Glen Webber ~ NZ Wildlife Photography. - Geek

Tiritiri Matangi At Night Landscape Photo

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:36:00 +1200

Landscape picture from Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand at night.

[tiritiri matangi island landscape photo]

Tiritiri Matangi Island landscape photograph at night.

Something a little different again today.... except its similar to my last photo post. Another landscape photograph. This time taken at night on Tiritiri Matangi Island. This shot was taken from just the other side of the Tiri lighthouse photographed last year. I did have a completely different wide angle shot in mind for the light house this year, however once again the weather wouldn't play ball. So that plan will have to wait. I got this image while waiting for one of the many storms that came in at night to hit. I was hoping to get some more lightning photos. Of course the weather wouldn't play there either. Figures... Still I did get this little image. Its looking across the Hauraki Gulf towards the Coromandel.

Some more Tiritiri Matangi Island photographs : North Island Kokako, Kereru, Pateke.

This is digital photography post #30 for 2010.

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Tiritiri Matangi Island Landscape Photograph.
Image Description:	Night time landscape photograph taken at Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	7th April 2010.
Focal Length:	10mm	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	15mm	Aperture:	f/2.8
White Balance:	Auto.	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	30 seconds.
Light Source:	N/A.	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
ISO:	400		Lens Used:	Sigma 10mm f/2.8 HSM.
Accessories Utilised:	Manfrotto 055x Pro-b tripod and 486RC2 head. Nikon MB-D10 battery grip, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash, Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack.
Software:	Converted from RAW with Nikon Capture NX. Post edited with The Gimp 2.6.
Photo edits:	Small levels and sharpen. Border and scale.
Photographer Comments:		Nice little Tawharanui capture.
Model Credit:	N/A.	Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2010. All rights reserved.

I promise. There will be an actual NZ wildlife photograph posted soon.

Want to see more of my photos? Click the subject links on the left.

Cheers,
Glen.

Can't find something? Try the search box top left!

Like my photography? Follow me on twitter @glen_co_nz.

Thoughts or opinion? Leave a comment below, by clicking the comments link.

Photograph of a Red-billed Gull on Stewart Island

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:14:19 +1200

Picture of a Red-billed Gull. Stewart Island, New Zealand.

[red-billed gull photo]

Red-billed Gull photo.

I'm still going through my giant stack of yet to be reviewed photos. Even better I am finding little gems like this simple shot of a Red-billed Gull from Stewart Island last year. The colour in this photo is insane, and due to nothing other than the great light you can get down there. The reds in the birds eye-ring and bill are way more crimson than you would normally expect. Yet this would be very close to what the human eye would have seen at the time. Its also nice to get a more common bird posted for once.

Related photographs : Shag fishing, Gannet flying, Little Blue Penguin.

This is photographic post #16 for 2010.

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Red-billed Gull Information.

Maori name(s) : Tarapunga
Other names : Silver Gull (Australian name).
Abundance (In NZ): Common.
New Zealand Status : Protected native.
Found (in NZ): Coastal areas around all major islands.
Subspecies photographed : Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus the NZ subspecies. Other subspecies also found in South Africa, West Pacific and Australia.

Red-billed Gull Photograph.
Image Description:	Close up photo of a Red-billed Gull. Stewart Island, New Zealand.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	23rd October 2009.
Focal Length:	500mm	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	750mm	Aperture:	f/6.3
White Balance:	Manual.	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	1/5000th second.
Light Source:	Fine Weather	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
ISO:	200		Lens Used:	Sigma 150-500mm OS APO.
Accessories Utilised:	Nikon MB-D10 battery grip, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash, Manfrotto 055x Pro-b tripod and 486RC2 head. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack.
Software:	Converted from RAW with Nikon Capture NX. Post edited with The Gimp 2.5.
Photo edits:	Slight crop and align. Very small levels. Selective sharpen. Border and scale.
Photographer Comments:		Nice simple Gull photo.
Model Credit:	Red-billed Gull.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2009. All rights reserved.

There will be posting another bird picture posted tomorrow.

Want to see more of my photos? Click the subject links on the left.

