Tagged: photography

Photographing Fireworks with a Leica SL2

NYE Fireworks, Sydney 2021

I have a relatively new camera and lens and set out last night to photograph the NYE fireworks in Sydney, from a distance. I have changed from the Canon DSLR system to a Leica mirrorless camera, the SL2. The approach is quite different. So for those as inexperienced as I am with the SL2 and fireworks, I provide the following notes for future reference. Please feel free to jump in and correct anything I’ve done wrong!

I used a newly purchased Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280 f/2.8-4 lens and prefer to give fireworks a 4-8 second exposure so it was all done on a tripod. The Peak Design carbon travel tripod was perfect for me as I lugged all this up the hill to the lawn in front of Sydney Uni. I set up the SL2 camera before leaving home, based mostly on the advice from more experienced Leica users in the Leica Forum.  

So here we go then:

  • switch to Manual Focus (my photos were all framed at about 170-200mm focal length and I believe I used the fine focus ring on the lens plus the little joystick on the back of the camera to lock my focal in before the fireworks started using a nearby building – I wasn’t too concerned because I was using f/8.0 aperture); 
  • set exposure mode to Manual and then roll the rear dial through the shutter time settings to ‘B’ (for Bulb); 
  • turn long exposure noise reduction off (or you cannot keep shooting);
  • use mechanical (not electronic) shutter type; and 
  • switch off image stabilisation (because tripod), however I forgot to do this on the night as usual (doh!). 

I also used a Leica cable release to control my exposure time manually without touching the camera. And below are a couple more examples from last night. More can be seen here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzwTBM

NYE Fireworks, Sydney 2021 (1)
NYE Fireworks, Sydney 2021 (2)

My place in time – photo project

Featured image

https://flic.kr/p/qa6pXt

So I ran across this project via the twitter and decided to give it a go: https://blackcurrantphotography.wordpress.com/the-my-place-in-time-photo-project/ Currently I’m posting my images to Tumblr via Flickr (as I didn’t want to re-caption the Flickr originals).  In order to keep track on my progress, I’ll progressively add links to the content I’ve uploaded against Kell’s list below: The list.

