Yesterday I went for a drive out to the Burdekin Falls Dam to photograph its current level over the spillway for The Courier-Mail newspaper. Although it was only flowing about one metre over the spillway it was still pretty amazing. The Burdekin Dam is Australia's second largest dam behind the Warragamba Dam and holds 1.86 million megalitres. It is currently holding 108% of capacity and is well worth a visit when flowing!
My daughter plays the violin and found this on YouTube for me. As long as it inspires her then it is cool by me. It is pretty damn amazing!
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.
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
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!
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!
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?
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
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!
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
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.
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
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
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.
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!
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
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
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
Seems as though I'm not the only one who thought the Cow v Hilux incident was pretty damn funny! Brisbane's The Courier-Mail reported the incident using my photographs - Click the image above for the full story or read online at http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,21824622-10388,00.html
See all my "Australia" pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
Now, I'm not sure about you but there is no way I'd be leaving my car in the middle of the road if hundreds of horny (haha) cattle were barrelling down the road towards it. What about the driver of this spanking new Toyota Aurion? I'm guessing it is a hire car and I would love to see if it was covered by insurance if it had have been dented (like a car was yesterday). Imagine fronting up to Hertz - "Umm, the car has a couple of big dents in the side" - "How did that happen" - "Well, it was headbutted by a hundred cows in the middle of a Bowen street"...
See my "Australia", the movie pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
With her riding instructor Craig Emerton watching closely Nicole put the finishing touches on the cattle drive scene yesterday. Things have got a bit quieter around town over the last day or two - seems as though Bowen locals just see it as another day at the office now but with the added bonus of having a quick peek at a Hollywood star during their lunch breaks!
Last night I went to the Queens Beach hotel for Monday night footy and a counter meal and who should be there but Bryan Brown and Ben Mendelsohn. They were having a great time too and seemed just as at home in country pub as any local.
Now, David Wenham's riding skills must be a little lacking compared to Nic, Hugh or Brandon. I'm yet to see Davo without a stackhat! Either he has a wild horse or he's taking to riding a bit slower than everyone else.
See my "Australia" gallery at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
MOVIE heart-throb Hugh Jackman took to the waves of Horseshoe Bay with children Oscar, 7, and Ava, 22 months, yesterday.The outing helped blow out the cobwebs following the massive party he and co-star Nicole Kidman hosted on Saturday night.
The two stars of the Baz Luhrmann epic Australia threw a thank you party for the 500-strong cast and crew at Bowen's Grand View Hotel.
It included a surprise performance by Kidman's husband Keith Urban, who was joined on stage at the hotel by a mix of local musicians that the singer dubbed the Bowen Carney Boys after the Carney cattle company featured in the film.
Urban played from 8.45pm until just before midnight. "It was an amazing performance," Grand View's assistant manager Mike Burgess said.
After a day off yesterday, the third week of filming will resume today.
Source: Amy Harris/The Courier-Mail
Ok, maybe I used a bit of creative licence with my headline but the stampede of cows down George St and Herbert St Bowen may as well have been in Pamplona. There were some pretty scary horns amongst the herd and as they swarmed past me I hoped like crazy that they didn't break through the barriers. Nic and Hugh kept their distance, playing it safe, and will undoubtably be edited in for the final release.
Speculation is still running through town about a possible concert by Nic's hubby Keith Urban at the Grand View Hotel tonight but to be honest, I doubt it. My feeling is that it would be somewhere where all the cast and crew could attend and the beer garden of the Grand View would be WAY too small. Anyway, let's see what happens!
See my "Australia" gallery at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
Today just seemed to drag on and on and on. After a few too many ales celebrating Queensland's win in the State of Origin I wasn't really in the mood for a long day. However it was a bit of a treat to win a 'battle of the wits' with publicists and security for long enough to come up with some quality images! Action centred around Carneys Cattle Co. with Bryan Brown yelling from the balcony and Hugh and Nicole doing their best imitations of seasoned horse riders. They sure looked the part and didn't fail to impress with their riding talents!