Cheers,
Glen.

Like my photography? Follow me on twitter @glen_co_nz.

Thoughts or opinion? Leave a comment below, by clicking the comments link.

Paradise Shelduck Photograph

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:03:54 +1200

Picture of a female Paradise Shelduck. Auckland, New Zealand.

[female paradise shelduck photo]

Paradise Shelduck photo.

Here is another of those photos I've edited and for one reason or another not got around to posting. Its of a female Paradise Shelduck taken in an Auckland park last year. The Paradise Shelduck is a really beautiful bird. As you can see with the female pictured above. The male is differently patterned again, and the chicks are different still. I will have to find photos of the males and chicks so visitors can see the differences.

Related photographs : NZ Shoveler Duck.

This is photographic post #14 for 2010.

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Paradise Shelduck Information.

Maori name(s) : Putangitangi
Other names : Paradise duck, Parry.
Abundance (In NZ): Common.
New Zealand Status : Semi-protected endemic (only found in NZ). Legally killed during duck shooting season each year.
Found (in NZ): Around most parts of New Zealand. In particular farmland and sometimes city parkland.
Species photographed : Tadorna variegata.

Female Paradise Shelduck Photograph.
Image Description:	Photo of a female Paradise Shelduck. Auckland, New Zealand.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	6th September 2009.
Focal Length:	500mm	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	750mm	Aperture:	f/8
White Balance:	Manual.	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	1/1000th second.
Light Source:	Fine Weather	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
ISO:	400		Lens Used:	Nikkor 500mm f/8 reflex.
Accessories Utilised:	Nikon MB-D10 battery grip, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash, Manfrotto 055x Pro-b tripod and 486RC2 head. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack.
Software:	Converted from RAW with Nikon Capture NX. Post edited with The Gimp 2.5.
Photo edits:	Small crop and align. Slight levels. Selective sharpen. Border and scale.
Photographer Comments:		Good this picture is finally published.
Model Credit:	Paradise Shelduck.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2009. All rights reserved.

Yep I will yet again be posting another bird picture soon.

Want to see more of my photos? Click the subject links on the left.

Cheers everyone,
Glen.

Like my photography? Follow me on twitter @glen_co_nz.

Thoughts or opinion? Leave a comment below, by clicking the comments link.

Photograph of a Eastern Rosella

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:45:08 +1200

Photo of Eastern Rosella. Auckland, New Zealand.

[eastern rosella photo]

Eastern Rosella photograph.

A couple of weeks ago while getting ready for the long weekend photo trip to Pureora Forest, I could hear Rosella outside chatting away. The D90 was on my desk, so I grabbed it and walked out in to the courtyard. Yep sure enough their were a pair in the foreign tree that over hangs our yard. (and drops insane quantities of leaves at this time of year). The sun was just showing through the otherwise miserable weather. The lighting looked good. So I fired off a few frames and here ya go. A picture of an Eastern Rosella.

Real life has been keeping me from posting more regularly here. But I will update more again tomorrow. Yes there will be more photos.

This is photographic post #13 for 2010.

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Eastern Rosella Information.

Other names : Rosella.
Abundance (In NZ): Locally common.
New Zealand Status : Introduced species. Cage escapee / deliberate introduction / possible illegally released species.
Found (in NZ): Around greater Auckland region. Also other select North Island locations.
Subspecies photographed : Patycercus eximius from southern Australia.

Eastern Rosella Photograph.
Image Description:	Photo of a Eastern Rosella. Auckland, New Zealand.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D90 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	4th June 2010.
Focal Length:	300mm	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	450mm	Aperture:	f/5.6
White Balance:	Manual.	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	1/125th second.
Light Source:	Fine Weather	Metering Mode:	Center Weight.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
ISO:	250		Lens Used:	Nikkor 70-300mm VR.
Accessories Utilised:	Scandisk SD memory. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack.
Software:	Post edited with The Gimp 2.6.
Photo edits:	Small crop and align. Slight levels. Selective sharpen. Add vignette, border and scale.
Photographer Comments:		Another introduced NZ bird photo.
Model Credit:	Eastern Rosella.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2010. All rights reserved.

