for a few photos.

Cold Mornings provide stress relief

2010-05-25T16:53:00.002+10:00

Just thinking about setting up a new computer sends my stress levels through the roof. Loading software, downloads, internet connections, soft ware compatibility issues. Sometimes you just need to walk away and take a break, relax and remind yourself that it can wait.

I got up at 4am last weekend. It was my first realization that winter was here. The Autumn has been extremely warm and only in the last 2 weeks have we seen the temperature drop below 20 degrees. It was dark and the air was crisp and cold, I made a thermos of hot chocolate and packed slices of freshly baked carrot cake from the night before into a container. Put on my coat, and hat and headed out the door and off to a friends house.

It was only 6 degrees and while my friends we wishing they had bought their gloves like I had ,I was wishing I had worn a pair of tights under my jeans. Despite the cold I really enjoy walking early morning when no one else is around and the fog just adds that extra element of mystery. I’ve always dreamed of owning a cottage in the country somewhere where I would wake up early every morning and walk. On the cold winter mornings I’d come back to my little cottage and curl up by the fire place with my hot chocolate and spend the rest of the day staring out the window at the impending weather rolling in over the hills.

Preparing for the future

2010-05-13T07:45:00.001+10:00

I’ve stopped taking photos at the moment as both my internal and external hard drives are full to the brim. For some time now I’ve need a new pc and so I’ve decided to get a desk top because I can get a much faster and more powerful system at a more reasonable cost. The computer shop is now in the process of building my new system and I will pick it up next Monday. Then comes the painful task of installing and downloading all my software.

With my new system I also purchase a second external hard drive to be used for backups. I currently don’t have a disaster recovery plan and after a 3 year period of avid photography and 10,000’s of photos I think I really should have one.

The digital photography medium is fantastic in my view we take so many more photos now because there is no cost associated with taking a photo. If the image is bad we delete it but in some senses digital photography has made us lazy. Hands up who regularly prints their personal images? …. (both my hand are typing and not in the air) Yes I am guilty of no longer printing my images too. They sit on my hard drive and only a percentage of them make it here or to flickr. In the event of losing all my images I would only be left with the images on the net and they are sized so small for copyright protection purposes they cannot be printer.

Then we are faced with the problem of advancing technology. Often we think what possibility could come next but when you look at history in such a short time frame floppy disks have become virtually impossible to read. CD’s will no doubt, follow suit in the not to distance future, making our data stored on them unreadable too. That’s if the CD’s data lasts that long. Most of us buy the cheap quality CD’s and then don’t store them correctly in acid free and cool environments. Then one day too JPG files will be replaced with something better and there will be a whole generation of children with no embarrassing childhood photo to show at their 21st birthdays.

All this has lead me to think about how can I preserve my own kids memories of their childhoods. Over the last week I have started creating personal coffee table books for each of my children. While I have made coffee table books before, I have never made individual ones so the children can take their own books with them when they leave home. I now have the pain staking task of sorting through all my 2008 and 2009 photos to create their books and then I plan to make one book a year for each of them.

This is why I have been absent from blogging.

To all my bloggy friends regardless of your photographic skill level … Get Printing!Make your memories last forever.

What's on your i-Pod?

2010-05-03T00:18:00.003+10:00

My goodness a week’s gone by and I’ve hardly been around to visit or blog here at this space.I’m driving around in the new car, telling my kiddies … don’t put your feet on the seats…. Get your hands of the windows…. No you can't have a drink even though we have cup holders in the back seat…. Blah, blah, blah.

Mikaela has played model for me this weekend. She seriously loves her I-pod and music (never goes anywhere with out it) and I love that fact that even though a song can be 30 years old it can still touch today’s generation.

So I only have one thing left on my mind before bed. Australia’s version of the Emmy Awards were on T.V tonight and I am left me wondering if this artist is so poor that she can no longer afford shoes to perform in. If anyone sees a shoeless woman busking in the Mall, please throw her a couple of dollars. I think she might need some money to get home.

Tell me what your favourite band from the 70's is. I admit I'm partial to some Neil Diamond and Boney M tunes and my all time favouirte from that Era is Split Enz.

Phun Phriday

2010-04-24T09:45:00.000+10:00

I have decided to join in on Scott’s Phun Phriday Photography Challenge.This challenge is all about doing something different or experimental with your photography. In my general photography Aperture is usually the most important aspect for me. I only really switch my thinking to Shutter Speed when I want to capture movement.This image was taken on a fast shutter speed of 1/3200 of a second exposure. Fast shutter speeds allow you to freeze time and movement.

If you are interested in what a slow shutter speed can do to your photography please pay a visit to Scott’s blog. He has a great post which explains simply along with some amazing images to highlight the effects of slow shutter speeds.

Lets Go to the Zoo

2010-04-19T23:24:00.001+10:00

Mali is the latest edition to the Royal Melbourne Zoo. Born in January 2010 and weighing in at110 kilos, she has captivated my city. She is only on display at certain times of the day and the queues are long. We waited an hour and 15 minutes but they only let 150 people in at a time allowing everybody plenty of room to get a glimpse of her. She was deciding to stay close to mum when we visited.

I love going to the zoo, and this year we got a friends of the zoo membership. Which allows us entry to Melbourne’s 3 main zoo’s (Royal Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary) for a 12 month period. The membership is great value and pays for it’s self after 3 visits.

There is so much to more to see than just Mali. To see all of the Melbourne Zoo you really need the whole day. At least 6 hours. Heres only a glimpse of what you’ll find here.

The Seals and Fairy Penguins - the new upgraded enclosure so good that even the seagulls like it here.

Orangatangs - you can get up close and watch them through the glass. The kids love it here.

Giant Tortoise – an old favourite who was having his shell waxed.

Giraffe – he was in his home when we visited as the keeper was doing some house cleaning.

The Meerkats – well no one can resist the charm of these little critters. Just look at those eyes!

And last but not least here is a very rare and precious species I found sitting in the Japanese Garden.

I haven’t even scratched the surface of showing you around but I will be back at the zoo shortly and I hope to show you a lot more than animals next time.

Cactus

2010-04-15T17:42:00.002+10:00

STUFFED, broken, busted, kaput, deaded, defective, faulty, fried, in disrepair, in need of repair, in the shop, inoperable, kaput, not functioning, on the blink, on the fritz, out of commission, out of kilter, out of order, out of whack, ruined, run-down, screwed up, shot, snafued, spent, wrecked.

What ever you want to call it that is what my car is!!

I just had my radiator replaced because it was corroded but fixing the radiator is like putting a band aid on the symptoms and not attending to the cause.

My car has Electrolysis, a stray electrical current running through the cooling system causing corrosion on anything metal.

To fix the problem properly I need a lot of time and money. An auto electrician needs to check every wire in my car and ensure they are all earthed. But there is no guarantee they will find or can fix the problem.

This car has been cattywombus since day one and I’m now wiping my hands of it. Maybe my luck will change when I drive my new Mazda 3 off the show room floor.

Mr Bank Manager, hurry up with my finance.

Have you had back luck with something?

On Automatic Settings

2010-04-14T00:13:00.003+10:00

Some time I seriously underestimate the capabilities of an instant pocket camera and those of my daughter.

(this is my bother's dog Bingo, his tongue is permanently in this position. This image was taken by me on the instant camera)

All the photos in this post were taken with my daughter’s Canon Ixus80IS 8 mega pixel instant camera on total automatic settings and taken by Miss Mikaela herself.

I did some quick level and curve adjustments on these images in photoshop to help with the brightness, added a little extra punch to the contrast and finished off with some sharpening and slight vignette around the edges. For those who don’t know much about photography these changes are minor standard processes that should be undertaken on all digital images. (except for the vignetting, that’s just done because I like the effect.)

I generally let Mikaela do her own thing when taking photos. I give her very little advice. I might reminder her to use her zoom at times and when I remember I switch the auto flash off when she is shooting images through glass to stop reflections. I think it is important for her to express what she seeing rather than what I tell her to see. Besides she doesn’t need a nagging mum telling her what to do, photography is about having fun.

Here are the best 2 images I took of the duck and the swan with my DSLR.

Now do you see why I need to improve my photography? As I have this beautiful 10 year old hot on my tail.

I said I wouldn’t but I just might.

