Check Out All The Highlights From Panasonic’s LUMIX Parrot Walks in Melbourne, Perth & Sydney

Throughout late October and early November, Australian bird experts led the Panasonic LUMIX Parrot Walks events in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Ewen Bell (Editorial Photographer and Guide), Tim Dolby (Specialist Bird Author and Guide), Erika Roper (Ecologist and Guide), Stephen Downes (Parrot of the Day Curator) and Mitch McMillan (LUMIX Product Specialist) teamed up to produce comprehensive ‘capture to print’ workshops where attendees learned how easy it can be to take impressive bird shots in their city.

Had a great time on the Perth #ParrotWalk today! Managed to rustle up rainbow lorikeets, 28s, and the bubby galah! I hope everyone had fun and didn’t get bored by my random parrot facts! Thanks @PanasonicAU!
Proper photos will have to wait until after I catch up on some PhD work! pic.twitter.com/78BzliJjUL

— Erika Roper #BorbOfTheYear 🦜🥔 (@_erikaroper) October 31, 2018

During the events, participants were also given access to LUMIX G9 mirrorless cameras and a wide range of LUMIX Leica telephoto lenses, enabling them to get in close to capture birdlife without being restricted to shooting on tripods and gimbals.

The technology we have now is completely remarkable. Shooting 800mm perspective handheld with image stabilised captures. No tripod or gimbal. Such a joy to take a walk in Kings Park and chase a few parrots.#LumixG9 #ParrotWalk pic.twitter.com/7LuMwpWrlo

— ‏Ewen Bell (@ewster) October 31, 2018

The events began with a classroom session presented by Ewen where he shared his knowledge around recommended camera settings, composition, and photography techniques. Participants then headed out to a CBD park for interactive photography sessions filled with opportunities to learn tips and tricks from the experts.

Almost time for our first Parrot Walk to get underway. @ewster getting ready to kick off with a camera training session; LUMIX G9s for participants loaded with optimal settings; @TimDolby talking birds pic.twitter.com/gHHO97NCF8

— Parrot Now and Then 🦜 (@ParrotOfTheDay) October 26, 2018

“Attendees were set up with a LUMIX G9 and a mixture of ultra-telephoto lenses, such as the Panasonic Leica 100-400 4-6.3 and 200mm F2.8. All the cameras were loaded with Ewen’s personal camera layout which meant with the switch of a dial they could change the priority of the camera from shooting birds in the trees, to birds launching into flight.”
– Mitch McMillan, LUMIX Product Specialist

More rainbow lorikeet antics from today’s #ParrotWalk in Royal Park, Melbourne. Thanks again to @ewster and @TimDolby for sharing their expertise, @PanasonicAU for sponsorship and use of the awesome #LumixG9 cameras, and @michaelscamera for hosting us! pic.twitter.com/dPvXEBNoIX

— Parrot Now and Then 🦜 (@ParrotOfTheDay) October 28, 2018

After the photography walk, participants returned to start location to run through the editing process with Ewen. They were taught how to select the perfect shots, and how to edit RAW images for web display and print. Each attendee also had the opportunity to print an A3 of their favourite image they took on the walk and take it home to display.

“One of my favourite things during the post-production session was seeing everyone’s reactions to viewing the images they took earlier in the day printed larger than life.”
– Mitch McMillan, LUMIX Product Specialist

1000th, F6.3, ISO200, w/100-400mm by Mitch McMillan

1000th , F6.3, ISO2500, w/100-400mm by Mitch McMillan

1600th, F4, ISO1250 w/200mm + 1.4TC by Mitch McMillan

400th, F4, ISO200 w/200mm + 1.4TC by Mitch McMillan

Melbourne’s Saturday Walk Group by Mitch McMillan

Melbourne’s Sunday Walk Group by Mitch McMillan

The Gear List | LUMIX Parrot Walks

LUMIX G9 Mirrorless Camera
LUMIX Leica 200mm F2.8 w/ 1.4 & 2X TC (400/560/800mm) Lens
LUMIX Leica 50-200mm F2.8-4 (100-400mm) Lens
LUMIX G 35-100mm (70-200mm) Lens
LUMIX G 100-300mm 4-5.6 II (200-600mm) Lens

Maybe my favie moment from a week of Parrot Walks. Thanks to everyone involved. Has been a treat and I look forward to setting up new dates in 2019 with the help of @PanasonicAU, @ParrotOfTheDay, @TimDolby and @_erikaroper 🙂#lumixG9 #parrotwalk #wildoz pic.twitter.com/8FRECPdQ1S

— ‏Ewen Bell (@ewster) November 4, 2018