ISSUE 1, November 2017
INTERVIEW WITH JANA LUO
KAIKOURA TODAY WITH BRENDON GILCHRIST
10 TIPS FOR REDISCOVERING YOUR MOTIVATION PHOTO DESTINATION: THE FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAY LOW LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS November 2017 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS From the Editor Dear reader, This issue was lovingly crafted by a team of passionate individuals. Photographers, designers, and writers all came together with one goal: to empower, inspire, and encourage others.
Taya Iv, Editor
Join the conversation! Facebook: www.facebook.com/nzphotographer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzp_magazine/ Questions or comments? Please send us an e-mail at nzp@excio.io
General Info NZPhotographer Issue 1 / November 2017 YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION Cover Photo by Jana Luo The whole world belongs to you Publisher: Excio Group Website: www.excio.io/nzphotographer Group Director: Ana Lyubich ana@excio.io
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While we keep New Zealand at the heart of our community, we explore other cultures to have a complete and eye-opening artistic experience. In honour of that, this issue has been filled with images from around the world, including gorgeous photos taken by this month's cover artist, Jana Luo. The researching process has been nothing short of exhilarating. We truly look forward to featuring more outstanding creatives. To put it simply, we want to give you a chance to be heard, discovered, and appreciated.
FEATURE: INSPIRING PHOTOGRAPHER JANA LUO 4 BySPECIAL Taya Iv 10 TIPS FOR REDISCOVERING YOUR MOTIVATION 8 ByINSPIRATION: Taya Iv EXPERTS: WHICH CAMERA IS GOOD FOR YOU? 10 ByASKRajibTHEMukherjee DESTINATION: THE DRIVE OF A LIFETIME ON THE FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAY 15 ByPHOTO Emily Goodwin PHOTOGRAPHY 18 ByLOWRajibLIGHT Mukherjee POWER OF PHOTOGRAPHY 20 ByTHENemanja Milicevic ESSAY: KAIKOURA TODAY 26 ByPHOTO Brendon Gilchrist 31 PORTFOLIO BEST READERS’ SUBMISSIONS THIS MONTH 46 WILDLIFE CHALLENGE
Editor: Taya Iv Graphic Design: Maksim Topyrkin Contributing Writers/Photographers: Emily Goodwin, Rajib Mukherjee, Nemanja Milicevic, Brendon Gilchrist Advertising Enquiries: Phone us on 04 889 29 25 or send us an enquiry hello@excio.io
© 2017 NZPhotographer magazine All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material appearing in this magazine in any form is forbidden without prior consent of the publisher. About NZPhotographer Whether you’re an enthusiastic weekend snapper or a beginner who wants to learn more, NZ Photographer is the fun e-magazine for all Kiwi camera owners – and it’s free!
Photo by Jana Luo
November 2017 3 The sleeping beauty
Special Feature: Inspiring Photographer Jana Luo By Taya Iv
1. When did you start taking photographs and what drew you to it? My photography journey didn’t really start until April 2013. I had liked taking photos for a while, but only used phones and a couple of compact cameras. Early in 2013, I had a very strong feeling that I should get more involved in photography. Then I started to do some research on cameras. Eventually, I bought an entry level full frame DSLR camera, the Canon 6D. Since then, I don't know how I'd live without my cameras! They bring a whole new world to my life!
Sunrise Shining Through The Balloons 18th Mar 2016 Canon EOS 6D Speed:1/200 sec. ISO: 100 Focal length: 67mm F-stop: 10 I have been to the balloons over Waikato for 3 years, this year I decided to fly in a balloon. The sunrise coming through when all the balloons are floating up, brightening them, is incredible.
The Clam Jetty 22nd Jun 2016 Canon EOS 6D Speed:188 sec. ISO: 100 Focal length: 25mm F-stop: 9 Taken at Auckland City on a cold and wet day. I love the calmness around the jetty.
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The Dreamy Night at Mt Taranaki 22nd Oct 2016 Canon EOS 6D Speed: 25 sec. ISO:5000 Focal length: 27mm F-stop: 3.2 This is one of my favorite places in NZ. It's not easy for me to get up there, but I was lucky enough to get a super calm and clear day. The sunset and the reflection are just perfect! I love the clear sky at night, amazing stars, it's like living in a wonder world.
2. Your images thrive in the landscape genre. What appeals to you the most about landscape photography? Like many photographers, as a beginner, I liked to try everything. I went out to shoot people, landscapes, cityscapes, and also tried macro photography etc. About one year later, I started to find my main interest which is landscape photography. I realized that when I am going out shooting the beautiful nature, I am not just enjoying photography, the most important thing is to be part of the nature I love. I always have strong feelings towards what I shoot. I want to use my cameras to find out the connection between me and the world I live in.
