Tuesday 29 November 2016

Photography Gear - What should I buy & why, why why?

"Gosh, you must have a good camera", I hear this comment a lot!  It's hard not to chuckle yet feel the frustration of hearing people's perception of photography.  This comment has edged me on to write something so if your reading this welcome to another perspective on photography... and in case your a headline reader.  The essence of this post is.. you do not need the best camera!  Read on...


(This shot I wanted to give the impression of size.  Unfortunately, the pilot boat was nowhere to be seen so I only had a beacon as a reference.  It was taken on a canon 80d 1.6x crop sensor, 300mm prime f4 with a 2x extender.  I had limited time to work this shot and took about 16 images.)

Photography is made up of many facets.  Here are my thoughts about photography, so you may consider when you think "you must have a good camera",

There are four aspects to photography: 
1. The craft ( Camera use), 
2. Artistry (Composition, lighting, negative space etc.), 
3. Passion and gut feeling and finally, 
4. Post Processing.

1. The Craft.  This is about the ability to use the machine you already have.  Know its limitations, what all the features do.  And when I say all, I mean everything!  Be well practised at using these features in the right circumstances for the right lighting situations.

When I had my first camera - a Nsoca 35, with a 35 mm lens I ran print film then slide later.  I knew little about composition etc. however; I did realise you had to take meter readings, etc. This camera still could take great shots.  I shot slide for years, and have now been swallowed into the vortex of digital. I have a range of machines. Call me obsessed because I now have a few more cameras and have invested in the lens' and other camera bodies.  Here`s the kicker! With all this, you can still take shitty shots.  Overall I have six cameras!  And I am still learning how to use them all to their full potential.  Most days I study a camera to understand its features, limitations and possibilities.  Combine this with a range of lens that only adds to the complications.  The bottom line is to be careful not being sucked into the idea that a certain camera will make your photos any better. In fact, I suggest focusing on the following three points, that I believe truly makes photography.  Only then will you want to move on and decide to invest in anything more expensive.  Cameras equipment is not cheap!

2. Artistry (Composition, lighting, negative space, etc.)


This image I liked cause it was showing the horses features and a different position you usually do not see.  What a podge!


It is not often you get to see a horse in this position, rolling on the grass.  It's a shame I did not get his eye, as that would have made the shot.  I was positioned too low and sometimes that's just the way it is.  You sometimes just can't get the shot you want.



I like this. However, it`s not my favourite.  This image I have given some artistic post processing, which I think adds to the image.  There is so much to artistry with composition this is not the place to go into any details.

(I was driving along and looking for a new perspective for the day.  I saw these horses on the ground.  It is not often you see this so stole the opportunity.  This one is certainly podgy.  Fun to capture them doing something you often do not see.  It was taken on a canon 80d 1.6x crop sensor, 300mm prime f4 with a 2x extender.  I shot about 50-60 images to work a shot I liked)

3. Passon and Gut Feeling:

Ask yourself, why do you photograph?  The reasons are endless.  I admit I am obsessed.  So find your reasons.


I love photography for many, many reasons.  I love to share my images with others.  It is a way I express myself about how I see the world. I hope to inspire others, and about our amazing world. I want to bring stories to others. I love the challenge of getting a great image.  It takes me to amazing places. I meet wonderful people - there are so many reasons, and the list goes on.  Find yours and ignite your passion for photography.  Also, trust your gut instinct when you think there is a great image caught out of the corner of your eye.  Try it!  Ironically the above image is my favourite of the horses, but probably not for others.  Photography has principles to follow however my advice is to do it cause you love it and don't always follow the rules.


4. Finally, Post Processing:

This is a skill all on its own.  There are basic programmes you can complete this, like Photo elements, etc.  Ideally, your images need a little tweaking.  Remember you are dealing with dots (pixels), and you can improve images.  Most Smartphones have great post processing tools.  Remember the days of film and slide? Well, now you're the camera shop now and the processor!  I like to represent my images how they were at the time.  I have learnt to do a little artistry with some photos but still, aim to represent what I saw at the time.  A camera cannot see what the human eye and brain can create, so all machines have limitations.  Get some lessons and learn some post processing skills.

That's an overall sum up broad brush at what I think photography is made up of.  Of course, when you start drilling into the subject each item I have mentioned has many more levels and aspects, and there are many I have not mentioned.  So next time you suggest to someone or think, "they must have a good camera", remember all the other aspect.  Photography takes dedication, time, passion, subject research, curiosity and a willing to learn.  You may spend a day trying to get an image and come away with nothing you're happy with.  It may take hours, days, weeks, months or in some case, years to get the right image you like.  And respect other people's work.  Alway give credit to a photographer.

