NickHeaphyPhotography

Decided to take advance of the strong NZ $ and finally upgrade my crusty old Velbon (ex video) tripod to a nice new Manfrotto 055XProB with a flash ball head. I must admit that I am not really much of a tripod user, but having dropped the cash, I now really need to make sure I take it everywhere!

To that end, I wanted a method of carrying the tripod, but I did not really want a bag to get in the way. The goal was to have a shoulder strap that I could use with the tripod collapsed down, but also with a camera mounted and the legs extended.

Visited a local haberdashery shop and picked up some D rings, slides, clips and webbing and proceeded to raid my toolbox for cable ties and electrical tape.

The D rings were attached to the tripod with cable ties and electrical tape (the idea was that the tape would stop it moving round) while the slides and clips formed a strap that would stop the legs opening while I was carrying it. The shoulder strap was donated from an old laptop case.

Overall it works pretty well, might have to rethink the upper attachment as the D ring tends to slide around under the electrical tape when the head is not oriented with the D ring up, but not bad for $8 worth of parts.

Was a cold rainy day when we visited the World Press Photographic exhibition today. I probably should have realized that the depressing day outside would have been reflected by the imagery inside, based on mans disregard for each other and our propensity of enjoying seeing the misery of others.

Don't get me wrong, not all of the images were of war and natural disaster, however there was a significant percentage. The images of course were amazing and very sobering. I can't imagine what possess a photographer to want to go into these places to make images (though if you have not seen it, War Photograper does give some insight)

Well worth the $5 entry fee. On until 7/9/2011 at the Academy of Fine Arts

Have finally added most of the pending Polaroid images to Pieces of You.

I do have a bit of a plan forming in the back of my head for an evolving exhibition of these images, with the plan to have the camera setup in the exhibition space and as people come in, they have their photo taken and the new image added to the wall, so the exhibition will grow over time.

Only problem with this plan is that all my holiday time is booked to go overseas at the end of the year, so it might be something to aim for next year.

I have spent a bit of time today tiding up the website. I hope I have not broken anything.

The major change is that I have removed my photoblog that I started quite a few years ago. I have been trying to concentrate more on series of images rather than individual images, so the photoblog has been a bit neglected of late. In the end I decided that I would kill it completely, and any individual images that I liked I would put up on Flickr

As some will already know, I have recently moved to Wellington from Christchurch. It was pretty sad to leave the broken city (we moved for work, rather than to get away from Earthquakes) and the guys who I used to shoot with - in an effort to get to know the city better I have been wandering with the camera.

I have also put up a new series on car parking in Wellington. Wellington is a pretty crazy place for parking (compared to what I am used to in Christchurch anyway) and I have become more conscious of this since my work office moved into the central city and I now don't have the luxury of a permanent car park. Probably good for me as I am working the 30min to the office in the morning - though listening to the rain outside, I can't say I am looking forward to the walk tomorrow.