I will be posting another bird photograph very soon.

Want to see more of my photos? Click the subject links on the left.

Thanks all,
Glen.

Like my photography? Follow me on twitter @glen_co_nz.

Thoughts or opinion? Leave a comment below, by clicking the comments link.

Photo of a female Auckland Tree Weta

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:27:50 +1200

Photograph showing a female Auckland Tree Weta eating her shed exoskeleton.

[female auckland tree weta picture]

Female Auckland Tree Weta eating her recently shed exoskeleton.
As I was saying yesterday I'm making a real effort to edit and post photos from my massive backlog of images needing review. As some readers may have noticed a lot of these are of New Zealand native birds. (Today's photo is an exception.) The reason for this is simple. Over the about the last year and a half I've become a lot more interested in New Zealand's native plants and animals. As someone who has spent a large amount of time in the outdoors in NZ, its slightly disappointing just how little I knew. Over this time I've been actively trying to photograph as many birds, reptiles and insects as I can. Learning about them and their habitat as I go. When it comes to such things in NZ, you end up photographing birds. We don't have bears, fox's or snakes. In other words more birds to come. :-)

The photo today is an interesting one of a female Auckland Tree Weta. She is still a juvenile and has just finished moulting. Weta like other insects that have an exoskeleton cannot just "grow bigger". The exoskeleton prevents it. So as they grow they shed the old one. Some (as this girl is doing) will then eat the shed exoskeleton. If you look closely you can see that some of her markings are a lot softer than those on the old "skin". Also usually the stripes are more distinct on tree weta. This photo was taken on the fence of our courtyard. She has taken up residence in a hole in one corner of the fence. There is also a male thats made his home in the diagonally opposite corner. Flash used as weta are of course nocturnal. I only fired off a couple of frames so as not to disturb her too much.

Auckland Tree Weta Photograph.
Image Description:	Photo of a female Auckland Tree Weta eating her recenlty shed exoskeleton. Auckland, New Zealand.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	19th April 2010.
Focal Length:	70mm	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	105mm	Aperture:	f/5.6
White Balance:	Manual.	Flash Used:	Yes.	Exposure Time:	1/250th second.
Light Source:	Flash.	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
ISO:	500		Lens Used:	Nikkor 18-105mm VR.
Accessories Utilised:	Nikon MB-D10 battery grip, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack.
Software:	Converted from RAW with Nikon Capture NX. Post editing with The Gimp 2.6.
Photo edits:	Crop. Levels, selective sharpen. Border then scale.
Photographer Comments:		Taken in our courtyard, Auckland city.
Model Credit:	Auckland Tree Weta.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2010. All rights reserved.

And there will be more photos tomorrow too!
Cheers,
Glen.

Like my photos? Follow me on twitter @glen_co_nz.

Thoughts or opinion? leave a comment below, by clicking the comments link.

How to photograph lightning with your Nikon D300 DSLR

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:54:18 +1200

Lightning photos. A how-to.

[lightning photograph]

How to take photographs of lightning with a Nikon D300 or Nikon D300s DSLR camera.
Wow two photoblog posts in two days. That must be some kind of a record. Today's photo is one I shot last year, edited and then forgot about. So I figured I might as well get it online.

Also since posting some earlier lightning photographs I often get asked "how do you take photos of lightning?" So here's a basic how-to. Using the above photo of lightning hitting Sky Tower as an example. As per normal shot with my Nikon D300 SLR.

Note: this guide should work just as well for a Nikon D300s DSLR, and many other Nikon SLRs. If you're prepared to read your camera's manual, then the bulk of this guide will work for almost any DSLR.

Step 1. Get a storm.
Easy enough if you live somewhere that has regular storms passing through. If not you might want to consider it when planning your next holiday. Auckland gets a few each year... More often than not lightning photos work best att night. But sometimes the storm itself will naturally darken things enough. So don't rule out the possibility of getting a shot just because its day time.

