Posting #4 of my road trip from Fremantle to Kununurra, Western Australia.

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

During my recent >9,000 km road trip highway vistas like this one routinely had me in awe of the scenic beauty of this wonderful land.

Highway-2AM-002693-002695_panorama_8-bit

Oh, how I enjoy the tranquillity of a sleepy river and the Australian bush. This is the De Grey River and rail bridge just off the Great Northern Highway near Port Headland, Western Australia. I didn’t camp here but I did enjoy the respite as I stretched my legs during the long drive.

Travelling is full of surprises…

The ubiquitous road train: some transport livestock, some transport supplies, and for others, like this one, it is iron ore.

Thanks for swinging by and I hope you enjoyed these photo’s of my travels.

Light-painting: before-and-after shots in West Texas.

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Andrew McInnes Photography

I have a fondness for photographing so-called “light-paintings” and sometimes they are the only keeper shots I return with if the available light doesn’t have the magic quality. Here are two different scenes illustrating why sometimes a light-painting can bring an otherwise flat scene to life. (NOTE: for these particular images the moon was in its first quarter and therefore contributed to the overall scene – I prefer no moon for these shots but sometimes my free time doesn’t align with those preferences).

DISCLAIMER: In no way do I present myself as an expert on this technique – or anything photographic. Rather, I present these images and technique to illustrate how I capture light-painting images. Hope you enjoy 🙂

This first pair of images of boulders (1a and 1b) were taken roadside – I desperately wanted to shoot this from the private ranch on which they are located but was denied permission. Nonetheless, I found the subject/scene sufficiently interesting and returned and found this composition, without trespassing 🙂

The second pair of images (2a and 2b) were taken later the same evening as the pair above.

Image #1a:

A ‘blank’ shot (no light-painting) to determine the exposure I wanted for the sky and to check the composition. VERY ordinary!

Rockpile Ranch 2AM-114640_7D
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f5.6 for 25 seconds at ISO 3200.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Image #1b:

Resultant light-painting image.

Rockpile Ranch 2AM-114641_7D
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f4 for 30 seconds at ISO 1600.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

For the fence posts ‘painting’ I used a MAG-LITE ® with a home-made snoot to reduce light spill on the surrounds – approximately 3 seconds of light-painting. The boulders were ‘painted’ for approximately 27 seconds using a Brinkmann Q-Beam ® 3 million candlepower spotlight (rechargeable and inexpensive at approximately $40). This image was taken at 7:50 PM. Color temperature for 1a and 1b was 4000.

Image #2a:

A ‘blank’ shot (no light-painting) to determine the exposure I wanted for the sky and to check the composition. As such no light was added to the scene. Again, VERY ordinary!

Davis Mountains State Park 2AM-114643_7D_2a

Davis Mountains State Park 2AM-114643_7D
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f4 for 20 seconds at ISO 1600.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Image #2b:

Resultant light-painting image.

Davis Mountains State Park 2AM-114647_7D_2b

Davis Mountains State Park 2AM-114647_7D
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f5 for 30 seconds at ISO 1600.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

After the ‘blank’ shot I made a slight adjustment to the composition to reduce foreground and increase sky/stars. For the external ‘painting’ I used a MAG-LITE ® with a home-made snoot to reduce light spill on the surrounds – approximately 25 seconds of light-painting. The interior was ‘painted’ for approximately 2 seconds using quick pulses from a Brinkmann Q-Beam ®. This light was used because of its inherent warm color, to simulate the glow from a fire. This large light is what I typically use when the subject is not immediately proximate. This image was taken at 9:20 PM. Color temperature for images 2a and 2b was 3200.

Any comments or thoughts are appreciated. My appreciation to Ken Zoller for his locations “guiding” by cell-phone 😉

I am soon to post a photo-blog that highlights some of my light-paintings – please stay posted 🙂

Blackwood River Valley Region and Geographe Region – Australia’s South West

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

The purpose of this particular trip was that I planned to do some long-exposure night images to capture the Orionid meteor shower with a light-painting of the ubiquitous grass-tree in the foreground. Unfortunately my planning was awry so only managed to get a few shots before the rising sun burnt-out the stars. Alas, no meteors included in the images but I am well-pleased with the resultant grass-tree images.