2010-04-08T22:04:00.002+10:00

I have had some car troubles over the last year

I said I wouldn’t by a new car

I’ve spent $5000 fixing issues over the last 12 months

I said I can’t afford a new car (that’s still true)

I hate my car

I’d like a new car

I’d love a new car

But I can afford a new car

Fixing problems, constantly fixing problems

Still, I’m not buying a new car

I want to do other things with the money I have saved

Like build a pergola, go on a family holiday, go on a personal holiday

I’ll need a new car in the next few years,

But I’ll think about it then, not now.

I have stood firm on my "No New Car" policy

The Bunny is on his way

2010-04-03T22:40:00.003+11:00

I hope You have been good because tonight you know who is hopping around town. He may just hide you a little egg or too.

Wishing you all a Happy and safe Easter regardless of how you may celebrate it.

By tomorrow morning EB would have left eggs scattered around our house for the kids to find. The Easter egg hunt will then be followed by a chocolate breakfast feast.

PS: Easter Bunny if you read this I'd really love it if you leave me a Lindt Bunny tonight.

Improving My Photography

2010-04-02T01:14:00.007+11:00

Over the last 6 months especially I have been working hard on evolving the style of my work. I have been studding the work of other photographers I admire and discovered images I found one elements to powerful and striking image was sharpness. I started to change the way I shoot so I could obtain sharpness of my images while maintaining suitable depth of field.

A mother and baby- photoshoot

Sharpness is not the only element to a great photo. I’m now turning my attention to some other areas that I believe will improve my work

· Posing people – catching people naturally can work really well but knowing how to pose someone or a group of people in a natural was can produce even more stunning results as you have time to get the technical aspects of your camera and light setting correct.

I tent to feel a little bit uncomfortable when posing people, more so knowing how to pose groups of people. It’s not a strong point of mine. I want to work on understanding how to pose people gaining more confidents in my choice of poses for people.

A freind of Mikaela's enjoy Chocolate

· LIGHT, LIGHT, LIGHT either, natural or studio controlled, light is often what given an image a WOW factor. Knowing how to manipulate light is extremely important in great photography.

I have a reflector but find I don’t use it much. I would like to by a cheap second hand flash and some radio triggers so I can do some more interesting work with off camera flash.

The best 3 photo buddies anyone could have

· Emotion, a good image especially one of people has emotion running through it. Being able to extract emotion out of your subject is what separates the good portrait photographs from the great ones.

Extracting emotion has nothing to do with your ability to take a photo and everything to do with how you connect with people.

My niece hanging from a tree

I have no personal projects set yet but now I have defined the elements I feel are important to improve I am a step closer to setting a more meaningful project for myself.

I will look back through my 2010 in December and I hope to see improved results and consistency in my images. If I find the majority of my photos are better then they are today abandoning project 365 was the right choice.

you can view more wedding photos here at my flickr page

Strength to watch the setting sun

2010-03-23T23:19:00.004+11:00

I’ve always believed that having strength meant completing a task no matter how difficult, once you committed to it. But what if the task no longer has relevance in your life, what if the task at hand is doing you more harm than good. We are still told to stick it out so at the end we can say “Well, I might not have won but I did passed the finish line” as if to imply the people that didn’t make the finish line are quitters. Yes, Quitters, a word we all dislike and a word none of as want to bare the stigma of.

I chose Strength as my word to carry me through 2010. I thought I’d needed strength on my side to get me through a few challenges this year, one being the 365 photo project. I completed January and February relatively easily. March however, has been another story. When I started this project it was with the intention of improving my photography, moving to the next level. I am finding that while I can take a photo a day, at least half my images are not something I really want to share. I have not been posting many of them here nor in the blogcamp 365 group on Flickr. Half the time I am taking a photo because I need one not because I have a creative urge or the subject in the picture is meaningful to me.

Project 365 is forcing me into photographing things I have no real interest in taking, producing images that often have no real story to them. I have conjured up all the strength to go against everything I know to say “No More” I am hanging up my boots on the 365 photo project officially. As much as it pains me to stop the project only 3 months in, it is better than wasting another 9 months. I will be free to concentrate on exploring other avenues to improve my photography and … well there will always be an abundance of photos to share with you here.

may you find you have the strength of the Hulk within.

The Life Cycle Of A Cookie

2010-03-16T14:36:00.003+11:00

The life cycle of a cookie is a very shot one at my house. Apparently I live with a cookie monster that can’t stop at one.

MIX

BAKE

EAT

I don’t normally cook with packet mixes…. EVER, but the kids wanted these Betty Crocker Rainbow Cookies one day while grocery shopping.

I have to admit that Betty Crocker’s rainbow cookies are excellent and easy. Now, I always keep a packet on hand for the times I need to whip up something quickly for the kids.

What is something that never lasts long at your place?

On Imagination

2010-03-11T11:48:00.005+11:00

Imagination alone makes this ride fun. Without it he’d just be going around in circles.

I recently read a blog post about imagination, which got me thinking (I would link the post but have forgotten who wrote it). I believe imagination to be very important part of child development. I believe imagination is something that needs to be nurtured and encouraged from a young age. I believe everyone possesses imagination be it in different quantities and forms. I believe if you don’t use your imagination you can forget how to use it and I believe imagination makes the world a better place.

If you ask a parent what key elements they believe are important for their child to possess you will rarely hear the word imagination pop out first. It’s always the academic’s that get a mention, reading, writing, math and spelling. So much emphasis is placed on the academic, there is homework and even extra after hours schooling. Many parents want their child to be smarter than the kid next door and their child to be the best rather than the best their child can be. Pushed by the theory, the smarter you are the better job you can get and the more money you can earn, the bigger house you can live in, the better car you can drive and the easier life can be if you have money.

Yet imagination has made the world what it is today. Regardless of how academically intelligent people are with out imagination we would not have electricity, buildings, cars, computers, the internet and so on. We would not have millions of books and movies to choose from and wonderful and interesting art to gaze at.

Imagination is not always fantasy. It’s also about dreams and picturing your future, it’s about being creative and expressing yourself.

Nurture your imagination today.

Aplologies, Co-odination and Dating

2010-03-07T00:44:00.004+11:00

I feel, lately every time I post
I need to apologies for my absents
Is it just me?
Or do others feel like this.
I put a lot of pressure on my self at time
Pressure to do my best
Pressure to take the time and read
Read what other people passionately write
You give your time up to post about
Interest, life, fears, desires
Your blogs make me think, laugh, cry,
Wish I knew you better,
They make me wish I could chat to you over a cup of tea.
Your comments make me feel like I am not alone
I apologies not because of my lack of posting
But because of my absents from your blogs.
The very people whom without
My bloging experience would be nothing
The people who have accept my blog
Welcomed my blog with open arms and
Who like my blog.

In my absents one would think
I’d have plenty to write about.
Well this is not true
I think the problem is
My photos don’t match what I’d like to say
And heck things need to match
I rang a store that custom builds computers to complain
They want to sell me a white screen with a black keyboard and mouse
The 20 something technical geek on the other end of the phone
Didn’t understand my desire for co-ordination
And they don’t sell white mice anyway.

However my daughter seems to have her life worked out
At the age of 10
A conversation in the car saw her planning her whole life
Starting her own floristry business at he age of 18
Employing her mum for slave labour
She asked me when she could get a boyfriend
I’m so glad she knows she needs to ask first
But the thing that made me happier was what came next.
I told her, she could have a boyfriend at 20 but only if he is nice
She said but mum I only know 2 nice boys
I’ll have to look at boy’s profiles on the internet
(Now I don’t internet date so I don’t know what they are teaching my daughter at school)
I go along with the conversation and ask
Well, what would his profile say.
To be met with this response.
He must not be a sloppy eater and he shouldn’t fart a lot, because that is smelly and disgusting.
Oh and he cant say rude word like the H word or that SH word either.
Now I know I am teaching her well.

So while my daughter is planning the next 10 and beyond years of her life
I struggle with the day to day planning
I wonder if I've bitten off more than I can chew with the 365 photo thing
I always want my next photo to be better than the last
But this is not always possible
Some days are boring, some days nothing happens
Some days I have no inspiration
And some days I have no time
I am falling behind and I need to start thinking
About what I really want to be doing and the purpose of this project for me.

Thanks for listening, I won’t bore you with anymore today.

