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"

Crimson Rosella's in our Garden

I'm still trying to capture a really good close up of these wonderfully colourful birds we have as regular visitors in our garden. Here a few of the latest.

Crimson Rosella's often feed from the birdseed holder we have hung in the trees which are right outside our home office.


This was my week in photos. Hope you enjoy. Please don't hesitate to leave a comment and let me know if anyone out there in cyber land is reading my blog. I'm still learning it all and trying to refine and develop my blog into something that others are interested in reading about. Any and all feedback most welcomed ... especially the positive kind. :)

Sky High Mt Dandenong

I took these photos from Sky High Mt Dandenong on Sunday 31st August.

It has been raining quite a bit lately here in Melbourne and these photos were taken on a particularly wet and misty day.

I had been stuck in bed for a good week with a bad back and a bout of the flu and was eager to get out of the house for a while.

Peter and I decided to go to the Sky High Bistro for their Sunday Buffet Lunch which was really nice. The food was fresh and very tasty and I would love to go again in a few months time during clearer days and when I'm feeling much better.



I still wasn't feeling my best when we went but tried to enjoy it as best I could. Naturally I had my camera with me and hoped the weather would clear a bit before we got up into the Dandenong Ranges but it didn't and was bitterly cold and extremely windy outside where I was taking photos from. I tried a few with my 300mm zoom to but Melbourne turned out to lost in the misty fog so I have done some post processing on them to bring out the buildings and landmarks as best I could.

Some information about Sky High

One of Victoria’s Premier Tourist Destinations

* Viewing platforms with stunning views that sweep across Mornington Peninsula and Port Phillip Bay , to the You Yangs on the Southern horizon.

Get Some Perspective & Escape the noise and pressures of the concrete jungle. Less than 1 hour from the Melbourne CBD you can be SkyHigh – on the uppermost reach of the Dandenong Ranges, amid cool fern glades and lush towering native forest, looking at the big picture, from the Mornington Peninsula across the majestic sweep of Port Phillip Bay, surrounded by Melbourne’s growing urban fringes, to the You Yangs on the southern horizon. After sunset the southern sky, brilliant in the clear mountain night, is imitated by a spectacular carpet of city lights.

First established as a survey point in 1861 this historic area, which has recently undergone a lavish and sympathetic redevelopment, affords a unique overview of Greater Melbourne. Enjoy the unparalleled vista from the SkyHigh Bistro or fire up a public barbecue, spread a rug and picnic on the elevated viewing terrace.

SkyHigh has something for the whole family including, an exquisite English garden, Adventurous SkyHigh Maze and links to trail walks in the Dandenong Ranges National Park. If you really want to see Melbourne from above...
____________________________________________________________________

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"

The Melbourne Museum

The Melbourne Museum by Chrissy Downunder

A fun day spent at the Melbourne Museum with Peter and my sons, Jai and Beau. At the time I was using a Ricoh Caplio R40 Point and shoot, but now that I have my new Canon Rebel XTi I can't wait to spend another day at the museum taking photos. I hope they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner there though ..... I have a feeling I'll be there all day next time. So many interesting things to see, touch, learn and photograph.

Click on the links to photos below to see more information about each one.

1. What's for Dinner .. Dino?, 2. Balance on Butterfly, 3. Melbourne Museum ~ Angles in Colour, 4. Windmill Angles, 5. Dinosaur Display at Melbourne Museum, 6. Australian Coat of Arms, 7. In Days Gone By, 8. The Melbourne Story, 9. Parallel Lines, 10. Checking out the ants, 11. Reflections on Phar Lap, 12. Spiderman - Melbourne Museum, 13. Cable Tram - Melbourne Museum

Share your Melbourne Story experience with the world!

If you have any photo's of the Melbourne Museum .. share them in the Visitor's Photo Album.

Melbourne Museum has created a group on the photo-sharing website Flickr, enabling visitors to share their unique images of this exciting new exhibition, allowing others to see through their eyes.

If you’re a seasoned Flickr user, jump straight in to the Melbourne Museum Group .. join up and start adding your photos. Be sure to tag your images with 'themelbournestory' to make them appear in this Visitor's Photo Album.

Those unfamiliar with Flickr should take their tour and then sign up.

Note: images displayed on Flickr remain the copyright of the original photographer.

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Tasmania

Tasmania by Chrissy Downunder

1. Lighthouse at Low Head - Tasmania, 2. Settling on Shadows, 3. Bennetts wallaby at Narawntapu National Park - Tasmania, 4. Beaconsfield Gold Mine Shaft, 5. Marsupials Grazing, 6. 'O', 7. Jetty, 8. Meditate, 9. 'Seaside Sheep', 10. Welcome Stranger, 11. Macro Mushroom in Tassie, 12. Tall Teatrees, 13. A Perfect Day, 14. Photography - Of Old, 15. Narawntapu Nat Pk - Peter in Teatree Forest, 16. The Old Miners Cabin, 17. Greens Beach, Tasmania, 18. Neglected, 19. Forgotten, 20. The Miner, 21. Peter and Pademelon, 22. Goosey Goosey Gander - Whither shall I wander?, 23. Shy Pademelon, 24. ♠ Macro Mushroom ♠, 25. Rustic

Here are a few photos I took while visiting my dad in Tasmania. If you click on the link to the photos above you will find out much more information about them along with links to the various places and attractions I have been to.