Either way - enjoy the beauty of producing images you like and share them with the world.

Happy photographing

Andy Thompson

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Saturday 19 November 2016

Purakanui - Another view of Dunedin

I love taking photos. There isn't probably one day I don't shoot a camera, or am not thinking of framing an image. You might say I am obsessed but aren't eccentric people the happiest?

I was looking through my images and realised I have many that are quite dark. I love the golden hour and blue hour, however arguably it lends itself to darker images. I decided to broaden my brightness! So that night a discussion around how to combine three factors occurred. How to combine photography, dogs and exercises with bright light. Dogs rule eh!

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So over to Purakanui we trotted. I had not been there for years, and what a wonderful place this is! We were meet by some Royal NZ Spoon Bills. You don`t often see them cross the road!

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Another name for a section of this area is Mapoutahi (which is the headland where the Pa site is situated), Osborne and Purakanui which is the inlet bay identified on the map. A link for a map: Purakanui

On a sunny day this place is stunning - and although lupins are considered a weed, they add some bright happy yellow to your day there.

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The beaches are amazing, and if your keen on an a good ol southern swim, I dare you to strip and make a dash for the water! Go on....

Mapoutahi point is in the above photo. Pretty cool to visit as this is where the old pa site is. Be very cautious as there are very large drop offs and no safety fences - so hang on to young kids and your dogs.

Purakanui has some pretty ferocious history. This narrow headland was once the strategic location of a pa that was the scene of the last dreadful act in a feud that tore through the pre-European Maori community of the Dunedin area.
It began sometime in the mid-1700s when a leader named Taoka failed to make an expected visit to his cousin Te Wera, who took this as an insult. In response he took a war party to the Waitaki River and slew Taoka’s son. He sent two minor chiefs to bear the news to Taoka, perhaps hoping that he would slay the messengers and no further utu would be forthcoming. However Taoka was away when the messengers arrived, so they passed the news on to his wives and beat a hasty retreat, likely thanking their lucky stars.

The outraged Taoka laid siege to Te Wera’s fortified pa at Huriawa (which we will no doubt visit in future), but Te Wera had prepared for the attack by stockpiling preserved food, and fresh water could be obtained from a spring on the highly defensible Karitane peninsula. Eventually Taoka was unable to feed his war party and forced to leave. Te Wera quickly took the opportunity to leave for Stewart Island.

But Taoka still needed to settle the score, so he turned his sights on Te Wera’s ally, Te Pakihaukea, who chose to make his stand here at Mapoutahi, perching his pa atop cliffs that could only be accessed via a narrow strip of land. Back in his time, the water was deeper around the isthmus, making it an even more secure position than it appears today.

Taoka laid siege, but could not breach the fortress. Then one winter night he sent a scout to check the defences and discovered that dummies had been set up in place of the usual sentries. The vengeful chief seized this opportunity, broached the pa and slaughtered the inhabitants. It is said that only one man escaped, by diving into the ocean.

Once the massacre was over, the bodies were left piled up like a large heap of wood, which is the translation for the name of the bay – Purakaunui.

I am glad it is a far more peaceful location now, and encourage you to go visit. Make sure you take care of the area, respect locals and keep all dogs away from wildlife. There are blue penguins around too.

I think this is going to be a place I will visit and photograph much much more - so keep an eye out. I did catch a great panorama you can see looking across to Drs Point so click on the link and have a look.

Till next time - keep adventuring & photographing.

Andy
Andy Thompson Photography NZ





































Monday 14 November 2016

A few Drinks.....

The drinking culture in New Zealand is not unknown nor public knowledge.  In fact, it would not be unrealistic to compare NZ with the UK drinking culture!


In fact, on the website Alcohol.org.nz  it is stated that Alcohol is one of the most commonly used drugs in New Zealand.  Now this drug is freely available in varied outlets across the nation, the level of consumption has increased since the 1990s.

The affect from, alcohol on the body is quite amazing to consider.  It affects all parts and over consumption has long term effects.  I have certainly been brought up through the 80s and 90s buried in this culture.  In fact, when I was employed in the NZ Forest Service it was rife.  And I developed a cognitive dissonance about the whole issue with drinking.  Also, there is no doubt that if you have a major life event that swings you off the rails, drinking is where people often turn too.  However, the result is putting you in a worse position than when you first started.



So, next time you decide to have a drink, consider having one to enjoy the company of others, while knowing your limits and having the strength to say 'when'.  Make sure you have a responsible driver pre-organized. And be a great awesome buddy to ensure you look after your mates.