Step 2. Find a safe location to photograph from.
Get somewhere dry for yourself and your camera gear. Preferable out of the wind to avoid camera vibration. You must always keep in mind being safe yourself. You are after all out and about in a lightning storm. Use your brain. Don't set up under trees. If you can see lightning hitting buildings around you, don't sling your tripod over your shoulder and go for a walk in it. When I shot the lightning photos in Wisconson I used building entrances and bus shelters as cover. In the example above I simply setup on the balcony off our bedroom.

Step 3. Set up your camera.
A tripod is essential for this sort of photography as long exposures are needed. The biggest and heaviest you can carry is best. Then frame your shot. Try to include some foreground of some sort. A shot of lightning against a black sky can wind up rather boring. Also a wide angle zoom lens will be very useful here. A big prime might be tempting, but these are not ideal conditions to be shooting under. You might not be able to "just move the tripod forward a little". I don't own a wide angle zoom, and my 10mm prime was way too wide for this shot. Instead I used a Nikkor 18-105 VR. The kit lens that comes with the D90. It worked fine for this shot.

Lightning photo tip : As in the case of Sky Tower (above) big tall structures get hit most often during lightning storms. So they can be a good subject to start with.

Also once you have your shot framed turn the lens focusing motor off. Once set you don't want the lens adjusting itself between photographs. I've seen several people recommend turning any stabilisation off. I've experimented with this and found no discernible difference in results.

Step 4. Camera settings.
As always with camera settings you'll want to adjust things to get everything you want in your shot. A general rule of thumb with lightning is, less light is better. The lightning itself will provide more light than you need.

Exposure length: This is the most important element in getting a lightning photo. Obviously lightning flashes happen very quickly. Too quickly to snap off a frame and capture it, and trying to guess when its going to happen is pointless. So the trick is to use a long exposure times. Have the shutter open "watching" the sky for as long as possible. Exactly how long an exposure will very. While taking shots of distant slow moving storms I've found 2 minutes or more just fine. Yet when right under a fast violent storm anything more than 5 to 10 seconds was too much. Start at 30 seconds then adjust accordingly. Also turn any long exposure noise reduction off. This function will otherwise cut your "watching the sky" time in half.

Note : Most cameras will require the use of an advanced remote control with the your shutter speed to set to "bulb" for automated exposures of greater than 30 seconds.

ISO setting: Use the lowest ISO setting your camera has available. In most DSLRs this will be 50 to 100 ISO. This is not just reducing the light being recorded, but also helping to reduce noise in the frame. In the example above it was set to ISO 200 as I forgot to change it.

Lens speed: You want to use the slowest lens speed (the highest f-stop number) you can get away with, while still retaining any additional scenery in your frame. Again reducing the amount of light entering the camera. Since you'll be working with long exposures, you can wind it right out to start with. My example above was shot at f/22.

Automatic exposures: Next make things easy for yourself. You could of course press the shutter yourself every 30 seconds. But this gets tedious and even using a remote you risk introducing vibration. Fortunately the D300 (and many other cameras) have a build in solution. Nikon calls it "Interval timer shooting" and its found under the shooting menu. It allows the camera to automatically take an exposure every so many seconds. So if you're taking 30 second exposures set it up to take one every 31 seconds, etc. This means you can virtually "watch the sky" for the entire duration of a storm if you desire.

For my above shot I setup the camera to take a very large number of shots then went downstairs and watched TV.

Step 4. Rinse and repeat.
Once you've got all that done you wait ... and wait ... and wait ... until you see lightning where you're shooting. All going well you got it in your frame. Stop the camera shooting and check your results. Adjust as you think best and try again. There is always a bit of luck involved.

Step 5. Edit your photo.
Theres not really anything special needed for editing a lightning photo. However one thing that can product great results is merging multiple shots. If you have several lightning strikes all photographed from the same position, you can combine them into a single image. I've never managed to get the frames to successfully do this, but there are some great examples out there if you hunt around a bit.

And thats really it. Good luck!

Got a great tip on photographing lightning or your own lightning photo?
Add a comment by clicking the comments link at the bottom of this post.

