How was your Christmas
On Christmas Eve we walked from Portgordon towards Spey Bay and back before having a nice veggie roast dinner. We don't really do the Christmas thing.
Then on Boxing Day we took at drive along the coast from Buckie to Lossiemouth stopping along the way to look for Dolphins but we only saw seals. Not that there's anything wrong with seeing seals, in fact I love to watch them, its just that we see them an awful lot more often.
With both of us busy with work committments for Thursday and Friday we didn't get out again until Saturday and this time decided we go up onto the Black Isle to Chanonry Point. This is the narrowist point of the Moray Firth which still has deep water. The light was terrible and it rained pretty much all the time we were there just varying the intensity.
We were however rewarded with some good views of a pod of five Common Bottlenose Dolphins engaged in their herding method of fishing. They were obviously more interested in fishing than anything else, and unlike in better weather, did not come near to the shore to play. As this group moved towards Fort George then back out to the wider Firth and then back to Fort George again it was beautiful to watch although not especially photogenic. The weather did nothing to help.
After watching the pod leave the narrowing between Fort George and Chanonry Point we retuned to the campervan for a spot of lunch. Sitting quite happily drinking my tea I looked out the windowscreen and there in front of the campervan some 30 yards out were two more Dolphins heading even further inland. They were equally busy with there own lives as not to hang around and were infact moving with quite some speed. It was stunning to see these wonderful animals going at pretty much full speed and still retain such utter grace that to the observer time stood still.
And to think - our government is thinking of issuing exploration licenses for the Moray Firth to gas and oil companies. The activities of which will have a massive and probably fatal impact on these, the most northern group of Bottlenoses in the world and one of the east coast most loved neighbours and attractions! If you read this please visit the www.wdcs.org website - every person that voices an objection counts. I'll be keeping you updated from here as to how you can get involved.
As the hours of daylight this far north are not plentiful at this time of year we didn't have a lot of time there.
Today I am working for the local paper but hope to get out, perhaps to Fort George over the next two days.
I wish everyone, wherever you are, a Happy New Year, but most importantly a peaceful 2008.
Jan
Monday 31 December 2007
Monday 24 December 2007
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Well, it's Christmas Eve and I'd thought I'd update the BLOG before settling down for the evening with NORAD tracks santa (well, its better than the rubbish on the TV).
I got the new lens (see last entry) and I am quite impressed. The slower aperture does cause a few problems but I think that a lot could be accomplished with practised technique. I haven't used a lens of this sort of the length for a while and so I need to get back into the swing of things.
The shots obtained on the brief trial run were certainly impressive as far as image quality goes. The clarity was as hoped and the colour rendition pretty good too. There was very little fringing which I had expected at the 500mm end and I was pretty impressed with the sharpness even at f6.3 and I think that using it at f8 or f11 would really give that added punch although I got more than I was expecting.
The build quality is excellent as you would expect from a pro quality lens. The downsides? well, there aren't a lot of 86mm filters about and they certainly aren't cheap. I would like a Sigma EX DG one but at over £75 that's going to have to wait a wee while. I have ordered a Japanese high quality UV for now to protect the front element and of course insured the lens.
I hope to be able to get out and get some interesting shots of the seals at Portgordon over Christmas and also perhaps of some of the birds of prey seen close to the house.
I have various engagements towards the end of the week and again in the next week but then hope to be able to spend some serious time in January perfecting my techniques with this lens, and familiarising myself with it so that its use becomes second nature like the rest of my equipment.
Keep an eye on my website www.jancrane.co.uk for new images over the coming weeks.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Jan
I got the new lens (see last entry) and I am quite impressed. The slower aperture does cause a few problems but I think that a lot could be accomplished with practised technique. I haven't used a lens of this sort of the length for a while and so I need to get back into the swing of things.
The shots obtained on the brief trial run were certainly impressive as far as image quality goes. The clarity was as hoped and the colour rendition pretty good too. There was very little fringing which I had expected at the 500mm end and I was pretty impressed with the sharpness even at f6.3 and I think that using it at f8 or f11 would really give that added punch although I got more than I was expecting.
