Cradle Mountain Photographic Retreat

[antman]

Well, I recently attended this retreat organised be the Sydney University Centre for Continuing Education.

http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php?t=8580

It was led by photographer, Grenville Turner and we had a total of 6 participants including myself.

Grencille Turner was a great tour leader. A very knowledgable and experienced photographer. He is an extremely friendly and personable individual. He has some amazing stories to tell and is a great story teller as well. His website - http://www.grenvilleturner.com/. He shoots full frame canon as well as a large format panorama.

All in all it was a great trip. The formal retreat was for ~ 4 days but I was lucky enough to stay on for another 4 days.

1st off, the weather there was pretty miserable. There was rain for most days that the retreat was held which was at times torrential. Forutnately the program was flexible in that it combined a mixture of outdoor shooting as well as workshop situations. We were lucky that we got some good weather for our morning at cradle mountain itself.

The lodge itself was a lovely place. The food was nice. The cabins were quite comfortable. No TV or telephones in the rooms. It was great to see lots of animals wandering around the lodge grounds - including wallabies, wombats, echidnas, and even Tasmanian Devils. Missed out on the platypus but was told that there were 2 in the small lake outside the main reception.

The workshops were a mixture of discussion and demonstration. They had a projector setup to allow for demonstration of photoshop techniques. We also had the use of scanners and 2 printers (Epson 2100 and R1800). You did need to bring along your own notebook to make the most of the facilities.

I had a very enjoyable time despite the weather. I was able to get some terrific pictures, learn't a lot about photography and photoshop, and most importantly, was able to bring back some great prints as well (too show off to family and freinds). I'm now in the market for an A3 printer (not sure if I should get the 1800 or 2400).

Anyway, here are some of the pics I took down there. I'll post some more in my gallery when I get the chance.

(PS: I took down a stuffed currawong which you'll see I have placed strategically in some of the shots).

Rainforest



Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake



Cradle Mountain



Stuffed Currawong



Stuffed Currawong and Cradle Mountain



Stuffed Currwaong and Valley (took me ages to climb that tree!)



Mossy rocks



Lodge at night



Cradle Mountain (bad weather)



Some wildlfe

[antman]

Any comments welcome - good or bad. I can take it.

[big pix]

you have some good pix's of a great location.......... would have like to have seen them without the add on.............sounds like it was a weekend full of information and learning......... G.T. is a good teacher.....

[Pauld]

Geoff

You got some great shots there.

I like the picture of the Rainforest the most you have capture how still and old the forest is and green is amayzing

I bet you got some funny looks carrying a stuffed bird around

If you don't mind me asking what sort of costs were involved in attending this retreat. I am keen to do one myself down the track.

[antman]

Paul,

Unfortuantely one of the down sides of the trip was the cost.

If you have look in the original thread there are some costings there.

In the end, I enjoyed the trip. It was with a lovely bunch of people in a spectacular location, doing something that you enjoy and learning new things at the same time. What more could you ask for.

[leek]

Those are some of the best landscape shots that I've seen here Antman... In particular your Rainforest shot and Cradle Mountain (Bad Weather) are very impressive...

I met Grenville Turner this year when he gave a talk for Epson... He seemed like a very interesting character... I'd love to attend one of his workshops...
Maybe next year...

[stubbsy]

Geoff

Shots 1, 7, 8 and 9 are the standout shots for me although I think you've gone a touch too far with the saturation in #8.

Like the effort you put into getting that stuffed bird up the tree

[antman]

Thanks John,

Yes, I would recommend any of his workshops if you ever get the chance to attend.

One of the major things that I learn't (or at least realised) during the weekend was that a lot photography particlarly with respect to landscape photography depends so much on luck i.e being at the right place at the right time especially with regards to lighting. I guess most of us have the technical knowlege to get the exposure right but unless you get the lighting conditions just right then you don't get "the" picture.