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The Sleeping Beauty 21st Aug 2016 Canon EOS 6D Speed: 135 sec. ISO:100 Focal length: 25mm F-stop: 10 The tree in Lake Wanaka, when the night comes, it becomes a sleeping beauty.
3. How has living in New Zealand affected your creative journey? I have been living in New Zealand for more than a decade; the incredible beauty of this country obviously gives me very strong motivation. I like the ocean the most, and I can see it so easily! Every time I go to a beach, I am able to find some new ideas which I can use later on in my photo practices. I can certainly find the connection between my soul and Mother Nature in New Zealand.
4. What would you tell your younger self about creative decisions? If I could turn the clock back, I would like to tell myself to try different angles or different exposures when I shoot. Don't worry too much about the rules. Sometimes, for a starter especially, the rules really limit creativity.
5. Are there any artists who've had a significant impact on your work? There are a lot of great photographers who inspire me, among them, I think Fan Ho, Ansel Adams, and Michael Kenna have given me significant impact on my work.
6. How do you deal with artistic self-doubt? Most of my friends say I am a confident person, but, in fact, I always get self-doubt. Maybe I just know how to hide it, hehe. That is part of my personality I believe. Boosting up my self-esteem is not always easy. Most of the time, I talk to myself or go out, find a place, most likely I will go to a beach, not many people around, enjoy the quietness and the pure nature. I can gain more courage back from that.
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Red Clouds With The Burning Heart 11th Jan 2015 Canon EOS 6D Speed: 72 sec. ISO: 100 Focal length: 16 mm F-stop: 9 Taken at West Coast Beach, Auckland. With the red colour from sunset, the heart shaped rock touched my soul.
7. The colours in your images are breathtaking. What's your editing process like? I use Lightroom, Photoshop and Nik Collection for photo editing. Charming Queenstown at Night 20st Aug 2016 Canon EOS 6D Speed: 56 sec. ISO: 100 Focal length: 27 mm F-stop: 8 Taken at Queenstown, it's a famous place and I've been there a few times... I can't resist its charm.
8. What's your favourite place in New Zealand and why? So far, I think my favourite places are New Plymouth, Mt Taranaki, and Wharariki beach.
9. Is there any piece of advice you wish every photographer took to heart? Really understand the subjects of your photography, be prepared before you start to shoot, and shoot.
10. What kind of photographer do you imagine yourself being in 10 years? I hope I would be a pure photographer who loves nature and photography itself.
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Inspiration: 10 Tips for Rediscovering Your Motivation By Taya Iv
M
otivation isn’t always easy to find. Like a sheet of paper stolen by a gust of wind, it escapes even the most inspiring of artists. Though phases of creative dullness are natural, there are times when you desperately want to grab a bunch of ideas and have a successful shoot. But how can this be achieved? There are no specific rules for finding motivation, but there are ways in which you can help yourself grow towards it. Here are 10 tips for rediscovering the creative strength you deserve to have.
Get Some Sleep
If you haven’t been getting enough sleep, your tiredness may be contributing to a lack of inspiration. Fix this by getting the beauty sleep you deserve. To quote Seabear: ‘Human skin can be hard to live in. You’ll feel better in the morning.’
Get Better at Editing
Adding a pop of color or contrast to your shots can make a world of difference. If you’re interested in being a better editor, find a free online course that teaches something you’re not familiar with. New ways of editing may open your eyes to refreshing photographic possibilities.
Make an (In)security List
Make a list of things you are insecure about when it comes to your work. Once that list is ready, make another list explaining how the aforementioned insecurities can be fixed. Though there may not be a clear solution to every obstacle, you’ll have the chance to understand what’s getting in the way of your work.
Go Out
No matter where you are, go for a walk. It’s easy to get caught up in daily tasks. Leave your home for a short while and enjoy your surroundings. Even a 10-minute walk has the power to refresh your mind and make you feel more grounded.
Be Patient
The creative process is endless. No matter what you think, you’ll always be a fantastic artist capable of taking meaningful photographs. So be patient. Experiment with these tips and approach them in different ways. Before you know it, you’ll feel motivated to work in unimaginably inspiring ways.
Research Artists
We all take things for granted sometimes. Even a comforting source of inspiration can lose its spark. To rediscover your love for art, expose yourself to every side of it. Research artists whose work you’re not familiar with. Learn more about photography genres you barely know. These new pieces of information will allow you to look at your own interests from a place of gratitude, giving you lots of room to fall in love with what you do, over and over again.
