Lake Oahu

I mentioned in yesterday’s post that I spent a weekend with Kiwi friends at Lake Oahu. It’s a glacial lake in New Zealand’s South Island. Our friends own a small bach right on the shore line and we spent a very relaxing two days and nights. I spent most of my time taking photos of the truly spectacular scenery. I even spotted the Kiwi version of Uluru.

The light was amazing and seemed to cast a pastel wash over the landscape. The sunrises and sunsets were pink-hued. And I’ve never seen so many stars in my life. We even spotted some nebula. Hubs brought along our iPad (he can’t leave technology behind) and consulted the star charts.

We spent each night doing something people don’t do much of these days – talking. Some heavy duty philosophical discussions cropped up and revolved around whether there is a “puppet master” (aka God). I don’t drink but, about once every ten years or so, I’ll have a tiny bit of wine, which I did just before the discussion on the puppet master. I’m afraid I had very little to contribute because the teensy weensy bit of wine basically knocked me out. I don’t think I disgraced myself by snoring but I do know it was very enjoyable not to be surrounded by TV and laptops. We powered up the lights using the car battery and enjoyed a fab BBQ, along with toast made on a contraption I’ve never seen before.

The Kiwi version of Uluru.

Inside the cosy bach.

Yummo! BBQ time.

View of the lake through the bach window.

Toast-making contraption. Made surprisingly great toast. You place the toast on the outside.

 

So much more to learn

Okay so you know I attended a 2-day photography course. And now I’ll tell you that is was with Richard Wood, an award-winning NZ photographer and finalist for NZ Photographer of the Year 2010. Check out his work to see how seriously good he is.

I hunted for a photographic course to attend but those I found cost heaps of money and full-time attendance at some college or institute. So I thought it would be smarter to find NZ photographers whose work I admire and see if they offer workshops or short courses. Bingo. Richard Wood was offering a Christchurch course in April.

The 2-day course was jam packed and what I liked about it most was that Richard freely admits he’s not a geeky, technical photographer but an artist and creative photographer. Someone who uses intuition to spot the unusual. I am self-taught on photography, having read dozens of books over the years on the technical side of things. But when it comes to taking photos, I’m drawn to light, patterns, textures, shapes. I don’t stop to consider “would this make a good technical photo?”.

I was also pleased to hear Richard say he is greatly influenced by Rembrandt. I studied his work during all the years I studied art (about 10 years of painting and learning to draw). I even tried to create a Rembrandt-mood in a couple of photos that I took in Rome during 2008.

UPDATE: Richard became NZ Photographer of the Year 2011, so I learnt from a Master!

I also discovered that my penchant for snapping red and green isn’t so bad – it creates a powerful image. Here’s another photo I took on my Rome trip.

And the best photos are minimalist and tell a story. Hopefully, these photos I took fall into this category.

The course made me realise that I have so much more to learn and that I have to do something I’ve been putting off. Learn Photoshop. I used to think that you should aim to take the best photo possible in-camera and not bother with post-production. But after attending this course and seeing Richard’s amazing new photos (really, it’s like digital art), I have to bite the bullet. Richard showed us tips and techniques in Photoshop, most of which went over my head as I haven’t used it. But I aim to master it now.

Because I enjoy shooting in B&W film with my plastic fantastic cameras, I’m thinking of hunting down an old film camera – maybe the Leica M6. Any photographers reading this – any suggestions? Here are some of my B&W shots taken with the Diana F+ camera.

 

Hare today; gone tomorrow

There are a number of hares on the property. They look really cute and fluffy but are obviously a pest. Largely, because they burrow huge holes in paddocks that the horses and Zeph can trip over or fall into. I’ve fallen over quite a few holes actually as one foot goes in and twists.

Whilst out walking around the property the other day, I spotted one of the culprit hares. He spotted me just as I spotted him. He froze; I whipped the camera out. Just as I snapped the photo, the hare took off and Zeph ran after him. Now that Zeph is five months old, his running speed is getting fast and he nearly caught up with the hare. The farmer who grazes on our property keeps threatening to shoot the hares (I don’t know if that’s legal in NZ but a lot of farmers talk about shooting things). So at least I’ve immortalised the hare in this shot in case he’s gone tomorrow.