I was fortunate in spending some time with Grenville after the retreat was completed, wandering (walking) around the Cradle Mountain area looking for shots. This just re-emphasied how important luck was when it came to getting a picture. He would identify an area which he thought was suitable for one of his panormas, he would set up his tripod and pano camera and then we would wait. And wait and wait. Justing waiting for the light that he wanted for his shot. Sometimes it never came and we just had to move on. A great analogy that he used was to compare it finishing. Throwing out a line and waiting for those bites. Waiting for lady luck!

[antman]

Thanks Peter,

The interesting thing is that the only post processing on that night shot was some USM. A lot of people whom I have shown that print to have asked if I have "turned up the colours" but its basically the way it has come out from the camera.

Geoff.

[leek]

Thanks John,

Yes, I would recommend any of his workshops if you ever get the chance to attend.

One of the major things that I learn't (or at least realised) during the weekend was that a lot photography particlarly with respect to landscape photography depends so much on luck i.e being at the right place at the right time especially with regards to lighting. I guess most of us have the technical knowlege to get the exposure right but unless you get the lighting conditions just right then you don't get "the" picture.

I was fortunate in spending some time with Grenville after the retreat was completed, wandering (walking) around the Cradle Mountain area looking for shots. This just re-emphasied how important luck was when it came to getting a picture. He would identify an area which he thought was suitable for one of his panormas, he would set up his tripod and pano camera and then we would wait. And wait and wait. Justing waiting for the light that he wanted for his shot. Sometimes it never came and we just had to move on. A great analogy that he used was to compare it finishing. Throwing out a line and waiting for those bites. Waiting for lady luck!

Yep, that's him OK... During the Epson presentation he told us how he would camp in the rainforest / jungle in the same spot for up to 4 days, waiting for the "right light"...

[antman]

[tasadam]

Well done with the photos! Looks like you had some fun.
They're all good, but I like # 1 and 9 most.
About # 9, I have seen Cradle with this mood more than once or twice. What lens, f stop and focal length did you use? I like how sharp the peaks appear.

I am lucky that this is only an hours drive for me. But unlucky in that I only have the kit lenses so far.

[kipper]

#1 is my favorite, which I think is excellent and very mystical.

The rest just don't really do it for me as the lighting seems to be too high in the sky. I'd like to see early morning or dusk shots, or some dramatic weather.

With cradle mountain and a lake like that how could you've not resisted an early morning or late evening shoot using an ND grad, facing into the sun just before it rises or just after it has set. And getting reflections of cradle mountain off of the lake. I'm sure there would of been plenty of foreground interest to have used as well (eg. rocks, logs with or without moss etc).

[mudder]

G'day Geoff,

Some beautiful images there, you must be very happy with how they've come out... The workshops are great fun aren't they? I remember when this one was coming up and would have loved to join but was a bit exe for me at the time, rats...

Particularly enjoyed the rain forest image, a real feeling of serenity and the night shot of the lodge is bloody great! You've done really well with these...

The workshops are addictive too, so look out mate, you'll be going on more now

[marc]

Some excellent shots there Geoff
I'm looking forward to my trek there in March for 8 days
with a couple of mates.
Not looking forward to the unexpected weather though
.....all part of the trip no doubt.
If I can replicate just some of these shots I'll be very happy

Cheers
Marc

[antman]

Thanks Guys,

To answer some questions / comments:

Tasadam - I used my 28-200mm lens. f11 / 1/400s. The weather was pretty scary that day. When I first started going up (towards Hansons peak) the weather wasn't too bad. Just before Hanson's peak I decided to take a few shots which included the one you see. Within the space of 15 mins the weather closed in and it was terrible. Heavy Rain. Howling Wind. Sleet. I got a bit spooked and decided to head back down. By the time I got back to lake level it was clearing up again. Within 15 mins it had closed in again.

Daryl -

With cradle mountain and a lake like that how could you've not resisted an early morning or late evening shoot using an ND grad, facing into the sun just before it rises or just after it has set. And getting reflections of cradle mountain off of the lake. I'm sure there would of been plenty of foreground interest to have used as well (eg. rocks, logs with or without moss etc).