Read
Similarly to researching art, read a book. Both fiction and non-fiction contain awe-inspiring stories worth treasuring. You don’t have to read photography books, either. Reread your favourite book or find something that simply catches your eye. The characters in these stories will inspire you in multiple ways.
Communicate
Meeting new artists is important for creative growth and comfort. Join an online group, attend a workshop, or start a photography course in which you can interact with other students. These opportunities may give you a chance to make new friends. In addition to finding like-minded people, you’ll receive valuable feedback and learn how others find inspiration of their own.
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Experiment
Take photos of something that’s completely unrelated to your genre. If you’re a portrait photographer, try taking photos of animals. If you’re a landscape artist, photograph details in your home. Challenges will keep you focused – in the process, you’ll be shaped into a better artist. Don’t be afraid to fail. Your goal should be experimentation, not perfection.
Start a Project
To ease your mind completely, start a project that has nothing to do with photography. Try out that hobby you were always too afraid to experiment with. Give yourself a significant but achievable goal, like painting a portrait within a month. Sharpening other types of skills will, in its own way, sharpen your ability to cherish photography and everything it offers.
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ASK THE EXPERTS:
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Which camera is good for you? T
his question is often thrown about, the question about which gear to shoot with. If I specifically talk about cameras alone the digital world is split between reflex and mirrorless cameras. There was a time about 4 years back when SLR cameras (and if I can be specific, DSLRs) had a clear upper-hand in terms of performance and reliability. Not anymore. DSLRs no longer enjoy that clear supremacy. First time camera buyers often ask – "which camera is good for me?" Let's find out which one it is.
Mirrorless Cameras
Mirrorless systems are those which do not have a reflex mirror on them. The fact that the camera does not have a reflex mirror means there is no slapping movement when the image is made. That also means you have less vibration induced by a mirror moving about inside the camera. Mirrorless systems have been popular with landscape and nature photographers because these cameras are less prone to suffer from shake and the resulting blur. The result is an ultra-sharp image that can be printed big. If an image is less than acceptably sharp it can still be printed in a small size or shared online on social media platforms and no one will notice anything. But if you need to print big you need an absolutely sharp image otherwise the lack of sharpness will become apparent.
By Rajib Mukherjee There are some other advantages to a mirrorless camera. Mainly the weight factor and the faster frame rate. The lack of a mirror inside the camera means it does not have to live with the extra weight. Lighter cameras are better for shooting at events, street and other types of photography. This is because you have to handhold the camera for a really long time. One of the major complains initially felt about mirrorless systems was the lack of auto-focusing reliability. But these days, auto-focusing on mirrorless systems has become better. It is comparable with the auto-focusing performance of DSLRs.
Single Lens Reflex Cameras
Also known as DSLRs, these cameras have a reflex mirror in them. These mirrors are what allow you to see what the lens sees. The light, after passing through the lens, gets bounced upwards by the reflex mirror which is then reflected by a pentaprism through the viewfinder at the back of the camera. There are some major advantages to using DSLRs. First and foremost is the auto-focusing speed. DSLR camera systems use both contrast and phase-detection auto-focusing mechanism. Mirrorless systems on the other hand mainly use the contrast detection auto-focusing system. Phase detection auto-focusing is much faster than contrast detection.
Another advantage of using DSLRs is the wide range of lenses that you can choose from. DSLRs have been around for a long time. Before them, SLR systems have been the most dominating camera systems. Each of the SLR camera manufacturers has a dedicated line of lenses. Many of these legacy lenses can be used with modern DSLRs. There is also a well-established third-party line of lenses, plus the new line of electronic lenses.
Ideal Situations - When To Use Which Camera DSLRs are the best cameras to use when shooting subjects like sports, wildlife, and action. Cameras like the 5D Mark IV give you better control over what you shoot, a larger range of lenses to choose from and more versatility.
On the other hand, a mirrorless system would be ideal when shooting an event such as a wedding, or when shooting street photography. These cameras are best when it comes to silent shooting. At an event, the last thing that you need is a slapping mirror making an irritating noise. I would even go the distance as to recommend a mirrorless system for shooting bird and wildlife photography. The fact that these cameras are silent means there is less chance of the animal getting startled. Another major advantage of shooting with mirrorless systems like the Sony a7R II is that they give you the exact preview of the image you are going to capture. You can adjust the exposure, as per your requirement before you press the shutter button. This saves you a critical amount of time.
Image name Dreams from the Jovian Moons Author Tim Ashby-Peckham Setting/description Canon 70D (DSLR) 120s x 20 f/3.5 ISO 400 This is a series of long exposures (120s) stacked on top of each other. Taken from the hilltop overlooking Port Waikato, the cosmic glow from Auckland city brings a Sci-fi atmosphere to the image which makes it look like it could be on another planet.