The build quality is excellent as you would expect from a pro quality lens. The downsides? well, there aren't a lot of 86mm filters about and they certainly aren't cheap. I would like a Sigma EX DG one but at over £75 that's going to have to wait a wee while. I have ordered a Japanese high quality UV for now to protect the front element and of course insured the lens.
I hope to be able to get out and get some interesting shots of the seals at Portgordon over Christmas and also perhaps of some of the birds of prey seen close to the house.
I have various engagements towards the end of the week and again in the next week but then hope to be able to spend some serious time in January perfecting my techniques with this lens, and familiarising myself with it so that its use becomes second nature like the rest of my equipment.
Keep an eye on my website www.jancrane.co.uk for new images over the coming weeks.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Jan
Thursday 20 December 2007
New toys
The weather has been fantastic for photography now for best part of a week. Very very cold and not getting above freezing at all for the last four days. Unfortunately I have had committments and haven't been able to get out and make the most of it.
I do have a new toy coming. I have purchased a Bigma. Now to those who don't know this is a Sigma 50-500 f4-6.4 EX DG HSM (I think we run out of letters at this point.....). Being a Sigma EX (and at over £700 new) I expect pro quality build and most importantly optics. I would have preferred a faster 2.8 lens but to cover this length you need two lenses at least and severa THOUSAND pounds, and a chiropractor for when your back gives out!
I'll post a review on here when I've run a days testing on it.
Until then, try not to slip over and to the idiot who overtook me on the ice and then spun out yesturday - serves you right you idiot.
Stay warm!
Jan
I do have a new toy coming. I have purchased a Bigma. Now to those who don't know this is a Sigma 50-500 f4-6.4 EX DG HSM (I think we run out of letters at this point.....). Being a Sigma EX (and at over £700 new) I expect pro quality build and most importantly optics. I would have preferred a faster 2.8 lens but to cover this length you need two lenses at least and severa THOUSAND pounds, and a chiropractor for when your back gives out!
I'll post a review on here when I've run a days testing on it.
Until then, try not to slip over and to the idiot who overtook me on the ice and then spun out yesturday - serves you right you idiot.
Stay warm!
Jan
Monday 17 December 2007
130 Dolphins and I didn't see one!
Well, would you credit it? The trip was great. The weather fantastic, the boat was really nice, the crew were brilliant and I had a wonderful relaxing afternoon....looking at the rocks and the cliffs from the water rather than the land (which was interesting)....looking at birds (many which you don't see unless your at sea).....and the sea.....but NOT a cetacean in sight.
Not one, no Dolphins, Whales, Porpoises or even a seal.
But, I will most certainly be going again....better luck next time!
Got some great shots of what we did see at sea and at the harbour on the way back so the trip was worth doing. Mark, who came along for the ride, wasn't seasick (first time on a boat) and also wants to go back again.
There aren't anymore trips now until 2008 but we'll be there. First chance we get!
Take care everyone, especially if your around this area - its not got above -4 today and this evening we are already at -8 and dropping and its not 9pm yet!
Brrrrr.....
Jan
Not one, no Dolphins, Whales, Porpoises or even a seal.
But, I will most certainly be going again....better luck next time!
Got some great shots of what we did see at sea and at the harbour on the way back so the trip was worth doing. Mark, who came along for the ride, wasn't seasick (first time on a boat) and also wants to go back again.
There aren't anymore trips now until 2008 but we'll be there. First chance we get!
Take care everyone, especially if your around this area - its not got above -4 today and this evening we are already at -8 and dropping and its not 9pm yet!
Brrrrr.....
Jan
Friday 14 December 2007
Dolphin trip now on
Yippee. I can't wait. Finally the weather has been kind enough to enable us to take our long awaited Cetacean watching trip out of Buckie harbour on the Gemini Explorer.
We sail at 12.00 tomorrow, Saturday, and should return after around 2.5hours. We are hoping to be able to photograph some of the 130 Dolphins that live in the Moray Firth and we are also looking out for the Minke Whales that have been sheltering in the Firth over the last couple of weeks of gales and storms.
It will be nice to get closer to the cetaceans and to see them close up in their own environment. We picked our boat operator with great care and followed the guidelines set out by the WDCS of which I am a member.
Hopefully the weather will remain kind and the Dolphins will permit us to share their environment and space for a wee while and we will be able to get some superb shots.
