Whatever that means…

New proof books are one their way!! (image is a representation only and does not show the actual proof books... as they have not arrived yet... obviously)

But lets be excited anyway… as those proof books contain over 3700 wedding images, although not all in the same book, obviously!!

So there you have it and like I always say, please feel free to comment… Especially those of you viewing this via Facebook !!!

Canon 5D Mark II & 50mm/1.4 – ISO 800 – 1/60 seconds @ f/2.0

© 2010 Robb Duncan

42/200

Here is the image

Melbourne Graffiti inspired wedding - Hosier Lane. © Robb Duncan

The actual blog post can be seen here

Long time readers might recognise Mel and Sam from their wedding way back in Mid 2008. As a matter of fact, another image from their wedding was the first image I ever blogged on here!!

So there you have it and like I always say, please feel free to comment… Especially those of you viewing this via Facebook !!!

And for the Camera/foto geeks: -

Image captured by Canon 30D & 17-55mm/2.8 IS – ISO 200 – 1/60 second @ f/3.2

© Robb Duncan

25/200

The rings

Captured by Canon 5D & 60mm f/2.8 Macro + 12mm ext tube – ISO 800 – 1/125 second @ f/4.0

So there you have it and like I always say, please feel free to comment… Especially those of you viewing this via Facebook !!!

© Robb Duncan

17/200

From the 1st of Jan 2010 until midnight on the 15th of Jan 2010 we are having a little special.

15% off all our regular pricing on everything for 15 days to celebrate the fact that as of the 1st of Jan there are only 15 weeks to go until the baby is born!!

Thats where the 3 fifteens come from.

It includes all Wedding Packages, Portrait packages and products including Albums, Custom framing and Canvas prints.

You only have until the 15th Jan, so don’t miss out!!

Thanks for listening

Robb

7/200

Since the news of my previous full time second shooter Ryan’s departure to greener fields and full time employment hit the blog less than a week ago, I can honestly say I have been humbled by the number of people who have emailed or called asking if I needed help. Hell, one would-be photographer even begged me to take him on!!  And so to you unnamed masses, I say a heart felt thanks.  :)

So, you want to be my second shooter huh? Do you think you have what it takes? Well, do you?

HaHa.

This post is a little run down of what I expect from a Second shooter and why… Its aimed at the less experienced and as such I wont go into any great depth regarding the level of technical proficiency or artistic vision it might take to qualify. Needless to say you have to have a solid understanding of photographic basics and at least 2 creative brain cells!!

If you read the next bit and it comes across as a little “assertive”, just know that I am only trying to make a point. So lets not take this too seriously now, you know thats not my usual writing style!! And besides, I am a photographer, and as such there are times when English is almost a second language…

I have been shooting weddings for quite a few years now and to be honest,  while I am quite capable of doing this all by myself (and I did so for a long time, might I add), it is just easier and more fun to shoot with someone else. And depending on your talent, the additional photographic eye can make for a more well rounded coverage. And while I appreciate the help, just remember I am the one doing you the favour, it’s not the other way around. I say this because of the unrealistic expectations that some people have and also the recent experience a photographer friend had with a new second shooter, not because I think the world revolves around me (even though at times it probably does…)

I like lists, and its often difficult to blog a good list, but with this post I will be blogging quite a few!! YAY for lists!!

Essentially, as a second shooter you are there for 3 main reasons which are in the following order of priority.

1. To make my life easier.
2. To add a second viewpoint
3. To further your own experience and portfolio.

We will look at these in more detail in a moment, but first some house rules.

1. You are representing my business, so act accordingly.
2. And dress accordingly too.
3. Don’t try and pimp yourself out to guests or vendors at the wedding by handing out your own business cards or contact info or by requesting theirs.
4. You are shooting for me and my clients first, and yourself second. So you wont always get the best angles, thats just how it is!!
5. Jumping into my shot to get one of your own is not only uncool, but is probably a health and safety issue.
6. Try and avoid being in my shot as much as possible. I primarily shoot with a wide angle lens and get quite close… so chances are if you are in front of me somewhere, you will be in my shot!!
7. Never delete an image in Camera. Never. Doesnt matter how bad it is, even if you were running and the camera shot 35 blurry images of the sky and ground… I dont care.
8. I mean it, dont delete in camera, apart from the fact that you might accidently delete all your images, there is an increased risk of card corruption if you delete in camera.
9. While we are on the subject of cards, I supply all memory cards and will always try to swap them out before they are full.
10. And above all else have fun. “Don’t worry, Be happy.”