Photo of lightning striking Sky Tower, Auckland , New Zealand.
Image Description:	Lightning strike on Sky Tower, Auckland, New Zealand.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	26th August 2009.
Focal Length:	18mm	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	27mm	Aperture:	f/22
White Balance:	Manual.	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	30 seconds.
Light Source:	Cloudy	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
ISO:	200		Lens Used:	Nikon 18-105mm VR DX.
Accessories Utilised:	Nikon MB-D10 battery grip, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash, Manfrotto 055x Prob tripod and 486RC2 head. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack.
Software:	Converted from RAW with Nikon Capture NX. Post editing with The Gimp 2.5.
Photo edits:	Minor crop. Levels and sharpen. Add border and scale.
Photographer Comments:		OK, if a little boring lightning photograph.
Model Credit:	N/A.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2009. All rights reserved.

And yet another photograph up. See I told ya.
Cheers,
Glen.

Like my photos? Follow me on twitter @glen_co_nz.

Thoughts or opinion? leave a comment below, by clicking the comments link.

Purple Rock Crab photograph

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:19:46 +1200

Photograph of a Purple Rock Crab, Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand.

[purple rock crab photo]

Yay! Another photoblog post already!

This photo was taken last week on our trip to Tiritiri Matangi Island. This was around Fishermans bay if I remember correctly.

I really cannot recommend a visit to the Island enough. It is so worth while. Also if you can swing an overnight stay you won't be disappointed. All going well there will be more photographs from Tiri soon. I have yet to sort through all my pics.

About the Purple Rock Crab.

Actually its been difficult to find any serious amount of information about this crab. They are found in many countries, in particular Australia, and New Zealand. In Australia different colour's have been know to crop up from time to time.
Interestingly I've seen it stated in several places they grow up to 50mm (across the shell). Yet This one was easily twice that. Unfortunately I didn't think to place something else in a frame, so I could more accurately compare sizes.
So :
Photo Tip : Take a metal machinists ruler out with you in the field.

The Wikipedia article is only a stub.
Hopefully someone who knows what they're talking about will update it.

Purple Rock Crab photograph information.
Image Description:	Purple Rock Crab, Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	13th April 2009.
Focal Length:	105mm	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	157mm	Aperture:	f/5.6
White Balance:	Auto.	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	1/200th of a second.
Light Source:	N/A	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
Software:	Editing with The Gimp 2.4.
Accessories Utilised:	Nikon MB-D10 battery grip, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack.
Photographer Comments:	I like this little crab photo.		Lens Used:	Nikkor 18-105mm VR DX lens. Yes the "kit" lens from the D90. Yes its a good lens.
Model Credit:	Purple Rock Crab.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2009. All rights reserved.

Yay 2 pics up this year. More to come.
Cheers,
Glen.

Like my photos? Follow me on twitter @glen_co_nz.

Thoughts or opinion? leave a comment below, by clicking the comments link.

Lightning over capital building in Madison Wisconsin

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:43:48 +1200

Lightning over capital building and church in Madison, Wi. USA.

[lightning photograph]

Yes its been a while since my last post..
The last couple of weeks I've had that dreaded photographic problem of not being happy with any photos I've taken. I only remembered today I had this picture of a massive lightning clap over the capital building and square in Madison sitting around. Even Olli, has been posting more often than me.

The photo is an exposure blend of a shot with cloud and no lightning, and one containing the massive lightning strike.
I did this to help over come a large part of the frame that was over exposed due to just how powerful this lightning was. Once again HDRsoft's Photomatix Pro 3 was very useful. Even though this is an exposure blended image, its not a HDR shot.

Those who have been here before will recognise the church on the right from my earlier lightning in Madison picture.

Photograph Information
Image Description:	Lightning over capital building in Madison Wisconsin USA.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	26th May 2008.
Focal Length:	18mm	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	27mm	Aperture:	f/3.5
White Balance:	Auto	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	1 second.
Light Source:	N/A	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
Software:	Converted from RAW using Nikon ViewNX. Exposure blending with HDRsoft's Photomatix Pro 3, Post editing with The Gimp 2.4.
Accessories Utilised:	Velbon DX tripod, Nikon MB-D10 battery grip. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack. Nikon lens hood, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash.
Photographer Comments:	This clap of lightning was right on top of me!		Lens Used:	Nikkor 18-200mm VR DX lens.
Model Credit:	N/A.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2008. All rights reserved.