From what I hear shooting is falling behind schedule however I'm sure they will make that up over the coming weeks.
And while I have the chance, if you are ever in Bowen MAKE SURE you stop in at Jochheim's Bakery for a pie or a coffee. Jayne & Paddy run what must easily be the busiest pie shop in Australia and it is a Bowen landmark. And thanks to Erin for my 17 latte's in 4 days! (A free Hunky Hugh pie for that plug wouldn't go astray!)
See my "Australia" gallery at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
Looking like Larry "J.R" Hagman Bryan Brown made his first appearance on the balcony of the Carney Cattle Company headquarters today. The scene allowed Brown to have quite a number of slugs of whatever Baz Luhrmann had put in his bottle of Kanga Bitter. Cheers Bryan!
See my "Australia" pictures at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
Seems like groundhog day each day now, scenes are filmed over and over and over and ....... But I guess that is how it goes in the movie business. Conner Cruise cruised the streets of Bowen on horseback for the second day in a row - no doubt he will give him Mum a run for her money when they get together for a race. Now that is one horserace I would LOVE to photograph! Hugh Jackman spent a few hours shooting a dusty scene on horseback outside the Territory Hotel and gave me the opportunity to shoot something TOTALLY DIFFERENT to what I have been doing (but I still did something saleable!)
See my "Australia" pictures at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
Friday night saw the commencement of night filming on the set of "Australia". Action concentrated around the Pearl Picture Gardens with a large crane holding thousands of litres of water soaking the set in a simulated rainstorm.
Today was a pretty good day around the set - Nicole and Hugh took 20 minutes out of their day to sign autographs and pose for pictures with Bowen volunteers and locals. No, I'm not from Bowen and can't afford to volunteer but no stopping me getting a pic with Nic!
See some of my pics from Bowenwood at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
Bowen locals had the opportunity to meet the stars during a "Traditional Welcome" ceremony on the set of "Australia". I was given the opportunity of looking around the set and seeing the incredible detail that has gone into the creation. Chinese gardens, outdoor picture theatres, a traditional brothel, cattle yards and pearl trading businesses are only part of a mass of streets that make up the set. The centrepiece of the movie is The Territory Hotel, which was the scene of yesterday's ceremony and will be the opening scene in the movie - Nicole Kidman's character arrives off a ship and walks up the jetty into the township just as Hugh Jackman's character is punched through the window of The Territory Hotel. Great introduction to Australia!
See some of my pics of the movie so far at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
Was given a nice treat today, a special look at the set of the new Baz Luhrmann movie "Australia" currently in production in Bowen, Australia. Had the opportunity to photograph Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in costume and get a general overview of what is a stunning set creation. Can't wait to see the final product!! Had to take the opportunity to have a pic with Bowen's No.1 celebrity and all-round nice guy, mayor Mike Brunker.
See the story at http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21726759-2,00.html
Tired of scrolling through thousands of photos just to find pics of your favourite Cowboys? Try my search engine at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/1467283. Works wonders!
What a terrible way to kick off your debut period with the Cowboys. Unlucky Ben Farrar suffered a Jones fracture of the right foot (injury to the fifth metatarsel) at training on Friday. After playing a super debut game against top-of-the-table Manly, he is now out for approximately six weeks. Best of luck with the recovery Ben!!
See my pics of Ben at http://www.cameronlaird.com/search/index.mg?searchWords=ben+farrar&searchType=InUser&NickName=camlaird
Let's just see how many nerds out there with a fairly quick broadband connection read this blog! :-) I have a fair few invites to Joost available soon so if you are keen, add a comment to this post with your first name, surname and email address. Don't stress, you won't get spammed by me at all, I will just add your details to my Joost invite list. Oh - and if you don't know what Joost is then you better get along to www.joost.com - it is destined to be massive and is a look into the future of broadcast television.