Image name Celestial Fire
Image name Galaxy Cannon
Author Tim Ashby-Peckham
Author Tim Ashby-Peckham
Setting/description Canon 70D (DSLR) 30s f/3.5 ISO 3200 Puddles in the sand dunes at Port Waikato make the perfect mirror for the stars above. There is partial cloud in this shot which is usually a bad thing with astrophotography but the light from the town lit the sky up and gave the shot a nice warmth. It's topped off by the appearance of a magical Magellanic cloud.
This is one of a series I took of an exceptionally windswept tree on the Awhitu peninsula. It's a long exposure of about 715 seconds which gives the planet time to twist and spread the light from the stars across the sensor. The orange glow is from the Glenbrook Steelmill which was working away in the distance. Also, a streak of light appears to be shooting from the tree which was a well-timed satellite flare which I wasn't aware was due to happen.
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Queenstown image Exposure Time: 20s f-number: 3.2 Focal Length: 16mm Focal Length In 35mm Film equivalent: 24mm Photographic Sensitivity (ISO): 3200 Lens Model: NX 16mm F2.4 Author: Chris McKeown Taken with my Samsung NX 1 mirrorless camera, using a Samsung 16mm F2.4 lens. Full manual mode setting, f3.2 aperture and 16mm focal length (which is 24mm in a full frame camera). Long exposure time of 20s, ISO: 3200, set up on a tripod with timer to avoid camera shake. Image saved in Raw format and edited in Lightroom 5 to bring up the contrast and colour. Taken from the top of the cable car at 9.30pm on a cold September night in Queenstown, New Zealand. I wanted to get a good shot of the Milky way, away from light pollution and try to have mountains and sky in the same shot. I wasn’t planning to get a shot of the aurora Australis also, so that was an added bonus, and this, added to a shooting star (or a satellite…) just added to the shot. Worth the cold ears and toes.
Tui image Exposure Time: 1/250s f-number: 6.3 Focal Length: 200mm Focal Length In 35mm Film equivalent: 308mm Photographic Sensitivity (ISO): 500 Lens Model: NX 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Author: Chris McKeown
Taken with my Samsung NX 1 mirrorless camera, using a Samsung NX 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 lens. Full manual mode setting, f6.3 aperture and 200mm focal length (which is 308mm in a full frame camera). Exposure time of 1/250s, ISO 500. Image
saved in Raw format and edited in Lightroom 5 to bring up the contrast, brightness and colour. Literally taken out of the window of my house in Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand on a warm December afternoon. A favourite bird getting stuck in to the Flax flowers in the garden.
Mt Victoria Lookout Exposure Time: 25s f-number: 5 Focal Length: 18mm Focal Length In 35mm Film equivalent: 27mm Photographic Sensitivity (ISO): 100 Lens Model: NX 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Author: Chris McKeown
Taken with my Samsung NX 1 mirrorless camera, using a Samsung 16mm F2.4 lens. Full manual mode setting, f5 aperture and 18mm focal length (which is 27mm in a full frame camera). Long exposure time of 25s, ISO: 100, set up on a tripod with timer to avoid camera shake and using a Lee Sev5n “Big Stopper” 10 step long exposure filter plus a Lee 0.6ND Hard Grad graduated filter.
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Image saved in Raw format and edited in Lightroom 5 to bring up the contrast and colour. Taken from the top of the Mt Victoria Lookout, Wellington, New Zealand at 7am in early October. I wanted to get a nice blur on the clouds, so used a long exposure, which given the amount of light in the morning, meant I needed to use a Lee “Big Stopper” long exposure filter.
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PHOTO DESTINATION:
The Drive of a Lifetime on The Forgotten World Highway
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et off the beaten path for the drive of a lifetime as you discover untouched wilderness and journey back in time to explore pioneering monuments deep in North Island. New Zealand's oldest heritage trail, The Forgotten World Highway is 148km long and links Stratford in Taranaki with Taumarunui in King Country. Twisting and turning over four mountain saddles you're going to be in photography heaven with stunning vistas around each and every corner. That's not all, this highly memorable road also passes through the breathtaking Tangarakau Gorge and the famous 220 metre long Moki tunnel (aka Hobbit Hole) making this one of the most scenic drives not just in New Zealand, but in the
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By Emily Goodwin
world; Forget U.S.A Route 66, add New Zealand's State Highway 43 to your bucket list! Your journey starts with picturesque pastoral landscapes and lush green hills as you follow the Whanganui River and go past the Maraekowhai reserve on this twisty turny roller-coaster of a road with ever-changing landscapes. Your photography skills will be tested to the limit as you try to do justice to the stunning landscapes that you're seeing. From Strathmore saddle, you'll be able to capture shots of Mount Tongariro, Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngaurahoe and Mount Taranaki. The rapids at Tangarakau River and the pioneering tunnel of Makahu along with the wild goats, sheep and ponga trees are other photos you're sure to take on the journey.