Now that we have some ground rules, lets get into it.

1. Making my life easier is a very broad statement and, within reason, it covers pretty much anything on the day that will… make… my life easier…(Strangely enough!!)

This includes the obvious things like:

• being 100% reliable, this cannot be stressed enough, its so damn important.
• helping/offering to carry gear
• helping to keep track of gear
• holding light-stands in windy conditions
• holding reflectors
• fetching non-alcoholic refreshments
• keeping track of the family/group shots
• General attention to the details, like adjusting the veil after a gust of wind etc…

2. You are there to provide an additional viewpoint to the wedding day, so that means

• look for your own angles (don’t shoot over my shoulder, that defeats the purpose of you being there)
• Shoot details, and lots of them. Both close-up and in context
• Shoot candid’s and the moments that I cannot see
• Shoot me while I am shooting
• Shoot me telling bad jokes or waving my arms around like I am conducting a symphony (I do both of those things a lot… sometimes at the same time!!)
• Just shoot !!
• Shoot with thought and consideration… and remember…
• I will provide upward of 50Gb of card space for you to use, so don’t be shy either.
• Just find that happy place somewhere in the middle.

3. You are also there for the experience, to learn, to see how I work and hopefully to score a few images for your portfolio…  So…

• Pay attention to what’s going on around you at all times, you will learn more that way.
• Be ready to shoot when the moment comes, as its often too late once you notice the moment is happening.
• Like I said before, you sometimes wont have the best angles, but if you just think a little, you can often create amazing images with what you have.
• I am there to actively help you out as well, just remember to ask questions at appropriate times.
• I have all sorts of different gear you can try out during the day… just remember to ask first !!
• And above all else, have fun!!

Apart from all that, I am looking for someone who is friendly and outgoing, but not over the top, just good with people. Someone who is 100% reliable, who learns fast, and doesnt mind a bit of hard work, photographically speaking…

Oh, and I am not looking at hiring someone permanently at this stage, I want to keep my options open, and I am willing to share with others.

So there you have it, do you still want to be my second shooter…??

So Ryan, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your efforts since you started with me, all those hours in the car traveling to weddings all over Melbourne and Geelong having to put up with my music and bad driving, it must have been tough. And thanks for making me a better photographer, just to keep ahead of you !! And I can say for certain that you will be missed!!

Here is a quick selection of Ryan’s work from some recent weddings.

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Thanks Mate, and Good Luck with everything !!

And remember you have a natural talent buddy, make sure you make the most of it!!

So there you have it, feel free to comment.

Wish us loads of sticky dust, so that this one sticks !!

The pregnancy test - wish us luck !!

For those that are interested, It was captured by :- Canon 5DII & 50mm/1.4 – ISO 3200 – 1/125 second @ f/5.6

Click through to see a closeup.

Close-up of the pregnancy test - Gotta love those 2 lines.

For those that are interested, It was captured by :- Canon 5DII & 60mm/2.8 Macro – ISO 1600 – 1/60 second @ f/4.0

So there you have it and like I always say, please feel free to comment…

© 2009 Robb Duncan

My beautiful and loving and caring wife miscarried on Saturday night…

And I just wanted to let you all know…

Well, there are 3 reasons for that.

1. I am working on a new folio section for the website…
2. I am doing a little Autumn cleaning and some re-decorating in my online world, trying to bring my branding up to a point where it has a little more consistency…
3. I still have 3 Client Albums to design and Build, YAY !!! 

 
Just thought I would let you know, in case you were thinking I had dropped off the earth or something !!
Take care, and I will let you know when things are up and running.

Its not a secret, its just that I have been to busy with Weddings, Family Portraits, Websites, Album design and well, Life in general to really get the time to sit down and write blog posts!!

Here is the first shot with my new 5D mkII, fresh out of the box (apologies for the messy desk and the fact that this post could get a little camera geek-ish!!).

Fresh out of the box - Canon 5DmkII & 50mm/1.4 - ISO 400 - 1/60sec @ f/1.4

First impressions, *smiles*… its just like Mary Poppins.

That’s right, “Practically perfect in every way”…  or, if you are not that into old school disney… then, well…  it’s just awesome.

