Friday, June 29, 2007

Nintendo Nic

In total contrast to her recent appearances on the set of "Australia", the Baz Luhrmann film currently in production in Australia, Nicole Kidman has been chosen as the 'face' of Nintendo's latest advertising campaign for its "More Brain Training". Kidman will be seen in worldwide TV spots starting this week.

See my Nicole Kidman photos at http://www.cameronlaird.com/search/index.mg?searchWords=nicole+kidman&searchType=InUser&NickName=camlaird

Amazing jet man!

The Jet Man, Yves Rossy, a former Swiss military pilot, designed and built a deployable 3-meter wing, holding kerosene fuel for 2 jet engines fixed to the tips and attached it to his back. Rossy launched from an aeroplane and flew for 4 minutes, ascending and traveling at speeds over 100 knots, landing by parachute. This would have to go close to being the ultimate adrenaline rush! For more info have a look at http://www.jet-man.com/actuel_eng.html

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

New Nikon D3 rumours and something I want!

Nikon are due to announce a replacement to the D2X and its subsequent update, the D2Xs anytime in the next few days. I won't be adding any of the rumours I have been hearing but I can tell you some of the things I personally hope it will have.

1. Greatly improved low light / high iso image quality.
2. Elimination of any back-focus problems.
3. SD & CF card options (like Canon).
4. Rubber body covers that don't fall off.

That is pretty much all I need improved. I know it will have higher resolution, faster fps, better metering and faster AF so if all of my wishes were included as well I would be a happy snapper!

There is one thing however that I hope/dream someone will build/design in the near future.

I wish someone would come up with a simple remote transmit unit that would eliminate the need for a laptop or pda and would allow you to SIMPLY transmit INSTANTLY from the sideline without an assistant or tech. No need to stop shooting, download cards, select images, caption, edit and transmit. This would ALL be done in camera with a simple setup before an assignment.
It could either screw underneath the body or sit on the hotshoe (like a pocketwizard) and connect to the camera via the 10 pin plug. Better still, how about Nikon and Canon build bluetooth into their next models! Then the bluetooth enabled transmit unit could go in a pocket or waistpack and not get in the way at all.It would be designed to work with participating high-speed cellular data networks, like Australia's NextG network and would require the relevent sim card inserted. Imagine something about the size of a cigarette pack with an lcd display.

I might be able to easily explain its use by describing how it would operate.

Before commencing assignment the unit can be plugged in to a laptop (even better, use a portable bluetooth keyboard and enter info straight into the unit via the lcd display) and data added to an "iptc stationary pad". IPTC details like job name, photographer info, relevent generic caption details, copyright info etc. that are automatically added to images sent via the unit. The unit could also hold numerous ftp connection details which could be edited and saved. How about built in smtp mail software if your client doesn't support ftp? Include the smtp server details, email address, message and max message size and your images will send via email.
What about specific captions with particular players names I hear you ask? Well, if you record a voice caption in the camera (which all pro models now offer) it will be uploaded alongside the picture file so the client can adjust the caption at their end.
What about filesize? Well, you could set options like quality of jpg compression, resize to specific pixels on the longest side, max file size.
Finally, how would it know what pics to send? Well, this would have to be done in a similar fashion to the old Canon D2000/Kodak DCS520 where you 'tag' a file in camera. Once the file is tagged it is automatically sent and a confirmation would appear on the transmit unit lcd when the file had been uploaded.
Ok you tech companies, feel free to steal my idea and get to work on this. I am SURE that tens of thousands of these units would sell all around the world to companies like AP, Reuters, Getty, AFP and all newspaper publishers.

By the way, I want a freebee!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Check this out Erin and Megan!

If you counted the coffee coupon card signatures I have had filled in at Jochheim's Bakery in Bowen over the past 6 weeks you would probably think I need to visit Caffeine Anonymous. Erin, Megan, Maureen and the staff have worked tirelessly over the length of the movie serving up cup after cup of choice espresso drinks to Bowen locals, movie cast & crew (including numerous to Nic & Keith!) and tired but appreciative photographers.

This is for you girls!

Dad, let's move to Bowen!

No doubting young Oscar Jackman's love of Bowen(wood). He has been surfing at Horseshoe Bay, played in the local footy competition, played on Rose Bay sand dunes, baked pies with Paddy at Jochheims Bakery...... the list goes on and on. And it is rumoured that he has asked dad Hugh what the chances on moving to Bowen would be? And now, to plead his case in the strongest possible way - he comes out wearing this shirt. What, with Hugh's Broncos cap and Oscars "I Love Bowen" shirt - maybe a move to the sunshine state isn't beyond comprehension?