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This rugged and remote route is certainly not for the faint-hearted with its hairpin bends and sheer drops, but as a photographer, you already know that the best shots require determination and getting out into nature! Noted for being one of New Zealand's most secluded roads, it's also listed as being one of the most dangerous routes in the country. At Tangarakau Gorge, 15km of the road is unsealed gravel so careful driving is a must. Don't expect phone service all of the way and you'll also need to fill up with petrol as there are no gas stations on this road.
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Visit between late November and early May for the best scenery. The drive can be done in a minimum of 3 hours but to fully enjoy the experience it's recommended you take several hours, preferably overnighting in Whangamomona, the only significant town en-route and an interesting place as it formed its own republic back in 1989. If you have the time, take a few days so you can detour down the side roads to see even more such as Damper Falls, the second highest waterfall on North Island.
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LOW LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
By Rajib Mukherjee
I
have been a photographer all my life. When I was about 10 years old my father gave me his Agfa Click IV, which is a medium format film viewfinder camera, and asked me to shoot anything that caught my fancy. I shot a good part of what was a cut roll of 12 exposures and that was it. Between that day and the day when I bought my first DSLR, a lot has changed. The best thing to have happened to photography is the advent of digital technology. Just like everything else, it brought in a bouquet of new possibilities that were otherwise part of the realm of science-fiction. For example, the ability to change ISO after each shot made it possible to shoot with the same camera in 'N' number of situations without any issues. This article deals with an important lighting situation that every photographer has to work with almost on a daily basis – low light. It does not really matter whether you are a hobbyist / casual photographer shooting only with your smartphone or a professional photographer who shoots to pay his bills. These tips on low light photography will help you achieve better results in most cases.
Start with the smallest ISO
I know with digital cameras and ridiculously high ISO capabilities it is always the easy way out – crank up the ISO and shoot away. But this is a flawed concept. High ISO should be your last resort. The first priority should be to shoot at a wide open aperture and then to use a slow shutter speed. Finally, if nothing else works turn to high ISO.
Large aperture lenses are best for low light
A large aperture lens, something like the 85mm f/1.8 or the 50mm f/1.4 can give you a lot of leverage when shooting in low light conditions. Such a lens will easily capture 2 to 3 stops of additional light compared to a kit lens. Such a lens along with a large sensor can really work wonders for your low light photography.
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A large sensor has better low light capability
A larger sensor size gives more light gathering capability. As a result, if you consistently shoot with a small point & shoot camera, moving to a 35mm full-frame camera will give you much better results. The same way, if you shoot with an APS-C camera, moving to a medium format (please be aware that medium format DSLRs can be prohibitively expensive) camera will yield amazingly beautiful results.
Go for a BSI sensor design
The last few years have seen the advent of a new sensor design that has the sensor wiring located at the back of the chip rather than on the same surface as the photo-diodes. This opens up a lot of space for light to be collected. In the previous design, because of the cluttered design of the sensor, a lot of light was lost. This resulted in a high amount of noise. With the new and much more efficient design, it is possible to make cleaner images even in low light situations. Recently, Nikon has come up with the D850, the world's first full-frame BSI sensor. Apart from the larger size, the BSI architecture promises a world of possibilities in low light photography.
Use a tripod
A tripod is a must-have if you are interested in shooting low light photography. This is especially important if you are shooting predominantly static subjects, such as architecture, stars, the Milky Way and so on. A tripod allows you to shoot with a low ISO and a long shutter speed and therefore avoid chances of noise. When shooting Milky Way photos or architecture photos, you can turn on the Long Exposure Noise Reduction option that will allow you to eliminate hot pixels (if any) on your image and therefore create a much cleaner image than you would normally get.
Post-processing
You need to learn a few tricks in post-processing. Mainly in noise reduction, sharpness and black and white conversion. One of the easiest ways to salvage an image that has a lot of unrecoverable noise is to convert the image to black & white. If the image has only a little noise, try and use the noise reduction feature in Lightroom to blur the noise out. We shall discuss more about noise reduction techniques in a future issue.
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THE POWER OF PHOTOGRAPHY
“The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.” Andy Warhol
By Nemanja Milicevic
I
n the beginning, there was light… a flashing, blinding light. No, wait, at first, there was a familiar buzzing sound and a distinctive click and then came the light. We are not talking about The Book of Genesis; we are talking about cameras! For some people, no other experience is as exciting as taking photos. It is the one encounter that is outmatched only by the process of developing and unveiling your final product.