On the drive to the region we passed through the Geographe Region and a wonderful little ruin near the town of Boyanup. We captured some images of this ruin during the day and determined we would return to “light-paint” the building and its associated trees that night.

Here is the ruin by day

Boyanup Ruin 2AM-112251
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Boyanup Ruin 2AM-112258
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Here is one of the light-paintings from that night.

Boyanup Ruin Lightpainting 2AM-29856_30D

Boyanup Ruin Lightpainting 2AM-29856
Canon 30D Canon with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

The following images are all from the Blackwood River Valley – this is a typical scene.

Rural Scene 2AM-113052
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

A bold and very vivid splash of color from a very small little bird.

Splendid Fairy-wren 2AM-30032
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Soft morning light backlights foliage and warms the pasture after a chilly evening.

Morning Grass 2AM-29905
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Grass-trees and southern stars as first light reveals itself.

Grass Tree Lightpainting 2AM-112328
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Grass-trees and southern stars; a light-painting.

Grass Tree Lightpainting 2AM-112325
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station, Western Australia.

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

The missus and I had a very loose itinerary for our 10 day road trip together around parts of Western Australia; on the definite list were the stromatolites, the Pinnacles, and hot-air ballooning (see previous blog posts). We made no reservations, kept the fuel tank above 1/2 full, sort of looked at maps (some were very poor, some excellent), and just drove and enjoyed the scenery and each other immensely. On one leg of the journey the day was fast-moving toward night and we needed to find somewhere to sleep for the evening. We did not take tents or blankets so some shelter was necessary due to it being deep winter when we were there. Allison was analysing the road atlas when she said, “We have two accommodation options available. The first is a caravan park (a good option if their furnished vans aren’t already rented), the second is a “station”.” In Australia a station, when used in rural terms, is a large property (ranch in the USA). This particular station, Emu Creek Station http://www.emucreekstation.com/ is relatively small for the region – approximately 330,000 acres. I was instantly keen on the homestead stay at the station and the missus was enchanted by the idea.

We arrived unannounced just prior to dusk, were welcomed very kindly, conducted a brief business discussion and then excused ourselves to run down to the river to shoot some photo’s in the stunning light. What a bloody beautiful place this is. We shot a few images then returned to the homestead and enjoyed freshly made sausages, home-grown steaks, fresh made bread, delicious sides, and lovely company – dining with the owners and staff. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Emu-Creek-Outback-Station-Stays/10150102321265483

Later that night I took a few night shots before retiring for the evening. Early the next morning was exquisite and the missus and I went for a walk and captured a few more images before returning for a lovely brekky and then heading out as we had to be back in Perth to drop off the rental car, pick up a scientific instrument for the missus’ upcoming research expedition on the Indian Ocean, and then, regretfully, get me back on the plane to Texas for work.

Should you find yourself in the Pilbarra region I thoroughly recommend you stay at Emu Creek Station and enjoy the hospitality of Kylie and John Boyle and the staff.

We sure hope to return, only this time staying for a week or more to capture more of this beautiful place. I would thoroughly enjoy capturing the transition into “the wet” starting October’ish each year – this is monsoonal country. Hope you enjoy these photo’s, all of which are from around the homestead.

These images are all © Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
To purchase please visit my website: http://andrew-mcinnes.artistwebsites.com/

The homestead bathed in soft pastel light.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-111414
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens at ISO 200.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

The next series of images are sequenced to illustrate the vitalness of water and the transition from pasture to riparian areas; each image will take you closer and closer to the permanent water-hole in the river until, finally, you can immerse yourself in the freshness of life’s liquid – vicariously at least.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-111436
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens at ISO 200.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-29549
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5 -5.6 lens at ISO 800.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-29453
Canon 30D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 640.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-29441
Canon 30D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 640.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-29495
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens at ISO 500.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

I just love the flora of Australia and I thought these White River Gums to be fascinating.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-29490
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens at ISO 500.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-29536
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens at ISO 800.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-29539
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens at ISO 800.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-111376
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens at ISO 400.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Typically I would not post such similar images as these two (above and below). However, experiencing the evening and the vista, I had distinctly different, yet very similar “feelings” when viewing this/these scenes. As such I am posting both as stand-alone images. Do you have a preference?

