Colour My World Collection

Colour My World Collection

Chrissy Downunder

Playing around with my disco balls, mirrors, candles, circles and sequins with different shutter speed settings to create some spacey looking photos.

There are 13 more photos in this collection.


Be sure to check out the slideshow here:



"Learning Photography with Neil Creek"

Crazy Days in a Haze

The Black Hole
I've been temporarily out to lunch and laid up in bed with the flu and a bad back... sciatica is suspected. I felt like I was going into a black hole when I took this shot or perhaps it was the effects of my pain medication :)

An assignment done for Learning Photography with Neil Creek.

This photo was Neil's pick of the week. I was quite chuffed and a little excited when I first saw he had picked it as his favourite for the week. I value his opinion and find I am learning so much through his tutorials and challenges.

This is what he had to say about the photo:

"Why I chose this: This photo, titled “The Black Hole” works for me on several levels. Without knowing what the photo is of, it does distinctly remind me of the computer graphics visualisations of black holes that I have watched on many documentaries. This appeals to my interest in astronomy. The soft, slightly blurred circular lines of colour draw the eye right into the photo, as does the underexposed exposed background. When one reads the description and lean that the subject is simply a spot lit mirror ball, one is impressed from where the complex yet subtle image came from.

Reading further into the description and learning of Chrissy’s state of mind when taking the photo opens up a whole new level of appreciation for the photo, as it offers a glimpse into a world of drug and pain affected perceptions." Neil Creek

I tried really hard to do this project from my bed while laid up .. its the best I could come up with at the time considering the strong effects of pain killers.

I put my disco light on one night after taking my medication and this is what I came up with trying to use the manual settings on my new Canon. I’m still working it all out and hope I am close to what was required for the assignment.

I've spent many hours now studying my new Canon Rebel XTi instruction manual for this project with Neil Creek.

I was 2 days overdue .. but I submitted it anyway, just to let Neil know I was still around and following his tutorials and challenges which I have found to be a great way to learn photography.

The Project: 1 second shutter speed.

The above shot depicts the pain in my back at the time of taking it. Pain relief was felt when I saw the result of the photo. I personally love it and if you look really close you can see me in the centre of it taking the photo.

Camera:	Canon EOS 400D Digital
Exposure:	2.5 sec (5/2)
Aperture:	f/5.6
Focal Length:	53 mm
ISO Speed:	100
Exposure Bias:	0/3 EV
Flash:	Flash did not fire

I love the effect I have created here with a slower shutter speed. I'm still fiddling around with all the manual settings on my new camera.

The little light worms down the bottom of the photo are cute too ... looks like they are on a mission. ............ or maybe I've had way too much medication .. ☺

I haven't done many adjustments to this photo .. a tad saturation, a crop and a 1% rotation.

Camera:	Canon EOS 400D Digital
Exposure:	1 sec (1)
Aperture:	f/5.6
Focal Length:	55 mm
ISO Speed:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Flash did not fire

Seen in the group"Learning Photography with Neil Creek"

Badger Creek ~ Healesville

Badger Creek ~ Healesville by Chrissy Downunder

Click HERE to see the SLIDESHOW

If you click on the individual photos you will be able to see more information about each one of them. Be sure to check out the Lyrebird picture too .. My dad Frank sent me a really cool documentary clip on YouTube about the Lyrebird with David Attenborough.

1. Reflections, 2. Ferned Framing ~Badger Creek, 3. Tall Trees at Badger Creek, 4. Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree, 5. Badger Creek ~ Healesville, 6. Rockery ~ Badger Creek, 7. Moss ~ Badger Creek, 8. Natural Beauty ~ Badger Creek Reserve, 9. Ferns Forever, 10. Fungi that caught my Eye, 11. Badger Creek ~ Healesville, 12. The Lyrebird is the world's best impersonator., 13. Through the trees ~ Badger Creek

I took all these photos at Badgers Creek in Healesville, Victoria.

Peter and I have enjoyed a few trips there now and they are all very memorable days. We usually try to get there before midday as it can be quite busy if you want to grab a spot on one of the bbq's including a big round communal one which is always popular if you are one who likes to meet and chat with others. We have met and enjoyed others at this bbq. A lot of people like to stand around this bbq to keep warm too. It throws out a lot of heat.


