- WHAT'S NEW
IN THIS UPDATE FEB 19/2012
We're approaching the anniversary of the Quake last Feb 22 2011, I'm not sure how I'm feeling about that, but I'm thinking that I'll just hold my breath for the day and then breath easy again on Thursday! It's been good that I've been busy, since Christmas I've been given the go ahead for an exhibition in the corporate village of the Ellerslie International Flower Festival. Only about 3 weeks away and much to do. I'll be showing a collection of the 'Trees of Hagley Park' which seems totally appropriate as the Festival is held in Hagley Park. In fact construction of the site is underway now which is fantastic to see.
IN THIS UPDATE DEC 07/2011
Recently I've returned from a trip to the UK and where I also went and spent a period of time in Belgium, particularly the town of Ieper in the Flanders region which was central to many battles in World War 1 on the western front. With over 170 Commonwealth War Grave cemeteries in the area it really is a moving experience to visit. The above photo is of the Menin Gates on the entrance to Ieper, built by the British as a memorial to the British and Commonwealth officers and men missing in the Flanders area. 54,896 names are inscribed on the walls with a further 34,957 listed on the Tyn Cot cemetery memorial. The NZ govt at the time chose not to have the NZ soldiers names placed on the Menin Gates but prefered them to be on the Tyn Cot Cemetery Memorial as that was closer to the battle fields in which they gave their lives. The last post is played at the Menin Gates each and every night at 8pm by members of the local fire brigade, whatever the weather and regardless of anyone being there to watch.
IN THIS UPDATE AUG 26/2011
This is a gorgeous little video of the reaction to snow falling in Cuba Mall, Wellington, last week.
IN THIS UPDATE AUG 16/2011
Snow....snow... and more snow! The country has been blanketed from the far south all the way to Auckland which experienced snow flakes yesterday, the first time for about 50 years!
Today is the second day waking up to a fresh dump here in Christchurch. I love it!
Tried to spend some time yesterday morning down at Hagley Park, but was beaten back by the strong sou-westerly wind which made photographing difficult. Supposed to be working this afternoon at the airport, but because of the weather thats an uncertainty! So in the mean time tucked up in the warm and scanning negatives.
IN THIS UPDATE AUG 09/2011
Winter just didn't seem to want to start this year, with a wonderful drawn out Autumn, few frosts and virtually no snow. That has now changed!!! Although some areas may feel they are still behind in snowfall, Queenstown was hit three times down to lake level and Christchurch had its heaviest snowfall for 45 years. What was best though was that I was there.... and spent a fantastic morning photographing in Hagley Park. In fact I'm off to pick up the negatives this morning......
IN THIS UPDATE JULY 22/2011
Arggggh.. the ecstasy of being in the right place at the right time, but the pain... of having to leave when the snow was still falling. I've always wanted to be in Queenstown when the snow fell to the lakes edge, and this year it did and I was there! So I was very happy. Not a big dump but enough. But a day after I had to leave, an even bigger dump occurred.
c'est la vie!
Back home now and slowly working through the negatives which is always exciting. Will have more new images up soon.
IN THIS UPDATE JULY 07/2011
A great few days hanging around Westport but mostly got a suntan and few images!!! I expected the westerlie front to push clouds in but that didn't happen until Tuesday. Then Wednesday heavy rain moved in, but hopefully got what I wanted. The 'Friends of Denniston' have done a great job of presenting the information regarding the coal mining town and the people who once braved the elements 'up on the hill'. I also had time to explore around Millerton another abandoned coal mining town up above Granity. Some pictures soon.
I'm now making a dash down the island heading towards some incoming snow... watch here..... Due back in Christchurch next Thursday so hope the timing works out!!
IN THIS UPDATE JULY 01/2011
Not that we needed any reminding of earthquakes...!
but I found myself at Maruia Falls just south of Murchison last week as I travelled north to Golden Bay. This is the first image I made on the 'winter trip'. It got me in the zone!!! I also realised at the time that infact the falls were a result of the Murchison quake in 1929.
Fast forwarding to today and I've just spent a couple of nights on Banks Peninsula chasing the weather with mixed results, but as is the case with film... I'll just have to wait and see. But now today, I'm heading across to the West Coast to spend some time photographing up on Denniston Plateau, just north of Westport. I do love a good road trip!
Denniston is the town that sprung up to house the workers and families of the Denniston coal mine. I was up there a few years back and now looking forward to trying and capturing some images and have a good look around. There has been an application made to create an open cast mine up there, so interested in seeing how that might impact on what's already there.
IN THIS UPDATE JUNE 27/2011
I love this....
IN THIS UPDATE JUNE 26/2011
An old photographic adage "f16 and be there" is on my mind right now as I keep an eye on the weather maps for the first decent snowfall to occur this winter. I'm at present away on my winter photographic trip and if you have just read my newsletter will know I'm waiting for any sign of snow before I dive south to try and meet it. However it's always a gamble as to whether it snows at all... let alone just where or how low. But as the saying goes, you just have to be there or there is no photo! (as for the f16, well thats your aperture setting to ensure everything is sharp in your image. Not always what you want but at least you wont miss out!) Keep warm and stay tuned....???
IN THIS UPDATE MAY 01/2011
a similar camera to the one I carry around... just love the sound of that shutter!! Beautiful...!
