It's all in the Gallery II

Her is Image number II.

Model: Melissa

It's important to for a picture to tell a story or invite the view to find their own in order to give an image a presence.

It would be all to easy to explain each piece, the meaning, the process but with this series the process is the viewer drawing out a part of there own experiences and relating it to what they see in front of them.

It's all in the Gallery

"HEY I AM BACK". I have been absent for a long time but would like to get this blog back to what it used to be starting with news of my first solo exhibition at the Whakatane Museum Gallery.

The exhibition opened last Friday with at least 80 people turning up to show their support which was quite humbling. I will be posting image from the exhibition over the coming days starting today.

Enjoy.

Model: Emma

Emma was a first time model who was as nervous as any I have worked with before. With minimal instruction she understood the concept and certainly exceeded expectations.

You've just got to love weddings. 

Each is so different and reflect a couples personality and love for each other. This wedding was no exception, with a great couple looking to the future and a life together.

Congratulations to Rocky and Michelle. We wish you both all the best.

Wedd In Style

Renee and Lance tied the knot on a stunning December day in Onepu. Cant think of a better way to finish the year.

                                Congratulation to you both.

             I think this policeman just wanted a peak at the car.

A little bit of Hannah

This is the third time I have photographed Hannah with the second resulting in a national photography saloon award so when I hear she's back in town it's time to dust the camera off and head out into the wilderness.

                                                                         
                                                         Can't wait until number four.

                                                                           Enjoy.

The Road to Heaven

I had entitled this Image "Rod to Heaven". The symbolic nature of this scene struck me in an instant as I stood on top of a ridge line just outside Martinborough. There are times when during the present we look back on our past then inadvertently cast out eyes to the future.

Looking back, this was one of those moments. I was straddling this fence, and considering the vision stretched out before me when my phone rang. It was a close cousin asking me to be a god father to her new born son. Having no children of my own, I was elated and honored to be considered.

A new and bright future loomed before this youngster where as my existence on this earth was statistically half way through. The fence became my road in life, meandering its way through the highways and pathways of this world to stop at this point of time. The posts were me, my life, my future, the result of a full and varied life. Worn from time and experience.

We all consider our end, as mine stretched out before me, the light out before me, the body finding youth again as the fence posts right themselves when Heaven approaches. Its not a sad story by any means but one of joy and fufulment. A satisifaction of making the most of what I have, looking back and saying "Hell Yeah, what a ride".

Perfect Couple, Perfect Day

 The first wedding for 2012 is under my belt and I must admit to being overly keen to get stuck into this one.

Kat and Jason were married last weekend under a blanket of beautiful Tauranga sunshine and all I can say is WOW. Stunning bride, proud groom and an amazing day other couples would be envious of.

Many thanks to the happy couple for including us and making us feel so welcome.  

Medal Success.

2012 North Shore Salon of Photography sees a Silver medal and a highly commended come my way.

Many thanks to all involved including the model, Hannah.

It has been an eye opener placing my pictures under the eye of a judge and / or the general public to view, comment and critique. Photography for me involves burning the creative candle, pouring over ideas and concepts then mixing them with my own experiences with a view to capturing the completed image in my mind long before its actually made. There is a lot of me mixed into every image I create, maybe more than I realise so my work can be a deeply personal process and I do have a strong connection to each piece. Making the decision to put these pictures out there for the first time can be daunting for some, it certainly was for me.

Making the awards scene a source of self glorification is not what its all about for me (although to win is cool), I gain plenty from just mealy creating. Gaining an award is a not'only just a method by which I can  market myself but is also a way of measuring where I am in the big wide world of photography, seeing who's doing what and where.

Stop The Press

           

               A Print Press Room, a Model and a Camera. A great was to spend a Sunday I reckon.

                                           Many thanks to Casey (Model) and Alice (makeup).

Nga Haerenga “the journey’s”

I have recently been charged with the task of capturing some images for the Opotiki District Council with the aim to promote the areas as a mountain bikes paradise. Now this was and is an assignment close to my heart as I happen to love all things Mountain Bike. I began pounding the trails in the Tarawera back in the late 80s before some genius invented suspension which not only gave added traction and efficiency but softened the pounding the body took when flying down a mountain at speed. I have been well aware of the off road opportunities to be had in Opotiki so took this as a chance to see what all the fuss was about.

All this is part of the national cycle trail but the locals here are keen to let all who ride know that this is just the beginning. You can take a leisurely ride on the 19km scenic/beach trail or for the hardened trail beast theirs a 91km loop tail.

The scenery is breath taking, the trails well manicured so I can't wait to get down and dirty during my next assignment riding and photographing the Otipi track.

http://www.motutrails.co.nz/