Andy Thompson

Andy Thompson Photography NZ

Wednesday 9 November 2016

The Beach, Politics and Keeping Grounded

Last night we were walking along the beach at Aramoana.  The peace, serenity and quiet roll of the ocean soothed our minds after an upside down frantic day.  Waking up to this morning announcement on the American election results leaves me with a feeling of unease for the future.


If you consider Hitler's rise to lead a nation that was based on fear and injustice, this all looks to familiar. People forget history far too easily. In 1919, Hitler attended his first meeting of the German Workers' party, an anti-Semitic, nationalist group as a spy for the German Army. However, he found he agreed with Anton Drexler's German nationalism and anti-Semitism. He disagreed with how they were organised leading him to make a passionate speech. Hitler quickly cemented his reputation as an engaging orator through his passion about the injustices faced by Germany as a result of the Treaty of Versailles.



In a chaotic world that needs great leaders with authenticity and genuine care for the greater good, the result of Americas political elections last night it seems they are heading down the same path. If you look at the history of the winning candidate, he too based his election on a similar vein as Hitler. I quiver at the thought and can only hope he ends up having little ability to do much, while the rest of the government water down his intentions.Let's hope that the tangle of the political world keeps some normality and that people rally together to ensure the newly elected candidate of America is held in check.


If you are worried, scared or overwhelmed, then take that walk with your loved one somewhere you can find some solace and peace. Find a beach, breathe the air deeply, see the intricacies of life that will endure humanity, and take the time to make sure you keep your own feet on the ground.

You are invited to visit our Facebook and click and like at https://www.facebook.com/andythompsonNZ/

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Andy Thompson


Andy Thompson Photography NZ


Friday 4 November 2016

Loving Spring

Kia ora,

I love Spring!  There is so much new growth, sunshine, longer days and plenty to discover.  Today we trotted up Bethune's Gully after spending the morning writing on study (nearly done on the draft!).

Here are some fun photo from the day while out walking the dogs up Bathunes gully and doing a fittness test with Jo at the Botanical Gardens




I hope you are getting out there and enjoying the seasons

Regards

Andy

Andy Thompson Photography NZ
www.andythompsonphotographynz.co.nz

Saturday 25 June 2016

Street Photography - Capturing unmediated chance encounters and random incidents with people.

Capturing unmediated chance encounters and random incidents with people is the most wonderful yet intense and scary photographic challenge I have experienced so far.  It is such a layered recipe; cultivating ingredients like nerves, anticipation, rawness, excitement, stress, and pure wonder at what the human species is up to on a daily basis.

I enrolled on a street photography course with Alan Cox (http://www.nzphotoworkshops.com/), with the intent to learn 'How To?', and to consider the implications of 'Can I?' and to ponder the most important question for me, the 'Why?'

 Street Photography - DunedinPhotography to me is art.  And there is an endless spectrum of possibilities for the way a photographer may want to capture and display their art.  My photography is about capturing the essence of people, seeing them interact and impressing the images I capture in times when someone or a group of people are engaged with either themselves or others.  It is about finding that moment in time of authenticity. 

One definition of Street Photography is "a type of photography that features subjects in candid situations within public places. Street photographs are mirror images of society, displaying “unmanipulated” scenes, with usually unaware subjects.”

There are many questions around what can you shoot and what can you not shoot, what are your boundaries and are you allowed to?

Can you shoot in public places i.e, streets etc. The answer to that is yes.  It is no different to the press, tourists or other photographers that shoot in the same places.  You can't shoot in private areas e.g, malls, shops or other confined areas.  What is very important is to understand your intent as a photographer. 

My intent is to capture images that celebrate the humanity and diversity we have around us.  I am not out to harm anyone, however I am still part of the rich tapestry of life photographing people live their days in the complexities of life.  

Street photography should also not be about bringing others into disrepute or negative light.  The intent is positive, to create a gallery of wonderful images that show the colour in other people.  Ironically I have shot most images in black n white.  This resonates with me, as I find it is striking and gives a grit about life.  The colour is from the people's expressions and what they are doing in each image. Although some images I have chosen to introduce are in colour, as I consider it suits the photograph.

 Street Photography - Dunedin

On several occasions I was asked and was challenged as to what I was doing?  As advised by Alan, and rightly so, I was honest and told them up front.  I showed my photographic business card.  These encounters were all I experienced, however if I was to be challenged more, or someone did not want their photo taken, I would happily show them what I had taken, offer to send it to them and also happily delete the image if requested too.  The best policy is to be honest, however it is raw and nerving to be challenged by the public.  You are encroaching on people's boundaries, and it is challenging to be faced with randoms.

