8. August 2012 10:12 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Love the new camera 8. August 2012 10:12 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetlove the new cameraShareI love the new camera...it performed abosolutely amazing on the weekend when I did a photoshoot with the family. The 36 Megapixels mean that every detail such as pores in the skin, hairs etc. is visible and sharp.This photo below shows one of the photos of Chong and Emma zoomed in at 100 percent..the small photo on the left shows the original photo.
8. August 2012 08:37 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Emma 8. August 2012 08:37 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments TweetemmaShareA couple of months ago Chong and KC had a new addition to their family.Last week they asked me if I'd take some photos for them. It was a good chance for me to have a play with the new camera as well as some light setups.Emma was very good and only had one 'accident'.It was also a good practice session for when our next addition arrives in a couple of months.I love the new camera, the details are absolutely amazing in the studio and the autofocus is accurate now after I had it fixed by Nikon.
31. July 2012 10:06 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Satellite Tracking Facility 31. July 2012 10:06 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetsatellite tracking facility at belroseShareYesterday I went to a work conference where at the end of the day they offered us to do some site visits.I was fortunate enough to visit the satellite tracking facility in the Northern part of Sydney. The company I work for owns a number of satellites (at a cost of around $400 million each) and they will be launching their 10th satellite later this year...the 'O10'.This photo is from the control room where they look after all the locations, transponders and media broadcasts from the satellites. It was interesting to be able to see the raw/unedited broadcasts from areas such as the London Olympics, the conflict in Syria etc.The actual electronics was equally impressive.I even found the box that currently is receiving all the media broadcasts from the 2012 London Olympics. This is the Satelite Dish controller...On the display you can see the current position of the dish (and from that you could probably calculate the location of the actual satellite). Outside was the array of dishes. Most of the satellites are being launched from French Guyana by the European space agency.
30. July 2012 07:34 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Big Birthday 30. July 2012 07:34 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetbig birthdayShareA couple of days ago it was my birthday...I wish it was my 27th...but it wasn't!Kim took me out for dinner on the day itself to a nice place at Circular Quay...very nice, but absolutely freezing and windy in there.Day after we went out for dinner with the family to a Japanese restaurant and they ordered a shameful amount of food!After the dinner we went back to our place for cake.
15. July 2012 12:26 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Thomas Trains and Warragamba Dam 15. July 2012 12:26 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetthomas trains and warragamba damShareAiden is a big fan of the Thomas Trains, so a few weeks ago when Kim saw some vouchers for the Train Shed she bought some tickets.This morning we went out there with the whole family to go riding on the trains. Aiden was very excited...to the point where he didn't want to get off the train.The kids had 5 rides each and they also had lunch and scones provided for us.Aiden had to check out anything that remotely looked like a train (looks like he is taking a wee here). It was also a good day to try out the new camera (just came back after 5 weeks in the repair shop for recalibration). Kim was using it most of the day and said she loves it compared to my old camera. On the way in I had seen a signpost towards the Warragamba Dam. This is where 80-90 percent of Sydneys drinking water supply comes from.
8. July 2012 10:57 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Duck feeding at Centenial Park 8. July 2012 10:57 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetduck feeding at centenial parkShareThis morning it was a beautiful winter day here in Sydney and we decided therefore to go duck feeding in Centenial Park with Aiden and Dylan (I was supposed to have been doing a course, but it was cancelled).Aiden eventually figured out that it was fun to tear off small pieces of bread and throw it in the water for the ducks and swans to eat.I showed him how to hand feed the big swans with a flat hand, but he still didn't like them much...and even less so when one of them stole his bread after sneaking in from behind.Stupid Swan!!!!But eventually the swan apologised and he was happy to feed the smaller birds.Also the pond is full of fat eels (and on one occation I have seen turtles there). Some of them would surface to try and steal the bread from the ducks.
10. June 2012 09:37 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Emily's birthday party 10. June 2012 09:37 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetemily s birthday partyShareYesterday we went to Emily's birthday party in Centennial park. We were there on time at 10.30 on a very cold morning (it had been 7 degrees overnight) but there was no-one else there...the host and the birthday child turned up two hours later (I cannot stand people who consistently have no respect for other people time).We had brought Aiden tri-cycle that he got as a birthday present from his grandma last year.We also spend some time exploring the forest next to the playground.
10. June 2012 08:18 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Aiden's 2yo Birthday with the Family 10. June 2012 08:18 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetaiden birthday with the familyShareToday we celebrated Aidens birthday with the family. In the morning we all had Yum Cha and afterwards we took all the kids to Little Dynamos to play.In the evening we had the family over for steamboat and cake. Great opportunity to take a new family photo with the latest member of the family...Emma.
