18th February...moody....

This morning Matt and I went for a pre-work coffee on Blues Point Road in North Sydney.. t'was lovely!  This was just a quick couple of shots taken on the way to work, nothing like some oppressive cloud cover to start a Friday!

Going to the St George Open Air Cinema at Lady Macquaries Chair tonight to see Paul, so look out for the flip side shots next week!

Feburary 3rd...silver lining

This morning was supposed to be my guilt-free lay in after yoga last night, but as Matt was getting ready for boot camp I just had a feeling that there was something worth getting up for....boy was I right!

This is in no way meant to be a flippant or disrespectful about the current situation in QLD, but Cyclone Yasi can't be all bad if he/she sends clouds my way that produce colours like this.

Awesomeness.

To be completely honest I may have gone a little nuts with the taking of the photographs this morning, and then couldn't decide which ones I like best, so there are plenty more...here. I am aware that this is overkill and probably detracts from the overall effect (affect?! someone help...) but in the 4 months I've been doing this, I haven't had many mornings like this. So sue me. Actually, don't.

Here's a couple more random shots from this morning, just to add a social nature to the post.

Unimpressed.

This is a couple of the Boot Camp brigade, some of you may recognise the one in blue. Points will be awarded for suggestions on what the Asian lady is thinking. She doesn't do boot camp.  

Bobby's on the beat. Kinda.

  

Enjoying a morning swim?



More lost and found



Mirror

Stroll





Curl Curl...Curly Run Swim Chat Shoot

Rock Pool Headland Cloud

I’ve very pleased with myself for making the trek down to Curly on Friday to explore the strange new land of South Curl Curl beach at dawn. Actually, it’s neither strange nor new as the trek is about 3 kilometres and my winter runs take me past at dawn frequently. Anyway, major brownie points go to…absolutely no one, you’re all very lazy and none of you came to see me. (Half a brownie point goes to Heidi for almost coming down, well done…kind of.)

Ken's Bike

The most exciting thing about this shoot on Friday morning was using the new camera. Abusive cries of “Geek!” go unheard fellow blogites. This piece of equipment is the coolest thing I have ever owned, so I stand proudly and declare, “I love The D7000”.

How hot was this weekend?! I got to enjoy some of it, but I seemed to spend a lot of time doing stupid things like learning to do a backward bend until my foot touches my the back of my head. Why you ask… just because. In case you were wondering, I can do that now.

Fools Gold

I also had another photo shoot on Saturday, this time for the new yoga instructors and therapists at the Bikram Studio at Brookvale. I think I got some pretty good results, and with the help of Paul, the Studio manager there, we did a pretty good job of getting the ‘real essence’ out of everyone. There are a couple that I’m really please with, being Burnie’s and Phee’s, which I will post in a few days when I’ve edited them.

Boxing Tony

The best part of this getting up at dawn thing is the random people you meet. Tony was stood by the pool practicing his boxing skills, don’t get in his way, he floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee! I also met a friend of his, Ken…to be honest, I think he was drunk. He was Irish, so he probably was.

Lost

This morning I did Boot Camp with Matt and a few other early morning reprobates and there was a small Asian lady on the boardwalk near us who was feeding the sea gulls bread. Every time we would run past the birds would flap about a bit in a temporary panic as birds do and the woman would shout at us “Horrible Lady! There are people trying to eat here!” and other slightly psychotic, warped things of that nature.

Swoop

Now I don’t mean to be judgemental or cinical at 6.30 in the morning, but come on!! One; they are sea gulls. Two; feeding them bread is socially irresponsible and bad for their health. Three; they are sea gulls. Four; I think she should seek professional help. I should clear my conscience by admitting that we may have provoked the situation slightly by purposely running through the birds and shouting as we innocently jogged past. I’m on the express train to hell, first class.

Just for the record, no, the bird isn't fake.

January 21st...homage to an M&M



Dee Why Pools 6.05am

I don't know why I'm paying homage to an M&M...