Till next time,
G/

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Nikon announces the new Nikon D700 full frame digital SLR camera

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:54:34 +1200

Nikon's new D700 DSLR camera.

[self portrait picture]

Yesterday Nikon announced its latest digital SLR camera. The new Nikon D700.
From the announcement:"The D700 features an FX-format first introduced with the Nikon D3. Highly praised for its outstanding features, the D3 established a new level of professional performance in terms of overall image quality, extraordinarily low noise, ISO sensitivity range, continuous high-speed shooting, color gradation, image crispness, durability, weather-resistant operation, system versatility and more.

The new D700 incorporates an extensive array of features that boast a level of performance that is in many ways comparable to the D3. At the same time, it derives a wide range of benefits – including functionality, flexibility and operability – from the more agile D300, Nikon's flagship DX-format D-SLR."

So what does all this mean in english?
Basically Nikon have taken their nice full frame sensor from the D3, along with its management software and built it in to a Nikon D300 SLR. Unfortunately the announcement is lacking any serious detail, but it does include a reasonable spec list. Comparing the D300 and D3 with the D700, there's some nice D3 functionality included with the D700.

Along with giving you a full 35mm equivalent sensor, you'll get up to an impressive ISO 25600. A feature that's been highly praised in the Nikon D3. You also get the "Virtual Horizon" HUD like system that somehow missed being included with the D300, but made it in to the D3. The D700 (like the D3) will also "auto crop" the sensor for DX only (24 x 16) lenses. A big plus for those upgrading rather than buying from scratch. Like the D300, the D700 will also be compatible with the MB-D10 battery grip. Not only improving handling, but with the right battery set up giving you 8 frames per second shooting. (Also another potential plus for those upgrading.)

It doesn't look like Nikon have updated the live view modes available which is a shame as they are comparatively a bit slack. Also it appears they haven't included the duel compact flash capability of the D3. Something I sorely wish was included with the D300. Most likely a result of the Nikon intending to use the D300 body for the D700 and simple space issues. (Although thats not confirmed in the release.)

Some companies are now taking orders for around $3,000.00 USD, with a supposed expected ship date of the end of this month.
Time will tell if this actually happens or not. (I doubt it.)

So buy a Nikon D300 or D700?
Putting price aside, (and assuming Nikon doesn't quickly drop the D300 all together) its really going to depend on your needs and style of photography. If you shoot a lot of low light situations then its a no brainer. The D700's ISO 25,600 easily trumps the D300. Also those who shoot a lot of wide field scenes will want the D700. The full frame sensor means you'll actually be able to get that 8mm out of your new fish eye. Conversely if you photograph a lot of wildlife and need telephoto capabilities then the D300 should be considered. The D300's crop factor giving you an effective 600mm out your 400mm long lens.

Will I be upgrading to a D700?
Unlikely. It will be a big chunk of change to drop for relatively little extra. Thats money I can spend on things like a new T/S lens. Once you've got a good camera, (and the D300 is a very good camera), then its almost always better to spend cash on new glass rather than upgrading. That said I do look forward to reading the D700 reviews when they come out.

Ref Nikon's announcement : http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2008/0701_d700_01.htm.

Nikon has now included the D700 camera in its line up on their main website : http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/digitalcamera/slr/d700/index.htm.

Photo info.
I couldn't post and not put up a new picture. Its another one from my last trip to Madison, WI. Its a self portrait taken on a pontoon on Lake Monona at night. The technique for this type of shot is real simple. Set up your camera for a 30 second night exposure. Click the shutter then walk out in to frame and stay still till you hear the shutter close. I like the ethereal feeling this photo has. Photographed with my Nikon D300 digital SLR. :-)

Photograph Information
Image Description:	Self portrait on Lake Monona, Wisconson USA.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	1st June 2008.
Focal Length:	18mm	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	27mm	Aperture:	f/4.5
White Balance:	Manual	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	30 seconds
Light Source:	Incandescent	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
Software:	Converted from RAW using Nikon ViewNX. Post editing with The Gimp.
Accessories Utilised:	Velbon DX tripod, Nikon MB-D10 battery grip. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack. Nikon lens hood, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash.
Photographer Comments:	None.		Lens Used:	Nikkor 18-200mm VR DX lens.
Model Credit:	Glen Webber.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2008. All rights reserved.