I AM ..... Still Here

2010-03-02T07:42:00.002+11:00

Wow where does time go? I’m beginning to feel like a stranger here. I’ve rarely logged into my blog account or even the net for that matter. Not for lack of wanting, I got on a roll processing wedding photos and really want to get them finished as I have ask if I will do another wedding late March. Not sure what is happening with that yet but I would like to be finished my current processing if I take on another job for someone. I don’t feel like I have anything interesting to say so I totally stole this idea from Vicky.

I am: Me

I think: That my dreams are far too bizarre to share with others

I know: you can’t predict your future, you must create it.

I want: to finish processing wedding photos. Only 70 images to go

I have: good intuition and should trust it more

I dislike: the queues in the understaffed supermarkets in my local area.

I miss: being around blog land and reading other blogs more that I ever thought I would.

I fear: I will one day turn into that crazy cat lady but with no cats.

I feel: like I am still suffering the effects of the flu I contracted last week

I hear: the humming of the refrigerator between the snores of a young girl

I smell: nothing because of a blocked nose

I crave: nothing so badly that would hurt me if I didn’t get it

I search: for my car keys and glasses often

I wonder: what people really think

I regret: surprising nothing (and I thought about this for a long time)

I love: my camera / pc more than any other material possession I own

I care: far too much most of the time

I am always: dreaming of travelling and seeing more of the world

I worry: just like my mother. Yikes!! scary

I remember: everything except when I choose to forget

I have: no patience for people when they don’t try to help themselves

I dance: with two left feet

I sing: in the car and get told to stop

I don’t always: think positively

I argue: mainly at bed time

I write: because it challenges me

I lose: on principle rather that winning on a lie

I wish: writing came easier for me

I listen: well when I find conversation interesting

I don't understand: why it is hard to cure irrational fears when you know they are irrational

I can usually be found: with a camera in my hand

I am scared: when I think about how I cannot protect my children from all that may harm them in life.

I need: a cup of tea and a nice long sleep.

I forget: everything except for when I choose to remember

I am happy: more far more often than I am sad.

The Fun stops when you realise what you look like

2010-02-17T21:48:00.004+11:00

Been busy and getting busier.
The summer holidays are over
Now 3 weeks into the school year
Back to Dancing and Swimming
Soccer starts next month
Then there’s work and Camera Club commitments
Still processing wedding photos
No wonder why I always feel exhausted
To top it off I’m up to the wee hours blogging
As it’s the only spare time I have.

They say the camera len sees everything
Well it certainly saw the bags under my eyes
Did the camera make them look 10 times worse?
Or are they really that bad in real life and I just never noticed.
When people comment to me (often) that I look tired are they
Politely saying “geez you have some whopper bags under your eyes”
Photoshop and some black and white processing has fix the issue in the image

But some more serious measures are needed to fix the issue in real life.

Pampering Fun

2010-02-09T23:51:00.002+11:00

Organizing a birthday party
Taking photos, making invitations
The theme is Day Spa
Plans for 4 friends
4 young girls
To spend the day painting nails
Foot massages and making facial masks
A lounge room floor covered in cushions
DVD’s, popcorn, home made pizza and Nachos
Candles and cake
Tote bags filled with goodies for each girl
Lots of chatter, mum not being able to get a word in
Giggles and fun
Strengthening friendship with a day of pampering
This is how she has decided to spend her 10th Birthday

The up and coming party is in a few weeks but I’ll be sure to share some photos.

Oh my, does this thing still work?

2010-02-05T23:28:00.003+11:00

… Can anyone hear me... anyone. Hello, Hellooooo, hello, Hellooooooooooooooooo

I truly will forgive you if you have forgotten who I am, heck I struggled to remember my own password logging back in.

No guess for where I have been, processing wedding images has kept me away.

I also successfully completed my photo a day project you can check the all images out here.

I’ll be visiting blogs very soon, just a little bit daunted by the amount of catching up I have to do. It’s time for bed now but I’ll getting cracking and try to say hello to you all tomorrow night.

How Simple

2010-01-28T07:39:00.002+11:00

Happiness comes with acceptance of our own circumstances and appreciating what we have. For us to be happy we first must be grateful.

Here are some simple things in my life that I am grateful for

Sharing Thai curry’s with my dear friend Miss Potter
Discovering the art of photography
Photo outings on sunny days
Photo outings on rainy days
Meals outside on the deck in the warm evening sun
The blanket of stillness that covers my house when the children are sleeping
Any words my son speaks
My children being blessed with the ability to learn, regardless of the rate
The laughter and fun we share as a family
Kisses, hugs and the words “love you mum”
My dreams and goals. Even the ones I may never reach as they always give me something to strive for.
Having everything I need even if I don’t have everything I want.

Christina from Soul Aperture is hosting the simple things and for every blog that participates she is donation $1 to the Doctors without Borders organization to support the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

I am the mix master

2010-01-27T00:22:00.004+11:00

One of my birthday presents was a mix master. I decided to christen it by making a batch of cream filled chocolate cup cakes.

Then I made do Lamington cup cakes for Australia Day. Which was today, normally we go out and get involved in the Australia Day activities and celebrate our National Public holiday but I been so busy we decided to stay at home and have a BBQ.

I love cooking it really helps to relax me. When I’m in the kitchen the stress of day to day leave my body, I have no care or concept of time except when placing the cake in the oven but hey that’s what the oven timer is for.

Then Mikaela’s PC died today, it has a corrupt hard drive and this is the 4th time I have restored it, problem being it takes me a few hours to get it all going again. I think I will bite the bullet and get a new hard drive shortly. I hate PC problems; they are just to time consuming and incontinent. Even a girl one month off turning 10understands the frustrations of being left with out a computer and internet access.

I’m photographing a wedding this weekend and I’m supposed to be doing research but I’m not. It feels a little hopeless like cramming for an exam. I was terrible at cramming. I may love photography but my memory is definitely not a photographic one.

Christina from Soul Aperture is hosting the Simple Things, tomorrow (actually today) and I’d dearly love to join but I feel like all the stress of my daily life are blocking any creativity I have. Well you just have to wait till tomorrow to see how lame my simple things post is.

New Office Space

2010-01-24T23:40:00.003+11:00

The retrenchments at my work are now setting in and by March my team of 4 will be the only people left on the office floor of our building. I asked my boss if we would be moving. What I meant was, were we going to move down stairs where the rest of the IT department resides. His response was we would most likely be moving building.

Moving to this location!! YIPPEE!! This pleases me, finally a location that is easily accessible by public transport. I am so sick of the 1:10 to 1:30 drive home considering it only takes me 30 minutes to get to work, as I don’t start until 10am and am not battling peak hour traffic on the way in.

It’s also a place where I could bring my camera to work everyday, finally an area that inspires some imagination. My current work place is boxed in on 3 sides by huge walls of shipping containers, dirty, dusty and on a good day it smells like dead cows decaying in the hot sun. (Not very inspiring)

I’m not sure if and when the move is going to happen but if it does here are some of the things I might see on a daily basis.

You may remember this bridge for a night photography shoot I did last year on a cold and rainy night. http://amemoryforever.blogspot.com/2009/10/view-of-melbounre-and-hamer-hall-arts.html

Little Miss Naughty's iPod Ordeal

2010-01-23T10:04:00.007+11:00

There is a story behind this image. Little Miss Naughty is me.

I had purchased an iPod shuffle some time ago and put it away for Callum’s Christmas gift. Then I notice in many of the catalogues that the iPod shuffle had been upgraded it was now 2 gig instead of one and it was $10 cheaper then the 1 gig I had purchase months before.

Me, being an extremely smart cookie, decided that because the iPod I had purchase Callum hadn’t been opened and I still had the receipt taped to the box that I would take it back. I could get a refunded and go buy the new iPod, saving myself $10 and the boy would have a extra gig of music.

I take the ipod back to where I purchased it. Tell the lady that someone else bought him one and it’s no longer needed and she refunds my money. Beaming with smugness I now go to another shop and tell the assistant I wish to purchase a Blue Ipod Shuffle. He goes to the display cabinet and brings back the new streamlined version of the shuffle. Hands it to me and I’m left with a confused look on my face. Where are the buttons? How do you fast forward? There are no buttons.