I learnt quite a few strategies and techniques during the day and have a long way to go to build this sort of photography, however the results are wonderful (I think).  It is photography at its essence for me, capturing unmediated chance encounters and random incidents with people and to celebrate the amazing diversity of others in 1/320 sec or less is incredible.

Thanks to Alan Cox's tuition I have a better understanding of street photography and found that I love this sort of photography.  Of course I acknowledge I have an endless amount to learn - that's the exciting part - being humbled by the incredible things I see and experiences with people and photography.  Celebrating the diversity of humanity in everyday life.

Link to my Street Photography can be found at:

Andy Thompson
Andy Thompson Photography NZ
'People in Action'

Friday 20 May 2016

Backyard Adventure 2016

What's to explore in your backyard?  Often we travel far away for adventures and holidays to far away locations, either in our own countries or overseas.  But what about your own environment?  What about your own backyard?  How much of that have you really truly explored, and have you managed to gain a deeper appreciation of your local environment.

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Backyard Adventure is part of the Diploma in Outdoor Leadership Level 5 programme at the Otago Polytechnic.  It is an outdoor education project based in the Dunedin local area. During the 'Backyard Adventure' our year 2 Diploma students prepare, plan and run a journey based around the the Dunedin Harbour area, exploring their local area. Clientele are usually local school students. Along the way they learn more about biking, tramping, camping and sea kayaking. Embedded within the journey they interact and learn about themselves, peers, local communities and leadership; through adventure. Through the collaborative interaction with local communities, people, organisations and ecosystems all participants get to share stories and interact with their own backyard and community.

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Backyard Adventures was the brainchild of Jo Martindale and Andy Thompson in 2015.  It was initiated and inspired from Jo's research project for her Masters.  With the help of myself we designed the route and logistics.  It was a win/win for our Diploma students and Jos research and a great opportunity for young students from a school to be involved.  Now it has developed into its second year with two being completed.  In Jos research proposal she wrote, "If we are to learn anything from this decade we need to find solutions to our over use of resources and many of our unsustainable, everyday practices. We must teach our young to value and respect our own place, the local and what it contains. To do this we need to be in the environment. Outdoor education has the potential to lead us towards this sustainable future (Hill, 2013).  She continues to say,  "It has been argued that mainstream outdoor education in New Zealand still has adventure, risk, challenge and personal development as its main underpinnings (Hill, 2014, Zink and Boyes, 2007), with very little focus given to the traditions and history of Māori (Andkjær, 2010). By keeping these underpinnings, outdoor education is promoting the societal status quo of individualism and consumerism (Boyes, 2012). From my own experience working in outdoor education and at a tertiary institute, we travel vast distances to go to the ‘best’ locations for the pursuit, giving little thought to petrol use. Hill (2014) argues that this means outdoor education remains “distant from the goal of education for a sustainable future” (Hill, 2013, p.19).  Researchers and academics have been increasingly concerned with the unsustainable practices of outdoor education and how slowly outdoor educators have been prepared to change their focus for greater sustainability (Boyes, 2012)" (Jo Martindale - Research Proposal)
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It is the first big experience for our Diploma students in planning, preparation and delivering professional instruction and guiding to clients.  To say the least most comments from students are; 'this is deep ending learning', 'total immersion' and 'amazing learning'.

This year, the journeys have continued, having just completed two weeks of journeys, one with Otago Boys High School and the second week with home school students, the value in the educational learning has been exceptional.  Through both weeks I have observed personal and professional development in our Diploma students.  It is exciting to see this, and also experience this alongside some fantastic young aspiring professionals.

Pre journey the Diploma students are given assigned roles. They are expected to prepare and plan the running of the journey,  this includes logistics, health & safety, accommodation, vehicles, budgets, liaison with clients, interpretation, medicals, assistant leader, leader, cooking, intentions, students wellbeing, equipment and intentions.  So plenty to do.  Often students will not understand or realise the importance of this phase, which comes back at them while on journey.  This often proves to be good learning in the value of preparation.

 http://www.andythompsonphotographynz.co.nz/Key to the Backyard Journey being successful are: the pre meetings, frontloading what is expected on journey, during the journey the facilitation of reflective discussions each day, a careful eye on the overall safety of the journey, and the willingness of students to embrace and enjoy the learning they can gain from their experiences.  Coupled with this is how they choose to apply their learning into the future.  In conversations during the journey we discuss ways students can feed forward their learning.  And lastly discussion with students after the journey to challenge and see what they have taken out of the journey experience and how they may be applying their learning.  Paul Hager & Phil Hodkinson (2009) write a great article on 'Moving beyond the metaphor of Transfer of Learning'.  They discuss the limitations of the metaphor of transfer of learning and broaden their discussion to 4 lens that I consider important; the propositional learning lens, the skill learning lens, the learning through participation lens and the learning through transformation and reconstruction lens.  Combining these lenses is an important teaching pedagogy I apply to this part of the Diploma. 