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Nicole yells out a spoiler

In one of the closing scenes of "Australia" Nicole Kidman's character "Lady Sarah Ashley" screams "Nullah!" as she and Hugh Jackman's character fall to the ground near the the prone body of Brandon Walters character "Nullah". Around them fires are burning in the war torn Darwin/Bowen set. Is this an indication that Nullah dies at the end of the movie? Make of it what you will, I doubt anyone will even remember this once the movies hits cinemas sometime in the distant future!

See pics of this scene at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094#166033900

Friday, June 22, 2007

David Gulpilil freezes his butt off!

What a shocking day to be stuck up a tower in just a traditional loincloth. It was absolutely FREEZING today in Bowen with a wind chill factor many degrees below what many Bowen locals have ever felt. David Gulpilil was provided with a fleece dressing gown, insulated foil blankets and a water bottle but it did little to help. I was disappointed I left my beanie at home, and then I saw Gulpilil up the tower. Instantly I felt warmer!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Happy 40th Nic!

Well, this is all I can show you of Nicole Kidman's 40th birthday party. Flagstaff Hill was the location for the birthday bash and it was guarded like the famous hill on Iwo Jima. Maybe minus the .50 calibre machine guns but still a precision military style exercise. Anyway, Bowen locals enjoyed the fireworks and while we couldn't see it from town I can tell you that a pyrotechnic sign "Happy Birthday Nicole" blazed in the Three Sixty carpark. Anyway, Happy Birthday Nicole!

See my "Australia" pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Amazing bird strike video

I fly quite a lot and it is incredible to see how simple it is to stop a jet engine. Admittedly though, it is comforting to see how well a passenger jet flies on one engine.


Monday, June 18, 2007

The coolest way to board a chopper!

I would LOVE to give this a spin!!!

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Jason Smith to hang up his boots

North Queensland Cowboys five-eighth Jason Smith annouced today that he will retire at the end of the 2007 season. Smith has played 18 seasons in the top grade and in my opinion plays well below his age. One of the true 'thinkers' of the game, he will be missed. Congratulations on a super career Jason! I'm sure you'll get a more time for some of this below!

See my Jason Smith pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/search/index.mg?searchWords=jason+smith&searchType=InUser&NickName=camlaird

Hugh Jackman speaks with Brisbane's Nova 106.9

A few days ago Nova 106.9's awesome breakfast crew of Meshel, Ash & Kip went to Bowen to report on "Australia" the movie. Following a tip from mayor Mike "Hollywood" Brunker Ash caught up with Hugh after a morning workout at the gym. Source: The Courier-Mail - Click here to Listen

Confidential to air tonight on FOX8

News Limited's new entertainment show Confidential premiere's tonight on FOX8. Presented by Sophie Falkiner, Mike Hammond and Jonathan Pease it is set to be Australia's version of Entertainment Tonight. The program will be doing a wrap-up tonight covering the past few weeks of filming of "Australia" in Bowen, Qld.



Confidential TV Daily Telegraph link
Confidential TV The Courier-Mail link
Confidential TV Herald Sun link

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

iPhone TV advertisement

While I'm not a big Apple fan I must admit this is about as cool as it gets when it comes to style and function of a mobile phone. What ashame it is only 2G!

Baz at work

Bazmark II has put out this image by onset photographer James Fisher of "Australia" director Baz Luhrmann at work. Hope all you Baz fans enjoy this fresh pic!

See all my "Australia" pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Two try Ty

After jumping out to an 18-0 lead against the Sharks, that post origin collapse that seems to happen every season happened again. The Sharks quickly closed in and with only 2 minutes left in the clash Cronulla were up by four. I'm not sure what I saw in that last play but by the look in the eyes of the backline players I KNEW something was on. Sure enough Ty Williams scored right under the posts to give the Cowboys a stunning 2 point win 26-24. Awesome!

See my pics of the game at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#158647289

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Amazing Ukelele!

There are two video's on YouTube that stand out from the rest when it comes to musical talent. This ukelele rendition of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by Jake Shimabukuro is one of the two. Performed in New York's Central Park, it is well worth a listen!

Amazing Guitar

There are two video's on YouTube that stand out from the rest when it comes to musical talent. This guitar rendition of Pachelbel's Canon in D by "funtwo" is one of the two. "funtwo" was tracked down and has now appeared on numerous tv shows around the world. Have a listen and enjoy!

Video - The Making of Baz Luhrmann's Australia

I found this video on YouTube showing some of the production behind "Australia", the Baz Luhrmann film featuring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Bryan Brown, David Wenham and many more quality Australian actors.

Microsoft Surface - Awesome!

Yeh, I admit I am a bit of a 'gadget freak' and this is about as cool as a gadget can get. They were announced on May 30 and I can't wait to try one when they make it to Australia!

Friday, June 01, 2007

Baz to Q & A in Bowen

Baz Luhrmann will speak during a Queensland Week function at Horseshoe Bay on Sunday morning at 10am. He is set to talk about his career and the production of "Australia" in Bowen. See you there!


See all my Australia pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094