The Northern Regional Convention - a Southerner's Perspective

By Barbara Lee APSNZ

Why would I go all the way from Te Anau to Whangārei for a convention? There were lots of reasons! There were two driving factors; it suited to combine the convention with a family visit to Kerikeri, and I wanted an excuse to visit the Hundertwasser Centre which was only opened last year. The opportunity to meet up with some fellow photographers at the same time was the icing on the cake!

Sean Aickin from Splendid Photo in Wellington got us thinking with an intro on how to digitise slides and old negatives simply and cheaply (even if not quickly) by various methods. It is labour-intensive, and whether I will try it out remains to be seen. Some very helpful tips there – thanks, Sean.

For me, half the fun of conventions is going somewhere I may not be familiar with and seeing their home territory through the eyes of local photographers. Congratulations to the Whangārei Camera Club for putting their hands up to host this year’s Northern Regional! It’s a shame not more folks came along to sample the local delights but, on the other hand, a smaller number made it easier to socialise. I loved having the seating arranged around round tables; it made for more informality, even if most of us couldn’t hear what was said on the opposite side of the table, half the time!

Helen Westerbeke FPSNZ inspired us to improve our photography by taking (and posting) an image a day, thereby progressing slowly but surely. I’m not sure that my FB friends could stomach an image a day from me, but Helen’s certainly weren’t boring as she whizzed through a sample of her portfolio at breakneck speed.

Bruce Girdwood FPSNZ took us on his photographic journey, reminding us that photography is a journey. If we think we have arrived we deceive ourselves.

The highlight of the talks for me was a presentation by Charles Brooks who went into the detail of how he produces those stunning Architecture in Music images. He even allowed us to have a careful look at his megaexpensive, periscope-style macro lenses which he uses to see inside the instruments. Those going to the National Convention will have another opportunity to see this – not to be missed, I can assure you!

waving my camera around in an undisciplined fashion at whatever caught my eye. Bliss!

The evening’s entertainment was provided by a local group of very colourful belly dancers who did admirably well in a less-than-ideal spot – at one end of the convention room. This did not deter the paparazzi though! Food arrived in

The weather wasn’t the best – and I felt for those who opted for some of the field trips. I went on the Town Basin trip, including the Hundertwasser, so I had lots of places to hide from the showers. Needless to say, I lost my group within the first ten minutes. I just loved wandering around at will and being answerable to nobody. I don’t usually do street or architecture photography, but it was fun flavoursome, abundant quantities at frequent intervals – no need for emergency supplies in your camera bag here!

Last, but not least, I made a lovely new friend! I responded to a FB post by Sue Morton, looking for someone to share accommodation with. We clicked (both Canon users!) and enjoyed sharing and getting to know each other. A great tip for others considering a solo trip, especially when one does not expect to know many (or any) folks at a convention.

Yes, it is more expensive to go “overseas” to a convention, but I can highly recommend the experience! Who doesn’t have friends and “rellies” in far-flung places that they can use to justify a trip somewhere? If one happens to tag on a couple of days (and a bag of camera gear) for a convention, well – that is just a bonus, isn’t it?