Retiring with a Camera and Learning how to use it.

I have been retired about 9 years now.

Many of my friends have also started the same phase of life.

I have lots of interests which are reflected in this and my other blogs and youtube channel.

I do meet with people often though, who are close to retiring and really are concerned about how they will occupy their time in retirement.

They are usually people who have made their work the main event.

Work  is the main event while we are of working age  and many choose to continue working past retirement age to remain occupied and mentally stimulated.

I have chatted with some people and made some suggestions when they are not sure about what they will do.

One of the things I suggest often is taking up photography.

Of course an ideal way to get started is when many new retirees go on their overseas holidays.

Inevitably in that scenario at least one of a couple will take a camera so they can record their holiday.

If people have not been into photography before this they can be quite disappointed with their images.

Usually they will have taken some sort of compact digital camera with them which they really don't know how to use.

Another area for retirees to get into photography is taking pics of their grandchildren.

So this post is a thought starter about taking up photography in retirement or re visiting it as something dabbled in when younger.

I have recently had some friends who were recently retired approach me for some lessons.

They had quite useful compact digital cameras but did not really know how to use them properly.

One had already been overseas and was disappointed with his pics and now was going again.

The other was bout to go on a major trek on the famed Kokoda Trail of New Guinea.

In a couple of hours we managed to go through some tips which they took on board.

Their results were pretty good.

The most useful tip was how to use the flash when shooting people in daylight where they were in front of a bright background.

By this I mean bright often overcast skies.

So for people who live in Adelaide, South Australia, why don't you consider contacting me for some introductory lessons to get started.

I have taught people photography for many years.

You will find my asking price for training very affordable.

I will teach both digital and film photography depending on your preference and will also give advice on buying a camera to suit your needs.

If you don't have a camera you can practice on one of mine.

Here is a link to something I did with some retired enthusiastic photographers.

https://geoffthompsonsphotographytraining.blogspot.com/2017/04/come-and-try-photography.html

Please ring on 0417867476 or email geoff.g.thompson@gmail.com

Photography for a CD Cover or Album

 My first CD Cover assignment was for friend and workmate Brian Downing.
A Gospel singer and songwriter.
He produced this CD in his own home.
Brian approached me to do some photography for his proposed Gospel album.
I readily agreed but had never tackled such a subject before.
His brief was well, brief.
He wanted shots that showed perspective.
We went to a lane with an avenue of trees narrowing in the distance.
We went to the steps of St Peter's Cathedral Adealide.
We went to the back of Telecom House in Pirie Street where I worked at the time.
We went to an office building in Pirie Street with a pedestrian walkway and a pond located there.
It was empty of water.
It was there I stumbled on the shot that became the cover.
The title track is Set Me Free.
This shot taken as reflection from a metal ceiling conveys the idea of being trapped.

Here is a link to Brian playing on one of my youtube videos.
The track is from the CD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGglrvRlXic

and also this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQBvE6ltYjg&t=38s

My second was for my then neighbour Jack Brennan a brilliant Irish Bagpipes player.
Another very good musical artist.He wanted me to take shots for his soon to be produced CD of his music and other well known pieces.
These were done in his home.
Having never done this before I had to think creatively.
In both cases the customers and myself were happy with the end result.
Why not take this on as project with some of your musical friends.
You will find some of Jack's work on youtube.

Essential Things for Photographing a wedding- Non Photographic

Much is made of Camera Equipment and other things photographic when people are seeking information about getting started in Wedding Photography.
There are essential items that are overlooked and usually you will already have them.

1. A reliable air-conditioned car and a full tank of petrol.
In Australia the wedding season is usually in hot weather.
You need to stay cool and be cool when photographing a wedding and moving around the different locations.
Also if you car stops you are in big trouble.
I once went off in my Camry station wagon  on a wedding and forgot to fill the tank up before I went.
I was still a long way from home and realised the tank was nearly empty.
Thankfully I had completed the wedding.

A well earned cup of coffee after the wedding assignment is completed. Roof of my car is used as a table.

2. A GPS navigating system and a street directory.

If you get lost you are in even bigger trouble.

3. A time sheet for your wedding day.

Essential to have a plan. See my previous post on wedding timetables.

https://geoffthompsonsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/wedding%20photography%20timetable

4. A wedding photography agreement.
 You need to have yourself covered by a contract if things go wrong.See my previous post on this.
https://geoffthompsonsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/wedding%20photography%20agreement

5. Water and food.

You need to stay hydrated. You need food also to keep your energy levels up.
Your clients will not necessarily be supplying you with food and drink.
It is a long day.

6. Phone. When I started mobile phones were unheard of. Could you do one now without your phone.

7. Drivers license.

You could get stopped by police. I have been.
Ironically I was on my way to photograph a police wedding.

8. Credit card and/ or cash.

You might need to pay for  a car park  or even by something like batteries or an sd card if the need arose.

9. An assistant to help you on the day.

https://geoffthompsonsblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/working-witrh-assistant-wedding.html

Either as second shooter and/or as a helper.
I started out doing weddings by myself but found it essential as I got into it to have an assistant.

If you haven't got all these bases covered you may strike problems on the big day.

Open Invitation to Photograph Australia

As a keen photographer I enjoy following the art of many photographers around the globe through the various internet groups,blogs, youtube etc.

I love looking at places I have never been to and not likely to do so.

While I love the pics and work of many I can't help but think that I live in the best country in the world to do photography.