It is also a privileged position to be able to observe the many layers of learning with the Diploma students, school students, colleagues and yet have an eagle eye on the over safety and flow of the journey.  Often a thin grey line when to step in if a safety situation may occur and letting situations unfold for students to be able to experience first hand the richness of learning in their own actions. Letting people be accountable for their own actions is the gold nugget within this journey.

 http://www.andythompsonphotographynz.co.nz/In this journey I was fortunate to have AJ join me.  AJ completed the Diploma in 2012 and has been working a professional sea kayak guide in Abel Tasman. At facilitation meetings she was able to gave her perspectives and observations which were priceless.  It is something I can not replicate as I have been the orchestrator of this programme, conversely she has now been on both  sides of the fence: from student - graduate - working in the tourism industry - to working on our programme.  Her reflective comments were an important part of this process to help students learn.

There is no doubt development of this journey has more work required and I can see it will metamorphosize as time goes on and I reflect on how I can develop it into part of the programme that is more effective for all involved.  It is an exciting part of our Diploma programme and this journey supports many aspects of the Diploma programme that all staff contribute too.
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A special thanks must go to Warwick Kain and Claire Latta for their support and commitment to getting students from school on board with this.  Thank you to the outside community people such as Ron Bull, Paula from horticulture, OP, Steve Parker and Quarantine Island people that give up their time to be there.  Also to Jo Martindale for your support and discussions on this continued project, and finally, and most importantly, to the students who put their hearts and soul into the delivery, instruction and guiding of this journey.  

Andy Thompson
Andy Thompson Photography NZ









Sunday 24 April 2016

'Get rid of your brain fuzz & A World First'

Initially I received a phone call from a colleague to go out to Aramoana to pay tribute on Anzac day.  What better way to remember those who dedicated their lives for such atrocities and a horrible war, than to go out to this special place, and remember those who have fallen and hope for the present wars that are occurring in the world to cease.

It was a howling southerly, and I was excited at the prospect of cycling out!  Jo wasn't that excited, however when we got out she loved it.
 Andy Thompson Photography NZ
 We stopped in the windiest section to catch the above image.  Jo battled to hold the bike still - tricky with a tandem.  The ride out was a breeze with mainly tailwind with some wild cross winds.  As we biked down the mole I realised this could be the first sunrise tandem ride that has ever occurred on the mole.  Ah yes a 'world record' I say - I will calm that until proven otherwise.
Andy Thompson Photography NZ
At the mole we lazed out of the wind to enjoy breakfast and hot chocolates.  Jo makes the best hot chocolates and if you see her ask for one - super yum!  Unknown to us was a seal not far.  Their hard to sometimes spot and we only introduced ourselves as we left for home.

Once again the effort was worth it.  What we have discovered is a great way to 'start the day' and get rid of any brain fuzz for the day.  Some research says that technology ie screens, ie your computer and phones are a culprit to reducing your creativity and give you brain fuzz for the day.  We were certainly experiencing that.  So our recipe to start the day well, is to:

1. Do not look at the phone or computer first thing.
2. Do something that connects you to your body - activity ie swimming, cycling, walk the dogs, yoga, breathing with feet on the floor etc.
3. Do something creative - mine is photography, Jo is drawing.
4. Make a 'to do' list for the day
 Andy Thompson Photography NZ

Then you may look at screens and phones.  So far it has helped our study and we are having far more productive days.  This sequence could be a short 15 minutes of longer.

Try it!  It is certainly a great way to reduce the brain fuzz and appreciate what is around you and loved ones.

And yes remembering those who have fought in many wars, including my Dad.  I miss Dad every day (and Mum), and there is not one day that goes by I don't think of them, nor my children and others.  Remembering should not be about re opening scars, but should be for healing and moving forward for a better place.  Can we do that.  My Dad got up for ANZAC day every time and would march in honour and it was a very different generation then.  I miss Dad every day!  And when you loose your parents there are so many conversations you wish you could have had.

