As promised, a few snaps from the trip.
Hiked out to Craig's Hut here in Vic with fellow photographers, the Burrage Brothers. We originally hoped for snow to make for a rather unique capture of one of the High Country's most pominant cattleman's huts with a Fotoman 617 panoramic camera. Although not a true cattleman's hut (it was made for the movie 'The Man From Snowy River', its location and aesthetic make if one of the most iconic huts in the Australian Alps.
The hut can be accessed in summer by 4WD but winter provides something not frequently attempted with larger format cameras (Photographer Mark Grey once got a cracker of the hut in snow but he was flow in by helipoter...cheat
)
We had two sunrises/moonsets/sunsets to play with as well as pleanty of time for videoing (something new to me) - unfortunately we may only have executed one due to some foul weather thrown at us and even then, may be a little iffy. On the return trip, weather offered a tiny window of opportunity to capture the lone Snowgum atop Mt Stirling (below) that features in the resort's logo. I think my hands almost froze up there!
The trip was also used as a bit of a test to see whether one could actually carry such an array of photography equipment into a remote location in addition to winter clothing and hiking gear. I'd call myself a 'seasoned' bush walker but I've never lugged much photography shit in my life!
In addition to the panoramic camera, between us we lugged:
- 3 tripods - Manfrottos 190XPROB with 128 video head, 190XPROB with 410 Geared Head and a 055XPROB with 405 Geared Head
- 3 DSLRS - Nikon D90, D300s and D3
- Shotgun Mic (a tidy little unit sourced from Jaycar)
- Full compliment of X-Pro and P-Series Cokin filters
- Film
- Fark Off Mountaineering tent (sourced through work)
Special mention to the humble D300s that kept on videoing despite sub zero temperatures, rain and snow. Couldn't ask for much more out of a camera!
Though the planned shots on the pano were not captured, still managed a bit of video and digital stills and a number of interval time laps sequences - thought I might share a few.
-Angus