BIMBO’s day out (Brisbane Ice-in-space Macro Boys Outing)

[Dennis]

Well, what an eye opener that was! Prior to my encounter with the BIMBO’s (Brisbane Ice-in-space Macro Boys Outing), my experience with taking macros was limited to being lucky enough to find the odd stationary dragon fly, comatose on a shrub.

Today, in Roma Street Gardens, just after dawn, I came across this bunch of real pro guys; Troy laid flat out like a military sniper, clothing soaking up the morning dew; Andrew sitting cross legged like a Buddha, focused on a spider; Mike kneeling in the shrubbery with monster rig hanging off a monopod; Stephen with his macro lens some 5 cms from a bee and a friend of Troy’s – Greg, contorting himself around a prickly bush in search of native bees!!:eyepop:

Now, these boys are good, I mean real good! They were chasing critters that I couldn’t even see with my reading glasses on, so I went off looking for larger prey and found this handsome looking Eastern Water Dragon.

Once the BIMBO’s have returned and posted their results, I may work up the confidence to post some of my attempts!:lol:

Cheers

Dennis

[Octane]

Sounds awesome. Wish I could have been there. :)

With no macro gear to speak of, except the long end of the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, it still would have been great to hang out with photographers. :)

Is that a Lizzie replacement? Cracker. :)

Regards,
Humayun

[jjjnettie]

I'm going to HAVE to make it to the next outing for BIMBO's.
I think I'll fit right in.:lol:
My little Canon S3IS takes great macro's.

[matt]

Disappointed I couldn't be there:(

Stupid work.

[dpastern]

I'm disappointed that I couldn't get there because of no stupid public transport :(

Dennis - sometimes you have to get on your tummy on the ground and get dirty to get that shot. You've obviously never seen me in action ;-) I don't really shoot much macro now cos the gardens and local area is very much dead of anything decent to shoot imho, plus I wouldn't be game to walk around the neighbourhood with 8k of gear, not at least without getting mugged lol. When I lived in Hornsby in Sydney, I was pretty well known around the area as the 'bug man'. It was not uncommon to see me walk around the area with my camera and locals knew me and said hello. And it wasn't uncommon to see my on the ground either trying to get that shot.

Sometimes, especially with Butterflies, Dragonflies etc, the only real way to approach them, imho, is on your tummy. And slowly. Think African safari stalking.

Macro takes a lot of practice, and getting to know your prey is a very important thing imho, something that is quite often ignored as people over focus on the technical aspects.

I've met Greg before (excellent macro imager), I've seen Troy's work and I respect him greatly as an excellent macro imager also. Andrew is very good as well. We're lucky to have so many good macro imagers in Brissie imho.

For the next time, could we please make it a Saturday arvo @ Roma st gardens? Later in the arvo, not during the middle of the day (better light, better shooting options). That way I can turn up!

Dave

[troypiggo]

Haha - great title, Dennis. I think it might just catch on. Great to meet you guys in person. Had a really enjoyable morning.

That's a wonderful dragon shot there.

I guess I wasn't the only one laying on the ground to get shots this morning, eh? ;) Busted.

[dpastern]

hehehe busted Dennis!

Dave

[Dennis]

I wuz set up – I simply tripped and was breaking my fall, holding the camera in front of me so as to not land on it – honest!:lol::lol:

Cheers

Dennis

[matt]

The Incomparable Mr S.....horizontal and in action!:lol:

[dpastern]

yeah yeah, sure sure. And that lizzy just happened to wander along at precisely the right time too eh?

:P :P

Dave

[Sharnbrook]

Hi Dennis,

I hope that the graze caused by tripping over this morning is not too painful.

Would Dennis ever tell an untruth, I ask you?? :shrug:

Look at the photographic evidence that I have submitted. Did you ever see such pain in a man's face? And see how close the lens/flash came to smashing into the concrete.

Come on guys, have a bit of sympathy!

[troypiggo]

Come to think of it, I don't think I saw him on his feet all morning...

[Dennis]

LOL! You guys crack me up. I’ve been paparazzi’d! Narelle and I really enjoyed the morning out – thanks for organizing it Troy and it was great to catch up with everyone and see the masters at work!:thumbsup:

Cheers

Dennis

[astro_south]

Ripper shot Dennis - the angle makes it special too :thumbsup:

[DavidU]

It looks like a lot of fun:thumbsup:Would have loved to be there.

[StephenM]

Great shot Dennis! Like Andrew said, the angle gives a different perspective.

Cheers,
Stephen

[ving]

haha! good one guys. sounds like a ripper outing! :D