More soon...
We sail at 12.00 tomorrow, Saturday, and should return after around 2.5hours. We are hoping to be able to photograph some of the 130 Dolphins that live in the Moray Firth and we are also looking out for the Minke Whales that have been sheltering in the Firth over the last couple of weeks of gales and storms.
It will be nice to get closer to the cetaceans and to see them close up in their own environment. We picked our boat operator with great care and followed the guidelines set out by the WDCS of which I am a member.
Hopefully the weather will remain kind and the Dolphins will permit us to share their environment and space for a wee while and we will be able to get some superb shots.
More soon...
Sunday 9 December 2007
I want to be a tree
Well, not quite.
One of the most difficult things about photographing wildlife in their environment is getting in their environment with them BUT without either them noticing or by effecting their behavour. It is essential not to destress any animal and so camoflage is often the best way to go. You can observe and photograph with greater ease and in a way far better for the subject.
Now, there are many types of camoflage and other ways of achieving this. Your main purpose is to break up the edges of your figure that you can not be so easily distinguished from your surrounding. Hunters have known this for years which means that unfortunately you have to frequent some of their shops sometimes to equip yourself.
I will say that this point that I recently became a vegetarian. After spending so much time trying to understand the other species that inhabit our planet I feel that I can't justify harming them any longer. When you really begin to study the lives of any living creature you begin to see life in itself in new ways.
I am also refraining from buying non-ethical products wherever possible (which is a bit of a problem when some of the best photographic equipment is produced by countries with very bad ethical reputations when it comes to our fellow man let alone animals).
I would also like to say though, that I do not condemn all hunting. Where it is a requirement of survival and there is no alternative to sustain human life then I can accept it but it should be done in a way that causes the minimum amount of suffering. Native Americans understood this. Although they hunted and killed many wild animals every part was utilised and they only took what they needed. They show use the right way to manage the earth. Unfortunately the white settlers did everything for profit and pushed many species to extinction while littering the ground with rotting carcusses that did no more than spread disease.
Anyway, back to the camoflage. I looked at the army style but it made me look very silly - whatever you choose you know it's not going to be the most flattering thing but really....well I just looked like some bad wanabee commando actionman or something. In the end I went for a realtree type jacket, trousers and gloves. I can't quite get to the point of camo balaclavers yet but who knows? At the moment I'm going for the moss green hat.
Now here I want to make a point for the manufacturers - WHY DON'T YOU MAKE ANYTHING FOR WOMEN!!!!!?
I do not for one minute believe that I am the only women in the world who needs camo! I know for a fact that there are women hunters all over the United States (where most of this clothing originates) for starters. It's like stepping back 10 years into the outdoors market when all the decent stuff was mens and women were only supposed to go up small hills in summer. This is the 21st century! Get real, please.
I did however find one thing out. If you are a size 10, 5ft 4" female or thereabouts you can get into the childrens clothes (they make clothes for kids but not women?!). As it happens I am (according to the makers of my camo gear) the size of the ideal Age 14 male. I would suggest that a size 12 may just get into the Age 14 jacket too (depending on what you want to put underneath). I like a little room for added quilting or fleece (and sometimes both) as it gets very very cold in may of my most favoured locations.
A size 8 women would probably find an Age 12 fits fine. But, if you are any taller than about 5ft 5" then the trousers at any size will be too short. This won't be a problem if you like wellies or long boots and tuck them in, or use gaters a lot.
I am a little chunky around the middle (scar tissue and my winter padding....lol) so I would say a 12 might get away with the Age 14 trousers too - but I would try them on as I have yet to find two size 10s with the same measurements all over (not counting twins).
My biggest problem is gloves. Most stockists only carry adult medium and large. The adult medium gloves are big and even with a liner glove on I won't want to handle my camera and make setting changes much as there is far too much room in all the fingers.
As a waterproof outer with a grippy liner glove the medium is just about ok for me. I would have liked a better fit but I have spent over a month looking for a glove that actually fits snuggly enough and given up. If the hand is right then the thumb is either too short or too long. On the rare occassion the thumb and hand were fine the fingers were either too long (most often) or they were too flappy and I couldn't get a grip. I tried childrens which again fitted but they don't make ones for kids with adequate insulation for me. 40g of thinsulate is NOT enough.