1. Peter and Chrissy at Badger Creek, 2. Parrots at Badger Creek, 3. Badger Creek Reserve Carpark, 4. Fungi 2, 5. Kookaburra's, 6. Peter at the BBQ ~ Badger Creek, 7. Crimson Rosella, 8. Badger Creek Reserve Picnic Area, 9. Fungi 3, 10. Through the Trees at Badger Creek, 11. Kookaburras at Badger Creek, 12. Ferns n Trees at Badger Creek, 13. Crimson Rosella at Badger Creek

After having our BBQ we then wander along a track which takes you through some of the most amazingly beautiful forest and creek areas I have ever come across.

I was a Scout Leader during the time my boys we growing up in Queensland and I have visited and camped in some really nice bushland and forest areas in my time but Badger Creek would have to be one of my favourites.

I was happy with the set of photos I took which are from July 2007 and during winter here in Australia.

Highly reccommended for a great day out with nature. BBQ facilities and picnic grounds available for public use, but I must stress .. on the weekend .. get there early on a nice day.
A great place to visit, take in and chill out for the day .. especially for photographers .. amateur and professional alike. Wonderful lush areas of trees ferns etc to capture.

Check out more if you like on: MY WAYN
Slideshow and Album

More info about Badger Creek Weir here:
Aussie Heritage
Total Travel - Victoria - Yarra Valley

The Mosaic was created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Leaves on Lines

Focus on Leaving by Chrissy Downunder

A garden chair which is positioned under the liquid amber in our front garden. I love the contrast, focus, reflections and parallel lines in this shot.

I'm 'Learning Photography with Neil Creek'

Up to no good

Up to no good by Chrissy Downunder

Fun for some .. scary for others. I guess it all depends on whether or not you read Steven King novels like my partner Peter does. :o

I love my clowns and I have a few randomly hanging around in my garden. This one looks like he's been into some mischief.

You can read more about my clowning around HERE

Flickr Flasher

Flickr Flasher by Chrissy Downunder

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

My brain needed to relax after a long week of working and setting up a new online business.

All that reading has got my brain on overload so I started playing around with Flickr toys, relaxing and having a bit of fun.

I made this one with the Badge Maker in Big Huge Labs.

Pink Cherry Blossom

This photo was taken in my garden.

More information about this tree here on ABC Gardening.

The cherry blossom (Sakura) is a well-known and ubiquitous symbol of Japan, are represented on all manner of consumer goods, including *kimono, stationery, and dishware. Cherry blossoms are an enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life, and as such are frequently depicted in art, and are associated with both *samurai and kamikaze. There is at least one popular folk song, originally meant for the shakuhachi (bamboo flute), titled "Sakura", as well as a number of pop songs.

Sakura (桜 or 櫻) is the Japanese name for ornamental cherry trees, Prunus serrulata, and their cherry blossoms. Cherry fruit (known as sakuranbo) come from a different species of tree.

You can read more here:

Japanese Lifestyle - Garden

* Kimono
* Samurai

Money Money Money

This photo is related to this post at Learning Photography with Neil Creek

My brother Dave (left) and my son Beau (right) playing monopoly .. anyone would think it was REAL money by the look on their faces :)

I just love a good game of Monopoly. You can find out a real lot about another person by the way they play this game I have found. ☺

It has been my families favourite now for a few generations. I was bought up on it and so were my cousins, uncles and aunts. I remember playing with my brothers when I was younger and I bought my boys up on lots of great family orientated interactive games .......... like when we all used to physically be there to play a game together and not against the computer or hitch hiking along the cyber highway.

Think I'm showing my age now .. lol ....... Ohhhh for the good old days.

Reflections ~ Better Late than Never

Reflections
Chrissy Downunder

I took this photo for last weeks challenge over at Learning Photography with Neil Creek

I was only a week late submitting it ... D'oh

The photo was taken looking into the birdbath in the front garden. The birds around the property are always using it to drink from or bath in and so it gets pretty dirty sometimes.

I took this pic just before Peter cleaned it out as he usually does every weekend. I liked the scratchy textured look of the bowl.

Emus at Healesville Sanctuary

Emus
Chrissy Downunder

I took this photo at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria.