Compared to the original 5D, its a big improvement in lots of little ways. Apart from the increased low light performance due to higher usable ISO settings, the level of detail in a 21mp RAW file is something that you just have to see to believe !! And its weather proof, so a little rain wont be a problem. Roll on winter weddings and those rainy day family portrait sessions I say!!

I have to admit, that I do own a number of different Canon D-SLR bodies now (too many if you ask my wife !! but I am not one to let go of things, and every photographer should have quality backup equipment and thats my excuse and I am sticking to it!!) and I can safely say that the new 5D is the cream of the crop. 

And yes, you are right, I could go on and on about it for hours, days even, but I wont bore you with that !!

Today is the Official launch of www.robbduncan.com.au , my new Scottish, Kilted and Celtic styled Weddings Photography website !!

Many of you loyal readers have guessed that it was going to be something like this, and a few of the emails I have received have begged me to tell… but I held out on you, I am good like that!!

I have a truck load of BIG NEWS to blog about, so there will be a flurry of posts in the next 48 hours !

So stay tuned, OK!

Now I am not saying all this attention its a bad thing, because its not at all!! In fact its always good to be loved, but things are absolutely crazy at the moment, in fact, beyond crazy!! 

So if you are reading this, and you are thinking of making an enquiry, please DO!! Just let me know your wedding date and location for starters and I can then give you my undivided attention.

What can I say, I LOVE MY JOB !!

Crazy days of Summer - and I love it!!

So, if you are on Facebook, drop by and take a look.

Everyone Loves Baby Feet !!!

As many regular readers will know, we here at Pixxil Photography are a large blended family with 6 awesome kids. This is one reason I find children’s portraiture so easy I suppose, with so many opportunities and so much practice !! We do hear all the usual jokes like, “wow, you guys must not own a TV !!” and “Is there something in the water…?” and all those other gems… and after a while, they are not nearly as funny as people think they are… hehe

Anyway…after much discussion, my wife Narelle and I have decided to have another Baby !!

We are not pregnant yet and we haven’t started “trying” yet either, but I thought I would announce it to the world.

So stay tuned for further announcements and also some Pregnancy and Baby photography specials as well, once we have a “bun in the oven” !!

Water usage is a hot topic. No water was wasted in the capturing of this image.

The Victorian State Government set a recommended usage target of less than 155litres per person per day, and called it Target 155, which is a very imaginative name. The Melbourne Metropolitan average is still 188litres per person per day. So they gave us a great website full of tips and tricks to help meet the recommended target. 

So, you are thinking… “what was your water usage Robb…?”  

Well, as a household total, we have managed to hit a stunning 851 litres per day !!

After some quick math, thats only a touch over 106litres per person per day !!  (round of applause please)

Thats 39litres lower than the recommended average, and means we are using the same amount of water as a Family of Five (and a half).

Cut your shower time and fix leaking taps, Maximise what you do use and cut out the wastage.

Its something to think about, and every bit helps.

My pretty 1/2 page ad in the 2009 Wyndham Pages and Hobson's Bay Pages.

The wp & hbp pages is a beautiful 84 page Directory Magazine, packed full of local businesses, everything from “Attractions and Learning” right on through to “Wedding Photographers”, so it can’t get any better than that right? Well they also have a nice website to back up the printed directory, take a look via THIS LINK

Its distributed throughout in the Wyndham and Hobsons Bay area, and people should be receiving their copy of either Magazine as I type this (or within the next few days) and just so you know, they looks like this (depending on where you live.) 

This is what they look like from the outside.

So there you have it, and I finish with a pretty picture of my pretty advert.

Another shot of the Ad, looks good doesn't it !

And to Celebrate, here is a shot from Gary and Michelle’s wedding from the weekend.

Beautiful Bride - Michelle

The move was easy, the next bit will take a little longer… So things could get a little “strange” over the next few hours or days (depending on how things go) as I fight with a few format issues, work on a new portfolio section and get things up to speed.

And on a completely unrelated side note, it appears as though one of my e-mail addresses has been failing to send mail for about 3 days… YAY !!! ….not much fun at all. I apologise to anyone who may have been effected and didnt get a reply.  The problem has been rectified and it shoudn’t occur again. 

 Now I leave you with this image and get back to work… … wish me luck

not quite a sunset... Footbridge over the Werribee River