50mm

I’ve kept this exhibition pretty close to my chest thus far. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out. It’s a very large group art selling festival (for want of a better description) which I’ve somehow managed to get myself involved in.
Despite it having a very department store like feel I have to say I’m enjoying the experience. The range of people that travel past the exhibits every day is staggering.
The other thing that has completely knocked my socks off is the price of some of the work on display. The most expensive piece I found was over $500,000US so there is quite a price range to be had.
I have been lucky enough to be included as one of only 2 photographers to be exhibiting and Mitsukoshi is, for the first time, including photography in their art exhibition (so I guess I should be feeling privileged).

If you have any interest the event is on till the 18th located on the 7th floor of the main Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi store (Mitsukoshimae station on the Ginza line).

Shot at about 5:55am on the 1st Jan 2010 in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Managed to wake up at 4 and leave at 4:20am. Never actually saw the sun but was lucky enough to get a bit of colour in the clouds before everything went a flat bright colour.
My next trip back there will be with a view to achieve something very different.

Edit: July 3 2010.

Click the picture for a bigger version.

For all of you searching for the location click here for the map

Tips: If you go early enough in the morning, ignore the no entry sign and drive right down to the hole. Otherwise it’s a real hike. Especially if you are trying to catch the sun. You should be in and out before anyone can catch you.
Go during a week day early. The locals like to turn up super early and swim or actually make it the last point of call after a night out. You won’t get any pictures then.
Be careful. The whole place is really slippery so take your time walking around.
The boats on the horizon you can’t do anything about. It’s a pain but if you don’t want them in your shot you’re going to have to pick your angles carefully.
If you want your picture to have any depth to it like the one above you should use film. Even if you have a pro DSLR (I own a canon 1d mark 3) you won’t get the depth and colour. And anyone who says “HDR” as a solution should be shot.
If you think you’ve taken a winner picture post a link to your shot in the comments. I’d love to take a look.
Someone should do a great B+W long exposure. But I bet I end up doing this before anyone else (no one likes B+W any more).

Words of advice from the inexperienced. Wash your negatives thoroughly and DON’T change the type of film you shoot unless you have experience with the new film you plan to use.
I’m a bit disappointed that I traveled thousands of kilometers to meet up with the family (which is hard considering everyone lives in a different state) and manage to destroy all my black and white film in an afternoon.
I shall, from this point, revert to my tried and trusted film stock and developers. Not that there is anything wrong with what I’ve just ruined. Just that I don’t want to have to spend more money learning the in’s and out’s of another stock when the current one already serves me well.

It’s nice to know some things take a long time to change.
Posting this while waiting for my film to be developed.
Picture from a small part of the biggest island in the world.