8. June 2012 11:00 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments One year 8. June 2012 11:00 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetone yearShareToday it was one year ago that my my Mum and Aidens Grandma passed away. I am still sad that Aiden never met her but I am hoping that he will get to know Bedstefar better as he is growing up. I am also glad that Aiden will have a brother to keep each other company and I hope the two of them will be close and grow old together.I still have a suitcase sitting here full of photos that I one day will get the courage tp go through...but not anytime soon.
7. June 2012 04:26 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Aiden's 2 yo Birthday 7. June 2012 04:26 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetaiden s 2 yo birthdayShareToday was Aidens second birthday...time flies! We had a Birthday cake for him with the family and sang Happy Birthday and let him blow out the candle.
18. January 2013 03:23 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Heat Record in Sydney 46.4 Degrees 18. January 2013 03:23 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetheat record in sydney 46 4 degreesShareToday was REALLY hot in Sydney.We have had a couple of really hot (40C++) days in Sydney this summer but yesterday beat the current longstanding heat record from 1936.In Sydney itself they measured 45.8C and at the Airport which is closer to us the measured 46.4C. At our place we measured more than 43C degrees at midday.Fortunately yesterday was a lot cooler and because we knew that there was a hot day coming up we managed to cool down the place the during the night to a pleasant 25 degrees...and out house maintained that temperature for most of the day (apart from our study which gets really hot because of the big windows).In the evening a cool change arrived with very strong winds and a bit of rain...we quickly opened all doors and windows to take advantage of it and cool down the place again...unfortunately this also came with a very fine layer of dust on everything next morning.
9. January 2013 04:23 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Blog posts for 2012 9. January 2013 04:23 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetblog posts for 2012Share 2012 was a record blogging years for me...77 posts over the entire year...which means one new entry every 4.5 days, or in other terms something new to look at regularly. I am hoping that 2013 will have equally many posts. I have now been blogging for more than 15 years and most if not all the posts can be seen here: Click here
2. January 2013 01:37 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Family Bedtime 2. January 2013 01:37 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetfamily bedtimeShareHere is another family photo that I had my Dad assist us with. It was easier to have him on a ladder taking the photo than trying to set it up on a lightstand.It was lit by firing a group of flashes into the ceiling of the room...hopefully I will get a professional studio flash soon and will have some more power available for these types of photos. I recon this is one of my favourite family photos from 2012.
2. January 2013 01:00 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments My dad with Aiden and Lucas 2013 2. January 2013 01:00 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetmy dad with aiden and lucas 2013ShareFor the next couple of weeks my Dad and his partner are renting a campervan to cruise down the coastline from Cairns back to Sydney (hopefully they enjoy the cool weather compared to the 41 degrees we had here in Sydney yesterday).Before they left I managed to do a photo session with him and the kids to get some portraits. I may try and do another one once they return on a darker background.
1. January 2013 09:53 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments New Years Day 2012/2013 1. January 2013 09:53 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetnew years day 2012 2013Share New Years day we organised a more of let spontaneous BBQ (well..it was organised day before) at one of our local parks with family and a couple of friends. I think my dad was still a bit hung over from the day before, but we still managed to get him to do some of the BBQ'ing. They went to the city night before to see the big midnight fireworks while Aiden and myself went to Coogee to see the 9pm fireworks there with family (Kim stayed at home with Lucas). ...while Kims Dad was looking after Lucas.
30. December 2012 01:30 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Duck feeding with my dad 30. December 2012 01:30 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetduck feeding with my dadShareOne afternoon we made the trip to Centennial park to go duck feedking with Aiden, but also to show our visitors one of the great parks of Sydney.Aiden was very excited playing with my dad and running up and down the hills and checking out the big trees.(photos courtesy of my dad)
27. December 2012 10:13 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments My Dad and Aiden bonding 27. December 2012 10:13 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetmy dad and aiden bondingShareSo far my Dad and Aiden are bonding very well. The first thing AIden asks for when he wakes up in the morning is 'Play Bedstefar' (play grandad) and wants to go and knock on his door to play with him. My dad has been very patient with letting him jump while holding his hands, so now he wants to do it all the time. He especially enjoys the two handed jump... ...so now he also wants it when we are walking him. The jumping has come in handy as I have used it to trick Aiden to get in the water at Maroubra a few times. My dad also reads him his story before he goes to bed at night...we will se over the next month whether we also can get him to change nappies, brush his teeth, feed him, dress him etc.