An adult Emu may reach 2 meters in height and can weigh up to 45 kilograms, making them the tallest bird inhabiting Australia. They are outweighed by only one other bird in Australia- their relative, the Cassowary.

The feathers of an Emu are double shafted, giving the birds a loose, shaggy look. Emus are brown in colour, although the intensity of this colour varies according to the season of year, changes in surroundings and the behavior of nearby birds.

Although they have feathers, they cannot fly because their wings are too small. Also due to the structure of the feathers they are no longer capable of creating lift. This open structure serves the sole purpose of insulating against the elements. Emus have three toes, the underside of these toes is flattened with a small pad, to aid traction over rough terrain.


Habitat

Emus are found throughout Australia in almost all habitat types.


Diet

Emus feed mainly on grass, flowers, seeds, fruits and insects. Emus also consume stones which aid in the digestion process.


Breeding

Emus are sexually mature at around 2 years of age. Breeding season will usually occur between April and November. Normally Emus are silent, but during breeding season, the female will make a deep booming noise. Emus will lay a clutch of 6-11 eggs which are dark grey-green in colour and are about 13.5cm in length and 9cm wide.

It is up to the male to take care of the eggs during the 60 day incubation period and he is the sole parent for up to 2 years after the eggs hatch. After laying her eggs the female will find another wandering group and usually another mate with which she will lay another clutch of eggs. Female Emus can lay several clutches of eggs to numerous males in one breeding season.

Clowns on Stage

Clowns on Stage
Chrissy Downunder

I love clowns. Here are a few of them.

I started collecting them around 20 years ago when I myself was a professional performing clown on the Sunshine Coast in QLD.

Looking at my clowns brings back fond and fun memories.

More about the history of clowns and clowning.

PS. I don't read Steven King novels or watch his movies :)

Learning Photography with Neil Creek

I liked how the composition of this photo turned out. I realise this pic is a little grainy and can't wait for my Canon! I used the window frame as a natural border and the curtains seemed to fit in well and make it look like they are on stage.

Neil Creeks Blog

Eyes Wide Open

Eyes Wide Open
Chrissy Downunder

Thinking about this weeks challenge 'Self Portraits" over at:

Learning Photography with Neil Creek

.... This is a fill in ..

I will be taking better pics for the challenge this weekend .. ☺

Neil Creeks Blog

Rotating Parallel Lines

Rotating Parallel Lines

Chrissy Downunder

Late on this night I was still thinking about this weeks challenge: 'Parallel Lines' for:

Learning Photography with Neil Creek

Neil Creeks Blog

Saturday night .. chilling out after a busy week .. we were listening to music and had this small disco globe on. While looking at the lights spinning around the room and having 'parrallel lines' on my mind .. I saw them. ☺

With another drink in my left hand ... my camera in my right.

This is what I came up with .. I 'WAS' parall-etic by this stage :o

Earlier this day

Q on Parallel Lines

Q on Parallel Lines by Chrissy Downunder

'Parallel Lines'
Learning Photography with Neil Creek

Neil Creeks Blog

Saturday afternoon, works over and time to chill out. Peter and I went to Ringwood Lake Park to take Buddy for a walk and training session. When we got back I plonked his lead down on one of our old garden chairs .. it landed like a Q, a dead leaf then fell on it from above and that's when I saw the parallel lines.. ☺

With a drink in one hand ... my camera in the other.

This is what I came up with .. I wasn't parall-etic at this time :o

However .. later this day

My Cyber Abode

My Cyber Abode
Originally uploaded by Chrissy Downunder

This photo of my work space has lots of notes on it. Everything in it's place and a place for everything, all within arms reach too. I'm just a tad proud of my organisation skills sometimes :) It's practical, it works and it looks like fun!

Click on photo to view in original size if you want to have a real good sticky beak, It is unfortunately a bit grainy but you can still see everything much better. ☺

Light Tent Series Pics 1

Light Tent Series Pics 1

This photo is related to this post on flickr.

Made a light tent after following Neils Creeks instructions and tutorial on this page. Neil Creeks Blog

This was my first attempt at taking a photo of scissors.

Didn't get a good clear shot. View pic in larger size to read about it.

Trying again. Practice makes perfect ... right? ☺

Learning Photography with Neil Creek

Neils blog here