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People are surrounded by photography in both meaningful and trivial ways. Whether we are aware of it or not, one glance at a photo can make a deep impact on our everyday lives. Those colorful (sometimes black and white) pieces of paper hold a considerable influence over us. Sometimes we are conscious of this fact, but often we take it for granted. Yet, the truth is undeniable: ever since the use of photographic film was pioneered by George Eastman and the first "Kodak" was offered for sale in 1888, people have been fascinated by this "magical" device able to capture time and moment.
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Photos are truly the keepers of our memories and emotions. Family photo albums are time-traveling machines with our entire history carefully stored in them. With every turn of a page, there is another story that can be told and relived. Photography literally encapsulates time and preserves it. Birthdays, anniversaries, every Christmas since you were born, graduations, that all important first bike ride, these are all things we keep in our family albums, thanks to that "buzz and light" experience.
your eyes. Sometimes, just by looking at someone's photos you can know more about that person. Of course, not everyone has the knack for photography, one must possess a keen eye to spot a perfect balance between light and dark. Also, a taste for framing and composition is quintessential, otherwise, anybody can tap on their screen and say: "Hey, I'm a pro photographer!" It takes a real artist to make a couple of pebbles behind your TV look like a cave entrance covered in a spider’s web!
Naturally, with modern times come modern ways of expression and today every person with a smartphone is, technically, a photographer. Millions of people daily are trying to capture perspectives of their lives, no matter how essential or ordinary they might be. By documenting and sharing your life, you’re encouraging the rest of the world to join you on your journey. Through your photos, people around you gradually start to perceive things with
Photography has become a useful tool for anyone kicking off a new business, especially today. Appealing photos placed in the right spot can attract more customers than any yellow pages ad can. People are often intrigued by beautiful scenes, breathtaking landscapes and sentiments they can relate to. Today's articles and blogs rely heavily on the visual approach as bait for their readers. After all, we are all visual beings.
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Source: Nick Ut, Time Magazine
The most important thing is, without any doubt, honesty. When an observer looks at a photo and recognizes the truth within it, it can only mean that that particular photo is genuine. This "truth searching" is especially present and emphasized in the photographs of triumphant or tragic historical events. The famous photo of a naked girl who was badly burned and tore off her burning clothes, taken by Associated Press photographer Nick Ut's, will haunt us forever. All of the horrors and senselessness of every war is summed up in a single shot. On the other hand, when you see photos made by the Hubble telescope or images of Aoraki – Mount Cook, taken by New Zealand photographers, one can only admire the wonders of nature and the universe we live in.
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Much like documenting history, photography is well known for capturing major political protests. Photographing protesters and giving them context allows their word to forever be recorded and recognized. Photographers speak the language of visuality and they use it to send profound and powerful messages. When it comes to photography, there are no limitations. Like any other art form, photography is about trying to express and reflect one’s feelings. Seldom, the simple artistic appeal of a photo is reason enough not to neglect photography. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder then the photographer is the guardian and preserver of that beauty.
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KAIKOURA LOW TIDE SUNSET Nikon D810 with Nikon 24mm 1.4g f16 ISO 64 Shutter 8 seconds
PHOTO ESSAY: Kaikoura Today By Brendon Gilchrist
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A 2 hour drive North of Christchurch, Kaikoura is a picturesque coastal town famous for its wildlife of sperm whales, fur seals, and dolphins. But Mother Nature doesn't always play kind, Kaikoura being prone to earthquakes. The 7.8 earthquake that hit in November 2016 caused devastation, NZ Herald reporting that a 110km stretch of the Kaikoura Coast rose up out of the sea, as far as 6 metres in some places, changing this landscape forever.
Brendon of ESB Photography has taken it upon himself to capture New Zeland's unique landscapes on camera, including those at Kaikoura. Photography for Brendon was a reason to carry on living after his wife passed away. Consumed with grief, he immersed himself into capturing the beauty around him. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, both man and land are forging forward after devastation‌
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Kaikoura was an amazing place even before the earthquake, but now it is something else. Very well known for its amazing sunsets and sunrises, but many people would overlook the fact that Kaikoura is so far away from any city that the dark night sky, the milky way, is visible from the very edge of the town making this a magical place, and an astronomy / photography fans dream come true!
Shooting Star (before the earthquake) ISO 10000 f4 Shutter speed 20 seconds
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The new low tide mark allows for some very interesting views, what was once always hidden underwater is now above water for a short time each day as the tide changes. It is almost alien like to walk around this coast looking at how powerful the earthquake was, and how much it has affected the reefs around the coast. The calmness of this ocean is something quite deceiving with the odd wave being bigger then what you would expect it to be.