The new iPod shuffles controls are in the earphones. DOH!!! That’s no good for my boy, he wont be able to manipulate controls from his ears. What have I done, the old iPod’s are now off the market and you can’t buy them. I race back to the first shop to try and recover the original iPod, reluctantly after much begging by me the sales girl allows me to repurchase it.

Phew, what an ordeal.

I'm It - Ready or not here I come

2010-01-21T23:26:00.003+11:00

I’m no longer on holidays. Back at work, which isn't agreeing with my 365 photo project. I’m a bit behind so I’m posting yesterdays photo, today’s photos. Tomorrow I am going to make time to visit your lovely blogs.
I’ve been tagged twice this week by Cinner and Bull Rhino. I’ve decided to play only one tag because I think it encompasses the other tag.

8 TV shows I watch on occasion

1. News.

2. Jeopardy - (NOT the game show – The British TV series about 8 Scottish teenagers that travel to Australia with their school teacher and have an alien encounter)

4. Lie To Me.

5. Packed To The Rafters (occasionally).

6. Master Chef Australia.

7. Compass – and interesting documentary show on the ABC.

8. I want to watch “Wicked Love” the story of Maria Korp when it airs. Tragic story, but interesting.

8 favorite places to eat and drink

1. Mum’s house - some time I get a roast dinner.

2. Home

3. Hot Chilli – my favourite Thai Restaurant.

4. I rarely eat out and if I do my choice is always #3, it’s just that good and reasonably priced.

8 things I look forward to

1. More time off work

2. Kids returning to school (maybe not means homework)

3. A real family holiday

4. The return of camera club meetings 2010

5. Photographing a wedding next weekend

6. Travelling with out children

7. Meeting MR Right

8. Weekends, lazy day and family outings.

8 things I love about winter

1. Ask me again in winter. To busy enjoying summer right now.

8 things on my wish list

I’m really not one to wish for things. If I want something I will work my way towards it regardless of time and effort but if I could have anything then ….

1. A photography studio with all the photographic equipment I desire.

2. Travel the world, to experience the diversity and culture the world has to offer.

3. For my children to never have to suffer hardship pain or sorrow.

4. That my dad was alive today.

5. Never to experience fear again.

6. For all my family to have good health.

7. For the friendships I have today to continue long into the future.

8. That my house is always filled with laughter and warmth.

8 things I am passionate about

1. My kids

2. Photography

3. Travel

4. Making the most of what I have

5. Friends

6. Being true to myself

7. Paying my home loan off within the 10 years. (this requires much effort)

8. The price of Bananas (just checking if your still with me)

8 things I have learned from the past

1. Kicking toe on concrete paver hurts, really hurts (sorry that’s still fresh in my mind)

2. Trust your intuition

3. Just because someone lives in a nice house and drives a nice car doesn’t mean they are rich. (they just have bigger debts than me)

4. Better to have an empty room than a bad lodger.

5. Judge someone by their actions not their words. (Words are meaningless if not followed up with action)

6. If you want to make friends give people a fair go. (Don’t dismiss them because you think they don’t match your selection criteria.)

7. Being alone does not equal being lonely (To truly understand this, one must spend countless hours in ones own company without the possibility of soon returning to the arms of a loved one.)

8. You can only control your own actions, not the actions of others. However your actions can influence the actions of others.

8 things I want/need
(You’ll notice a theme happening here)

1. A pergola – had a quote for one but it was $9,800 or $11,000 painted (EEK!! Start saving my pennies now)

2. A water tank –so I can water my garden.

3. Garden Shed.

4. Plantations Shutters for my Bathroom, toilet and en-suite windows.

5. Remove weeds and replace with compacted crushed rock on nature strip (the council land between house and road)

6. A lawn moving man to mow the weeds in the meantime.

7. New PC and desk.

8. More free time to read and visit blog friends.

8 people I want to tag

I’m taking the easy way out and not going to tag anyone. It’s taken me all night to write this post. Anyone who t has the time and would like to take part is welcome to paly along is welcome.

Who said Photographers are Crazy?

2010-01-20T00:08:00.009+11:00

I squeezed my foot into the most comfortable shoes I have and it was off to a catch up lunch with friends. Cameras in hand, we chatted laughed and laughed some more, planned photo outings and another weekend away.

This poem works better if you sing the tune of “Christie Lee” by Billy Joel.

Let me tell you a story
About a girl and 2 guys
They were going into town
And it wasn’t to by pies
They decided to photograph seagulls
By throwing chips around
But the only shots they could get
Were ones from the ground.

Wide angle lens, wide angle lens
Wide angle lens, wide angle lens

She always gets the best shots
When the boys are around.

This photo was taken by one of my friends looking on in between his fits of laughter. For the record I don't like any of the shots I took on the grass, the gravel proved a better location.

Present to Self

2010-01-18T21:18:00.006+11:00

I never really spoil myself with gifts that have no practically. But I wanted a charm for my charm necklace, I went into the jewellers and after looking at all the different charms something made me ask her “Do you have a camera charm?” She was sure she had seen one but upon checking there were none in the store. She rang head office and they had one camera charm left in the whole company as they were discontinuing the line. I just had to have that charm. Now it’s home is around my neck.

Some of you may remember some 6 months ago I lost a ring that I wanted to give my daughter for her 10th birthday. A friend had told me to pray to St Anthony and catholic saint or the patron of lost things. “But I’m not catholic” I said to my friends. “No worries, St Anthony love everybody” my friend replies. So I pray to St Anthony and for 6 months I look around the house and tip out the contents of the small draw I had kept the ring in too many times to count, and nothing, zip, nada.

Now every time I see my friend I remind her that I’d asked St Anthony very nicely but he hasn’t found my ring and my daughters birthday 10th is nearing. She just replies with “He will” in that smart tone like she knows better.

The other day I open the small draw for a completely different reason and I think of St Anthony. I start to curse him (no rude language). I just called him a useless kleptomaniac, that’s all. Then as if by magic a small box appeared before my eyes. No surely it couldn’t be….. couldn’t it. I mean I turned that draw upside down, inside out and the wrong way round many times it can’t be or can it?

I open the box and it is. It is, it is. I’m not sure if I pushed his buttons but I hereby wish to formally apologies to St Anthony. Sorry St Anthony, I am now a believer.

Wanted... Another 347 Photo Ideas

2010-01-18T00:00:00.003+11:00

(only one flavour milkshake for the girl and that's Chocolate)

I’m just not in the right headspace at the moment. How many day are we into this project? Picking up my camera is not an issue, thinking of ideas of something to shoot can be on days. For me this project is more often and taking more images, it’s about improving my photography, challenging the way I think and the way I shoot. Learning to see outside the square instantaneously and improving my creative train of thought.

I may not use the camera on a particular day and so that might mean I selected an image taken different day for display. I'd be lying if I said I did take a photo every day. Last year I picked up my camera on average every 3rd day and this year I ented to beat that. Even still I work an 8 hour day, have kids to take swimming,dancing, soccer and not to forget school homework and there will not alway be oppurtunites every day to shoot something. Therefore I have set a rule that photos in my 365 project cannot be more than a week old for me to be able to use it. This way when I look back on the year it is still an accurate account of 2010 for me. This rule will, force me to pick up the camera again and keep striving to do better.

It also means even at this early stage of the game that I have a number of interesting photos that I still want to share with you but haven’t been as they are not apart of my 365 project.

So I am breaking the rules and will also be displaying a few images here that don’t make it to my project when appropriate.

One of my main goals for this project it to have a diverse range of images yet still be reflective and meaningful of the year that was for me.

Sushi Anyone?

2010-01-17T00:54:00.009+11:00

My boy has some neurological problems which have caused a moderate intellectually disability, verbal and motor dyspraxia and a squint (you’ll notice his turned eye in this image). There are many things he can not do … YET.
As a mother, sometimes there are things I wont let him do, mainly only because I believe there is an element of danger to him. As a mother there are many things I let him try, even if a little I’m apprehensive at times. As a mother there is always joy at all of his achievements no matter how small.

I guess I am just like any other mother and he is just like any other child. I like to encourage both my children’s strengths, we acknowledge the weakness but we don’t make a big deal out of them. Everybody has their own strengths and weakness, one can not exist with out the other. Our weakness makes us appreciate our strengths.

While it sometimes can be heartbreaking as a mother to see other kids his age ride bikes and kick balls, speak and be understood etc…. we continue on our path and we will achieve the best of our ability, no matter where our ability lies.

