The view west from the sharpest corner on the Lindis Pass-Tarras road, heading north from Wanaka. I had driven to Central Otago to meet up with a Wellington friend, thinking that Spring would follow me south. It didn’t, and a biting southerly blew for some days. When it relented some beautiful weather followed, but here […]

Sometimes the full moon keeps me waiting. Its predicted peep over the horizon lags, for example, because a range of hills blocks the view. Anticipation! Which hill will the moon rise over? What pictorial elements should I line up for a creative memento of this exciting occasion?? Yes there are apps to tell me such […]

A Good Friday illumination, though not an epiphany,  from an unexpected source. A subdivision being so close to where I was staying, it was a simple matter to put on gumboots and shoulder tripod for the short walk to the hilltop, where a house was under construction.  As building sites are prone to pilfering I […]

3028. Minor epiphany at Maitai, Nelson. 9.02pm, 25 November 2015 In valleys in summertime the evening can be well advanced before the full moon shows above the hills. To use twilight as well you’ll need to choose the evening just before the moon hits 100% full, when it rises before sunset. It can be fun […]

1116 Rivulet of time: Dreams of a small figure. This uncommon scene is a reprise on my earlier visit, also in May (2009), with the Holy Virgin. Although we’d had some rain before this secular occasion, my obliging figurine held her position well on the edge of the abyss, and so my only task was […]

3409 Bold sentry, Paritutu, New Plymouth. 11.34pm, 21 July 2013 I admit to some anxiety parading a mannequin in a public place late at night, being too old for the art student look, so I was relieved to have this popular venue to myself for the duration. The torso was a gift from my daughter, […]

8075 Hauraki moonlit selfie, to tow truck soundtrack This is the last frame from a series I took from Achilles Point, a suburban vantage point at St Heliers, Auckland. The view is east, towards Brown’s Island (Motukorea), with Great Barrier Island on the far horizon. More a matter of record than any artistic statement, this […]

Those who are willing to be vulnerable move among mysteries.  –  Theodore Roethke 50mm; ISO 2000. 15 seconds at f9. Incandescent light balance; flash  

Everyone complains of his memory; nobody of his judgement. –  Francois de La Rochefoucauld When setting this up I wasn’t certain I was on a public road, but according to Google this is Cook Road, overlooking Waimarama on the coast. No vehicle came by the whole time, but traffic was regular on the main road […]

Moonlight and urban glow at Waimanu; digital ergonomics vs film cameras

Two minutes in the twilight; highlighting a volcanic bomb

Using flash with moonlight; square format composition

Decorative arch and summer peak from Surf Highway 45; working by the westerly early moon

An inspiring new structure, after dark; noise, scale and safety

High contrast land, sea and sky; late moons, weariness and night safety

In praise of pink; a secluded suburban waterfront and the challenge of the night-lit city

Quiet water, rough rocks and a soft line of surf – after an unexpected threat to my well-being

Simple but fast-moving monochrome composition, in a square format.

A simple composition, but a pose requiring 15 minutes; reciprocity effects

Slow photography while out with friends; the extra dimension to night photography

Fun with car light trails; balancing car lights with much dimmer moonlight.

Monochrome in sepia; a vessel leaves port on calm seas, at high moon.

Farm animals make good subjects for moonlight photography – precisely because they won’t keep still.

Find a quiet street and mix your moonlight with some sodium. Add your shadow to hide the tripod’s.

Making the most of a break in the weather; mixing the sublime with an electric fence.