I really really like Permaloft lined gloves although they are more expensive but couldn't get the right fit. I need a small finger and medium hand in the ladies and the mens are just too big all round.
Another advantage of buying from the childrens ranges is that you don't pay VAT. This means my childrens jacket was around £45, the trousers £31. The adult version of exactly the same jacket (with the same design, features, and fabrics etc) was over 3x that!
Dearest hubby, who likes to come on some of my trips (and carries the tripod - thanks MARK!) will have to pay well over £250 for the same outfit that cost me under £100. What is that all about?
Cheaper versions are available on ebay etc and we may try and get him kitted out that way. Especially if you can order from the US at the moment. Although you need to allow for tax and duty etc, the £ against the $ at the moment still makes this an attractive method.
Of course, when I head off for the US to photograph wolves in 2010 I shall be taking an almost empty suitcase out there - just for the shopping. Even at normal rates of exchange we in Britian are still being ripped off. If something costs $140 it should not cost £140 as the £and $ have never had a 1:1 as far as I can remember. This means that we are constantly paying well over the odds.
While I'm having a rant about this I'll prove the point: I went to Canada and the US for New Year about 8 years ago. At the time I lived about 4 miles from the Terra Nova (best tents in the world...probably) factory. To buy the tent I wanted in Sheffield (about 12 miles north) was £399. Now this tent has travelled 12 miles...... In Toronto the same tent was 295 Canadian$. Which was about £220 at the time including taxes.
Therefore my tent travelled from Sheffield(ish) to Toronto, was bought by me and shipped back to Sheffield(ish) for around £150 less than if I can bought it from its origin. Now, does that make any sense? Not exactly good for the environment was it? Even allowing for shipping and tax its cheaper to order a Terra Nova tent from Canada that it is from a retailer within walking distance of the manufacturer.
Well, enough of my muses for this morning. It's raining heavily as it has been all night, my dolphin trip has been cancelled again and I am not sure what I am going to be able to photograph today but I am going to try an get out somewhere.
Take care everyone,
Jan
One of the most difficult things about photographing wildlife in their environment is getting in their environment with them BUT without either them noticing or by effecting their behavour. It is essential not to destress any animal and so camoflage is often the best way to go. You can observe and photograph with greater ease and in a way far better for the subject.
Now, there are many types of camoflage and other ways of achieving this. Your main purpose is to break up the edges of your figure that you can not be so easily distinguished from your surrounding. Hunters have known this for years which means that unfortunately you have to frequent some of their shops sometimes to equip yourself.
I will say that this point that I recently became a vegetarian. After spending so much time trying to understand the other species that inhabit our planet I feel that I can't justify harming them any longer. When you really begin to study the lives of any living creature you begin to see life in itself in new ways.
I am also refraining from buying non-ethical products wherever possible (which is a bit of a problem when some of the best photographic equipment is produced by countries with very bad ethical reputations when it comes to our fellow man let alone animals).
I would also like to say though, that I do not condemn all hunting. Where it is a requirement of survival and there is no alternative to sustain human life then I can accept it but it should be done in a way that causes the minimum amount of suffering. Native Americans understood this. Although they hunted and killed many wild animals every part was utilised and they only took what they needed. They show use the right way to manage the earth. Unfortunately the white settlers did everything for profit and pushed many species to extinction while littering the ground with rotting carcusses that did no more than spread disease.
Anyway, back to the camoflage. I looked at the army style but it made me look very silly - whatever you choose you know it's not going to be the most flattering thing but really....well I just looked like some bad wanabee commando actionman or something. In the end I went for a realtree type jacket, trousers and gloves. I can't quite get to the point of camo balaclavers yet but who knows? At the moment I'm going for the moss green hat.
Now here I want to make a point for the manufacturers - WHY DON'T YOU MAKE ANYTHING FOR WOMEN!!!!!?
I do not for one minute believe that I am the only women in the world who needs camo! I know for a fact that there are women hunters all over the United States (where most of this clothing originates) for starters. It's like stepping back 10 years into the outdoors market when all the decent stuff was mens and women were only supposed to go up small hills in summer. This is the 21st century! Get real, please.