Never allow what you cannot do, interfere with what you can do - Author unknown

What's For Dinner

2010-01-16T10:01:00.006+11:00

Summer to me means lots of Barbeques. I generally cook a poor mans bbq, just sausages and burgers with a few sliced potatoes and some zucchini. It’s nothing fancy, just some salad on the side you know lettuce, tomato, cheese and some cucumber with some fresh bread and oh can’t forget the most important thing when having a bbq … the Tomato Sauce!

Sorry but you wont find shrimp on the barbie here. Unless I am trying to impress…but then I’d make my homemade potato and tuna pasta salad and yummy desserts. I love the casualness of a Barbie with friends.

What do you like to cook when entertaining your guest?

The What Tree?

2010-01-15T07:44:00.008+11:00

Yes it’s the thong tree. It was defiantly fun thing to photograph, humours and an iconic Aussie symbol. Now a word of advice for my America friends that might one day visit my homeland your thongs are not what we call thongs, these things stapled to the tree are thongs, try not to get them mixed up and don’t freak out when someone asks you to put on your thongs.

I’m fascinated how one thing can have so many English names. We call them Thongs, the Kiwi’s call them Jandals, some call them Flip Flops. Let me know what you call them?

A boring day is a day lost forever - Author unknown

A Short Break.

2010-01-14T08:09:00.007+11:00

Sorry, I forgot to post yesterday. Sometimes life is busy and you are tired and things just don’t happen. My little family have been on a short break, drove 2 and bit hours to the town of Echuca along the Murray River. So please enjoy some of my favourite images of our trip.

The Murray River is Australia’s largest/longest river. The river acts as the border between the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

Back in 1956 when the river flooded, and the bridge that links the 2 states was inaccessible. It’s hard to image that much water these days. The river system has degraded due to an extremely long period of drought, irrigation and the introduction of European Carp, that have killed off a lot of the native fish. There are numerous environmental campaigns fighting to save the river.

Swim My Little Fish

2010-01-12T00:46:00.004+11:00

The weather has been rather hot and because I have been on holidays we have been swimming almost every day. I think the kids have grown fins.

I was given this Creative Blogger award by the incredibility gorgeous Suzy Q form Eye To Eye. Suzy is only young but she oozes talent and her writing suggests she is far wises then her years.

Now I need to tell you 7 things about myself that you don’t already know.

1. Over the holidays I’ve been rekindling my teenager years by watching the first and Best movie Nicole Kidman has ever stared in. “BMX Bandits” the Baddies in this movie are even funnier 20 year on.

2. I just broke my toe about an hour ago, the bleeding has stoped, the ice back is off and it’s all taped up. Just waiting for the nail to fall off! Did I mention it hurts!

3. In 1988 I won an essay writing competition (came first in my state). I know, it’s hard for me to believe too but I got my face in the local paper and won a birth in the Australian Bicentennial Ocean Yacht Race from Darwin to Dampier. I also won for my school 5 Apple IIe computers - they were state of the art back then.

4. It was my birthday last week – bet you didn’t know that.

5. I once went speed dating, it was a great source of entertainment, the stories I have from that night are still funny today.

6. I haven’t packed away my Christmas decorations yet. Maybe this weekend.

7. I rarely use my mobile phone. I make less that 10 calls and around 20 text message a month on it.

Sorry I am not passing this on because I follow many creative and talented people. If you want to play feel free. I love to know more about you. In the mean time I need some sleep.

What's Your Flavour?

2010-01-11T00:00:00.001+11:00

I actually never buy ice cream much to the disappointment of my kids (Mean Mother) but it’s just not practically at the time I do my shopping it would melt before I got home. We got this cool ice cream maker for Christmas now there is no more excuses.

The first batch we made was Oreo flavoured and then strawberry. I have to say the strawberry is simply delicious. I now have great plans for different flavour ice creams and want to make my most favourite flavour ice cream of all ….. Coconut with real coconut pieces, like I get at my favourite Thai restaurant!!

Inspire me, which flavour is your favourite or tell me about the weirdest flavour you have seen or tried?

Save Your Dim Sims

2010-01-10T08:00:00.001+11:00

I just new when I wrapped Callum’s uneaten fried dim sim up in a handkerchief and place it in my handbag that it would serve a greater purpose. I’m mean If I’m going to let my Olga Berg bag smell like a fish and chip shop then it better be for good purpose. This is a full price, not the on sale at the factory outlet kind of Olga Berg, there better be a purpose to storing a dim sim in it.

I saw a seagull, but it was just that wee bit out of my cameras focal range. Ah, the light bulb flickers on and I remember that uneaten dim sim. So I throw a piece in the direction I want the seagull and instead of 1 seagull there were now about 40 of them. Oh well at least I got to take my pick of which ones I wanted to photograph.

Wedding Bells

2010-01-09T00:00:00.002+11:00

Not for me, no no not for me. The bride to be is my mum’s neighbours grand daughter and I am the official photographer. She is to wed here at this reception centre and it will be my second wedding as the official photographer. Hopefully I will be able to share some of the images with you. I need to start studding some Bridal Photography for some idea. If anyone knows any great Bridal websites please send me a link.

I went out to the reception venue to have a look with another photography friend. We both took a few shots and wandered about scouting garden locations for formal portraits and checked the compass to see which way is west to watch for the setting sun.

Well, I think I’m pretty organised and just have to wait until the big day later this month.

Slowing Down With Age

2010-01-08T12:00:00.006+11:00

Well at least she is trying to. This is our dog/beagle named Sally. She takes it pretty easy these days and that’s to be expected, as she is 12 years old now. She spends a lot of time sleeping, the odd run down the back yard to chase a bird but then changes her mind as she runs out of puff. Callum likes to annoy her, he chases her and she is very tolerant of him, because she knows that he’ll soon run inside to get her a Scooby Snack (dog biscuit). It took 3 or 4 Scooby Snacks for her to pose for this photo.

What’s that saying…. Never work with children or animals.

Enjoy your work or find work you can enjoy –author unknown

Very Nice Coconut Ice

2010-01-07T00:30:00.006+11:00

One of the easiest things to make, no baking required.

Coconut Ice

3 cups icing sugar
4 cups desiccated coconut
1 can (400mls) sweetened condensed milk
Pink food colouring

Mix icing sugar and coconut and divide into 2 bowls. Pour half can of condensed milk into one bowl and mix. In left over condensed milk place drops of pink food colouring and stir before mixing into the other half of coconut and icing mixture.
Place both colour mixtures into a baking tin and refrigerate. Cut into small pieces.

No matter how simple the task there is always someone that will find the wrong way to do it – author unknown

Smooth Sailing

2010-01-06T12:00:00.005+11:00

Here’s to a calm sea for 2010. The Spirit Of Tasmania, makes here way out of the bay on her nightly journey from Melbourne to Devonport. The trip to Devonport takes 11 hours across the rough sea of Bass Strait. The journey costs around the same amount as an airfare except the flight time is just under an hour. The next time we holiday in Tassie I would like to take the kids and the car across on the boat just for the experience as my kids have never taken an overnight ferry before.

This image is a little experimental for me. Not usually how I shoot and breaks all the rules of good photography. I can’t quiet put my finger on what it is but a little voice inside me head things for some reason it works.

What do you think of this image, good, bad or indifferent?

Relax And Enjoy

2010-01-05T00:00:00.000+11:00

Sometimes it is fun being in the siding having no deadline, no fat controller telling you what to do. This is how we have been spending most of our holiday, not getting up til at least 9am, breakfast around 10am and not getting out of our pj’s until 4pm and wondering why we even bothered. Last year was very busy and stressful and this time of work is proving to he heaven sent and I am wishing I had taken more time off.

Thank you to all that left comment on my last blog post. I am OK wit my word for 2010, it's a very powerful word it's just not a pretty as some of the other words I've seen. I have chosen a second word to run along side and that is BELIEVE. I think this word will help me find the mental strength I desire. I let myself down and do myself an injustice at times all because of a lack of belief in my abilities.

PS: I've turned my comments moderator off for a few days as I will not be able to get on line. I have however prepared a few posts and I will check in with you all around the weekend.

Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are – Chinese Proverb

Beauty - Sometimes A Second Look Is Required

2010-01-04T00:00:00.004+11:00

Can I start over, can I pick my word again? Because I am thinking the only person that chooses the word strength is an idiot or already has strength. I’m hoping I’m the latter but not quiet sure at this point in time. At least my sense of humour is strong.

Everyone else has beautiful and uplifting words …. I want one too! (Huff) not fair.

Another person who has chosen a challenging word is a new friend. She has also decided to have another shot at a 365 day photo project. Please stop by her blog and give some encouragement. A year of photos is daunting (I have 4 photos and only 361 to go). We have decided to team up and make our journey a little easier. A little bit of STRENGTH in numbers, you might say.

As for that word I chose, hopefully I'll have it in a headlock soon. Grrr. Do I sound conviencing?

Don’t wait until the roses wither before you place them in your hair – author unknown.

Coming Down To Land

2010-01-03T00:30:00.004+11:00

Which part of a trip do you like best? taking off, travelling though the air or coming down to land? I’m always apprehensive about taking off. Up in the air I get impatient and want to be at my destination. As for landing I am glad to be at my destination but it comes with a realization that nothing lasts forever and I’ll soon be boarding another flight home. 2010 I want to learn to enjoy each moment for what it is and not spending so much time worrying about what’s next. I can deal with that when the time arrives.

An open mind is the best travelling companion - author unknown

Rock Man We Salute You

2010-01-02T00:30:00.008+11:00

We salute you before your maiden journey. Callum got this Iron Man rocket for his 7th Birthday. We have been taking it to the park to launch over the last few days. We see a little boy who peers out the window of a double story house that backs onto the park to watch us. Every time we wave to him he quickly closes the curtains and hides but re-appears again moments later to watch the next launch.

Imagination is a whole other universe where anything is possible- author unknown

Welcome to 2010

2010-01-01T00:30:00.003+11:00

A photo a day project - I told you I need all the strength I can gather and maybe just a little encouragement from time to time as I know there will be days that this isn’t going to be easy.

The train has now left the station and the journey of 2010 has now begun. Taking the plunge into any challenge is the hardest step once you board the train to the point of no return, you must go forward. If I have one strength it is my ability to move forward once the momentum has begun. It’s just getting those wheels to turn that is the hardest part.

Motion is motion and action is action. Never mistake one for the other – author unknown

A Hard Challenge is the Most Rewarding

2009-12-29T23:29:00.018+11:00

Well, this is officially the last post of this blog as you know it. As of 1st January this page will take on a completely new look. You’ll have to wait until then for the unveiling. All I will tell you is that I will have a new blog name but I will not be changing my URL

I read this blog post by Dani about choosing a word to live your life by in the coming year, rather than making a new years resolution. For me there was no thought. The word was already in my mind sitting there with such strong presence. I only wish the word wasn’t so challenging as my would will, if I am to live the next 12 months by it challenge me to the core of my existence at time.

The word I chose was STRENGTH

2010 is the start of a new decade. I have know idea looking into the future what the next decade will bring where I will be in 2020, this is the first time in my life that I will not or even care to even hypothesis what might happen in my life. I have no goals and no direction. I am no longer driven by a destination. The only thing I really know is that 2010 is a time to gather STRENGTH.

While I know that I am strong in so many ways, there are still things I fear and avoid. 2010 is a time where I either let these fears over power me or I learn to control them. I’m not saying I am going to concur all my demons just to gather the strength to not let them dictate terms to me. You cannot understand the strength required to face a fear unless you yourself have a fear. A fear that makes you palms sweaty, your heat rate increase and turns you to pile of jelly.

In 2010 I know there are some things I will not be able to avoid and there will be a time when fear and I meet face to face. I want to have the courage and strength to tackle what ever comes my way with minimal fear. The empowered that comes from facing such fears is the feeling I should concentrate on yet I only feel if I had someone who understood me, cared for me, someone who’d hold my hand tell me it’ll be alright, someone I could talk to without being judged I would be 10 times stronger. Unfortunately this is not the case and I must walk my path alone.

I’m not sure how one acquires strength, if only you could purchase it from the supermarket, I’d buy all the stock on the shelf. Better still go to Costco and buy it in Bulk!

As I sit here and type I read a little quote book full of wisdoms and find some writings appropriate for me such as:

Only with confidence comes strength.

Never be afraid of your own ideas.

Chances are that what you put off today you will also put off tomorrow.

If you recognise the need for improvement things are already improving.

You can do anything the only limits are set by your own imagination.

… and think that maybe others also need a word of wisdom or two and so next year as part of the changes to my blog I will add a little word of wisdom to the bottom of each of my posts in hope that one may also give you the strength you have been searching for.

Thank you so much for being a part of my blog experience and supporting me this far. Here’s hoping that 2010 is the start of a journey that will be filled with many surprising moments of wonder and happiness and the discovery of an inner strength I feel I require.

How did you Celebrate

2009-12-26T16:35:00.005+11:00

I bet not so differently.

My blogging buddy Teresa from Affectioknit and I were chatting via email about the difference of Celebrating Christmas in winter verses summer. While she has snow at her front door, it is shorts and t-shirt weather here, it's hot nights, the sound air conditioners humming gently. Refuge is sort by a buckets of water tipped over heads, with what little water left in the water tank.

While the climate and conditions are different the sprit remains the same most of the world over. I’ve discovered that Teresa and I both enjoy the same Christmas tradition of travelling around our neighbourhoods looking at Christmas light displays. We celebrate in the company of family sharing gifts and traditional favourite foods, some of which only get baked at this time of year making them even more special.

Even thought the weather is generally hot here, my mum has always cooked the traditional roast turkey, it is filled with them most delicious home made stuffing so much so that mum needs to make more stuffing than the turkey itself can hold.

This year Christmas was a pleasant 22 (72F) degrees but 2 days before Christmas the mercury hit 40 (104F) degrees. Therefore the cooler day was much welcomed by us all.

On Christmas Eve we place a plate of food and drink out for Santa. Each year it differs but the chocolate truffles seem to be Santa’s Favourite and so they are never missed of the plate. We never give Santa alcohol, as I believe Santa is responsible, he has a long tip and I am sure Mrs Claus has his favourite schnapps waiting for him upon his return home. We hang a magic key on the front door, which lets Santa inside, as we don’t have a chimney for him to climb down. The Reindeers park in the driveway and they are left a bucket of water and some carrots to nibble on while Santa unpacks presents.

We rise in the morning and eagerly check what Santa has left, what he ate while visiting us. Gifts are exchanged around the tree. The next few hours are spent unpackaging toys and adding batteries as required. On Christmas day my children are allowed to eat what ever they like. This means breakfast and lunch are generally replaced by snacks of sweets and special treats. Then dinner of roast turkey and pumpkin, potatoes, cauliflower and cheese sauce. When there is room for dessert it is generally fruit salad and or Pavlova both cool desserts to match the season.

(The following photos were taken with a camera Mikaela got for Chrsitmas. Mmm, I might borrow this camera from time from time)

Playing with the toys Santa brought and watching favourite Christmas movies fills in the rest of the day.

I can almost here the Sleigh Bells

2009-12-21T22:35:00.007+11:00

Oh my goodness there is only 4 days until the jolly man in the red suit pays us a visit. My blog has lacked the Christmas spirit so far so it’s about time I cranked it up
I’ve taken on this challenge from Mountain Thyme

1.Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Neither. It’s to hot in Australia for either. Cooler beverages are in order. Fruit punch will be served Christmas day.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Santa doesn’t do wrapping here. He is a busy man and just stuffs the presents into big Santa Sacks. The ones that don’t fit in the sack well he just leave then next to the sack. He needs to be careful as the sacks have bells on them as so if you listen really careful you just might here him.

3. Coloured lights on tree/house or white?

Generally mixed but this year I have not put any lights up, much to the children’s disappoint. There’s always hope that next year I’ll be more organised. This year we’ll just enjoy the light shows the neighbours have provided for us.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

No mistletoe here it summer remembers. Where the heck am I meant to get mistletoe from? Maybe the Chrissy shop stocks the fake variety. Let me tell you I’d be down to the Christmas store quick smart if there were anyone wroth having a Christmas snog with.

5. When do you put your decorations up?

When you’re supposed to on the 1st of December, if I remember.

6. What is your favourite holiday dish?

Fresh Pawns, This is Christmas Eve dinner. Followed my mum’s turkey stuffing.