26. December 2012 10:01 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2012 26. December 2012 10:01 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetsydney hobart yacht race 2012Share My Dad wanted to see the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race again this year. Unlike the last time we were there in good time this year and found a great parking spot and a fairly good vantage point of the race without too many crowds. While waiting for the race to start the James Craig was cruising back and forth outside the harbour. Once the race started and the boats passed the heads it became very busy both on the water and it in air with all the boats and helicopters (at one point I counted 11 at the same time) and my Dad was busy clicking away. This year turned out to be a new course record, so great conditions all the way to Hobart.
25. December 2012 09:44 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Christmas Day 2012 25. December 2012 09:44 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetchristmas day 2012Share Christmas Day we celebrated with Kims family at her sisters house. It was the usual crowd of our familys and everyone bringing dishes to share and as usual there was a lot of different foods to try. It was great to have the whole family together (Aiden was again eating too much). And even Santa made an appearance again this year...Thank you so much Santa!!!!!
24. December 2012 09:28 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Christmas Eve 2012 24. December 2012 09:28 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments Tweetchristmas eve 2012ShareThis year we celebrated Christmas at home with my Dad and his partner with the traditional Christmas Duck and Ris-a-la-mande. It was Lucas' first and Aiden's third Christmas...Aiden is now getting old enough to enjoy the experience... ...especially the food After dinner we opened presents according to the Danish tradition and Aiden was very excited about the big box from Bedstefar... Perfect Moments Photography | A Rene Pallesen Journal Blog Portfolio Packages Contact About Home 7. January 2018 21:01 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Tribes - Laos 7. January 2018 21:01 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments TweetThe tribes of Laos still exist although it is no longer as noticeable. They no longer wear their traShareThe tribes of Laos still exist although it is no longer as noticeable. They no longer wear their traditional costumes but it is possible to glimpse the occasional traditional head wear or dress in one of the shops.It is especially sad to see the Hmong tribal wear gone as worn below by Mavis and Kim. The Hmong traditionally lived in the mountains. The government has forced them down into the lowlands where they can be controlled and 'integrated' into the the rest of Laos. 6. January 2018 20:01 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Vang Vieng Countryside - Laos 6. January 2018 20:01 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments TweetOn the first day in Vang Vieng we hired a local guide to take us through the country side and some oShareOn the first day in Vang Vieng we hired a local guide to take us through the country side and some of the villages around Vang Vieng. Hiking through the countryside in Laos is partly magical and at the same time an eye opener. It is not until you get into the country side that you get a glimse of the real Laos and its people, the way of living and their beliefs.Walking into the first village a group of boys came walking towards us. One of the kids was holding his head with blood dripping down his face. The other boys were taking him home to his parents. I couldn't help but notice that there was a green substance smeared across the wound and asked our guide is he knew what it was. He went over to some bushes and plucked a couple of leaves and said that if you crush them then they will help stop the bleeding. This is when you realise that a lot of the plants in the villages serve a purpose as natural herbal medicine or for eating.The village was a HMong village and at one of the houses we spotted the little girl above standing in a door opening with her grand mother. There are very few of the traditional bamboo shacks still standing and instead being replaced with brick buildings.A bit further up the road we heard a sound. Someone was hitting a gong and chanting. Thinking it might be a monk we went to investigate. The sound was coming from one of the local houses. At the back of the house the family was in the process of preparing food, but we couldn't see where the sound was coming from. Our guide asked them and was told that they had a newborn (possibly sick) child and that the Shaman was in the house talking to the 'other world to' attract the good spirits and chase the evil spirits away.As we walked on we could see him through the opening of the door and I snapped the above photo which is one of my favourite photos of the trip.In the village people go about their normal life such as this woman removing lice from her daughters hair.As we walked on we had to walk through the local school. It happened to be recess and the kids in the smaller classes were outside playing. There was a small stand selling them lunches who also sold lollies, so Kim got the idea to spoil the kids with lollies - but also turned out to be a great opportunity for our kids to interact and see what a classroom in Laos looks like.The area is still very un-developed. Although there seems to be electricity, this is mainly used for lighting. Cooking is still done by collecting wood and done on wood fired stoves and people still wash their clothes in the rivers and streams.Although there are still a number of water buffaloes these are mainly used for eating along with any other non-human living animal - such as pigs, dogs, birds etc.It was very healthy for the boys to see where their food 'potentially' comes from and understand that this is part of life.The area is full of rice paddies, but these are now worked with mechanical tools rather than buffaloes.The government has built bridges across the large river to allow access to the villages.But the smaller streams have bamboo bridges - in this case wide enough to drive a motorbike across, others just a single bamboo to allow a person walk across.At the far village (Lao and not Hmong) there was a limestone cliff with a small cave in it. This was called elephant cave and inside there was a small shrine along with some bizarre images.The whole area is spectacular - I can only imagine what it would be like during rice planting season - yes it would be muddy but also stunningly beautiful.During this whole hike we saw no other travelers. Other than at the cave we didn't get a sense that there frequently came any groups through and I think the feedback from all of us was that this was one of the highlights of the trip - no adrenaline required. 5. January 2018 16:01 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Vang Vieng - Laos 5. January 2018 16:01 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments TweetVang Vieng is an interesting tourism destination in Laos that has undergone several iterations of reShare
7. January 2018 21:01 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Tribes - Laos 7. January 2018 21:01 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments TweetThe tribes of Laos still exist although it is no longer as noticeable. They no longer wear their traShareThe tribes of Laos still exist although it is no longer as noticeable. They no longer wear their traditional costumes but it is possible to glimpse the occasional traditional head wear or dress in one of the shops.It is especially sad to see the Hmong tribal wear gone as worn below by Mavis and Kim. The Hmong traditionally lived in the mountains. The government has forced them down into the lowlands where they can be controlled and 'integrated' into the the rest of Laos.