Andy Thompson
www.andythompsonphotographynz.co.nz


Tuesday 19 April 2016

Chasing the Sun's

There is a song called 'Chasing the Sun' by The Wanted and they sing;


I'm better
So much better now
I see the light, touch the light,
We're together now

I'm better
So much better now
Look to the skies, give me life
We're together now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIyYMjI-xFg  The song was used in the movie 'Ice Age' (better than their other version they have- more friendly).  It seems both Jo and I love doing exactly this - Chasing the Sun!  It is rather insane how we both love doing this.  It is beautiful to get out of bed and race out for that amazing spot to watch for a mere 15 short minutes the sun creep over the horizon to start our day.

This morning the plan was to do just that.  We got up at 0500 and raced out to what Jo had calculated to be just the spot. I also was hoping to get some star shots, however the coast had a light veil of cloud so it was not to be.

We arrived at Alans beach, and by torch light, with dogs on lead, we sunk through the sand to the beach.  Sea mist floated around and filled our torch beams, that reached out into the darkness.  We were on the alert for sea lions!

As we travelled down the beach to our viewing spot, one sea lion lolupped its way up the beach.  Avoiding her we gave a wide berth.  She was tempted to follow up, however finally seemed more intent on finding a nice spot to watch the sunrise as well.

While we stood on the beach, the sun seemed to be not where it was calculated to be.  We discovered that Jo had looked up the incorrect beach.... doh!
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The hot chocolate Jo had kindly made helped.  Laughing at our mis calculation, we scampered off with just enough time to get to Taiaroa Heads.  We only just made it, however what a wonderful display of colour and awesomeness.

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We finished breakfast and trottled back home for study for the day.

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Is the effort worth it?  In my opinion it is.  In fact I just saw Adain Summerfield take his kids up to Mt Cargill for the sunrise on FB - how cool is that and what a wonderful experience for them.  So it is worth chasing the sun.  Taking in the most wonderful colors and drinking the beautiful serenity or wildness of the mornings or evenings.  Way better than TV or other alternatives.  Next time you think its going to be a great morning do it, and encourage family, fiends or lovers to get out there and drink in the wonderful experiences we have on this planet.

Andy Thompson


Saturday 9 January 2016

A Different Perspective... Can you see it?

I have been putting this off for a while.  A challenge to put together 10 photos within the bathroom that are different and appealing to the eye.  Finally I had some brain space to give it a crack.  The purpose of the exercise is to get me looking at things differently.  An exercise in changing my perspective.  Hopefully it will get me looking at everyday objects and possible help change my own personal lens in the way I photograph and see things through my camera.  However it did much more than that in the end.
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So I entered the bathroom armed with camera gear, knowing now was the right time of day with the light shining through.  It's scary setting yourself these challenges as the fear of not being able to come up with something nags at the back of my mind.  