7. Favourite Holiday memory as a child?

Hearing Santa’s sleigh and being visited by Santa on Chrsitmas Eve, as he has paid a visit to all the kids in our street on year.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

Santa is real isn’t he? I saw him, I have a picture to prove it when I visited Rovaniemi . I went to his workshop! He has to be real, he just has to be.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

No. Presents from Santa are opened far to early on Christmas morning. Presents to and from family are opened through out Christmas day as people arrive.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

I put the decorations on and the kids play with them and take them off. I put them back on and the kids take them off…. This circle repeats it’s self for as long as the tree stays up.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?

I like it and think it’s romantic but then I don’t have to live with it. Christmas day weather here can be anywhere from 25 (cold) to 40 (hot) degrees.

12. Can you ice skate?

Yes I can, and I live in a city of more that 3 million people were we only have 2 operating ice rinks. Do I skate well?… Lets just say you wont see me at the winter Olympics any time soon. I don’t need to fall over for Steven Bradbury to beat me and take gold.

13. Do you remember your favourite gift?

No. But my girlfriend once gave me a dozen bottle of wine one year. This gift didn’t sit well with my mum because a few days before I was piled into a taxi at midday with my address written on a piece of paper. I was so drunk. Work Christmas parties I’m sure we’ve all been there…. Yes?

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

Spending time with family and having fun.

15. What is your favourite Holiday Dessert?

The classic Aussie dessert of Pavolva.
This is an Aussie dish don’t let the Kiwi’s tell you any different. Pavlova, originally created by Chef Herbert Sachse at the Hotel Esplanade in Perth in 1935, In honour of the Russian Ballerina Anna Pavlova.

16. What is your favourite holiday tradition?

Over the last decade Christmas has taken on some rather large changes in my family. Our family increased and then decreased. In 2001 I lost a very important person, my dad and it has taken a long time for Christmas to feel normal again. Even something as special as Christmas doesn’t stay the same forever. A favourite tradition we currently practice is on Christmas Eve at about 9:30pm when it’s getting dark. I pile the kids into the car in there pyjamas and we drive the neighbourhood looking at the best displays of Christmas lights.

17. What tops your tree?

This year I have ditched the lopsided star of a prettier just as lopsided angel.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?

I’m much more comfortable with giving. There is so much joy watching the faces of people opening their gifts. But don’t get me wrong receiving has it perks.

19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?

Yum. A sugar fix Christmas morning is a must.

20. Favourite Christmas Show?

I love Christmas Movies cant get enough of them, kids movies grown up movies old movies.

“Santa Buddies” is getting a work out here, followed by the Tim Allen Santa Claus 1, 2 and 3. Polar Express and a lovely silent movie called “The Snowman”

Last year I discovered a Jason Alexander movie called “The Man who Saved Christmas” and I cried.

Favourite cartoon is call “The 4th King” it’s the untold story about a 4th king that never made it to Bethlehem and why.

Favourite Christmas movie of all time the Original “Miracle on 42nd Street”

Honourable mentions go to the Muppet version of “A Christmas Carol” and the Muppet movie with Woopie Goldberg “It’s a very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie”

What are you getting your Mum for Christmas?

2009-12-12T23:25:00.006+11:00

We went out to do Christmas photos (more on that later). It was really hot and all the kids wanted, was a drink and an ice cream. All I wanted was one photo, just decent enough that it could be enlarged and framed as a Christmas gift for my mum.

(This is the images I have decided to enlarge as a Christmas gift)

An hour later and 2 changes of clothes and the kids had had enough.I now had to live up to my bribe/promise and take them out to the local Plane Spotting area, where we bought ice creams, gelato’s and icy cold soft drinks, we sat in the summer sun with out refreshments and watched the plane fly over our heads as the were coming in to land.

I'm leaving you with one last photo which was a grab shot. It's not the best image but her pose is just priceless. See for yourself.

The Hard Climb To The Top

2009-12-05T21:04:00.002+11:00

Last weekend I travelled with 3 photography friends about 3 hours west of Melbourne to the Grampian Rangers. The area is a Mecca for bush walkers and rock climbers offering some of the best walking and climbing in the county.

Somewhere along the line someone forgot to tell me the guidebook said that the 5.5 km walk to Pinnacle Lookout was for people with a good level of fitness. This is NOT me as I discovered the hard way. So I’ll let you in on a little secret, next time we go away I’m wangling it so I’m in charge of the guidebook.

The walk challenged me partly because most of the walk was on and climbing uneven rocky surface, partly because I was carrying about 4 kilos of camera equipment an partly because it was raining heavily, making the rocks very slippery, but mostly because of the lack of exercise I get in my daily life. Even though we had coats we were all socked through to the core. I reminded the guys my bum was wet constantly on the way back down, probably because I could actually breathe and talk at the same time on the return journey. Joe kept slipping down the mountain, broke his watch and cut his ankle, the blood went though his pants and it looked like a dingo had mauled him. Not that he or we were worried because as long as the camera equipment is in tact all is ok. Macro Man is complaining even now that his feet are still on this hike, along with my left calf muscle. The People’s Photographer, well she was not so happy with the purchase of her $5 waterproof jacket as it seems that she was duped but she had nothing less than amazing things to say about her $21 sneakers. The walk took us about 2 hours to complete. The view from the top was totally worth it even if covered half in fog. Totally socked to the bone all 4 of us plied our wet bodies back into the car a drove to the Youth Hostel, checked in and header straight for a much needed hot showers.

How good our hot showers were the first topic of conversation at dinner, followed by lots of other stuff we can’t discuss in blogland. We decided to get up at 5am to catch sunrise at a local east facing lookout. This particular lookout meet both my and Macro Man’s approval who also struggled on the early walk that day. The guidebook said this one was an easy walk with access the mobility impaired.

The boys decided to stay up for a bit and we girls headed back to our room, where of course we did not go to bed straight away, rather choosing to chat for a while before lights out. Once in darkness we heard chatter, chatter, chatter until we could no longer take it any more. The noise was coming from outside our window from some young guys next door. I poke my head out and politely tell them to keep it down, they apologise and continue talking at the same level of loudness (don’t you hate that!). Looks like we are in for a long night. Our room is nice and warm and toasty as the heater has been on full trying to dry our clothes by morning. We wake in the morning and discover that we both slept with no blankets or sheets on because the room was so hot and neither of us could be bothered to turn the heater down in fear our jeans would not be dry.

Joe, locks himself out of the hostel and knocks quietly on the back door not to wake up other guest but in hope will hear him. Macro Man has lost his door key and we have 10 minutes to travel 15kms up a winding mountain to make sunrise. A sunrise that doesn’t happen, at least we got a part view of the township below before the think dense fog covered the whole look out. Sunrise was a flop and we decided to go check out Silverbend waterfall. We dodged a few Kangaroos on the way and even had a Deer jump in front of our car. In Australia we expect to see Kangaroos jump erratically across the road but a Deer is very unusual. The short 1km hike to the falls was reasonably flat and easy. This waterfall had worn away a hole in the rocks at the bottom and there was no river or pool, instead the falling water travels underground for a few metres before flowing into a river.

We’ve now been up for 4 hours it’s time for some breakfast before heading off on a slow journey home. We all agreed that the trip was a lot of fun and have plans for another overnighter soon.

Where Have You Been?

2009-12-01T07:28:00.004+11:00

I was abducted by a heard of Roos and lived among them for a few days before being sentenced to exile for trying to hop in mum’s pouch.

No Seriously ....

I went to Halls Gap at the base of the Grampian Rangers on an over night road trip with 3 friends. These roos are wild, they come out at dawn and dusk to feed and are literally everywhere. There were at least 30 alone on this one footy oval. It is advised not to feed or pat wild kangaroos, these guys allowed me to walk around them with no worries and I got with in a few footsteps of them.

The Grampians are located about 3 hours west of Melbourne and the area boasts some of the best bush walking and rock climbing Australia. This area is really beautiful, unfortunately we happened to pick a dodgy weekend to visit. While this November has been the hottest on record with an average temp of 27 degree our weekend was 19 with rain, more rain and fog. Not nice photographic moody kind of fog either.

We still managed to take photos and have a good time. More post to come over the next week or two about my trip.

