Northbridge Chinese New Year Celebrations 2012

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I decided to head down to Northbridge today to join in the 2012 Chinese New Year Celebrations. Unfortunately, I missed out on the lion dance, but there were a number of stalls selling food and gifts and plenty of performances on the stage at the Northbridge Piazza to keep me distracted.

There were easily hundreds of people of all races seating around the piazza, including the Lord Mayor Lisa Scafiddi and a number of VIPs.

Alright, here are some of my favourite photos from the evening with the rest to be up on my facebook page later tonight.

Enjoy:

The Lord Mayor

 

Opening Ceremony

 

Lots of photogs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His balloon burst!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad idea!

 

 

Sea of people

 

The Miss Africa of 2011, Mary Chetcuti (first from right) performing a song.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chinese Susan Boyle!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Chinese New Year once again to one and all! :)

The rest of the photos can be found on my Facebook page!


Australia Day Fireworks Perth 2012

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I just got back from South Perth Foreshore from the Australia Day Skyworks 2012. It was definitely an experience to remember as it was pouring during the fireworks. My gear was put to the test, including the newly bought 14-24, which survived the water test.

Many shots were unfortunately ruined due to the rain droplets on the lens, but here are my favourite four taken in the rain:

 

 

 

Happy Australia Day everyone!

Happy Lunar New Year | Nikon 14-24mm Thoughts

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I recently took the plunge and invested in the legendary Ultra-Wide Angle Nikon 14-24mm. I took delivery of the lens last weekend in the city and I haven’t taken it off my camera since.

Walking to my car after Nando’s on a hot sunny day.

 

MYER

 

 

Fremantle for a second location scout for Alicia & Reece’s wedding in Feb.

 

The famous fish and chips place, Cicerello’s

 

 

Riverton Forum

 

My thoughts on the lens:

After about a couple of days shooting with the Nikon 14-24mm, I found that the focal range from 14-24mm is a tad too wide for all-round and street photography use for me, but it will be perfect for landscapes and weddings especially in cramped places such as hotel rooms.

Optically, the lens definitely lived up to its hype as the benchmark of all Ultra-Wide Angles and it has delivered a number of sharp photos up to the extreme corners from f4 onwards.

There has been a few misfocus but after a bit more play with the lens, it turned out to be mostly user error.

The distortion and vignetting is much worse than expected, especially at 14mm but definitely much better than the Sigma 10-20 which I had previously. It all comes down to careful framing and placement of your subjects in the viewfinder to avoid extreme distortion.

If you’re in the market for something in this range, another lens worth looking at is the Nikon 16-35mm f4 VR, which is also a very reputable pro-grade Ultra-Wide Angle.

On a side note, chanraymond photography wishes all clients, family, friends and loved ones a Happy Lunar New Year! Thank you all for your continuous support and I look forward to capturing more moments this year :)

WA Youth Jazz Orchestra 2012 | City of Vincent Summer Concerts 2012 ‘Live in the Park’

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I happened to be in Hyde Park on Sunday after my street photography session to have a little solo photowalk and found out that WA Youth Jazz Orchestra’s 2012 ensemble was performing for the City of Vincent’s Summer Concerts 2012 ‘Live in the Park’.

There were easily hundreds of people with their picnic baskets, all sitting down with their family and friends enjoying the brilliant performance from the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra. I personally enjoyed the concert and I’m sure everybody else had a great time too.

I seized the opportunity and quickly snapped away and got these shots:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love how some of the audience came to the front of the stage and started dancing away.

Have a great weekend ahead everyone!

Street Photography Perth, WA | 2012

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I finally managed to head out to the city for my first street photography session of 2012.

Like any form of photography, street photography requires practice and committment but as much as I love street photography, I have to honestly say that I haven’t really done much street photography since my recent trip to Malaysia.

Armed with my new 70-200, it definitely wasn’t the preferred choice of lens for street photography due to its size and weight, but I think I pulled it off.

There has just been so much going on since I got back to Perth and I’m in the process of preparing myself for a couple of weddings next month, including my first international wedding photography assignment.

More details and a proper announcement to come in February, after Alicia & Reece’s wedding!

Anyhow, here are some photos for your viewing pleasure:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More photos from WA Youth Jazz Orchestra’s 2012 ensemble who was performing at Hyde Park for the City of Vincent’s Summer Concert, ‘Live in the Park’ in my next entry!