Initially some lenses did not work ie the 300mm or the 600ml!  even the 135mm, I could not find somewhere to use.  The 100mm macro with a tube worked well and the 50mm, and I stumbled my efforts with a 24mm Sigma.  I used my Cannon 6d as I required to push the ISO up and this machine deals with it well.  So that's the technical bit, and interestingly that's how I was initially thinking.  How wrong was I!
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Busy in the bathroom now I was snapping off images.  It is amazing nowadays with digital, how many images you can snap off before you get the one you want.  I used to shoot slide and print.  I remember every shot I considered as I knew I was going to pay money for it my 36 film canister.  And out of 36 there were only so many that were really usable and some duds.  Either way it made me reconsider pressing the shutter button.  Nowadays you can rattle them off like a machine gun.  I think it is important to minimise this technique and put more careful consideration in to why and what you are photographing.  I was finding this activity revitalising this learning.  I seriously required better planning and visualisation for the images I am wanting to create.
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I had some ideas, however I did not have ten images sorted in my head.  It would have been better to have written these down, even sketched them maybe?  So the first attempt I nailed 6 images of which I was happy.  I still had four to go!  I had to extract myself from the bathroom eventually as I lost the light and my partner wanted to use it.  Oops sorry Jo!
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However what a great bonus this turned out to be.  As I came out I already started reflecting on my initial experience.  It dawned on me that this was not about photographing things.  It was capturing images that give the essence of a bathroom.  Maybe people may look at these and wonder - what is that, where is that?  Maybe there are environmental messages.  Everyday items we see all the time, suddenly popped out.  Formulating the images and ideas came flooding in.  I started to visualize what I wanted to photograph, the f stop and speed and why.  It was starting to come together and so the exercise was slowly proving its worth.
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 I went back in the next day and new exactly what I wanted to photograph.  Having a break and getting a new perspective is often a great technique and this was no different.  It's like leaving town and taking a holiday, returning home and work, fresh with a new lens on what you see.  A fresh perspective.  After a couple of runs I completed my final 10 images.
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 It still wasn't perfect on the second attempt.  However this challenge was to push my mind to see things differently.  What started off as a challenge to photograph things became chance to investigate what was the essence of the images I was creating.  When you take a sunrise image, often it's not too hard to get a workable image.  The art is in composition, light and timing.  In a common place like the bathroom, I visit most every day, where I never blink an eye to the details or what it may look like as an image with this light, this activity started me thinking what and why I was photographing.  It started getting me to think about what was the essence of these images. Changing my perspective on how I see things.  Not surprisingly, I can apply this to most aspects of my life.  How can I see other people's perspectives better, and better understand them.  Often we rush too fast to make a judgement about others, without taking the time to really listen with the intent to understand the other persons perspective, what drove them to their actions and why.  That takes effort - emotionally.  It takes an investment in time.  I think about my own kids, partner and others that I know.  It makes me wonder and analysis how I can better understand them.  And will they let me? - relationships are a two way street.
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 This brings me to the play of light and how important it is.  There were times in the bathroom some images just would not work.  Photography is about the use of light.  It is critical and can make an image pop out or sit bland and boring.  So timing can be everything in photography, like relationships.  However sometimes you can improvise.  These last three images I used a head torch which helped these images light up.
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 It reminded me though that patience is imperative.  I like shooting landscapes and wild places with people and animals often as subjects.  That's because I love travelling to these places and sharing the images I have with others.  You can't always get the timing right though.  I have missed many images through poor unthoughtful timing and poor planning.  How many times have I done this with my relationships?  Relationships between people friends or such like are never black n white.  I think there grey with oodles of colour.
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 Overall it's a great exercise to do, and if you're into photography I challenge you to find the opportunity to give it a go.  Next is the living space, then the kitchen.  Let's see what I come up with then.  Feel welcome to comment - love to know your thoughts and ideas.

Andy Thompson
andyphotosnz@gmail.com
www.andythompsonphotographynz.co.nz

Tuesday 5 January 2016

A Well Rounded Cycle Tour

The last hill!  As we turned up towards home, dropping to the lowest gear to grind at the pedals nearly left us in shock.  Not ten minutes previously I was thinking of suggesting to Jo we bike to Aromana to top up our total km :)  The odometer said 271, and I was keen to break the 300km, however I thought I might be pushing my luck?

Either way we had completed a fantastic round trip, which we started three days ago.  And we were unsure if we would even be able to pedal out of Port Chalmers on the first hill before we started.

 Our First Hill = Success
Day 1 we set off in a blistering cold breeze from home.  Down the hill, dressed lightly as we knew were about to launch into our first serious hill climb, with no warm up.  By the time we had made the top of the hill, we were chuffed - we could climb hills fully loaded.  This gave me confidence in the remaining trip, however I knew we still had some gut busters after Middlemarch.  The intention was to cycle up to Palmerston, across to Macraes, Middlemarch, then round to Outram and back home in three days.  Our first tour on the tandem.  :)

Being up the front on a Tandem has its perks, drawbacks and a large sense of responsibility.  Coasting down to Waitati, up front you break all the wind.  Oh my gosh was it cold!  OOOOOOOOHLAAAALAAAAAA.....  Jo thanked me for breaking all the cold wind..  It must be all worth it then :)

I admit, I love doing the driving part, dealing with the gears and brakes and finding the best line for our ride.  I am so lucky that both Jo and I accept and like our positions on the Tandem.  There are no arguments, just harmony in where we are and how we ride.  The skill up the front is choosing the correct gear for the terrain we are peddling on, ensuring I don't burn our brakes out on a steep decent, and keeping a good line, not getting distracted and ensuring we don't meet a nasty pothole or wander off the road in a momentary lapse of reason.
 The Never Ending Climb
However being up front comes with a hefty responsibility.  Jo puts her full trust in me.  We both know that if we come off it will be messy.  As we are hurtling down our first hill, in the blistering chill, I open up a conversation to Jo about, 'what if the brakes fail plan?'  Jos quick response was - 'Lets not think about that!  My response was, 'let's think about that', so I respond how I will deal with it and we both decided it will happen all too quick, so she need not worry about it.  It was going to be a quick ditch the bike on the deck!

When I bike on my own, your only issue is 'you' and what you might collide with if it goes pear shape.  Biking on a tandem has the shared sense of responsibility and I am 'super' cautious with the knowledge of caring for my tandem buddy.