I did however find one thing out. If you are a size 10, 5ft 4" female or thereabouts you can get into the childrens clothes (they make clothes for kids but not women?!). As it happens I am (according to the makers of my camo gear) the size of the ideal Age 14 male. I would suggest that a size 12 may just get into the Age 14 jacket too (depending on what you want to put underneath). I like a little room for added quilting or fleece (and sometimes both) as it gets very very cold in may of my most favoured locations.
A size 8 women would probably find an Age 12 fits fine. But, if you are any taller than about 5ft 5" then the trousers at any size will be too short. This won't be a problem if you like wellies or long boots and tuck them in, or use gaters a lot.
I am a little chunky around the middle (scar tissue and my winter padding....lol) so I would say a 12 might get away with the Age 14 trousers too - but I would try them on as I have yet to find two size 10s with the same measurements all over (not counting twins).
My biggest problem is gloves. Most stockists only carry adult medium and large. The adult medium gloves are big and even with a liner glove on I won't want to handle my camera and make setting changes much as there is far too much room in all the fingers.
As a waterproof outer with a grippy liner glove the medium is just about ok for me. I would have liked a better fit but I have spent over a month looking for a glove that actually fits snuggly enough and given up. If the hand is right then the thumb is either too short or too long. On the rare occassion the thumb and hand were fine the fingers were either too long (most often) or they were too flappy and I couldn't get a grip. I tried childrens which again fitted but they don't make ones for kids with adequate insulation for me. 40g of thinsulate is NOT enough.
I really really like Permaloft lined gloves although they are more expensive but couldn't get the right fit. I need a small finger and medium hand in the ladies and the mens are just too big all round.
Another advantage of buying from the childrens ranges is that you don't pay VAT. This means my childrens jacket was around £45, the trousers £31. The adult version of exactly the same jacket (with the same design, features, and fabrics etc) was over 3x that!
Dearest hubby, who likes to come on some of my trips (and carries the tripod - thanks MARK!) will have to pay well over £250 for the same outfit that cost me under £100. What is that all about?
Cheaper versions are available on ebay etc and we may try and get him kitted out that way. Especially if you can order from the US at the moment. Although you need to allow for tax and duty etc, the £ against the $ at the moment still makes this an attractive method.
Of course, when I head off for the US to photograph wolves in 2010 I shall be taking an almost empty suitcase out there - just for the shopping. Even at normal rates of exchange we in Britian are still being ripped off. If something costs $140 it should not cost £140 as the £and $ have never had a 1:1 as far as I can remember. This means that we are constantly paying well over the odds.
While I'm having a rant about this I'll prove the point: I went to Canada and the US for New Year about 8 years ago. At the time I lived about 4 miles from the Terra Nova (best tents in the world...probably) factory. To buy the tent I wanted in Sheffield (about 12 miles north) was £399. Now this tent has travelled 12 miles...... In Toronto the same tent was 295 Canadian$. Which was about £220 at the time including taxes.
Therefore my tent travelled from Sheffield(ish) to Toronto, was bought by me and shipped back to Sheffield(ish) for around £150 less than if I can bought it from its origin. Now, does that make any sense? Not exactly good for the environment was it? Even allowing for shipping and tax its cheaper to order a Terra Nova tent from Canada that it is from a retailer within walking distance of the manufacturer.
Well, enough of my muses for this morning. It's raining heavily as it has been all night, my dolphin trip has been cancelled again and I am not sure what I am going to be able to photograph today but I am going to try an get out somewhere.
Take care everyone,
Jan
Wednesday 5 December 2007
Dolphins & a little bit about monitor calibration
We had been planning a trip to see the moray dolphins in their environment but the long range weather forecast is making a sailing highly unlikely for our planned trip and several days either side of it.
We'll keep and eye on it and contact the skipper the day before just incase its come in early and blown itself out by the time we are free to go.
I calibrated my laptop yesturday and have to recommend this action to anyone involved in photography whether they are professional or not. The difference is quite striking and my pictures look even better than before (which is great) but I can now see that some of the simplest applications of photoshop that appeared to be enhancing the image weren't in fact doing anything like it. I may have even sabotarged one or two of my own pictures!
