MAGNIFICENT NATURAL BRIDGE – WAITOMO NZ

Post by Judy@Gallery 21

"Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas.

                           It  is  a creative art."                 Ansel Adams

A recent field trip to the remains of an ancient New Zealand cave was not only a photographic challenge and a real test of photography skills, but also a bit of a physical challenge too!

The Mangapohue Natural Bridge is located just 25 km west of Waitomo in New Zealand’s north island and once made up part of the entire cave system around the Waitomo area.  Today, all that remains of this ancient cave is the impressive 17 metre high limestone arch which spans the Mangapohue Stream.  Fortunately a walkway has now been built to allow visitors to climb up to a great vantage point with relative ease compared to the old stone track that used to be the only means of access.  Nevertheless, lugging heavy camera gear up this walkway still required a certain amount of stamina!

There are many other caves in the Waitomo area, the origins of which began over 30 million years’ ago with the creation of limestone at the bottom of the ocean.  Now these limestone formations, which include the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, are one of New Zealand’s most famous natural wonders.

Photographically there was a wide range of light variations experienced from the dark interior of the rocky limestone arch to the lush green of the natural foliage, the flowing stream and the bright daylight beyond.  It was a real photographic challenge to ensure that all areas were correctly exposed and good results were accomplished by merging several shots at varying exposures.

OAMARU NZ - A WELL KEPT SECRET

 Post by Judy@Gallery 21

These photos were just some of the many taken as the result of a trip to Oamaru, located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, which is one of the country’s best kept secrets.  It is a “must visit” for anyone interested in history and architecture. Not only is it a great town, but it also has one of the world’s most notable collections of buildings from the Victorian era still remaining.  

Australian Mutual building

Oamaru Courthouse

Architecture typical of the era

Historic precinct - Oamaru

Built during the prosperous times of the 1880s-1890s, each building has its own unique history and many have been preserved and maintained and are open to the public.  Although the buildings are scattered throughout the town, the historic precinct contains the largest collection of noteworthy buildings which now house a variety of businesses, artists and craftspeople.

PRACTICA LTL3 CAMERA - STRONG, SOLID, DURABLE

 Post by Judy@Gallery 21

 

This Practica LTL3 camera body has been part of our family since 1979 after it replaced an earlier model we had owned.  The lens is still the original Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar – a mighty piece of German engineering.

This solid manual SLR was manufactured by East German VEB Pentacon (Dresden) between 1975 and 1978.  Praktica’s in general are well-designed and built to last and we have heaps of transparencies and photos taken with this camera to prove it. 

This is the last of the LTL series and has a TTL metering system.  This camera's best feature is the super-strong shutter.  It's a vertical focal plane metal blade shutter with a very unique and sturdy wind stroke.  It feels like a mechanism that knows exactly what it's supposed to do and does it. 

Although this camera is 36 years’ old, it is still in excellent working condition and all we have to do is put a roll of 35 mm film in it and go and take photos.  It has been a good reliable friend which has travelled with us on many of our overseas trips recording lots of good memories in transparency and B&W negative film.

PRINT OUT YOUR IMPORTANT PHOTOS

Post by Judy@Gallery21

Backing up photographs with the sophisticated media available today ensures their preservation forever.  Right?  Wrong!

With the proliferation of digital cameras, taking large numbers of photographs has never been easier.  However, the downside of this is that many of these images only ever reside on computer hard drives, or on media such as CDs and DVDs or in the “virtual world” on internet sites and are never printed out.  What happens if that technology fails or becomes obsolete and those precious memories are no longer available to you? 

Remember the days of the 5.25in and 3.5in floppy disk?  These are just two examples of data storage which have now joined the ranks of obsolete media!  You need to check frequently (at least once a year is recommended by some commentators), to ensure you can still read the data and transfer it to new media as old ones become obsolete.

For permanent accessibility, printed copies are by far the best solution.   You don’t need to print out every single image, but you do need to select the important ones for printing and placing in albums.

In the past, photographs have recorded important family events and milestones, allowed future generations to trace the family tree or recorded historical events.  All of that could be in jeopardy for our future generations if we don’t pay enough attention to this crucial aspect of image making.   

HOT OFF THE PRESS - SPORTING ACTION

Post by Judy@Gallery21

To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition,

 in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event.

