A Broccoli Was Born

We flew back to Auckland this afternoon, welcomed by dark clouds and rain, the long weekend was over. Just before landing, above the rain clouds, there was a marvelous potential shot looking out across a cloudscape. I pulled out my Fed (also hoping to finish my film), but was warned by the flight attendant I could not use my camera. In the short moment I had, I tried to explain it was 1. not digital, 2. not electronic (not even a lightmeter battery), so 3. not breaching any of their digital regulations we felt she was suggesting. My lesson from today was not to have a front seat. Never mind!

In the small flat we live in, I built some plant boxes to grow some vegetables. Growing up we always had fresh veges from the garden, and I only recently tried my hand at green fingers growing. Earlier this week when heading off to work I spotted the first of the broccoli heads starting to sprout…all very exciting from a Jr gardener perspective. Armed with the Ricoh, I got up close and took this shot of it popping its head up.

Shooting mostly with film over the weekend (apart from my WordPress mobile phone images) was fun and relaxing. I’m yet to see how it all went, but thats part of the excitement we loose with digital. As many others state, I took some more time setting up the image, whenever possible, and had to really think about exposure and aperture values as I didnt have a lightmeter. If I manage to finish the film this week, I’ll aim to develop it next weekend.

Abandoned Ute

Out on the road writing from a motel today. Today we went up for brunch at the Leigh Sawmill Cafe – a great place to stop for a meal & band, or on the way to Goat Island, about an hour north of Auckland. Whilst walking up a viewpoint track I spotted a ute abandoned on someones farm. I always find it curious farmers seem to run their vehicles until they stop and just leave them there – theres probably a photographic book on that topic alone!

Taken on the Ricoh and post cropped to remove some of the foreground which had dark shadows. I started taking some images on the Rollei 35 today also, so am looking forward to seeing how they turn out when I finish the film. Staying at an area called Gulf Harbour tonight. Looks to be some good snap opportunities for Sunday ahead!

By the Lake

On my way home today I stopped for a wander on the local lake on Auckland’s North Shore, Lake Pupuke. The ‘Pump house’, featured in the photo, now a place to see small theatre, was in 1894 a functioning pump house supplying the lakes fresh water to residents on the North Shore. Local Maori legend tells of a couple who cursed the god of fire. In retribution for her, the god of earthquakes and volcanoes destroyed their home – the lake being the result. Todays its much more peaceful and used for various recreational activities from fishing to windsurfing.

Taken on my GRD IV and converted in Gimp to B&W with the contrast up a notch. Also resized to a similar aspect to the ‘Golden Ratio’

One more weekday to go!

Dark Mangroves

Another weekend stroll today took me on a different section of last Sundays path (Lazy Walk in the Park). Whilst picturesque in its own way, it didn’t have so much color, rather more low lying mangrove swamp. I snapped off a number of different shots, but chose this one for todays posting.

Converting to B&W and boosting the contrast, I liked the dark mood of the scene ahead. Peering through the naked tree branch, one is not quite sure what to expect ahead.

The Beach

Overall today was a stay at home day, but we did pop out to do some shopping. I took the opportunity to have a stroll around the village and take a few snaps. In this heavily contrasted image is Devonport Beach. Great in the summer time, but getting a little chilly to swim in now.

Hope peoples weekends are going well!

The Alleyway

Today’s photo ‘The Alleyway”, is another shot from Auckland’s central city. Perhaps especially in B&W I like the ageless quality small lanes, alleys and streets can have when taken in low light. The long cast shadows help create a mood as one searches for detail or clues around what is going on.

Taken on my GRD, originally in color, I converted to B&W and reduced file size for web.  Catch ya next time!

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