Along the coast road from Warrington is a stunning ride, rising up and down with the gullies and ridges of the landscape.  Finally we are greeted with a friendly wave and hello at Simon Middlemass' place and a fresh coffee.  We did chat about camping there, but there was no question, we were carrying on.
 A Welcome Coffee and Chat with Simon
Through stunning Karitane and out onto the main road.  If we worked harder we could have broke 50km through Waikouaiti - a speeding ticket on a tandem is almost thought of as a trophy.  At Palmerston, ice creams and lunch were a highlight.  Finally it was starting to heat up and off came the jackets.  The plan was to cycle through to Macraes and find a place to camp.  We made the turn off and looked at the profile of the hill to climb.  At that stage we were rather tired.  After much debate, we managed to convince ourselves to go the long way.

Well..... the long way it was!  Remember we had both not cycled for two months.  On top of that Jo had four months off work with concussion with no activity, then a couple of weeks of some work activity, then travel to Costa Rica and Nicaragua with World Challenge - with less activity she has done all year.  At 90km, we decided to stop into a farm house for water at Morrison.
 Camp Site at Morrisons

What a wonderful lady!  In true kiwi style, we were offered a cuppa, refreshed our water supply and offered to stay in the paddock across the road on her land.  I can only wish that other people would do that and I will always endeavour to welcome others the same way if I can.

We hit the hay pretty early and once out for a midnight leak - the stars were amazing.  It is the beautiful thing about getting away from the city light pollution, you realise how incredible the night sky is, and just how small we all truly are.

Day 2 dawned cloudy and fresh again.  We hit the cadence vibe, and found ourselves climbing, breathing heavily up Brothers pass, past Pigroot Hill.  Once we had cleared the hills it was a quick ride to Kyeburn, where we rested in the late morning sun.  It was too tempting to snooze off, so we saddled up again and proceeded to dance again softly on our peddles, charging forward to Middlemarch.

I had forgotten about the climb through to Hyde.  The only way to describe it is ..... 'Grunt'.
Into Middlemarch our minds were swimming towards fresh coffee and yummies.  And so we did!  Yumbooos!

It was the heat of the day so taking some time out to digest and avoid the main heat was the plan.  Often a good technique in cycle touring when its cooking out on the tarmac.
 Resting up from the Intense Heat
Later we hit the road.  Hmmmm, a head wind, stifling hot, and one hell of a hill to climb out of Middlemarch.  In fact 'up' and 'up' went together on this one.  Jo unfortunately nearly ran out of go go, but getting off was not an option.  Just push harder!  We cleared the top to descend to Deep stream where we thought we would take a hiding camp site.  The pine trees that were to be our salvage... had been felled!  Pooh!  So after a brief feed we climbed up to make Clarkes Junction Hotel where I suggested we ask for a piece of grass to camp on.  Not what we planned, but the owners were wonderful.  So a great piece of grass, beer and a steak meal made up for all the sweat.  The owners were super friendly and very welcoming. - by the way they are selling if your interested?
Clarkes Junction Hotel
Day 3: Cruising on a sunny day across the penny plain of Otago, takes your breath away.  The expanse of land, space and tussocks, while travelling self contained with your buddy on a tandem is simply amazing and words don't even come close.  The descent into Lee stream was fantastic and the climb out although it made us work hard, was not really too desperate.  22km of mostly down hill to Outram rewarded us on our efforts of hill climbing.  Fresh coffee at the Wobbly Goat cafe and a yummy saw us on our way to Mosgiel - Dunedin's own Hollywood - well the sign at least?  We decided to follow the cycle trail back into town, and was welcomed with a stiff Northeaster.  We stole ourselves for a smoothie then hit the road towards home to close the loop.

Cycling up that last hill...  at the 271km mark, we had spent the journey mostly focused on peddling.  Tandems when loaded are pretty slow up hill.  On average we travel between 6-9 km/hr.  Remember you have two body weights plus two persons lot of equipment - of which you have to be frugal anyway.  However on the flats you can hike along at 30 - 45km/hr easily, sometimes 50km/hr.  Downhills can be fast too, however the panniers provide plenty of wind resistance.  Our top speed was 77km/hr.  Our first day was 90 km, second day we travelled 109 km, then we finished off to top the 272.5km total back at home.  Cresting the final hill, in reflection, I would liked to have stopped off for some swims, however each day we did not finish peddling until about 1800 or later so maybe we did not have the time.  Next time I will plan to do this?  I am scheming our next ride already.


Andy Thompson