I had always argued that you could use the Gamma wizard in Photoshop to calibrate the monitor - well trust me on this - it doesn't come close. Your eyes are not suitable for this, whoever you are or however well you think you can match colours etc.
Its a bit like using cheap print film and getting your prints made by machine and then using Fuji Velvia slide film and for the first time seeing what you've been missing.
The downside? Well, you can see flaws in lenses more but conversely you also get to see just how good the good ones are. The only other downsides are that you need to repeat this calibration at least once a month and if you do a lot of work on your PC/Mac then once a week even. And you have to buy the calibration equipment in the first place. When digital first started out, and yes, I was there right at the beginning. Cameras were £35,000 for less pixels than you get your phone, monitors were designed for office use and proper ones for photographic or design work were very serious money. Calibration devices were also running into several hundred pounds and so very very few people operated on any more than the "it looks ok when I print it" or "I'll make the final changes when I see the proofs" and a lot of guesswork.
The good news is that now you can get a Spyder Express (or similiar) for around £55. Now this may still seem a lot for people who only do this as a hobby but think about it for a minute. If you were a film using that less than 10 rolls of film (not including processing). Not exactly a big layout in the scheme of things anyway.
So I'll leave you on that note and head out to try and capture some shots of Ben Rinnes' snow capped top before the snow on the top turns to rain again.
Take care,
Jan
We'll keep and eye on it and contact the skipper the day before just incase its come in early and blown itself out by the time we are free to go.
I calibrated my laptop yesturday and have to recommend this action to anyone involved in photography whether they are professional or not. The difference is quite striking and my pictures look even better than before (which is great) but I can now see that some of the simplest applications of photoshop that appeared to be enhancing the image weren't in fact doing anything like it. I may have even sabotarged one or two of my own pictures!
I had always argued that you could use the Gamma wizard in Photoshop to calibrate the monitor - well trust me on this - it doesn't come close. Your eyes are not suitable for this, whoever you are or however well you think you can match colours etc.
Its a bit like using cheap print film and getting your prints made by machine and then using Fuji Velvia slide film and for the first time seeing what you've been missing.
The downside? Well, you can see flaws in lenses more but conversely you also get to see just how good the good ones are. The only other downsides are that you need to repeat this calibration at least once a month and if you do a lot of work on your PC/Mac then once a week even. And you have to buy the calibration equipment in the first place. When digital first started out, and yes, I was there right at the beginning. Cameras were £35,000 for less pixels than you get your phone, monitors were designed for office use and proper ones for photographic or design work were very serious money. Calibration devices were also running into several hundred pounds and so very very few people operated on any more than the "it looks ok when I print it" or "I'll make the final changes when I see the proofs" and a lot of guesswork.
The good news is that now you can get a Spyder Express (or similiar) for around £55. Now this may still seem a lot for people who only do this as a hobby but think about it for a minute. If you were a film using that less than 10 rolls of film (not including processing). Not exactly a big layout in the scheme of things anyway.
So I'll leave you on that note and head out to try and capture some shots of Ben Rinnes' snow capped top before the snow on the top turns to rain again.
Take care,
Jan
Monday 3 December 2007
Yet more bad weather BUT
Well the weather again is what the met office lovingly call "unsettled". What that means in Scottish terms is that is very wet, very windy and it doesn't get properly light before it gets dark again.
We did have a nice day at the weekend though. Albeit a cold and still windy day at least it stopped raining for a wee while.
As a result I got out to do some Dolphin and Seal spotting. Got lucky with the seals (well not really if you're local as you get used to knowing where to find them) but alas we didn't see any Dolphins.
I am looking at an offshore trip sometime soon but the weather is not currently permitting many sailings and if there aren't enough takers then they don't sail.
Check out the website though as I have added some new pics from this weekend.
We did have a nice day at the weekend though. Albeit a cold and still windy day at least it stopped raining for a wee while.
As a result I got out to do some Dolphin and Seal spotting. Got lucky with the seals (well not really if you're local as you get used to knowing where to find them) but alas we didn't see any Dolphins.
I am looking at an offshore trip sometime soon but the weather is not currently permitting many sailings and if there aren't enough takers then they don't sail.
Check out the website though as I have added some new pics from this weekend.
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