Emu Creek Station 2AM-111381
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens at ISO 100.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-111424
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens at ISO 200.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-111426
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens at ISO 200.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-111427
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens at ISO 200.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-111439
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens at ISO 200.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

An alternative to homestead stays, there are numerous camping opportunities along the river; here is a sample camp-site (and the billy is on the boil).

Emu Creek Station 2AM-29558
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens at ISO 800.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-111402
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 400.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Emu Creek Station 2AM-111406
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 400.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Ava good night 😉

“Photo’s from a balloon.” Avon Valley, Western Australia.

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

On the first morning of our 10 day trip around parts of Western Australia we enjoyed a glorious and serene sunrise hot air balloon flight above the Avon Valley, near Perth. I highly recommend the experience wherever you are. Windward Balloon Adventures was the company who provided this aeronautic experience and we were very satisfied. http://www.ballooning.net.au/

Hot Air Ballooning 2AM-29230
Dawn inflation of “Rainbow Drifter”.
Canon 30D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f5.6 for 1/80 second, ISO 800.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Avon Valley 2AM-29239
Sunrise over the Avon Valley as seen from the “Rainbow Drifter” balloon.
Canon 30D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f8 for 1/8000 second, ISO 400.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Hot air rising – it was -3 degrees Celsius (26.6 F) and this heat was welcomed!

Hot Air Ballooning 2AM-29241
Burning on the “Rainbow Drifter.”
Canon 30D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f8 for 1/1000 second, ISO 400.
© Copyright Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Avon Valley 2AM-110932
Sheep and Stubble.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens. f5.6 for 1/60 second, ISO 800.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Avon Valley 2AM-29242
Farmhouse, fields, and fog.
Canon 30D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f8 for 1/800 second, ISO 400.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Avon Valley 2AM-110940
Shadows, knolls, and contours.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens. f8 for 1/80 second, ISO 400.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Avon Valley 2AM-110946
Foggy fields.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens. f8 for 1/2000 second, ISO 400.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Avon Valley 2AM-110961
More foggy fields.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens. f8 for 1/2500 second, ISO 400.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Avon Valley 2AM-110948
Tree array and shadows.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens. f8 for 1/400 second, ISO 400.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Avon Valley 2AM-110963
Descending over dwelling.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens. f8 for 1/2000 second, ISO 400.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Deflating the 30,000 cubic feet capacity of the balloon.

Hot Air Ballooning 2AM-110966
Deflation after touchdown.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens. f8 for 1/1600 second, ISO 400.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

“Photo’s from the road, or very close to it.” Western Australia.

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

I have returned from a brief but wonderful trip to Western Australia whereby my wife and I drove in excess of 5,000 km (>3,100 miles) over a 10 day period, covering but a portion of the state of Western Australia. Departing from Perth we drove south to around Mandura, east to Northam, then over to the coast through Geraldton to Shark Bay. From there we continued north, before travelling east through to Newman then back south to Northam then Perth. I am going to be posting several photo-blogs which will capture our trip.

This particular photo-blog presents photo’s taken from the roadside, or very close to it, and in no particular geographic or chronologic order other than to represent the condition of the landscape at our time of visiting (excepting the first image which was mid-way through our trip). Hope you enjoy the trip vicariously.

Arid Highway 2AM-111454.
Between Emu Creek Station and Tom Price.
Canon 7D and Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Preston Beach 2AM-110895.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Sheep and Rocks 2AM-110970.
Near Toodyay.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Rural 2AM-29245.
Between Bindoon and Gingin.
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Indian Ocean 2AM-111088.
Near Leeman.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Rural 2AM-111091.
Between Geraldton and Billabong.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Rural 2AM-111101.
Between Geraldton and Billabong.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Desert Wildflowers 2AM-111752.
Rain approaching the Little Sandy Desert, between Newman and Kumarina.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Desert Edge 2AM-111767.
Assorted plants established on the fringe of the Little Sandy Desert, between Newman and Kumarina.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Desert Wildflowers 2AM-111768.
Wildflowers surrounded by spinifex on the fringe of the Little Sandy Desert, between Newman and Kumarina.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Desert Rain 2AM-111744.
Rain at the fringe of the Little Sandy Desert, between Newman and Kumarina.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Wheat Fields 2AM-111793.
Northern Wheatbelt near Northam.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Tree Trunks 2AM-29648.
Northern Wheatbelt near Northam.
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Andrew McInnes Photography

Imagery © Andrew McInnes

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