Blog on Photoblogs

I think that Rob’s photoblog neverhappen.com sums up what a photoblog is all about - it’s about dedication to your love of photography - it’s about growing as an artist through your photoblogs, and it’s about perfecting the art of photography (in and outside of camera) by committing yourself to an on-going project.

BOPB: Could you tell us a little about how you first discovered photography, and at what point did it become more serious?
Rob: Actually it was my bother interested in photography and not me. Back at school he had an SLR and used to develop film, this never even remotely interested me.

I did not become interested in photography until around 5 years ago, picking up a Canon EOS 300D.

Thinking back I am not exactly sure what made me decide to purchase that camera and other than the cost of gear, I am glad I have. The world around me is documented and it is fantastic to look back at people, places and events that otherwise would simply be memories.

It is nice to see my photography improve too. Some of the early images make me cringe.

BOPB: What was your very first camera and what are you currently using?
Rob: It was not until the advent of digital I even picked up a point and shoot. In a trip to Hong Kong around 10 years ago I purchased a FujiFilm MX-700. It was a staggering 1,0 megapixel. This camera lasted until finally giving up in 2003.

In August 2005 I purchased my first SLR being a Canon EOS 300D. At the time I was so scared to change any settings on the camera leaving it permanently in green mode shooting jpg. Even the occasional switch to aperture priority meant immediately switching back to whatever the “factory setting” might have been f5.6 or whatever.

Currently I am shooting with a Canon EOS 5D which was purchased in 2006.

BOPB: What’s the one piece of equipment currently in your bag, that you just couldn’t live without?
Rob: Other than the camera of course, and let me stretch in the bag a little, it’s my tripod. A tripod is essential for night images, macros and generally improving images.

BOPB: What platform does your photoblog currently run on and why did you decide to use it over something else?
Rob: The neverhappen.com site runs on PixelPost.

PixelPost just seemed the easiest out of the box platform. From start to finish it required little effort and it now hums along in the background. Little maintenance is needed and there is a good community to provide support if ever required.

The fact that PixelPost is open source also appeals.

(BOPB: My blog also runs on Pixelpost, and I chose it for many of the same reasons that Rob did..although sometimes I feel myself longing for WP, Pixelpost is an awesome purpose-built photoblog platform!)

BOPB: If you were able to give one single piece of advice to a photographer who is currently considering starting their own photoblog, what would it be?
Rob: Start. Stop thinking about it and start. Do not underestimate the addictive nature of the exercise though. I have many more than once said “I have nothing to post for tomorrow” and then head out with the camera.

Having a photoblog certainly contributed to my photography improving as it forced me to shoot.

Incidentally I have not missed a day posting in now over 1200 days.

(BOPB: Short and to the point.  This is some excellent advice - just do it!  Congratulations on 1200 days!  That’s quite an accomplishment!)

BOPB: You mention on your blog that landscape photography is probably your most favourite type of photography. Why is that? What drew you into landscape photography in the first place?
Rob: Living in Australia and in particular southern Queensland the great outdoors is really part of our lifestyle. Weekends are spent outdoors and so it’s probably just natural.

Within an hour of home there are beaches, mountains and rainforest so accessibility to landscape scenes is never an issue.

Landscapes too do not complain if I want to wait for light, recompose the shot, come back later to improve on an image.

In addition I have travelled extensively with work so I wanted to record some of the trips.

Recently I have been shooting more portraits. Part of that documenting life theme too I suppose. More recently I shot a wedding, while extremely stressful I had a great assistant which ensured I got all the “must have” shots. It was great fun and maybe something I would like persure some more.

Photography though is a sideline and I want it to remain a component of my relaxation and fun.

BOPB: What has been the most effective method that you have found to attract new visitors to your photoblog?
Rob: Entering memes and probably visiting other photobloggers sites.

Unfortunately that is someting I rarely have time for anymore.

Comments on my site have definitely assisted in improving my photography. Some people out there are quite generous in their critique and suggestions. Of course I would love to drive more traffic to the site. I have ideas of writing a “what I have learned” section of the site. Drafting is currently underway.

BOPB: Do you use any analytics software to track visitors to your site? If so, what package are you currently using?
Rob: Have tried a few including Google Analytics, Site Meter, etc but I do not get too caught up on the statistics. Of cause I am interested in people visiting, and want to see trend lines travel northward but it’s not an obsession.

PixelPost also provides some rudimentary information including Referrers which is actually sometimes quite surprising.

Cpanel is exclusively used now.

BOPB: In your opinion just how important is it for photographers to have photoblogs nowadays?
Rob: Photoblogs are being used in all kinds of different ways.

Some pro photographers are using their photblogs are a section of out-takes, others to display their non commercial work.

Given that photographer sites are often static and at times quite a bore, the dynamic nature of phtoblog gets people visiting, and that is what it’s all about.

BOPB: How has digital photography changed the way you look at photography, where do you see it heading in the future?
Rob: Have never really lived in photography other than digital so I cannot really comment here.

Recently I did though purchase a Canon film camera with a view to shooting star trails. Digital sensors just get too hot and subsequently resulting in unwanted noise.

BOPB: Would you mind telling us about one or two other photographers who’s photoblogs you enjoying visiting and why?
Rob: The most popular are not the most popular for no reason. Although there are some strange exceptions to the rule…

Most days I stop by to see the work of Sam at ddoi.ca and Miles from mute.rigent.com

There are others of cause, but for anyone wanting to get a look in on long standing, high quality sites, visit these two.

Sam as he often pulls the proverbial rabbit out of a hat with the likes of stitched video, or a new technique and Miles as there are really just some very unique images.

(BOPB: I was fortunate enough to get Miles to answer some questions earlier on, check out my profile of Miles Storey)

BOPB: Finally, what are your long-term goals with regards to your photoblog?
Rob: A photo daily. From Australia, New Zealand and sometimes elsewhere.

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