6. January 2018 20:01 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Vang Vieng Countryside - Laos 6. January 2018 20:01 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments TweetOn the first day in Vang Vieng we hired a local guide to take us through the country side and some oShareOn the first day in Vang Vieng we hired a local guide to take us through the country side and some of the villages around Vang Vieng. Hiking through the countryside in Laos is partly magical and at the same time an eye opener. It is not until you get into the country side that you get a glimse of the real Laos and its people, the way of living and their beliefs.Walking into the first village a group of boys came walking towards us. One of the kids was holding his head with blood dripping down his face. The other boys were taking him home to his parents. I couldn't help but notice that there was a green substance smeared across the wound and asked our guide is he knew what it was. He went over to some bushes and plucked a couple of leaves and said that if you crush them then they will help stop the bleeding. This is when you realise that a lot of the plants in the villages serve a purpose as natural herbal medicine or for eating.The village was a HMong village and at one of the houses we spotted the little girl above standing in a door opening with her grand mother. There are very few of the traditional bamboo shacks still standing and instead being replaced with brick buildings.A bit further up the road we heard a sound. Someone was hitting a gong and chanting. Thinking it might be a monk we went to investigate. The sound was coming from one of the local houses. At the back of the house the family was in the process of preparing food, but we couldn't see where the sound was coming from. Our guide asked them and was told that they had a newborn (possibly sick) child and that the Shaman was in the house talking to the 'other world to' attract the good spirits and chase the evil spirits away.As we walked on we could see him through the opening of the door and I snapped the above photo which is one of my favourite photos of the trip.In the village people go about their normal life such as this woman removing lice from her daughters hair.As we walked on we had to walk through the local school. It happened to be recess and the kids in the smaller classes were outside playing. There was a small stand selling them lunches who also sold lollies, so Kim got the idea to spoil the kids with lollies - but also turned out to be a great opportunity for our kids to interact and see what a classroom in Laos looks like.The area is still very un-developed. Although there seems to be electricity, this is mainly used for lighting. Cooking is still done by collecting wood and done on wood fired stoves and people still wash their clothes in the rivers and streams.Although there are still a number of water buffaloes these are mainly used for eating along with any other non-human living animal - such as pigs, dogs, birds etc.It was very healthy for the boys to see where their food 'potentially' comes from and understand that this is part of life.The area is full of rice paddies, but these are now worked with mechanical tools rather than buffaloes.The government has built bridges across the large river to allow access to the villages.But the smaller streams have bamboo bridges - in this case wide enough to drive a motorbike across, others just a single bamboo to allow a person walk across.At the far village (Lao and not Hmong) there was a limestone cliff with a small cave in it. This was called elephant cave and inside there was a small shrine along with some bizarre images.The whole area is spectacular - I can only imagine what it would be like during rice planting season - yes it would be muddy but also stunningly beautiful.During this whole hike we saw no other travelers. Other than at the cave we didn't get a sense that there frequently came any groups through and I think the feedback from all of us was that this was one of the highlights of the trip - no adrenaline required.
5. January 2018 16:01 by Rene Pallesen 0 Comments Vang Vieng - Laos 5. January 2018 16:01 by Rene Pallesen | 0 Comments TweetVang Vieng is an interesting tourism destination in Laos that has undergone several iterations of reShare