Light the way

Well, its time to bring out the rainforest pictures...

 

When the logging industry was present on Fraser Island, Central Station was once its heart.

 

Long since abandoned, the area is now a pristine tropical rainforest on the largest sand island in the world. The site was originally chosen partly because of the freshwater creek that runs through the forest, and the creek still runs there crystal clear today.

 

I've noticed that shots of central station's rainforests have not generally been technically fantastic, and didn't quite appreciate this fact until turning up there and using some of the automatic settings and metering on my camera.

 

"There's how little light? That can't be right, my camera must be broken...."

 

But no, it's right.

 

Although your eyes adjust, its actually extremely dark down under the canopy. This means there's a tendancy for highlights to blow out, or shadows turn out pitch black. There's just too much dynamic range for a camera to capture.

 

And if you want to do anything hand held, its either high iso or wide aperture.

 

Lucky enough, I'm in relatively good shape. I had a spare day after my first trip here, and returned in the 4wd, this time loaded down with accessories.

 

With a massive tripod on my back, camera lenses in the bag, it was time to test patience, technical skill, and overall fitness...

 

And how well that insect repellant really worked...

Done