  Henri Cartier-Bresson

Hamilton, New Zealand (aka“events city”) has hosted two popular sporting events this month. The annual “Round the Bridges” running and walking event and “The Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic” – the biggest event of its type in the country held on the Waikato River.  Gallery 21 photographers were there to capture some of the action.

(All images © Copyright Gallery 21 Photography)

OPEN YOUR (PHOTOGRAPHIC) EYE TO YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Posted by Judy@Gallery21

“The important thing is not the camera but the eye.” – Alfred Eisenstaedt

(German-American photographer and photojournalist)

For enthusiastic amateur or professional photographers some of the best photo opportunities can be found in your own backyard or neighbourhood. 

Waikato River - within walking distance of  my home

Often we are in awe of photographs taken in exotic places, but most of us really don’t have to travel any further than our own areas to find some wonderful photo locations.  Because our neighbourhoods are so familiar to us, we tend to take things for granted and think of them as ordinary, often failing to see just how extraordinary they may be.  It’s just a matter of taking the time to stop and observe and developing that “photographer’s” eye i.e. the ability to really pay attention to details around you.      

Often you may need to visit a location several times before you get your shot.  A distinct advantage of being able to photograph in your own neighbourhood is that you are on the spot and can be there at a moment’s notice to catch the desired conditions for the shot envisaged. 

Californian Quaile snapped in my garden

Another advantage is that you’re likely to have explored the area where you live and have a good knowledge of some unusual or unique features that a casual visitor may be unaware of.  Make the most of these opportunities.  Experiment at different times of the day in different weather conditions, at different angles, to get the shots you want.

There are a myriad of subjects and the list is only limited by your imagination, your perception, your creativity. These attributes are just some of the things that can set you apart and provide those unique shots.  Some examples to get those creative juices flowing could include gardens, birds, pets, statues, sculptures, parks, street scenes, river, lake and beach scenes, events, buildings, architecture etc.    Write down some ideas of your own, do some research on the best shooting conditions and then go and capture those photographs.   Remember though, to be sensitive to people and if you are shooting close up, always ask their permission.

NEW LIFE FOR OLD KODAK CAMERAS CAMERABLOG #1

 Post by Judy@Gallery21



         "The virtue of the camera is not the power it has to transform the photographer into an artist, but
           the impulse it gives him to keep on looking"    Brooke Atkinson, American Journalist and Critic

Throughout my life, there has always been a camera in our family and some of my future Blogs will feature the wonderful cameras (old and new) which are still very much a part of my life today.

The oldest camera is a Kodak Rainbow Hawkeye No 2 Model C brown box camera made in England which I inherited and which has been in my family ever since I can remember.  It was given to my father when he was a child and over many decades it recorded precious memories, which are still available in albums for our family and friends to enjoy. 

When released on the market from 1930 – 1933, this camera was available in blue, brown, green, maroon and vermilion and the 120 film it uses is still available today.  It has a single speed rotary shutter, a Meniscus lens and a cardboard body covered in leatherette. 

My very first camera was this Kodak Instamatic 25 Camera made in England and it took a great photo.  My parents bought it for me as a child, and I still continue to enjoy the many holiday snaps and wonderful memories recorded over the years. 

  

The Instamatic 25 is a viewfinder camera for Kodapak film cartridges and was made from 1966 to 1972 by Kodak Ltd England and Kodak Spain, to a design by Kenneth Grange, a British industrial designer.  (Just digressing for a moment - he was also responsible for designing a number of cameras for Kodak Ltd, as well as many other well known products such as the Kenwood Chef food mixer, the first UK parking meters, razors for Wilkinson Sword, and the Parker 25 pen).  

Compared to the sophisticated cameras of today, the Instamatic 25 was uncomplicated and simple to use.  It has a two-speed shutter and uses a 126 film, which is no longer available.  Its speed selector can be shifted from the sun symbol (1/90 sec.) to the half-sun symbol (1/40 sec.). The Kodak 1:11/43mm lens is fixed focus and fixed aperture.  The viewfinder is of reverse Galilean type. The flash shoe is for Kodalux bulb flashes.

These cameras now form part of a permanent collection exhibited in Gallery 21 the photographic art gallery I co-own and they regularly attract visitor comment and interest.