Just a quick update – Apple have released Aperture 3.0.1. The release notes can be found here.
Just looking through the release notes, it would seem that Apple have addressed the majority of issues I was experiencing with Aperture, in particular the Library import, and the memory leaks and crashing.
The update is now available in software update and is 32MB
Tags: Aperture 3, Patches, Workflow
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I mentioned that I had my camera sensor cleaned. So what did it look like before? The dust didn’t particularly manifest itself until I started shooting above f8.0. Here is part of an image shot a f22, and the dust is all too apparent. My options were to shoot at lower apertures, retouch the photos in post, or get the sensor cleaned and make the problem go away. After attempting to clean the sensor myself, I send it down to Walch’s, where for the princely sum for $50, I had it professionally cleaned.

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Tags: Cleaning, Sensor Dust
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My camera has just had it’s sensor cleaned. I was eager to get out and start taking photos again and so last night went to the rocks around Wentworth Street, where a rocky headland separates Bellerive Beach from Howrah Beach. The clouds had closed in and it had become rather overcast which did not fit with my plans for golden sunsets and glowing rocks. However the wind was still making the harbour choppy which brought about some reasonable waterscapes. which feel dark and moody.
Image Details
Taken: February 19, 2010, 6:25 pm.
Focal Length: 10mm
Shutter: 0.8 Seconds
Aperture: ƒ/22
Tags: Bellerive, Howrah, Waterscape
Posted in Citys & Towns, EXIF | No Comments »

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If you decide to just keep following the road after going past Huonville, you will go through several small townships such as Franklin, Geeveston, Dover and Esperence. If you keep going past here, the landscape gives way to forest and the road turns to gravel. you go around a few bends before arriving at Cockle Creek. Drive a little further along and the road turns into a car park and ends. You have reached the most southern drivable point in Australia.
About 10 minutes before reaching cockle creek is Researche Bay. In 1792 French expeditioner Bruni d’Entrecasteaux explored the area and named much of the surrounding area. In the 1840s the area was known for it’s whaling station. These days it is an isolating haven for shack dwellers and a few residents.
My plan had been to spend a few hours taking photos at Cockle Creek. The weather had other ideas. From the moment I arrived to the moment I left heavy drizzle made it impossible to get out of the car without getting too wet, let alone spend hours taking photos.
Retreating from the conditions, I was able to spend time at Researche Bay taking photos, but with ordinary light conditions there were very few acceptable images that came out for me.
I will go back there, though being a 6 hour return drive, it probably will not be soon.
Image Details
Taken: January 26, 2010, 1:25 pm.
Focal Length: 11mm
Shutter: 1/80
Aperture: ƒ/11
Tags: Cockle Creek, Grad ND Filters, Researche Bay
Posted in EXIF, Waterscape | 2 Comments »
When Aperture 3 was announced yesterday, I didn’t need convincing to buy it, having been using version 2 of the application for some time. Apple has a detailed list of new features on it’s website, but I do not intend going through those right now. Instead, I will go through the good and bad things I have discovered throughout my initial use.
Read on to continue.

Tags: Aperture 3, Photo Adjustment, Workflow
Posted in Tools of the Trade | 7 Comments »

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I can’t wait to try my first passionfruits from my vine, once they mature. Shouldn’t be long now. But the passionfruit it not only great to eat, but great to photograph as well, mainly due to their magnificent flowers. Inspired by one of the photos I saw at the HPS Exhibition, I acquired some step-up rings to allow me to fit the 58mm close-up filters to my 52mm dia, 50mm F1.8 lens. That a bee happened across the flower at the time was just a bonus. I am pretty happy with this picture.
Image Details
Taken: February 9, 2010, 4:43 pm.
Focal Length: 50mm
Shutter: 1/160
Aperture: ƒ/5.6
Tags: 50mm, Garden, Macro, Passionfruit
Posted in Citys & Towns, EXIF | No Comments »