Simple Things

2009-11-16T23:53:00.004+11:00

A list of Simple things - hosted by Christina at Soul Aperture

Cooking supper for a group of friends

Standing back and admiring your own hard work. (I spend all weekend staining my deck)

Sleeping in your underwear on a hot night

Having time to read the paper

The unconditional love of a pet

Old fashioned boiled sweets

Patterns made by melting candle wax

Going ten pin bowling

The sweet smell of a rose

Children’s toys that require no batteries.

It's now time for bed and the simplest thing of all SLEEP, much needed sleep. I will see you all tomorrow night after a restful sleep and a day of work.

Another Dance Year Over

2009-11-08T20:33:00.004+11:00

(Dance Concert Preperations 2009)

As the final curtain closes my daughter, is dressed as a sailor. She is happy, smiling and clapping on stage. She spots me waving frantically from the middle of the audience and blows me a kiss. The curtain closes and we leave the auditorium, I head to the stage door to collect her. As she exits, she greets me with a big hug and says “Mum, I have truly found my dancing home, I belong here and don’t want to change schools again”

This was Mikaela’s 7th year of dancing and our 3rd dance school. We were at our first dance school for 4 years until the teacher ripped us off (long story), then we moved to another school for 2 year. This school was very good and a lot of the dances actually become professional but with this sort of elite school comes a lot of work. Especially, for someone who is dancing for fun and enjoyment.

A typical concert day of our last school started at 7am. She had to have a full head of curls, which we had to prepare 24 hours before hand so they’d stay in. 3 hairstyles and 2 concerts (a matinee and an evening show). Finishing up at around midnight.

This year, there was one simple hairstyle – straight up in a bun and one evening show. We arrived at the auditorium at 6pm and left around 11pm.

Finally we have found a dance school, which provides a fun atmosphere, is low maintenance and one where my daughter has made friends and feels like she fits in. She has even made a pact with some of her new friends that they are all going back next year.

Now I turn my attention to organizing a 7th birthday party for Callum, and think I have left my run to late for a sports party. Lets hope I can find somewhere reasonably priced to host a party otherwise the venue becomes my home. Not something I want to deal with this year.

(Dance Concert Preperations 2008)

Christmas is Creeping

2009-11-04T20:37:00.008+11:00

(I should point out that the 2 girls in the above picture are NOT Mikaela and me, they are one of my friends 2 beautiful daughters)

I want to thank the few people that emailed me personally to make sure all was ok. It is very nice feeling to know that my presence was missed and that people took time out to notice I have not been my regular blogging self even though they too lead busy lives. My humble blog is just one in many millions and there are plenty more to read when mine stops so it was heart warming to know that I was being thought about.

While I was away from blog land I discovered that:

· I don’t like shopping as much as I once thought I did.

· When someone parks their car on your property for 5 weeks and doesn’t move it once it becomes extremely annoying. Asking politely to move the car didn’t seem to work. Grrr why does he think it’s ok to park it on my land. Park it on your own bloody land … buddy!!!

· Ringing the council to issue a parking infringement for a car parked illegally on your land can feel good.

· The world still continues to revolve even when I rest, that it doesn’t fall apart and a rest even if short can be revitalizing.

· Making a volcano for a science fair is actually fun …. and messy.

· With the right company dance dress and stage rehearsals can actually be a hoot.

· I’m excited about watching Mikaela’s 6 annual dance concert for the first time from the audience and not side stage.

· Hay Fever can be extremely nasty especially when it hits a 9 year old girl.

· When one wound heals on the boy another one will only appear. I don’t think the term “wound free” exits for him.

· Santa needs to get his butt into gear as it appears one child has far more for Christmas than the other.

· Halloween wouldn’t work in the US if it were hot like it is here. Chocolate doesn’t do well in 30 degree heat. Lucky we don’t really celebrate.

· That short-term memory loss is not just an old people’s issue.

· Now Callum is a little more self-reliant, restaurants with indoor play centres are friend and not foe.

· Contrary to what someone told me, praying to St Anthony to find important lost items hasn’t worked and I know for a fact St Anthony has a lost property box full of my belonging yet he still refuses to help.

· Lemon Tart is yummy.

· I want to go see Disney’s Princess and the Frog movie when it hits the big screen.

· Club Penguin is for the whole family not just kids.

· The old TV show “I Dream of Jeannie” is preventing my children from getting to school on time.

· Melbourne must be the only city in the world to get a public holiday for a Horse Race. The Melbourne Cup was held yesterday and it wasn’t until 7pm that I even thought to ask what horse won! The race that stops the nation didn’t stop me.

· I totally forgot that I said I would never photograph another wedding. Maybe wedding photography is like child birth. Just after experiencing it, you say never again only to find yourself in the same situation later down the track and asking “Why”.

I hope to catch up with everyone blogs over then next few days.

Copyright Information

2007-01-04T10:39:00.005+11:00

Copyright and Photography

All my Images are protected under the Australian Copyright Law and can not be used elsewhere with out my permission.

General Copyright Information

In Australia an original work is protected by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). This federal legislation provides
protection for the way ideas or information are described or expressed but does not protect the ideas, concepts,
techniques/styles or information.
‘Something is protected by copyright if it is:
• a form of expression covered by the Copyright Act,
• recorded or “fixed” (for example, written down or saved in a digital file), and
• the result of some skill and effort, and not merely copied from somewhere else’.4
It is important to recognize that while some techniques or methods may not be covered by the Copyright Act 1968,
they may be protected by other intellectual property legislation, such as Trademark law or trades practices
legislation.

Registration for Copyright

One of the strong benefits of the Australian legislation is that copyright is automatic, that is you do not have to
register unlike other countries.

Under law, there is no legal obligation for a copyright owner to use the copyright symbol ©. The benefit of using
the copyright symbol is to alert other people that the work is owned by someone else and they need permission to
use your work.

Copyright in Original Works

Once you have produced your original work, Section 31 of the Copyright Act provides that you have the following
exclusive rights:…
b) in the case of an artistic work, to do all or any of the following acts:
i. to reproduce the work in a material form;
ii. to publish the work;
iii. to communicate the work to the public; and …

Who owns the copyright of the images you take?

As with everything in law the answer to this question is not straightforward. Reasons for this include, were you
employed or hired to take the images, and when were the images taken? I recommend you read the Australian
Copyright Council’s information sheet titled ‘Photographers and copyright’ (Photographers: G011 at
www.copyright.org.au/publications/infosheets.htm#P).
4 Australian Copyright Council http://www.copyright.org.au/

(This information has been provided by my local camera club.)

PHOTOGRAPHY INSPRIATION

2007-01-03T20:38:00.000+11:00

Ella + Friends

Family Image Photography

Jinky Art

Joanne Faulkner

Kym Berry Photography

Marcus Bell

Shelton Muller Photography

BLOG ROLL

2007-01-02T20:23:00.015+11:00

Affectionknit

Bird Tweets

Daily Vignette

Diane Schuller Photography

Diary of a Dingo

Fototaker

From The Mind of a Mom

Life' Perfect Pictures

Little Kiwis Photography

MaryAnn Ashley Bever Photography

My Passion for Scrapbooking, Photography and Life

One Man's Travel Blog

Photo Journey

Quella Persona

Red or Grey Depends on the Day

Retinal Perspectives

Sotto voce

The Art and Science of Parenting

Rolling Through Looneyville

Antique & vintage Boyle Jewelry

Neither Here Nor There

Here, There, Elswhere and More

Worlds End Fram This and That

Rising From My Ashes

the westra world

eye to eye

The joys of simple Life

Ahh The Cottatifulge Life

Me Leva Onde Voce For

ABOUT ME

2007-01-01T20:20:00.004+11:00

Thank you for visiting my little piece of cyber turf. I have a passion for photography and my blog is filled with the images I take along with stories and snippets of my life.

***

I am a single mother of 2 beautiful children. My daughter suffers from Motor and Verbal Dyspraxia and my son has an Intellectual disability. I wont expand any further on that statement as I do not believe it defines who I am, it is only the life we have been dealt. What is important is making the most of what you have. As a family we go on many outings to learn, explore and experience life. My photography is not only about the places we visit and the things we see but about what we do as a family and the fun we have. It is a creation and a gift to my children so they can remember their childhood as a fun and exciting time in their life.

***

I'm still setting up and will add more info here soon…. Stay tuned.