Apologies for the lack of communication last week; an old family friend passed away and I didn’t want to bum you all out to! In a strange twist of universal fate or irony, on the same day I found out about Mark, I got photography booking for a Christening, which I did on Sunday.

Rosemarie and Andre had their three children Sofia, Matteo and Luca christened at St Mary’s Church in Concord yesterday, followed by lunch at Frattini’s in Leichhardt. Firstly, thank you to Heidi for the recommendation and secondly, eat at Frattini’s on Marion Street. It’s a proper family owned and run Italian restaurant (mama in the kitchen, papa and sons waiting and everything else) with fantastic food and a lot of it, at great prices.

Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever been offered more food in my life, I felt really rude having to turn down the enormous plate of fresh prawns after the bruschetta, the spinach and ricotta dumplings in gorgonzola sauce and then the king prawns in a cream and peppercorn sauce served with steamed vegetables and bread. I’m just glad we didn’t stick around for cake. Well, maybe just a sliver….it looked like good cake.

Warming up for a swim. 

This dude was very chatty for so early in the morning. If memory serves me correctly, I think he said something about being paid for having his photograph taken....I'll write him a cheque. 



Rushing

Most importantly, the pictures have come out really well, mostly thanks to the latest edition to the family, my new Nikon D7000. I mention this mainly because those of you who will be spending any time with me will now be subjected to meeting ‘The 7000’ and may be required to feign interest to entertain the geek in me.
 

Stretch and Twist



So with a new camera in my bag and a yoga teacher training course to get stuck into, my year is shaping up pretty good so far…Start Shameless Plug: Have you got any friends or camily getting married this year? Why not recommend ImagesbySophie? End Shameless Plug.



Couples Swim. No Heavy Petting.

Is it an English thing with the signs at swimming pools that say 'No Heavy Petting' Can someone please explain what that actually means. Maybe not as a comment if its a bit rude, answers on a postcard please. Apologies if you have no idea what I'm talking about.

My back is a bit buggered at the moment so I can’t run in the mornings for a week or so, which means I’ll be getting out and about to some new beaches. Here’s a challenge, I’ll let you know where I’ll be and when on Facebook, so why not come on down to say hello!? 


Dee Why Panorama

Let’s see who turns up…
 

November 23rd...blue and gold

5.50am watching the sunrise is a very tempting distraction when trying to exercise.

5.40am. Air rats at dawn.

5.40am another B.E.A.utiful day on the Northern Beaches guys.

November 22nd...ghosts at dawn

I think we might finally be seeing the beginnings of summer... but shhh, don't tell anyone I told you, you might frighten it away! Another early start for sunrise with a definite improvement on last week, actually being able to see the sun.

Early morning swim in a liquid rainbow...These guys swim every morning, all year round, irrespective of the weather. Mental.

On second thoughts, what's worse; getting up at 5.30am go to for a refreshing swim to start your day, or getting up at 5.30 to take photos of old boys in budgie smugglers?? Answers on a postcard please.

fingers of god

Its never to early to be social... apparently.





Ghost swimming

 

bush babies and blue ring octopus

Today's title is inspired by a request from Sean in the UK. Sorry I couldn't actually photograph either of these two things, but thanks for getting involved. Keep the requests coming!

  

So this morning I got up at 5.20am to photograph the sunrise over Dee Why beach. It wasn't there. Met with a very dull, overcast sky with mean looking clouds that were taunting me with the threat of impending rain I had to get a little creative.

Very empty out there this morning, nothing special on the wave front and so only one hopeful out there trying to catch whatever be possibly could.

Bleak

By a little after 6am I was cold and went back to bed. My bedroom smells of stale booze, thanks for that.

 

It rained on the way to work. When will it be summer?



Just because I felt like we all needed a bit of colour, this is a proper sunrise taken a little while ago.

my favourite time of day...

Dee Why Sunrise. Out of the darkness, and into the light....