Cheers! (and here is a screen grab of a Joost window)
An abolutely stunning performance by fullback Matt Bowen saw the Cowboys knock over league leaders Manly 30-26 at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight. Matt scored two tries and foiled a few Manly attempts in a man-of-the-match performance. Debutants Ben Farrar and Scott Minto put in solid performances which should see them hold their positions for their away clash with the Titans Monday week. Well done boys!
See my pics from the game at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467/4/147206723#147547659
Scott Minto will debut Saturday night against the Sea-Eagles after playing a patient waiting game with the Guns. The lanky centre has been in excellent form over the early part of the season and I'm hoping it will continue for this genuinely nice guy of the game.
See pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#147206723
Exciting centre Ben Farrar will make his first grade debut on Saturday night against league leaders Manly following a hamstring injury to Ashley Graham. Scott Minto and Rob Jensen have also been included in the new look line up. Let's hope for a better show than the Monday night drubbing by the Rabbitohs!
See my pics of Farrar at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#146924553
It was a nice sight to see HMAS Townsville steam into port for the last time. It is to be decommissioned, hoisted out of the water and placed on public display next to the Maritime Museum on Palmer St, South Townsville. What a super attraction for years to come!
The catamaran at the centre of a major search off the North Queensland coast was towed into Townsville port overnight and was searched by forensic police officers during the day today. Still no sign of the missing three men from Perth who were sailing their newly purchased yacht from Airlie Beach to Perth counter-clockwise.
See todays pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2737238#145461536
I flew out yesterday to photograph a 'ghost ship', a 9.8m catamaran "Kaz II" that was found drifting 80 nautical miles off the coast, minus its three crew.
Emergency Management Queensland spokesman Jon Hall said rescuers were puzzled. "They got on board and said the engine was running, the computers were running, there was a laptop set up on the table which was running, the radio was working, the GPS was working and there was food and utensils set on the table ready to eat, but no sign of the crew," he said.
I was very lucky to find the yacht as the co-ordinates the pilot and I had were very vague, and could have varied by up to 30 nautical miles. Thankfully I spotted it about 10 miles off the left wing of our 172RG and it made a good set of pictures. The pics ran today in The Courier-Mail, The Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph and The Townsville Bulletin.
See my pics of the yacht at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2737238
Today the NQ Toyota Cowboys announced that front rower Shane Tronc had extended his agreement with the club until the end of season 2009.
The rampaging 25 year old commenced his time at the club at the start of season 2004 and has steadily put his mark on the National Rugby League competition, providing good go forward mixed with quality offloads.
Toyota Cowboys CEO Peter Parr is pleased to have retained the props services, “Shane has been a great contributor to the club over the last few years. There is no doubt that his best football is in front of him and we are delighted that he has extended his contract with us.” Peter Parr said.
With 71 first grade appearances for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys in his career Tronc is now one of the seniors in the playing ranks, representative player of the future and will feature heavily in the further success of the Cowboys.
See my pics relating to this announcement at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#144660223
Luke O'Donnell has just been ruled out for the entire 2007 NRL season after having his hamstring muscle torn from his pelvis on Saturday night. It occurred during this 'wishbone' tackle which I witnessed and photographed first-hand. I saw it happening in a 'pseudo' slow-motion and I knew instantly that it was VERY bad. To be honest I was truly surprised that Tigers forward Bronson Harrison wasn't placed on report at the time. The Cowboys, NSW Blues and Kangaroos teams will miss Luke immensely. This back page of The Courier-Mail (with my 2006 photo of Luke) describes his opinion of the tackle.
See my pics of the aftermath of the tackle at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#142592609
What a finish to a great game in Townsville tonight. An act of rugby league brilliance saw Matt Bowen score under the posts in the 75th minute and then land a field goal with 53 seconds remaining in the match to give the Cowboys a 25-24 comeback win. Sheer brilliance by Bowen, Thurston, Smith and the boys!
See my pics from the game at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#142593426
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