Kaikoura Green Rocks Seascape Uplift Me (after the earthquake) Nikon D750 with Nikon 24mm 1.4g f3.2 ISO 10000 Shutter 20 seconds 8 shot Panaroma shot in vertical frames.
Nikon D810 with Nikon 24mm 1.4g F14 ISO 125 shutter 1/4 second Sunrise
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PORTFOLIO
Best readers' submissions this month
Alex Moore Morning sunrise shot at the Sheraton Waikiki Hawaii Got up early to get a shot of the sunrise down at the infinity pool Sheraton Waikiki on a recent trip to Hawaii, the pool was spectular, there were already dudes surfing the waves as the sun rose over diamond head! Love this place, my new favourite destination to take photos of the ocean (the Sheraton Waikiki Beach). ISO64 30 SECONDS, NIKON D810 NIKON 24-70 2.8
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Chris Watson Chris Watson Mr NZ Kea - One of the locals of Milford Road. I live in Te Anau and always try and capture the keas on the road to Milford. This one sat quite nicely for a good 10-15min while we photographed it (this was shot at 24mm).
Evening Lines Evening lines was a shot I had to wait for a while for the bird to fly through... Luckily after 20min this one did and I managed to snap a shot or 3 of it.
1/2000 @ F/8 @ 600MM ZOOM
1/250SEC FOR THE INITIAL EXPOSURE @ F11 THEN 2 SHOTS PLUS AND MINUS 2 STOPS AND MERGED IN PHOTOMATIX PRO
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Chris Watson
Chris Watson
The Te Anau Tree
A Winters Morning
Wanaka has a tree - so does Te Anau! A cool spot looking up the South Fiord of Lake Te Anau. The Wanaka Tree is shot to Death - this is a new tree, new lake and a better spot... (Less people know about it!).
Lake Te Anau the morning after a good dusting of snow. Love this wharf and what is has to offer for composition.
1/13TH SEC, F16 @ 14MM
30SEC EXPOSURE (10 STOP ND FILTER) F16 @14MM ZOOM
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David MCPherson
Chris Watson Aurora Australias
Mr
The Aurora from Ivon Wilson Park near Te Anau. Perfect spot to watch the Southern Lights. 5min drive from home sitting on a deck with a BBQ table and a view like this... stunning!
New life on its way ... Monarch caterpillar growing well.
15SEC, F2.8 @ ISO6400
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1/428; F1.7
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Rina Sjardin-Thompson Chancellor Hut
Almer Hut
Rina Sjardin-Thompson
Almer hut sits at the top of the Franz Josef glacier... its stunning as you can see. The scale indicated by the hut on the left just overwhelms me whenever I look at this image... certainly puts you in your place!
This day we were surrounded in cloud then as sunset approached the cloud dissipated to open up to allow us to enjoy this fabulous sunset.
F5.6, 1/160, ISO 100
F14, 1/250, ISO 200
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Rina Sjardin-Thompson Rina Sjardin-Thompson Mountain Mood On a recent trip to Chancellor Hut as part of our Epic Photography Workshop based here on the West Coast we just managed to fly in under the cloud. We set up our gear and watched the cloud roll up the valley, swirl around the mountains to highlight the ridges of the Victoria Range.
Okarito Sunset My first venture into slow shutter speed and movement... albeit by accident! I was on the beach and lining up a shot (handheld) when someone called my name so I turned as I took the photo... I loved the effect so this was a more intentional effort ... am hooked! F16,1/15, ISO 160
F5.6, 1/160, ISO 100
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Rina Sjardin-Thompson Okarito Panorama This is the lagoon at my home... a small insular community of around 35 permanent residents. Love the isolation, the quiet and the peace.
F8,1/125, ISO 100
Victoria Stoeva Golden Hour The sea is always a good idea. For clearing your mind, to find peace after a long day, for finding inspiration.
ISO 125 1/800 F/2
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Purple
Victoria Stoeva
Peaceful landscape during sunset. Beautiful sunset colors and the moon is out.
ISO 100 , F/2.8 1/320
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WILDLIFE CHALLENGE It’s time to walk on the wild side as we show you the best shots submitted for last months wildlife challenge. Which shot do you like best, and why? See more submissions on our website, and take a moment to vote and comment on them.
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Author: Eric Pollock Title: Aerial Fight Two Young Starlings in a fight over food.. 2000th sec f4.5 120 mm focal length 1600 ISO
November 2017 47
Kea at Play Two Kea enjoying each others company in playful mood.
1100THSEC F 5.6 400MM 800 ISO
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Eric Pollock
Reef Heron
Eric Pollock
A Reef Heron losing height as it approaches a landing spot.