Thats all for now,
G/

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Little Squirrel In Madison

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:51:38 +1200

Little squirrel at the Madison WI, capital building.

[little squirrel photograph]

Again me thinking about the basic elements of my photography. In this case colour, and in particular how I apply it in editing.
I'm happy with my results here, but when I've reviewed previous pictures I do wonder. Always something to keep in mind.
Theres also a small amount of texture in this pic.

The photo itself is of a little squirrel, photographed in the capital building grounds, Madison, WI, USA.
I figured it was about time for another cute animal photo.
Yes the little guy does have a nut in her (?) mouth.

Photography taken with my Nikon D300 digital SLR.

Photograph Information
Image Description:	Little squirrel outside capital building, Madison, Wisconson USA.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	1st June 2008.
Focal Length:	200mm.	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	300mm.	Aperture:	f/5.6.
White Balance:	Auto.	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	1/30th of a second.
Light Source:	N/A.	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
Software:	Converted from RAW using Nikon ViewNX. Post editing with The Gimp.
Accessories Utilised:	Nikon MB-D10 battery grip. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack. Nikon lens hood, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash.
Photographer Comments:	None.		Lens Used:	Nikkor 18-200mm VR DX lens.
Model Credit:	N/A.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2008. All rights reserved.

Cheers all,
G/

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Cactus close up

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:20:36 +1200

Close up of a cactus.

[close up cactus picture]

I've been thinking a lot recently about what's required to improve my photography.
In particular about the basic compositional elements that help make up a great photo, and where my photos fall short.
While doing this and searching through my ever growing stack of not-yet-reviewed shots I came across this.

It's a close up picture of the centre top of one of my cacti. Its a great example of pattern used in photography.
Something thats usually one of my weak points. So I was more than happy to edit it up when I had time.
The depth of field in this shot is awesome too. Especially considering I shot the cactus at f/10.
Its caused by there being a noticeably dip in the centre of the cactus's top, and steep sides falling away very quickly around the outside.
Cactus photograph taken with my Nikon D300 SRL of course :-)

Glen news: I'm starting to feel a lot better, so hopefully updates will get back their there usual regularity soon.

Photograph Information
Image Description:	Cactus close up of its top. Auckland, New Zealand.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	5th April 2008.
Focal Length:	120mm.	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	180mm.	Aperture:	f/10.
White Balance:	Auto.	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	1/25th of a second.
Light Source:	N/A.	Metering Mode:	Center Weight.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
Software:	Converted from RAW using Nikon ViewNX. Post editing with The Gimp.
Accessories Utilised:	Nikon MB-D10 battery grip. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack. Nikon lens hood, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash.
Photographer Comments:	None.		Lens Used:	Nikkor 18-200mm VR DX lens.
Model Credit:	N/A.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2008. All rights reserved.

Cya all,
G/

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Baby Muskrat eating

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:15:39 +1200

Photograph of a little baby Muskrat eating lunch.

[baby Muskrat photo]

Woohoo another photograph is up.
This time its a baby Muskrat eating in the sun. I noticed this little one by the waters edge of Lake Monona in Madison. There were actually about 3 of them this size running round.
I don't know if Muskrats have litters or not??

Muskrats are related to voles and lemmings, and are not part of the genus Rattus.
When you see them swimming they look a bit like beavers.

Picture taken with my trusty Nikon D300 digital SLR camera.

GCN news: I'm at home sick as a dog today. So I'll review the editing of the picture when I'm a bit more "with it".

