http://www.franchi.com.auMichael Franchi Recently Posted News ItemsENMon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.franchi.com.auadmin@franchi.com.au Michael FranchiMichael FranchiWebsite Baker CMS RSS News Feed2012-Jan-01, 01:25(Michael Franchi 2012-Jan-01, 01:25)     200 CAPTURES that made my 2011 the year that it was. From the day to day local Darwin news, to travelling to rural areas such as the Tiwi Islands and Jabiru, as well as overseas to the Philipinnes and East Timor.   As each day comes, you never know what you may end up shooting or where it may be. The biggest highlight of the year came early when I had the opportunity to travel to the Tiwi Islands to cover the traditional funeral of legendary footballer, Maurice Rioli. It was simply amazing to bear witness to such an amazing day.   The shots are in chronological order starting at the stroke of midnight, January 1st 2011 to the very end of the year. For ease of flicking through the photos, use the left/right keys to flick through them once you have opened one.   Hit read me to check the photos out and please feel free to share this page with your friends. Happy New Year from Michael Franchi!http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/200-captures-that-made-my-2011-54.phpMichael Franchi2011-Oct-10, 18:22(Michael Franchi 2011-Oct-10, 18:22) I've done the odd time lapse here and there, but never really put any major effort into it. After watching an unbelievable time lapse video of Arizona involving HDR, dolly pans and tracks, I was inspired to do more.   Especially with living in the Northern Territory with some of the most magnificent scenery to offer within Australia, I'd be stupid not to.   This time lapse test conducted at Wagait Beach, Northern Territory. I need to practice and perfect it.     http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/time-lapse-test-1-53.phpMichael Franchi2011-Sep-28, 08:35(Michael Franchi 2011-Sep-28, 08:35) I CAN'T remember how or why, but it started one day when an idea popped into my head of a girl suspended mid-air in the bush being abducted by aliens.   After finding the right jungle scrub at the Holmes Jungle Park, the rest was history. On the day, I shot with two strobes powered by a Vagabond Mini and one speedlite. The key light for all shots was a strobe and beauty dish, except for the shot with Emily walking into the light. The other two lights were used as fill and accent lights as needed.   Thanks to Jessica Connors (BTS and stylist), Elise Derwin (assistant), and Emily Bix (model) for making this happen.   [[imgCaption?folder=2011/alienabduction11&filename=20110903franchi_060a.jpg&rel=alienabduction11]][[imgCaption?folder=2011/alienabduction11&filename=20110903franchi_033a.jpg&rel=alienabduction11]][[imgCaption?folder=2011/alienabduction11&filename=20110903franchi_106a.jpg&rel=alienabduction11]]   Behind the Scenes:   http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/shooting-alien-abduction-52.phpMichael Franchi2011-Aug-15, 19:37(Michael Franchi 2011-Aug-15, 19:37) A LITTLE bit of gas and the spark of a fire-fighter, a flame burst into the air with a almighty hiss as the gas burnt.   Armed with a 600w strobe with beauty dish powered by a vagabond mini, and two speedlites it was a race against the sun as it fell closer to the horizon. Keeping light simple, I used the strobe to be the key on Jarred Ilett with the two speedlites to his side and rear for a little rim light.   Ultimately I was hoping that the fire would do most of the rim lighting, but in hind sight I should of gelled the rim lights red or orange to amplify the light given off by the flame. With limited time, we moved around to three spots within the training area, using two seperate training fires.     All in all, a success. Thanks to the fire-fighters for making this possible, Enjoy the photos!   [[imgCaption?folder=2011/ilettFire11&filename=jarred_ilett_1.jpg&rel=ilettFire11]][[imgCaption?folder=2011/ilettFire11&filename=jarred_ilett_2.jpg&rel=ilettFire11]][[imgCaption?folder=2011/ilettFire11&filename=jarred_ilett_3.jpg&rel=ilettFire11]][[imgCaption?folder=2011/ilettFire11&filename=jarred_ilett_4.jpg&rel=ilettFire11]]http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/capturing-jarred-fired-up-51.phpMichael Franchi2011-Jul-30, 21:37(Michael Franchi 2011-Jul-30, 21:37) DARWIN awoke to an unusual morning today, as a thick fog engulfed the city and surrounding areas. In some areas visibility was as little as 50 metres.   As soon as I was out of bed I had dragged Jess into the car and went for a quick drive around the city to capture the fog in a few parts of Darwin.    [[imgCaption?folder=2011/darwinFog11&filename=20110730franchi_005a.jpg&rel=darwinFog11]] [[imgCaption?folder=2011/darwinFog11&filename=20110730franchi_010a.jpg&rel=darwinFog11]] [[imgCaption?folder=2011/darwinFog11&filename=20110730franchi_022a.jpg&rel=darwinFog11]] [[imgCaption?folder=2011/darwinFog11&filename=20110730franchi_030a.jpg&rel=darwinFog11]] [[imgCaption?folder=2011/darwinFog11&filename=20110730franchi_033a.jpg&rel=darwinFog11]]http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/fog-blankets-darwin-city-50.phpMichael Franchi2011-Jul-25, 19:44(Michael Franchi 2011-Jul-25, 19:44) "Discovering the Territory." It sounds like a tourism ad, however not, hopefully an on going title by myself of the wonderous locations found in the Northern Territory.   Here is my first lot of shots from various spots around the Litchfield National Park. The park is located near the town of Batchelor, approxiemately 140km's southwest of Darwin.   [[imgCaption?folder=2011/litchfieldNP11&filename=20110724franchi_003a.jpg&rel=litchfieldNP11]][[imgCaption?folder=2011/litchfieldNP11&filename=20110724franchi_019a.jpg&rel=litchfieldNP11]][[imgCaption?folder=2011/litchfieldNP11&filename=20110724franchi_035a.jpg&rel=litchfieldNP11]][[imgCaption?folder=2011/litchfieldNP11&filename=20110724franchi_037a.jpg&rel=litchfieldNP11]][[imgCaption?folder=2011/litchfieldNP11&filename=20110724franchi_041a.jpg&rel=litchfieldNP11]][[imgCaption?folder=2011/litchfieldNP11&filename=20110724franchi_059a.jpg&rel=litchfieldNP11]]http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/discovering-the-territory---litchfield-national-park-49.phpMichael Franchi2011-Jul-03, 21:02(Michael Franchi 2011-Jul-03, 21:02) WHILE growing up and driving throughout the streets of Adelaide with my dad, often interesting tales were revealed as we drove past certain locations. His memory was jogged of jobs he attended to, he was a police officer. I often find myself doing the same thing as we drive around, but instead I remember photos. As we go by, I proceed to tell my fellow companions my little tale. What it was for, who was in the photo, how it happened, and how I went about taking the photos. Those frozen moments stay in your mind forever and are easily brought to life as you see, touch, feel, smell or taste an element in that you experience and captured. Not only looking at a photo brings those memories to life but anything connected with that image, like simply driving past.http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/photos-do-spark-memories-in-many-ways-48.phpMichael Franchi2011-Jun-17, 12:11(Michael Franchi 2011-Jun-17, 12:11) DURING the early hours of the morning on June 16th, we were treated with a rare eclipse which passes through the center of the earth's shadow, known as a central total lunar eclipse. You will have to wait another seven years for the next one that will occur on July 27, 2018.   As the moon passes through the earth's shadow, it turns a deep blood red due to atmospheric conditions and is further enhanced by travelling closer to the center of the shadow than any other eclipse.   Jess and I braced the chilly 15 degrees Darwin had to offer and shot for several hours at the local Trailer Boat Club. It was bit tricky without a decent tripod head for large lenses but we persevered and some great shots were captured.   We hope you enjoy them!   [[imgCaption?folder=2011/junEclipse11&filename=20110616franchi_001a.jpg&rel=junEclipse11]] [[imgCaption?folder=2011/junEclipse11&filename=20110616franchi_017a.jpg&rel=junEclipse11]] [[imgCaption?folder=2011/junEclipse11&filename=20110616franchi_028a.jpg&rel=junEclipse11]] [[imgCaption?folder=2011/junEclipse11&filename=20110616franchi_050a.jpg&rel=junEclipse11]]http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/total-lunar-eclipse-46.phpMichael Franchi2011-May-03, 22:05(Michael Franchi 2011-May-03, 22:05)  THE DRY season has set in Darwin and already producing some of the most awe inspiring sunsets around the beautiful territory locations ready to be photographed.   Below is tonight's effort by nature at East Point Reserve, and there will no doubt be many more stunning captures to come. Watch this space.      [[imgCaption?folder=2011/epSunset11&filename=20110503franchi_008a.jpg&rel=epSunset11]]  http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/the-dry-season-44.phpMichael Franchi2011-Apr-03, 20:33(Michael Franchi 2011-Apr-03, 20:33) A PHOTOGRAPHERS own worst critic is himself or herself. You will always find something with your photo that you aren't happy with, whether it be; exposure, composition, depth of field, focus, subject, etc.   #5 Tip: You are your biggest critic. If you haven't found something with your photo to improve, keep looking!http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/photo-tip-of-the-week---a-photographers-biggest-critic-5-43.phpMichael Franchi2011-Mar-24, 11:57(Michael Franchi 2011-Mar-24, 11:57) IT'S like any opposing brand debate, Mac vs PC, Ford vs Holden; People also get heated up and bravely defend their preferred brand. But why not accept both for what they are best at?   