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

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.

Beatles Buddies

Beatle Buddies by Chrissy Downunder

Kim Shurman is a professional and very talented Chalkboard Artist in Perth, Australia. Kim also conducts chalk and pastel art classes.

This is one of his creations ... a chalkboard drawing of 'The Beatles' he gave Peter as a birthday gift in 2004. Peter is a big fan and loves this drawing.

They have been close friends for 43 years (1965) Best mates in high school they grew up together in Perth, Australia.

He is in Melbourne on vacation this week and popped over for dinner, a few drinks and a catch up with Peter last night.

The guys were having a drink while discussing this piece so I got my camera out and started clicking away.

Kim Shurmans personalised art gallery

Learning Photography with Neil Creek

Neil Creeks Blog

Low Head Lighthouse

Low Head Lighthouse
Chrissy Downunder

This photo was taken from Greens Beach looking across at the Low Head lighthouse in the distance.


Quite picturesque I thought and I was happy with how I captured the rolling waves.

More information about Low Head in Tasmania

Low Head Lighthouse

Clivia

Clivia
Chrissy Downunder

Information from ABC Gardening

Traits: , Shade, Feature, Ground cover, Container, Birds

This genus in the amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae) family is made up of just 4 species of perennials from southern Africa. While these plants are best suited to warmer conditions, and can tolerate only the lightest of frosts, they can be enjoyed as container plants in cooler climates.

The stunning flowers come in vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange, and are followed by equally vibrant and showy berries, which extend the ornamental season of these plants.

The genus was named for Lady Charlotte Clive, Duchess of Northumberland, who was the granddaughter of Robert Clive of India (general and colonial administrator).

Arum Lily

Arum Lily
Chrissy Downunder

The common name is ARUM LILY

Flowers/Seedhead:

Flower stem about as high as the tops of the leaves. Upper half to three quarters of flower spike (spadix) is male and lower part female. Flowers late winter to summer.

Description:

Robust clump-forming, perennial herb to 1.5 m high. Plants with tuberous underground stems (rhizomes) and fleshy white roots. Leaves with blade 15–50 cm long and 8–25 cm wide, on fleshy stalks 40–110 cm long. Fruit green or yellow, about 1 cm wide; seeds yellow-orange, about 3 mm wide.

Family: Araceae.

Form: Herb

Origin: Native of South Africa.

Clematis

Clematis
Chrissy Downunder

Known by many as virgins bower or travelers joy.

The 200 species in this genus belong to the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family and encompass a wide range of forms.

Mainly climbing or scrambling, though sometimes shrubby or perennial, deciduous or evergreen; flowering at any time and in any colour; occurring in both northern and southern temperate zones and at higher altitudes in the tropics there seems to be a clematis for any season and place.

The name virgins bower comes from a German legend that Mary and Jesus sheltered under clematis during their flight into Egypt from the massacre of the innocents.

Flowering Season: Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring

Flower Set

Garden Set

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

Hibiscus

Hibiscus
Chrissy Downunder

Hibiscus

Taken in my garden.

Traits: Sun, Coastal, Feature, Hedge, Container

Information from ABC Gardening

A member of the mallow (Malvaceae) family, this genus contains over 200 annual or perennial herbs, shrubs, or trees. They are widely distributed throughout warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of the world.

The epitome of tropical plants, they feature lush foliage and large flamboyant blooms in vibrant colors. In their native regions, these plants were grown not only for their great beauty, but also for their edible leaves and flowers.

Hibiscus species are relatively easy to grow, and while often used as a colourful stand-alone feature in the garden, some species can be trimmed to shape and make effective hedging or screening plants.

Flowering Season: Summer, Autum, Winter, Spring

Royal Exhibition Building - Melbourne

Royal Exhibition Building - Melbourne

Chrissy Downunder

Royal Exhibition Building
is situated in Carlton Gardens just across the Melbourne museum. It is a World Heritage Site. It is one of the world's oldest remaining exhibition pavilions.

A World Heritage site is defined as a place that is important to all peoples of the world.

The Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens is the first non-Aboriginal cultural site in Australia to win World Heritage listing. It joins our nation’s other World Heritage listings, which include Aboriginal cultural sites such as Uluru-Kata Tjuta, and the continent’s many natural heritage areas—from Kakadu in the north to the Tasmanian Wilderness, from Shark Bay (Western Australia) to the Great Barrier Reef off the eastern coast.