[D1N0]

Everything petered out in December, but now there is a new year with new goals that will take less time meaning more time for photography. So I am in.

[graeme83]

I am in for the new year too.

[Tsuken]

Cheers all!

Over the last few years, I noticed that I've gotten "lazier" and lazier with the use of "camera" built into the smartphone. Less demanding, there at any time, effortless... And with that, I also noted that I slowly drifted away from photography in general because of that... Changing it this year, I miss the camera and lenses, the feel, the touch and the shallow DOF that I love. Challenge from me to me this year, get re-acquainted with the camera gear.

Happy New Year all!

Regards,
D

Smartphone cameras can do that, alright. I’ve similarly found it so great getting myself back into a dslr, and with it, more-deeply back into photography.

And happy new year to you. 8)

[Duh_Vinci]

welcome back!

Thanks!

Smartphone cameras can do that, alright. I’ve similarly found it so great getting myself back into a dslr, and with it, more-deeply back into photography. ...

Indeed, my thoughts exactly. Snap and go, no much thought process, not much effort... Smartphone indeed have their place: great for quick captures on the go, like documentation of transmission rebuild for example.

At the same time, while looking through some of the first DSLR photos, 2006, with good ole K10D and a single lens I've had at that time - great memories, enjoyed every day using it for quite some time! What I also realized, that less lenses I've had, the more photos I took and more successful I was and delivering something to my own satisfaction.

With that in mind, as an additional challenge from me to me, this month is a Single camera with a single lens. It's time for me go back to basics!

Regards,
D

[OzzRod]

Sorry friends but I'm withdrawing for a few days until the bushfire situation is resolved. I'm safely home in Newcastle but my holiday cottage on the South Coast has been left in the hands of the gods. I have many friends who live in the area permanently and they have had to abandon homes they raised their families in. There is no power, no mains water, and no phone service; everyone has been ordered out, with a common expectation that fires will go through tomorrow. It's all very fraught and we're all feeling rather helpless. Thank you for the concern and good wishes that many have already posted.

[Minimonster]

Sorry friends but I'm withdrawing for a few days until the bushfire situation is resolved. I'm safely home in Newcastle but my holiday cottage on the South Coast has been left in the hands of the gods. I have many friends who live in the area permanently and they have had to abandon homes they raised their families in. There is no power, no mains water, and no phone service; everyone has been ordered out, with a common expectation that fires will go through tomorrow. It's all very fraught and we're all feeling rather helpless. Thank you for the concern and good wishes that many have already posted.

Clearly there are things in life more important than taking pictures. I hope everything works out for the best. My thoughts are with you.

[cg57]

Sorry friends but I'm withdrawing for a few days until the bushfire situation is resolved. I'm safely home in Newcastle but my holiday cottage on the South Coast has been left in the hands of the gods. I have many friends who live in the area permanently and they have had to abandon homes they raised their families in. There is no power, no mains water, and no phone service; everyone has been ordered out, with a common expectation that fires will go through tomorrow. It's all very fraught and we're all feeling rather helpless. Thank you for the concern and good wishes that many have already posted.

Lifting it up in prayer. Stay safe.

[Grippy]

Sorry friends but I'm withdrawing for a few days until the bushfire situation is resolved. I'm safely home in Newcastle but my holiday cottage on the South Coast has been left in the hands of the gods. I have many friends who live in the area permanently and they have had to abandon homes they raised their families in. There is no power, no mains water, and no phone service; everyone has been ordered out, with a common expectation that fires will go through tomorrow. It's all very fraught and we're all feeling rather helpless. Thank you for the concern and good wishes that many have already posted.

Best of luck mate,

[graeme83]

Don't worry about us, do what you need to do and stay safe. I have just been watching yet more news coverage on this and it really is devastating. A scary situation to be involved in for sure, I really do appreciate you letting us know how your getting on.

[Tsuken]

Sorry friends but I'm withdrawing for a few days until the bushfire situation is resolved. I'm safely home in Newcastle but my holiday cottage on the South Coast has been left in the hands of the gods. I have many friends who live in the area permanently and they have had to abandon homes they raised their families in. There is no power, no mains water, and no phone service; everyone has been ordered out, with a common expectation that fires will go through tomorrow. It's all very fraught and we're all feeling rather helpless. Thank you for the concern and good wishes that many have already posted.

I’m surprised you’ve had the headspace to post what you have. Do what’s important, Rod. Keep safe.

[robgski]

I'm safely home in Newcastle but my holiday cottage on the South Coast has been left in the hands of the gods.

Glad to hear you are safe, sorry to hear about places and people that are not.

[wstruth]

Sorry friends but I'm withdrawing for a few days until the bushfire situation is resolved. I'm safely home in Newcastle but my holiday cottage on the South Coast has been left in the hands of the gods. I have many friends who live in the area permanently and they have had to abandon homes they raised their families in. There is no power, no mains water, and no phone service; everyone has been ordered out, with a common expectation that fires will go through tomorrow. It's all very fraught and we're all feeling rather helpless. Thank you for the concern and good wishes that many have already posted.

Glad you are safe. We have been hearing more about the unfolding disaster there, and our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

[VILLAINofOZ]

Since bushfire season began in August 2019 in Australia, nearly 6 million hectares of land has been destroyed.
Blazes sparked by hot, dry weather and assisted by strong winds have torn through nearly every state in the country.
The death toll is currently at 19 people and dozens are still missing.
It is estimated 500 million animals have died in the fires. This includes many species native to Australia such as koalas and kangaroos, and there are fears entire species have been wiped out.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from cities and towns in New South Wales and Victoria ahead of worsening conditions this weekend.
Australia is just one month in to summer.
The season ahead is expected to bring more devastation.

It is a very sad state of affairs and I feel for those affected.
Some of the smoke has even hit parts of New Zealand.
The smoke blew into my home town today and the smell of smoke alone is a strong reminder of the events now happening in Australia.

I just hope the fires are able to controlled soon.

[repaap]

Stay safe you guys at Oz! Fire is frightening thing especially at the magnitude what you are having at there. We hope for it to stop, and hour and animals safety.

[Grippy]

Since bushfire season began in August 2019 in Australia, nearly 6 million hectares of land has been destroyed.
Blazes sparked by hot, dry weather and assisted by strong winds have torn through nearly every state in the country.
The death toll is currently at 19 people and dozens are still missing.
It is estimated 500 million animals have died in the fires. This includes many species native to Australia such as koalas and kangaroos, and there are fears entire species have been wiped out.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from cities and towns in New South Wales and Victoria ahead of worsening conditions this weekend.
Australia is just one month in to summer.
The season ahead is expected to bring more devastation.

It is a very sad state of affairs and I feel for those affected.
Some of the smoke has even hit parts of New Zealand.
The smoke blew into my home town today and the smell of smoke alone is a strong reminder of the events now happening in Australia.

I just hope the fires are able to controlled soon.

It's a crazy amount hey, I read yesterday it was closer to 12 million hectares across Australia, approaching 4 in just NSW.
This fire season has been nuts, we had more kick off last night just up the road with the heat and wind. We have had a constant smell and haze of smoke here, but nothing like you guys on the East coast, that is absolutely nuts!
One of the recent weather models shows the tropical low off the north west coast of WA turning into a cyclone and heading South East across the country creating massive rain bands across SA, Vic and NSW, let's hope that happens.