Brisbane Camera Group

Peter O'Brien organised this year’s Easter at Binna Burra (http://www.binnaburralodge.com.au/), an annual event originally hosted by the Peninsula Camera Club, which has been held for some 17 years.

This year a group of 20 gathered, drawn from BCG and other camera clubs, to enjoy the photographic opportunities offered by the lush rainforest surrounds. The particular objective for the weekend was to learn the art of twin flash macro photography and capture images of the diverse fungi scattered alongside the forest tracks.

The fungi was blooming thanks to recent wet weather, but this created special challenges for the photographers. With rain a constant companion, these intrepid souls found themselves lying in mud and battling the leeches in pursuit of that perfect shot. Though muddied and bloodied, the photographers returned triumphant thanks to the tremendous assistance and guidance provided by Peter O’Brien, Peter Edwards and Brad King.

Brad provided a number of twin flash brackets for the group and spent much of his time helping people with their equipment. In the field all three gentlemen ensured everyone was set up with extra flash and torch light to illuminate backgrounds appropriately.

After these hard won photographic victories in the forest, attendees enjoyed returning to the comfort of their 9-bunk rooms, cosy quarters attached to the original home of Arthur Groom, who established Binna Burra Mountain Lodge in 1933.

The large common room was the venue for communal meals – which ranged from cup-a-soup to Peter O'Brien Special BBQ Breakfasts – and the general good fun sure to be found whenever a group of photographers gets together.

By the end of the weekend, everyone had piles of muddy washing to take home, along with fantastic photographs of the Binna Burra fungi.

Congratulations to all the participants!

Special thanks to Diane Francis for reporting on the weekend, and Tussie Toussaint for the photographs.