2000TH SEC F 5.6 400MM 800 ISO
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Preening
Glenda Rees
This bird was on the boat harbour. I climbed onto some rocks so I could get closer to it and caught this moment.
CANON 7D & 100-400MM LENS. ISO 400, F/7.1 & 1/1600TH.
Leopard
Gary Reid
We arrived on the scene with only a few cars around all sitting quietly watching the leopard. It was about about 2 pm in the afternoon when we arrived, with the temperature at around about 31°C and humidity near 100%. We sat for close on 4 hours taking shots when the leopard decided to move, which was not very often. CAMERA: CANON 30D, LENSE: TAMARON 100-600 ZOOM, FSTOP: 10 @1/125
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Wrybill & Chick
Glenda Rees
Exchanging a Skink
Glenda Rees
Wrybills are the only bird in the world which has a bill bent to the side (the right). They are endemic to NZ and only breed on the braided rivers of the central South Island.
I watched these terns which had 2 chicks. One adult flew in with a skink, the other adult approached it and they exchanged the skink which the other adult took back to feed their chicks.
CANON 7D & 100-400MM. ISO 320, F/7.1 & 1/2000TH.
CANON 7D & 100-400MM. ISO 320, F/7.1 & 1/2000TH.
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Golden Gannet
Glenda Rees
I visited the colony in the late evening light. I was so close to the birds so saw how the light caused the bird to look golden.
Fiordland Crested Penguin
Glenda Rees
CANON 7D & 100-400MM. ISO 250, F/7.1, 1/2000TH.
I lay on the beach waiting for a penguin to return to the land. I love the effect of the foam of the tide contrasting with the extreme contrasting colours of the penguin.
CANON 7D & 100-400MM LENS. ISO 320, F/8, 1/3200TH.
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Tui
Glenda Rees
A Fan And A Follower
Glenn Reddiex
The bird was sitting on a branch very close to where I was standing. The head and torso filled the frame and the detail was evident because the background was dark bush on an overcast day.
This photograph was taken in the late afternoon on Motuotaraia farmland in the Central Hawke’s Bay. This beautiful piwakawaka took great interest in the movements my father and I made as we walked across one of the farm’s fields. It kept us company for about 30 minutes.
CANON 7D2 WITH 100-400MM LENS. ISO 2500, F/5.6, 1/640TH.
F8, EXPOSURE 1/500 SEC, ISO 800
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Shag
Greg Kane
Gull Chick
Shag on foreshore of Marlborough Sounds.
Little baby gull waiting for it’s parent to come back.
1/4000 @ F8 ISO4000 500MM NIKON D7100 LENS 50-500MM
ISO 100, 1/500 SHUTTER SPEED, F/4.0
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Isaac Smart
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Resting Seal
Jaimee Josephs
As we wandered around the rocks near Kaikoura, we almost missed this one. It was having a good old slumber in the sun.
F/13, 1/400, ISO 1000
Life in Africa
Jill Lancaster
A scene in Africa, Wildebeest resting and watching a Zebra walking away. Dust showing dryness and movement.
ISO 125, SHUTTER SPEED 1,000, F6.3, 600MM
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Your Magesty!
Peek a Boo
Kathy Seaward
Lila Check
Stayed on Royal Mirage hotel in Dubai for 4 months and every morning the peacocks came around to my breakfast table to sample my food. On my last day I took this picture as this particular bird become my friend and always stayed a bit longer than the others around me. CANON 50D ISO 200,F-2.8,SS 1/125 NO FLASH
The pelican landed on the lamppost and proceeded to look down on us Caption ‘What are you staring at! I converted to black & white.
F5, 1/2000, ISO 800
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Nesting Time For The Red-Billed Gull
Paul Robertson
Nesting Time For The Red Billed Gull on Dunedin Peninsula. The red-billed gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae scopulinus), once also known as the mackerel gull, is a native of New Zealand, being found throughout the country.
Bee
Sanjay Saikia
Bee collecting pollen from flower.
CANON EOS 600D WITH TAMRON SP 150-600MM. F/5, 1/2000SEC AND ISO-100 400TH SEC F/4.5 ISO 500
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Spotted Shags
Susan Kane
Tessa Palmer
The Tui
An early morning tender ride on the Sounds to capture the birdlife.
The colours of the feathers. Most people think Tui’s are black! So not the truth.
1/640 @ F6.3 390MM ISO 4000 NIKON D810 LENS 200-500MM
ISO400 600MM F6.3 1/500SEC
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Photography is the ONLY language that can be understood ANYWHERE in the world Bruno Barbey 68 NZPhotographer