I would have loved to have taken all of the shots as you described. Unfortunately the one confounding factor was the weather ! I only got about 2 and 1/2 days of good weather and even those were cloudy morning and evening. The mountains seem to attract the clouds and they only seem to clear up mid-morning (at least during the time I was there). My other problem was that I did not have access to a car and had to rely on the shuttle bus run by the Parks and Wildlife service - 1st run was at 8 am and the last was at 7.20. Even so the cloud cover was the main limiting factor. The one shot that I really wanted to have captured was one of those glassy smooth lake reflection shots. Unfortunately its wasn't to be. Maybe next time.

Andrew - yes the workshops are enjoyable especially in a location such as this. The university has plans to do something similar with a trip to Antartica in early 2007. I understand Grenville has been asked to provide photographic expertise for the trip. He mentioned that they have also asked a geologist and I think a marine biologist along as well. Should be an interesting one so start saving those pennies now.

Marc - hope you have better luck with the weather. Take plenty of wet weather protection for you camera gear. The other thing you have to watch out for are the leeches - they are HUGE !

[blacknstormy]

I took a photo of a tree yesterday, and there was a bloody stuffed currawong in it too!!!!! LOL Have you been following me around?????
Rel

[antman]

I don't think you even had to climb that tree to get your stuffed bird there.

[tasadam]

The other thing you have to watch out for are the leeches - they are HUGE !

He's NOT KIDDING!!

When we got back from our Frenchmans Cap walk and unpacked our tent, it had no less than 15 leeches rolled up in it.

There are 2 types - normal every day pricks of leeches, and the Tiger Leech.

What's the difference?





That's the difference!
Edit. I have since found a real tiger leech, and have a photo of it somewhere. These are just normal leeches.
Obviously, some bigger than others.
The tiger leech is brown with leopard-like spots on itl

[antman]

Ha ha Tasadam,

I was actually talking about the smaller ones !

[tasadam]

Ha ha Tasadam,

I was actually talking about the smaller ones !

Good ol' Tassie. Ya never know what you're going to get - and I don't just mean the weather!

[JZA70-mel]

I reckon that part of the attraction is capturing a scene in adverse weather. It looks different. If you want to go for the classic shots, thats fine. You can hang about for days for the right light, or buy a postcard.

Of course I'm not rubishing the typical sunrise / sunset landscapes, as I'm guilty of taking a few of them (they are afterall attractive), but I appreciate a familiar scene shot in more dramatic conditions.

My vote - Cradle mountain with clouds

[ozimax]

Antman,

The shot of the lodge is wonderful, I have done the Cradle Mt-Lk St Clair walk 3 times, the last time being 1984, an aweinspiring place, I may have to get back there sometime if my dicky knee would just hold out for 80kms of slog!

Well done,

Max

[gecko]

Numers 1 and 7 for me

Old trees, mossy boulders and rushing water - lovely!

Cheers
Gecko

[marcotrov]

Geoff
You have taken some beautiful images despite the weather. #1(Favourite), #8 and #9 are my picks. Would love to have the money to do one of those tours. Sounds like grenville would be great. My pick however would be to do a John Shaw workshop. Love his work! Better still I'd love all his equipment, especially his lens collection
cheers
marco

[antman]

Cheers everyone. Thanks for the kind words.

I'm a bit suprised at the lack of support for my bird pics, especially after all the effort of lugging that stupid stuffed bird around. I may not bother next time.

[Paul]

Sorry for being off topic.

My pick however would be to do a John Shaw workshop. Love his work!

He'll be here next year in November 9th to 28th 2006: Australia, wildlife and landscapes
http://www.johnshawphoto.com/programs.htm

[tasadam]

Cheers everyone. Thanks for the kind words.

I'm a bit suprised at the lack of support for my bird pics, especially after all the effort of lugging that stupid stuffed bird around. I may not bother next time.

Speaking as a local, might I suggest that next time, you don't bother...
You may be surprised to know that there happens to be the "odd" one or two REAL Currawong that can sometimes be seen (and photographed) frolicking in the very places you went to such trouble to place your "stuffed" one...

One time while I was at the car park, I was eating a slice of something, when I sat it on the car roof to get something out of the car. Fair dinkum, less than 5 seconds and it was gone. They're a real pest for the picnicing among us (the real ones, not the stuffed ones)