My weekend in Newcastle ...

[gstark]

Here are some of my shots from the weekend at Thanh's. Many thanx of course to Thanh and Tran for their exceptional, as always, hospitality, and to Stubbsy for taking over hostess-with-the-mostess duties on Sunday.


Birddog.







Self portrait.




Alfa male




Santa's helper on a break.




Another self portrait.



More images here

[phillipb]

Love the first one Gary, what can you say about a one legged bird that has chewed its way through a steel ring.

[Alpha_7]

#3 #4 #5 are my favourites in this bunch.. but I laughed a phillip's take on the magpie

With the dog shot, was it intentional to have the leash/collor in such sharp focus compared to the rest of the shot ?

[gstark]

With the dog shot, was it intentional to have the leash/collor in such sharp focus compared to the rest of the shot ?

Craig,

No. They dog was moving and this was just a grab shot. No time to compose, and probably lucky to even get him in the frame they way I did.

[MHD]

Harley shot is my fav... love the reflection...

[Aussie Dave]

nice pics Gary. I particularly find the photo "alfa male" amusing. If you think about it, the camera & lens Birdy is so elloquently carrying around his neck is probably more expensive than the car

The 1st one is a gem. Tack sharp and great composition. Was that taken with the 24-120 VR ??

[Glen]

The first with the bird and ring is a great capture Gary

[sirhc55]

Love the last pic Gary - reminds me of those lazy, hazy days of summer just cruising in my 230

[gstark]

Dave,

That one's a 2.0 litre, so probably an 85, and yes. Later models, with the 2.5 V6 and in really good condition can fetch quite a surprising amount though: $15K would not be unreasonable for a pritine GTV6.

And that was the 80-400VR ...



Glen,

Thanx, yes, I was fortunate with that one, and have lots of others littering the NC floor where I wasn't quite able to get that framing.



Chris,

Yes, precisely. I must say that it's been probably something in excess of 15 years since I last visited Newcastle, ad it's changed quite a bit. That image has an almost SoCal or WHorelando Florida feel about it to me ... sunshine, a convertible, bright sunny clear sky, the bike riding by, the tree in the background ...

[Killakoala]

Nice set of images Gary.

I especially like this one from your gallery. It appeals to me in a way i can't explain.

http://www.redbacksweb.com/Photography/index.php?gallery=./General%20Photography/Newcastle%20Weekend%20Dec%202005&image=DSC_8238.jpg

[gstark]

Steve,

Thanx. Yes, the lighting in that one is especially nice. Good rimlighting with soft shadow lighting illuminating the couple is what i think makes this one so nice.

[stubbsy]

Gary #1 is such an interesting story shot with great composition. That was one talkative bird!

#3 is a great detail pic, and I love the whimsy of #5

Of the ones on your web site this one of Leigh looks like an interloper. I also like the one referenced by Steve and this one of one of the Harleys

[gstark]

Peter,

Yes, that bird was noisier than a politician scrabbling fior votes.

I've posted that image of Leigh into your "nnnnsic at work" thread, and yes, that other Harleyt detail, with the portrait of the three of of us, is very nice too.

Thanx for the kind words, all.

[Matt. K]

Gary
Santa Clause....Nothing else needs to be said.

The magpie is brilliantly composed. I love the complexity of the placement of the image elements.