CHRIS’ YEAR IN REVIEW – PART 2

Bendigo, Victoria, Australia

Canon 5DsR EF16-35mm F4 IS USM.

I happened to be driving near Bendigo Australia at sunrise one morning and caught this wonderful tree surrounded by beautiful sunlight. Driving along this particular road always has me scanning left and right for the right composition. I often aim for rules of third in this instance and I believe it works here. The light is just so beautiful, with the right amount of mist. Its not best landscape image ive taken, but its simple and enduring to me.

Colaba, Mumbai, India

Canon 5DsR EF16-35mm F4 IS USM.

Hands down one of my all time favourite portraits. I had a series of images from this moment but this one is perhaps my favourite, though other images are technically better. This image sums up the Indian charisma and fun. These kids came up to me on the beach and wanted to speak English with me. Of course a great way of making a connection is to mention an Indian cricketer or Premier League player. 30 seconds later they are all trying to pose for the camera. It is actually hard to pull yourself away as they all shake your hands and introduce themselves. In a hugely self centred manner, you sense that is a real highlight of their day. Have I ever had this kind of experience in a western country? Absolutely not.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, India

Canon 5DsR EF50mm F1.4.

I have to give Mike credit for the editing. He took this image as a great example of some of his editing prowess and its fair to say he got more out of it than me. Deeper shades, better detail and better tones. I never claim to be an expert editor, but at times, I wish I was better! This lady was selling food on the street and has such wonderful detail in her face. You can almost see the years of toil in every wrinkle. She was friendly for this photo without being enthusiastic. Of course a cash tip helped and I am certain it was the biggest note she saw of the day! She deserves it.

Maldon, Victoria, Australia

Canon 5DsR EF16-35mm F4 IS USM.

This image is the perfect example of always having your camera ready. I had gone out with my Mum to shoot some canola and the weather just wasn’t happening. I always picture blue skies and vivid yellow. This day was just grey leaden skies and no joy. I could however see on the horizon gaps in the clouds and the chance of sunshine. As we were driving, glimpses were showing and we came across this field. Nothing spectacular, but when you shoot super wide, you gain a brilliant vastness. The sun poked thru the clouds and lit up the canola beautifully. A slight enhancement of this in post and darkening of the skies, leads to this image. A lesson in perseverance if anything to be learnt here.

The Redwoods, Victoria, Australia

Canon 5DsR EF16-35mm F4 IS USM.

I came across this wonderful forest of Californian Redwoods in Cape Otway Australia whilst on a waterfall tour. This day was extremely wet and cloudy but the forest had a serenity about it that was magnificent. A stunning part of the world I need to return to ASAP.

Hamilton, New Zealand

Canon 5DsR EF100-400mm F4.5-5.6 IS II USM.

My work in stock photography always has me looking for ‘the quintessential’ shot of a place. This shot was taken just outside of Hamilton on the way to Waitomo on New Zealand’s Nth island. The weather wasn’t perfect, but all that is required is a shaft of light in the right place and its a matter of pulling over fast, appeasing the family, and shooting quickly. I love this shot as I had to shoot it very quickly and to me it sums up NZ. There are green rolling hills, cattle and beautiful sunlight. NZ.

Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

Canon 5DsR EF16-35mm F4 IS USM.

This image was shot in the Ruakuri Cave where cameras are allowed. The caves are generally very hard to shoot. Darkness, lots of people and guides who need to move you along. On our tour, I had a fantastic guide who understood my dilemma and let me shoot a little longer, as long as I caught up to the main group. At the end of the walkway is this wonderful cave. Its a simple shot, but a magnificent one in my eyes. Just a spectacular work of art from nature.

State Highway 5, New Zealand

Canon 5DsR EF16-35mm F4 IS USM.

This was shot on State Highway 5 between Taupo and Napier. It once again ticks those boxes for the classic NZ shot. The sky was perfect, the lushness of the scenery, and of course, the cattle. I love the small dam in the centre of the image too.

Napier, New Zealand

Canon 5DsR EF100-400mm F4.5-F5.6 IS II USM

This was an unexpected find of a location, and due to be a feature article soon. It was taken from a famous lookout in Napier called Bluff Hill. It has spectacular views nth up the coast but also over the main shipping port for the area. Mainly food produce and logging. It gives a great chance to shoot industrial type images and just watch all of the ships, vehicles and cranes at work. As a stock photographer, this is a golden location. Though removal of logos is a nightmare!

Napier, New Zealand

Canon 5DsR EF16-35mm F4 IS USM.

This shot risked a family argument as I got up for another sunrise to shoot. I am very much of an opportunity taker for moments like this. Who knows when I will be back to some locations? I was glad I did wake up early for a wonderful sunrise on the Napier foreshore. This is their famous pier which happens to point right at the sun in the mornings, ie, direct to the east. The serenity at this time of the day and the fact I met another great landscape photographer, Andrew Caldwell, made this a great experience.

Napier, New Zealand

Canon 5DsR EF16-35mm F4 IS USM.

One of the many impressive sculptures in Napier that happened to frame perfectly with a rising sun. A stunning art deco town that really is a photographer’s dream. A large location article for Napier is impending!

Te Mata Hills, New Zealand

Canon 5DsR EF16-35mm F4 IS USM.

This is a view of the wonderful peaks of the Te Mata Hills from the Craggy Range vineyard area. Views like this, and wine means life is always pretty good. I love the vivid sky and fence line making this image quite unique from what you generally see of this area.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, New Zealand

Canon 5DsR EF100-400mm F4.5-F5.6 IS II USM

I love this image as it looks like it is shot from an aircraft. It is in fact shot with a 400mm lens about 2m from the subject. The subject being tiny layers of rock that have been eroded over years by acidic water. The colours in this park are always very vivid and striking. This spot is no exception.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, New Zealand

Canon 5DsR EF100-400mm F4.5-F5.6 IS II USM

This was shot in one of the mud pools at the fantastic Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland park. Due for a large location article soon. I enjoyed zooming in and shooting a high shutter to capture this marvel of nature. Simple yet effective I feel for a very unique photo.

Tokaanu, New Zealand

Canon 5DsR EF16-35mm F4 IS USM.

An otherwise uninspiring shot is transformed by sunshine peeking thru the cloud. I just love this image and get drawn into the soft side light that brushes the landscape surrounding Lake Taupo.