  1. The price of fuel/petrol.
  2. A mode of transportation.
  3. Teenage wasteland – use your common sense when photographing kids that aren’t yours.
  4. A small business.
  5. A view you pass on your way to work. And here too.
  6. Construction And here too.
  7. Destruction
  8. Something that was here 10 years ago.
  9. The corner shop or deli – basically anywhere you run to if you need something late at night.
  10. Where I go to relax.
  11. I can’t believe the news today.
  12. My favourite restaurant.
  13. What arrived in the post.
  14. A local service – think delivery/post/bin collection/ranger.
  15. People playing sport.
  16. An outing with friends (with the background in shot).
  17. Somewhere I used to visit as a kid.
  18. A handwritten note from someone I love.
  19. Something that was here 20 years ago.
  20. The end of the day. And here too.
  21. What I can see from my window. And here too.
  22. A river view.
  23. The price of a cup of coffee.
  24. Something I’ve never seen before – this can include a place.
  25. How we communicate.
  26. A view with train/rail lines in it.
  27. My favourite thing to drink – make sure the label is in shot.
  28. The receipt for something I bought today.
  29. Three O’Clock in the afternoon.
  30. How I tell the time – I know most of us use our phones these days. Be creative!
  31. Graffiti – If you can see the artist’s name please credit them. And here too.
  32. A sculpture.
  33. Nothing but trees.
  34. This sign makes me laugh.
  35. The view from somewhere high up.
  36. One kilometre from my house.
  37. The view from the end of my street.
  38. I’m in a supermarket.
  39. A ticket.
  40. A trip to the movies/cinema.
  41. What’s showing at the movies.
  42. This week’s music chart.
  43. Something old.
  44. A busy intersection – Do not take this whilst driving!
  45. Authority – Police, security, someone in a position of power. Be respectful and don’t get in the way.
  46. On my way to work/school.
  47. I wish this place had never changed.
  48. Ten dollars in my currency – this will be more interesting if you use change.
  49. I had to stop the car and take a photo.
  50. Somewhere I used to live.
  51. Someone outside your family/group of friends that you would miss if they were gone.
  52. This place has been here for my whole life.
  53. If I had kids I would want to take them here.
  54. Somewhere I visited with my first love.
  55. Out on a date – if you are single then photograph a date with friends or family.
  56. Power / electricity.
  57. A neon or electric sign.
  58. A concert or show poster.
  59. Somewhere I visit every day – not the toilet!!!
  60. A postcard – why not buy it and send it to a friend?
  61. Postage stamps from my country.
  62. Postage stamps from another country.
  63. I wish I didn’t have to pay this bill!
  64. A car I would love to own. And here too.
  65. The car I do own (or bike/scooter etc). And here too.
  66. Where all the cool kids go.
  67. It’s show time – interpret as you wish.
  68. Somebody’s special day.
  69. A photo from the coast.
  70. To market, to market.
  71. Fresh produce.
  72. A local playground – Again, use your common sense. Photograph your kids or a friends or wait til nobody is there. Don’t be creepy.
  73. Education.
  74. If I had a permanent marker, I would correct this sign.
  75. Road work.
  76. Somewhere I belong.
  77. Somewhere I don’t belong.
  78. My local library.
  79. Waiting for a bus.
  80. This week’s trashy magazines.
  81. I bought a Lottery ticket.
  82. An old painted sign on the side of a building.
  83. The view from the passenger’s seat. And here too.
  84. Some groceries I bought this week.
  85. Where I was at 11:11 am.
  86. Where I was at 11.11pm.
  87. A car numberplate.
  88. A shop that’s no longer open.
  89. This place is for sale.
  90. Coca-Cola. – It’s been around for most of our lives. Let’s see how it looks around the world.
  91. The price of a Big Mac at McDonald’s.
  92. On the way to the airport.
  93. Out on a bushwalk / hike. And here too
  94. Only in my country.
  95. Absolute junk.
  96. Street lights.
  97. Friday afternoon.
  98. How I spend Sunday morning.
  99. Someone I’ve just met.
  100. My place in time – any photo at any time of the day that describes how you feel with life.

Photos from Iraq (2008)

HMAS Parramatta

Before I came to UTS I was working at the Australian War Memorial. In late 2008 I visited Iraq and the Northern Arabian Gulf area for the Memorial, collecting and recording records of war before all Australian forces were withdrawn. This post from the AWM website explains:

http://www.awm.gov.au/blog/2009/11/04/proactive-collecting-with-hmas-parramatta/?query=HMAS+Parramatta

Recently I was advised by a former colleague that some of the photos I took (including the image above) are now available on the AWM website (which means they’ve finally cleared security):

http://www.awm.gov.au/search/all/?query=Mal+Booth&op=Search&format=list&relatedFilter=related_events&filter%5Btype%5D=Photograph&section%5B0%5D=collections

William Yang My Generation – Review

I saw this at its premier in the Dendy Opera Quays. William was there as were many of those featured in the images like Kate Fitzpatrick and Jenny Kee. George Gittoes was there too representing those from the Yellow House years who could not attend (like Martin Sharp) and those who had passed like Brett Whiteley. I caught up with George after the film as we had spent some time together in Iraq a few years back. He told me he was just back from Afghanistan and introduced me to a friend who was curating an exhibition of his work from those years. So, back to the film …

It is a film that documents one of his live performances, in this case 10/11 “My Generation”. I saw this live in Carriage Works back in 2009 I think and I still love it. I really like the way he carefully provides just enough context for his photographs, preferring to let his images talk for him. William has documented a fascinating period of Australian cultural (and gay) history that features those named above as well as many other significant figures including Patrick White, Jimmy Sharman, Rex Cramphorn, Little Nell Campbell, Margaret Fink, and Linda Jackson. This film is a visual potted history of that part of Sydney in the 80s and 90s.

I think it is wonderful and I think it is also being broadcast on ABC TV on 16 June, so don’t miss it. If you’ve not seen one of his performances and can remember the 80s and 90s it will ring many bells.

5/5 because I loved it and I think William is a national treasure.