I've always been a Canon user, It has always fitted in my hands nicely and worked as I have wanted it to. However there have been times when I have been supplied with and used Nikon cameras.   For the past 3 months on a daily basis the Nikon D3S has been the weapon of choice, It's a good camera but don't get me wrong, I still crave for my Canon 1D.   Below I have listed a few of my personal likes about each brand, based on the models I have used; Canon 1D Mk3, 1Ds Mk3 and Nikon D3s.   Canon 1D series likes:   - Multi-directional joystick (Easy to quickly switch focus points.) - Rear Wheel (Fast to scroll through images, menus and aperture.) - Cushioned viewfinder eye piece (Easier to use while wearing glasses, the nikon is wearing away the surface on my glasses.) - Colours (I find the nikon's colours dull and really need to be boosted in post.) - ISO Button (Easily accessible quickly by my trigger finger.) - Native ISO 100 (Nikon cameras natively start at ISO 200.)   Nikon D3s likes:   - High resolution screen and preview images (Can check focus is spot on.) - 3D tracking in continuous focus (Helps maintain focus on what you want during sports.) - High ISO performance (Just that bit better, unsure how it compares to the 1D Mk4 however.) - Crop modes (Can switch between full frame, 1.3x and 1.5x crop. Handy for sports.)   http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/canon-or-nikon-42.phpMichael Franchi2011-Mar-21, 09:16(Michael Franchi 2011-Mar-21, 09:16) KEEPING your camera in a ready to shoot state helps prevent those little mishaps of running off with your camera only to find out you are missing something vital such as a memory card or battery.   It's also a good idea to format your memory card in-camera and charge your batteries regularly, so you can shoot away without worrying about filling up your memory card quickly or running a flat battery down.   #4 Tip: Always ensure you have a memory card and battery installed in your camera and ready to go, especially before running out the door to get that money shot.  http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/photo-tip-of-the-week---scouts-motto-be-prepared-4-41.phpMichael Franchi2011-Mar-16, 21:33(Michael Franchi 2011-Mar-16, 21:33) AT THE end of last year prior to moving to Darwin, I begun shooting a new photo series featuring cosplayers. Unfortunately I was only able to shoot two characters and not able to continue shooting the series before moving interstate; I haven't found any cosplayers in Darwin yet. After all these months I have finally processed the images and here they are, I hope you enjoy them!   [[imgCaption?folder=2011/cosplay11&filename=20101106franchi_001a.jpg&rel=cosplay11]][[imgCaption?folder=2011/cosplay11&filename=20101103franchi_010a.jpg&rel=cosplay11]]  http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/cosplay---becoming-your-favourite-character-40.phpMichael Franchi2011-Mar-14, 08:57(Michael Franchi 2011-Mar-14, 08:57) EVER found yourself looking at a photo wondering where it was? or trawling through thousands of shots trying to find a particular one? Contained within the image file you can store an almost endless amount of information relating to the photograph, such as; technical, descriptive and administrative information. With this data stored in the file, you, or anyone can then read the data with any image application that supports it and find out the much needed information. Modern imagery applications like Apple's Aperture and Adobe Lightroom provide an easy means to applying your metadata and then being able to search the fields to find the images you want. photoMETADATA is a great resource to educate yourself further with tutorials, guides and references they have available online. #3 Tip: Metadata, metadata and more metadata. Not only will it help yourself with remembering the vital information about a shot, but others who may be looking at the image and want to find out more about the image and author. http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/photo-tip-of-the-week---add-metadata-3-39.phpMichael Franchi2011-Mar-07, 11:34(Michael Franchi 2011-Mar-07, 11:34) WE GET caught up in the moment and stop thinking clearly, and everything goes out the window. Slow yourself down.   STOP! (Hammertime) Think about your exposure, is your subject exposed correctly? do you have enough depth of field with your aperture selection?   But wait, what about the composition? Are you going with the classic rule of thirds or going outside the box and trying something else?   #2 Tip: Take your time and think through your shot, Don't rush it or you'll end up with poor exposure, composition or focus.  http://www.franchi.com.au/pages/posts/photo-tip-of-the-week---take-your-time-2-38.phpMichael Franchi