Rob Brooks Photography » Architecture

Sigma 10-20mm First Shots

Rob — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:41:34 +0000

These shots were taken at lunch today, around Hobart’s waterfront.
Obviously not the best lighting at midday, but i wanted to see how the wide angle coped with some upward shots with overhead sun.
I must say, I can see this lens getting a lot of use. I love it’s width, and it doesn’t seem to suffer from any “softness” that is reported with some Sigma lenses. (Only out of correct focus, which was my fault for usinf a larger than intended aperture setting)

All in all I’m very happy with how the images turned out. Very minor post processing was carried out (using Picasa. grrrr!…) and the images here were jpegs to begin with (some dopey person forgot to switch back to RAW after taking happy snaps!..).

The only thing i can pick is some slight colouration in the shadows of the second image, but the sun was directly behind the top of the building.
I have been warned by other users of the 10-20mm lens that this can be expected when pushintg the lens into the sun such as I have done (on purpose to see the extend of the “flare”/ colouration??). None of the same colouration was seen in any of the other images that I shot.

So for the intended purpose of this lens, it’s overall cost and my skill level, i’m happy with my purchase and look forward to using it much more in the future.
It’s sturdily built and feels nice and rugged in the hand, AF operation is fast and silent and the manual AF override works well.
Highly reccommended for those who’d love the Canon EF-S 10-22mm, but can’t justify $1K+.

Falling Apart

Rob — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:44:28 +0000

While on a lunchbreak at work i thought i’d take a leisurely walk around the local area with the camera and see if i could spot anything interesting worth shooting. I’m trying to expand my skills and process into architecture and after being inspired by some of Alex Wise’s, Balck and Whites (free plug!! you can find his blog on the sidebar over there >>>)

I saw some relatively interesting stuff, but the older buildings usually have a lot more character, and lend themselves to black and white a little more, due to the natural contrasts produced by their varying colours and textures. None moreso than Hobarts, Holy Trinity Church, which has recently fallen into disrepair with the sandstone begining to deteriorate, and evensome of the small spires falling to the ground below.

Shot with Canon 400D, EF28-135mm

Shot with Canon 400D, Ef28-135mm

Feel free to leave a comment or any advice you may have

Night Shoots

Rob — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:21:36 +0000

Every now and then I have some free time after the sun has gone down, simply to wander around and see what looks good under moonlight or streetlights.

Tonight I was on my way to a mates place and saw the Tasman bridge against a wonderful dark-blue sky.

There was another person who arrived a minute after i’d setup the tripod and taken a couple of shots, who decided to try and take some photo’s of the same scene with a point and shoot and with the flash on.

I wonder how his turned out??

Shot with Canon 400D, Canon EF28-135mm at 28mm, 13 second exposure

My Hometown

Rob — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:57:03 +0000

I was born in Hobart and have lived here all my life,

so it seems fitting that i should share some of my photography from the local area.

I hope you enjoy viewing them.

Hobarts Bowen Bridge and it's reflections across the Derwent River at sunset. Shot with Canon 400D, Canon EF 28-135mm.

Another angle of the bridge from the same day, looking south towards Hobart City.

Hobarts Bowen Bridge, reflecting the orange sunset glow. Driving home from work I was presented with the great colours and reflections, and as always, the camera was “riding shotgun”. Shot with Canon 400D, Canon EF 28-135mm

Sunset on the way home from work one evening, shot looking North West of Hobart from Bowen Cove, site of the first landing by white settlers into Hobart in 1801.

Shot with Canon 400D, Canon EF 28-135mm

A shot steam being ejected from the “Zinc Works” zinc smelter on the banks of the River Derwent.

Shot with Canon PowerShot S3-IS, 30 Sec exposure, tripod, remote release

Thought i might add another one that I shot today before heading off to work.

Mt Wellington, capped in snow, as seen from Geilston Bay foreshore.

Shot with Canon 400D, EF28-135mm, tripod