 

New Zealand beauty

Travelling around the Canterbury area, you start to appreciate just how really beautiful this country is. When you see majestic oak trees and green wooded areas, you could be forgiven for thinking you might be in England. At other times, you think you could be in mid-West United States with large swathes of prairie land. Then there are Pure New Zealand scenes – huge lush ferns growing in the cool of a moist rainforest; harakeke/flax; Kauri pine; stunning Rata trees; stunning gorges like the one near me, Ashley Gorge.

And there are scenes like these that take your breathe away. The variety of colours and the wide-open spaces in New Zealand are a photographer’s dream really. Everywhere you look, there’s some stunning scene to snap.

 

You coming out?

A Kaimanawa was participating in the recent Polocrosse event but was quite happy staying in her float. Other horses were tied up to cars or the back of floats eating grass or psyching up for the Polocrosse. Not the Kaimanawa though. She wanted to stay inside her mobile horse palace until the last minute. One horse came over to see what was up.

Hey! Polocrosse starts pretty soon. Are you coming out or what?

 

Snap du jour

At the recent Polocrosse event, I crouched down to ground level so I could get some shots of the horses and riders as they were flying past. I was temporarily distracted by some wonderful geometry and soft colours in the grass. At least this time, it wasn’t trees or leaves

 

Polocrosse

I told you recently that yep, I’ve actually managed to get on a horse, stay on and even ride it around the arena. I’ve even bought a spiffy looking riding helmet  – must show you a photo. My “victim horse” is Rosie, a very placid 4 year-old. In fact, she’s so placid she nods off whilst I’m grooming her. To get her into first gear is a bit of a trial. My riding instructor says “give her a kick”. She doesn’t mean a brutal kick – just a nudge to remind her to get going. This doesn’t always work but so far I’m having a lot of fun learning to ride my Rosie (or Random Rosie as I now call her – because it’s a random event if she actually moves).

Last weekend, I went along to a local Polocrosse event, mainly to take some action shots. But I must say, it was all rather thrilling and I had visions of me and Rosie playing one day. I’m not sure that Rosie would be a good Polocrosse horse though – all the horses there looked quite lean and fine boned. Rosie is: well, shall we say chunky because she’s a quarter Shire. Mind you, it will take me AGES to figure out how to ride a horse so fast whilst at the same time juggling with a Polocrosse racquet thingo.

It was a hot day and many of the horses (and riders) were literally bathed in sweat. Despite the heat, you could really see how the horses enjoyed the sport.

 

Let there be light

And speaking of my obsession with trees and light, I took these photos last week, when the sun decided to pop out for a few days. These are with my iPhone but, this coming week, my beloved Nikon D40 and I will be practicing. I use a Sigma 18-2oomm f3.5-6.3 DC OS lens, which I think is an amazing piece of glass. I like Sigma lenses better than Nikkor lenses. The Nikon D40 has been discontinued but I love its flexibility and ease of use. It’s travelled all over the world with me and never let me down. It came with an 18-55mm kit lens but I declined to get that, preferring to go with the Sigma lens.

I also love to use lomography cameras and have quite a few: the Diana F+, Holga 120S, a Russian Smena 8M and the Superheadz Pink Dress. I haven’t shot much in film since arriving in New Zealand but, now that I’ve found a place in Rangiora where they can cross-process 120 and 135m film, I should get going.

You can check out more of my photos on my photography blog, ChinchillaBluePhotography. Or you can check out my Flickr stream. On Flickr, I’m known as Victoria Evans. No, I haven’t stolen someone’s identity – these are my two middle names. I have some lomo shots on my Flickr stream if you don’t know what lomography is.

Anyway. For today’s post – some shots with the iPhone.