These are some reasons:

1. We have the most amazing light that is never clouded by smog.

2. Our colours of the natural landscape are amazing. Particular the rich reds and blues of outback Australia.

3. Australia is a relatively safe place to visit. We do have crime but not on the scale of other countries.

4. Accomodation is not expensive and there is a great variety of options.If you are coming from America the American dollar is worth more than the Australian so your money goes further.

5. Our flora and fauna is unique as part of the "separate creation" that Charles Darwin thought in terms of.

6. There are unique highways and byways to explore. Long road journeys that are a photographer's delight.

7. Amazing beaches and National Parks.

8. Picturesque and vibrant cities.

9. A place where the arts flourish.

10. Australian's unique humour and outlook on life. "She'll be right mate!"

11. Great local produce that blends in with the fare of many introduced nationalities and their culture.

Oz Asia Festival in Adelaide

12. A great sporting nation with many high achievers on the international stage.

13. Our landscape is diverse. Tropical, Rainforests,Alpine areas, Outback deserts, amazing Island destinations, long inland rivers, the home of many varieties of Eucalyptus trees.

14. Yes we do have some dangerous animals but you would be a lot safer here than Africa.

So if it's on your bucket list why don't you come.

I will point you in the right direction.

What makes you a real Photographer?

You need to use a tripod to be a real photographer!

Based on my definition there are not a lot of "real" photographers these days.

In the early days of photography it was a must.

Do I use one all the time?

Very rarely.

One of my favourite photography authors is Bryan Peterson.

In his book "Understanding Exposure" he emphasised time and time again "first place your camera firmly on the tripod."

Even in this day and age of image stabilised lenses and cameras he still probably uses that as a mantra.

I tend to shoot hand hold most of the time and there are times when I wish I hadn't.

Back in the day when I was doing weddings I always used to take my tripod with me.

1. To get steady sharp photos.
2. In case I struck low light.
3.To maintain eye contact with people, mainly in group photos, while I pressed the shutter.

4. This next one is a great use of the tripod when you might not even put the camera on the tripod.

If you are wanting to do family and bridal party group photos and you are at a location and it is just after the ceremony and you are about to get started.
If you are at a location where the wedding has been outdoors and people may be mingling and talking and having a bit of a cocktail party.
They are scattered all over the place.
Then is when I would pick the spot where I wanted to do my group photos and then set up the tripod
where I would be shooting from.
I would then announce to all the key people " hi folks, the bride and groom are now ready for family photos can you all gather where the tripod is thank you."

Now people associate the tripod with real photographers.

Professionals!

You will find this works a treat .
 They might not know who you are but they know what a tripod is.

Try it at your next wedding.

"Real Photographers" use tripods.

A typical group shot. How did you get them there?

Room set up for one of my training classes. Note the tripod on the table.

Please note I am available for group training in photography or for individual tuition.

Using Old Flash on Digital SLR

I have been experimenting with trying old electronic flashes on my Digital SLRs.

I have read there are some very cheap new speedlights on the market that while not TTL, still have full bounce ,tilt and swivel and can be used on a hotshoe mount.

These are probably a good buy for someone starting out but if you are an old school film shooter like me it is interesting what you might have lying around or can pick up at garage sales or flea markets.

Back some years ago, probably the 1980's ,I bought an achiever 632 LCD Thyristor flash to us with my Pentax Super A(Super Program).

Well this flash does not give me TTL flash(it did originally on my Pentax) but it has enough adjustments on it for me decide how much flash I want whether on manual settings or "P".

Here are some samples I got in my "studio" using the Camera mounted on the hotshoe of a Canon 600d.

I have found that most of these older flashes I have tried so far will work on different camera makes as long as they can be mounted on a hot shoe.

Bounce flash, Achiever 632 LCD on Canon 600D

Bounce flash, Achiever 632 LCD on Canon 600D(vertical tilt)

Bounce flash, Achiever 632 LCD on Canon 600D

Flash mounted on Canon 600d

Flash mounted on Canon 600d

Working as an Assistant in Wedding Photography

Photo by Nat Rogers as an assistant. Nat is now a fulltime professional photographer.Only an assistant can get shots like this. Pure Gold!

By far,in my opinion, the best way to get into Wedding Photography is by assisting a seasoned Wedding Photographer on at least one shoot or several.

To a certain extent you can have this experience by watching you tube videos but it is not the same as being there.

There is a benefit to the Assistant and the main shooter.

For the main shooter, the Assistant can do all this.

 1. Help to navigate and sometimes drive your car.
2. Make sure you don't leave gear behind and carry some of your gear for you.
3. Remind you during the day of shots you may have missed earlier. Sometimes you run out of time in the pre-wedding shoot but important shots that you missed can be caught up with later.
4. Hand you different cameras,lenses and assist with lighting and reflectors etc.
5. Get great shots that you will not see if you are the principle photographer.
6. Pick up on relationship issues in families during the shoot.
7. Make creative suggestions.
8. Ask questions that make you think about what you are doing.
9. Help sometimes with people who don't know how to buttonhole a flower and similar. 

Benefits for the Assistant.

1. Invaluable hands on experience of the dynamics of a wedding shoot including time constraints.
2. Learn about thinking on your feet.
3. Learn about relating to customers. What to say,not what to say.
4. Learning and fine tuning and practising your camera skills.
5. Learning the art of seeing.
6. With permission from the main shooter showing your potential customers some real work.
7. Usually you should be getting some payment for your services.
8. helping you decide whether you want to do weddings or not.
9. Experience in editing if allowed or even engaged to do so.

If you want to do this simply approach someone you know or contact listed photographers who may be very glad of some help. Not all will want you but just approach the next one.

You might like also to have a look at my video on the Profile of a wedding photographer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATgCH2ByWdE&t=257s