digartal

Thanks, John, I can see why you thought that, and thanks for the feedback. I did have indigenous Australian music initially, but used that music on the platypus. I guess when changing it out, I looked for a similar length rather than a style that suited. Interesting observation about the time/progress. Yes these were shot on low-speed continuous drive over about 4 minutes. There are some before and some after but I settled on these due to the similarity of the crossbar. On saying that it is often hard to get a good perspective of these birds so very happy with the images. I did take some drone video, also but processed that in another application. Thanks for commenting. Mark

The eastern osprey (Pandion haliaetus cristatus) is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. They live in Oceania at the coastal regions of the Australian continent, the Indonesian islands, New Guinea, and the Philippines. It is usually sedentary and pairs breed at the same nest site, building up a substantial structure on dead trees or limbs. The subspecies inhabits habitats close to coasts and estuaries, which provide opportunities for fishing. The eastern osprey's diet consists mostly of vertebrate fish species. It possesses specialised physical characteristics and exhibits unique behaviour to assist in hunting and catching prey. This bird had a chick in the nest just about here. They usually eat the head and gills first to ensure the fish is dead, and also because this contains the most nutrients for the parents.

Thanks, I do live in a lovely part of this planet.

From an encounter this week in Northern NSW.

Thanks, John. It is about a 20-minute walk from my home, just past the local shopping centre. I have been several times and see them regularly but often hard to capture them or I don't have my wildlife camera and lens. They are more active now up to December. There has been up to 6 of them in the stream the neighbours tell me.

Found this platypus in a creek not far from home. Been back several times to see it in the wild. The images are from a visit on Monday Sept 8.

Here is a version of a timelapse of the sun rising before dawn at a local beach. Thanks Tom

Thanks - I have used it and will post the results shortly.

Thanks Tom Make the time and persevere Tom. Practice is the best learning tool. Panoee is a great free hosting software and look for tutorials by Australian Ben Claremont. Regards Mark

I have recently discovered 360-degree dual fish-eye cameras and took one on a recent trip to Europe. This technology allows the viewer to interact with the image using specific web hosting applications. It is really quite immersive and can be used for still images as well as video. This is a series of images of the Cologne Cathedral from the trip. Admin/Igor - please delete if not allowed. Regards Mark https://tour.panoee.net/Cologne_Cathedral

Some images from a local theatre production of Spamalot. Great show using local talent.

Thanks Alex, would be quite difficult to do with my camera. My camera is converted to capture handheld infrared images only and not visible light images. You could use a normal camera with an IR filter (exposure 6 times longer, so a tripod is required) or two identical cameras (one converted to IR) and lenses but alignment is an issue. Generally an IR image is not a visibe light image as they use different lighting and contrast. These shots would have been very green with all the plants and far less contrast/tonal range. The other option is to false colour the IR image using AI in PS but often not realistic - see below. Also, Masks in PTE are a bit beyond my knowledge and skills at this point. Thanks for commenting and the suggestion. Mark

Everyone needs a secret garden in their life and you’re invited to visit Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, a public garden and much loved oasis in the heart of Sydney. Located a short walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or a closer stroll from Milsons Point and North Sydney train stations, the Secret Garden is a haven where you can explore meandering pathways discovering sculptures as you go; enjoy a picnic basket or read a book at one of the tables or benches beneath the garden’s canopy; or you can simply enjoy the nature and serenity of your beautiful surrounds. You may even stumble across a hidden fairy house. Created over the past 20 years by artist Wendy Whiteley, wife and muse of Australian artist Brett Whiteley, the Secret Garden is nestled behind Luna Park in one of Sydney's most spectacular, and possibly smallest suburbs, Lavender Bay.

Works just like a still image and is very easy to use to adjust the time of transition and video/image, add other images/video, image in image etc. Have a go and share it here. Cheers Mark

Thanks, glad you liked it.

Thank you - it is actually 2 lenses with a 180-degree view on each side of the camera. Due to the harsh lighting conditions of sun and shade, you can see the join in places. The in-camera software removes the 4-foot selfie stick. Images from each camera are 1 inch square and when joined are an equirectangular shape. It has proprietary software for editing the video, but is very basic when it comes to other editing like transitions, audio, text, merging with still images etc. It is a bit fiddly using two software applications but reasonably happy with the result for the first AV. Thanks for commenting. Mark

Taken with a new DJI Osmo360 camera and the editor has limited functions at this stage. Several short clips post edited in PTE for transitions.

A recent camera club subject was Style. Here is a short AV I made about my "style".

Thanks Kieron I appreciate your comment. For me it is about the capture and post editing creativity. Engagement is nice but I am loving getting out there and doing different photo opportunities and seeing what I can create afterwards. I go out at least once a week with photography friends where I live. Was on a Balloon ride this morning, but mainly 360-degree video so will see if I have time to create something. Cheers Mark

Thank you - yes very different from the small to the large.

3 short videos of camera images from a local National Park and a nearby beach.

V8 Superboats action at Round Mountain Raceway, near Cabarita Beach in New South Wales, is widely regarded by competitors and fans as Australia’s—and arguably the world’s—premier jet sprint circuit. The natural amphitheatre terrain allows every spectator breathtaking, unobstructed views of the entire course, making spectating as thrilling as the racing itself. Featuring powerful V8-powered jetboats in classes ranging from entry‑level and Group A (400‑ci) to the rampant Unlimited class, boats rocket to 120–140 km/h in seconds and navigate a complex maze of around 11 islands dredged into the flatland, demanding intense precision and memory from drivers and navigators alike. The two-day format typically includes practice and multiple qualifying rounds on Saturday (images from July 26), followed by high-pressure elimination heats and finals on Sunday, where a single mistake can end your podium hopes despite earlier dominance. The intense competition, deafening engine roar, spectacular spray, and strategic challenge of unknown track layouts (only released a week beforehand) combine to deliver a uniquely Australian motorsport experience at Round Mountain Raceway Inc.

Thanks, Mike, for commenting. This is not a Dark Sky area due to all the ambient light from Byron Bay, which is at my back immediately behind this shot. I have recently discovered an "Ambient Light" filter that blocks light from urbanisation. The beam is noticeable as the exposure is very quick (about 1 or 2 secs) compared 10 - 15 secs where the light beam is more spread out. We also use a red light for viewing camera settings etc but if we look ahead into the amera scene, the red light in visible. Cheers Mark

Hello It was a F1.4 lens so exposures were very short some as slow as 1/2 sec. Most were 1 or 2 seconds only. Regards Mark

Milky Way Over The Byron Lighthouse - taken last night in Byron Bay. It was not an intentional time-lapse. I was trying different exposures with the same lens and mostly the same viewpoint. Only when reviewing the images did I noticed the light beam angles and made a short AV.