 

Team Pointer

Last weekend was the Canterbury Kennel Association All-Breeds Championship show at McLeans Island in Christchurch. We went along to see all the English Pointers and to watch the breeder of our new puppy show a few of her dogs. Some breeders and owners travelled down from the North Island. The show wasn’t just for Pointers – all breeds were there from large Great Danes to tiny “breakfast dogs” (a breakfast dog is a very small dog that Tyler would eat up for breakfast).

This was my first time at a dog show and I must say it’s a spectacle. Our breeder told me that it’s a very political, cut throat world. Whilst she was standing with one of her dogs, I saw a slight tiff between her and another breeder – something to do with the other dog trying to attack her dog. Having worked in some of Australia’s most competitive and snarly organisations, I reckon I could duke it out with Pointer dog handlers. No problem.

What I found most interesting was the extent to which people showing dogs get kitted out. I noticed the women tend to wear very bright colours and (what seem to me) rather old fashioned suits and skirts. I’m told that the bright colours look good against the Pointer colours of liver, B&W, orange and lemon.

Also of interest was the amount of “dog jewellery” – not on the dogs, on the humans. A couple of ladies were wearing pendants displaying a gold or silver Pointer or Pointer earrings.

One of the breeders had a very intriguing accessories kit. It was zebra-patterned large metal box – like a builder’s toolbox – with many drawers and fold-out bits. It was full of dog leads, brushes, sparkly collars, dog toys and chews.

So I’m thinking: if my puppy has the potential to be a show dog (which our breeder tells us he has), then I could get right into this dog showing business. I’d find some outlandish hat to wear with a Pointer silhouette stencilled on it. A brightly-coloured flowing robe that ruffles lightly in the wind whilst the Pointer and I run madly around the ring (trying not to look utterly ridiculous as we’re running). A whole host of Pointer jewellery hanging off me of course.  And perhaps some sparkly eyeshadow for that extra bling affect. I could get right into it.

Alarmingly, the breeder turned to me at the end of the show and said “you could be doing all this in the Puppy Class in just three months’ time“. Gulp.

An orange-coloured Pointer getting ready to enter the show ring.

B&W Pointer coming out of the show ring.

Same B&W pointer off into the ring - entering another Class. I think it was best intermediate Pointer.

And once you stop running around, this is how you show the dog.

All the dogs (well, really the owners) were lusting after this array of show ribbons.

Check out the brightly-coloured suit and hat.

The breeder of our puppy is on the right in a suit that I think was made from Thai silk.

And off goes our breeder with a Pointer that I think is a relative of our pup.

Our breeder getting the Pointer to do its thing for the judge (who came out from the UK).

Men were dressed up in suits despite it being a hot day.

Having run around the ring, had the dog's teeth examined by the judge and the conformation - the dog handlers line up the Pointers for the judge to come along and award placings.

Check out this lady's Pointer head necklace.

Hope the judge doesn't think my bum is too big.

Viva la France!

A blindingly white Samoyed being fluffed up.

Just love to see the Pointers all lined up.

Hey Mum: do I look good enough to take out Best in Show?

I didn't get much time to see other dogs. The Irish Setters were in a neighbouring ring though.

This Pointer was fed up with being well-behaved in the show ring and just wanted to play.

And finally....I think I have discovered why Tyler is in Christchurch. He's secretly visiting his progeny.

 

Solace

On the way into Christchurch the other day, the countryside was shrouded with mist. This often happens – the early mornings are eerily misty; then the sun burns off the mist and clouds later in the morning; the sky turns a bright blue and the sun shines happily.

I like the early mornings best. When it’s misty, the property is quiet as though it’s trying to wake up and shake off the night-time mist that has embraced the landscape. Horses softly neigh and birds chirp soothingly but the velvety curtain of mist hasn’t yet lifted for the day to begin. The actors are still waiting in the wings, whispering. There is an air of solace that I find very comforting.

Just six months ago, early mornings would find me bleary-eyed, slumped on a train heading towards Sydney and a day’s work in a corporate cubicle. Now, early mornings can sometimes find me on my way into Christchurch, driving through fine grey mist that slowly recedes to reveal a macrocarpa hedge or stunning tree silhouette. And of course, I have to stop and take photos – can’t resist.