Photograph Information
Image Description:	Muskrat, Madison, Wisconsin. USA.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	1st June 2008.
Focal Length:	170mm.	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	255mm.	Aperture:	f/5.6.
White Balance:	Auto.	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	1/100th of a second.
Light Source:	N/A.	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
Software:	Converted from RAW using Nikon ViewNX. Post editing with The Gimp.
Accessories Utilised:	Nikon MB-D10 battery grip. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack. Nikon lens hood, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash.
Photographer Comments:	None.		Lens Used:	Nikkor 18-200mm VR DX lens.
Model Credit:	N/A.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2008. All rights reserved.

I hope everyone is warm and cold free.
G/

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More lightning photography

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:32:08 +1200

Lightning photography v2.0.

[lightning and trees picture]

As promised another lightning photograph.
I was going to write a bit of a how to article, but I've run out of time.

Yes that is the Wisconsin capital building in the background behind the trees.

The D300 is a great digital camera for these sorts of photos.

GCN news: I've re-looked at the previous pictures posted and they look good.

Photograph Information
Image Description:	Lightning at night. Trees and capital building. Madison Wisconsin, USA.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	30th May 2008.
Focal Length:	18mm.	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	27mm.	Aperture:	f/5.6.
White Balance:	Auto.	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	3 seconds.
Light Source:	N/A.	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
Software:	Converted from RAW using Nikon ViewNX. Post editing with The Gimp.
Accessories Utilised:	Velbon DX tripod. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack. Nikon MB-D10 battery grip. Nikon lens hood, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash.
Photographer Comments:	Use of interval exposure setup to obtain this frame.		Lens Used:	Nikkor 18-200mm VR DX lens.
Model Credit:	N/A.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2008. All rights reserved.

Have a great weekend all,
G/

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Lightning and church picture

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 10:23:43 +1200

Lightning photography v1.0.

[lightning and church photo]

I've tried so many times to get a photograph of lightning that I've actually lost count.
Before a week ago, I'd succeeded in getting a grand total of 2 frames with actual lightning.
Twice in the past week there have been great storm sets come rumbling through Madison.
I've had a lot more changes to get a good shot and now have a total of about 10 photos showing lightning.

This is the first of a few Lightning pictures I'm going to post in the next few days.
So this is lightning v1.0. It was taken on the square by the capital last Sunday night.
One second exposure. Nikon D300 DSLR camera, tripod mounted.
More to come.

GCN warning: Another picture that was edited on a badly calibrated laptop monitor.
So I may need to correct at a later date...

Photograph Information
Image Description:	Lightning above church in Madison Wisconsin USA.
Camera Make:	Nikon Corporation.	Camera Model:	Nikon D300 Digital SLR (DSLR).	Date:	26th May 2008.
Focal Length:	18mm	35mm Equiv Focal Length:	27mm	Aperture:	f/3.5
White Balance:	Auto	Flash Used:	No.	Exposure Time:	1 second.
Light Source:	N/A	Metering Mode:	Spot.	Exposure Mode:	Manual.
Software:	Converted from RAW using Nikon ViewNX. Post editing with The Gimp 2.4.
Accessories Utilised:	Velbon DX tripod, Nikon MB-D10 battery grip. Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery pack. Nikon lens hood, Scandisk Extream IV CompactFlash.
Photographer Comments:	None.		Lens Used:	Nikkor 18-200mm VR DX lens.
Model Credit:	N/A.	Photograph Copyright: ©	Glen Webber 2008. All rights reserved.

CYas,
G/

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Monona Terrace entrance in HDR

nospam@example.com (Glen) — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:15:35 +1200

High dynamic range - Monona Terrace.

[Monona Terrace photographed in HDR]

Heres a straight forward photograph of the entrance to Monona Terrace, Madison, Wisconsin.
The difference this time is its my first serious attempt at HDR, High Dynamic Range photography.
I'm pretty happy with the result. There is actually 12 exposures combined to get this shot.

Images used taken using the Nikon D300 digital SLR and required tripod.

GCN warning: While I am happy with HDR v1.0. This picture was edited on a badly calibrated laptop monitor.
So I may need to correct at a later date.

CYas,
G/

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