IN THIS UPDATE March 30/2011
A great first weekend for the 'not so quiet earth exhibition' thanks mike and Helen for hosting the exhibition at their oasis near Lincoln. A fantastic crowd showed up over the day on Saturday and again on Sunday, the feedback was terrific. Thanks everyone. here are some pics...
IN THIS UPDATE March 22/2011
Over the next three weekends the following exhibition is being held at Mike Glover's studio/workshop. click here to see map and details. I hope you can make it.
IN THIS UPDATE February 26/2011
I am well, as are my family and friends here in Christchurch,
but oh... my heart is broken for our city and it's people.
Tuesday 22 February shortly before 1pm I was at home standing in an empty flat adjacent to my home awaiting prospective tenants who had organised to have a viewing. I felt a rumble as I stood in the middle of the lounge and was just about to put it down to being another bloody aftershock from the September quake, but immediately knew this was not the norm. I do not remember moving to the kitchen door, but so clearly remember bracing myself and riding it like a bucking horse. It was hard and violent and I quickly realised that Christchurch, in it's weakened state from the September shake, was in for a beating.
Never has the sound of incoming text messages been so eagerly awaited. Calls went out into space seeking the people important to me. The immediate answers reassured me. I was lucky. People have died, people are missing and people have had no answers. I was later to find out about a cousin's son who was caught under a falling wall, with possibly serious injuries to his spine. I weep for the loss, the hurt and also for what will never be again.
I sincerely thank you for your enquires about my well being and send out my heartfelt concerns to anyone affected by this tragedy.
P.S. My cousins son is now home and doing well.
IN THIS UPDATE February 08/2011
'Canterbury - Our Place' is a group exhibition being held in Oxford at the new Oxford Gallery. from 8th Feb through to March 6.
I have three works included; The Pier, September Morning and Three Dinghies, Akaroa. If your in Canterbury, do take the time as there are over 100 pieces of art on display...enjoy!
But before you jump on your bike and trundle down the Tram Road to Oxford here are some stunning images taken by Phil Hart at Lake Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. The images of bioluminescence in the lake were made in 2009 and are a result of both bush fires and flooding! See more images and catch the story behind them here
IN THIS UPDATE JANUARY 19/2011
Here's a lovely poem I found from American photographer Michael P Bermann. I think it sums up beautifully about traveling, seeing and photographing. I do like his photographs of the American west, and I like his thoughts on the landscape. Click on link here to get a short but worthwhile video.
The first day
my mind is like a jumping bean on a hot pan
What am I going to to do
what am I going to see
what I... what I....
In a few days
I settle down into a routine
get up hours before sunrise
walk and photograph until dark
In a week I am lonely
I wish I had someone to talk with
In two weeks
I talk with myself
In three weeks
I see things differently.
Michael P Bermann.
IN THIS UPDATE, NOV 19/2010:
THANK YOU
Thanks to everyone who dropped in to the exhibition. I do really appreciate your support. To those who bought a print.. thank you, enjoy!
and to Mike and Robyn thanks for sharing the adventure.
.
IN THIS UPDATE, NOV 03/2010:
EXHIBITION OPENING
The Three Views exhibition with Mike Glover, Robyn Schroeder and myself opens this weekend,
Saturday 6 November at the Bryce Gallery at 122 Riccarton Road, here in Christchurch. Everyone is welcome to attend the opening between 11am and 1pm. So do come along it will be great to meet you.
IN THIS UPDATE, OCT 11/2010:
- New Homepage image, 'Wind Fence, Cardrona, 2010'.
EXHIBITION ANNOUNCEMENT
To replace the now cancelled exhibition at the Arts Centre due to the Earthquake I'm excited to announce the 'Three views' group exhibition involving painter and pastel worker MIKE GLOVER see here. , painter ROBYN SCHROEDER see here. and myself will now be held at the Bryce Gallery.
Thanks to Denise Bryce for taking us into her fabulous gallery.
THREE VIEWS
November 6 - 12
BRYCE GALLERY
122 Riccarton Road.
IN THIS UPDATE, OCT 01/2010:
- Homepage image, September morning, Hagley Park, Christchurch, 2010.
- New snow images, see the recently released image gallery.
- In my recent email update I announced a November exhibition at the Christchurch Arts Centre, this has now been cancelled due to damage from the recent earthquake. However an alternative plan is being hatched! Confirmation of dates and gallery to be confirmed by mid next week. Call back here to find out details or join the mailing list now (here)
- Special Bimonthly print offer with proceeds to the Red Cross Canterbury earthquake appeal. Join the mailing list now (here)
We're approaching the anniversary of the Quake last Feb 22 2011, I'm not sure how I'm feeling about that, but I'm thinking that I'll just hold my breath for the day and then breath easy again on Thursday! It's been good that I've been busy, since Christmas I've been given the go ahead for an exhibition in the corporate village of the Ellerslie International Flower Festival. Only about 3 weeks away and much to do. I'll be showing a collection of the 'Trees of Hagley Park' which seems totally appropriate as the Festival is held in Hagley Park. In fact construction of the site is underway now which is fantastic to see.
IN THIS UPDATE DEC 07/2011
Recently I've returned from a trip to the UK and where I also went and spent a period of time in Belgium, particularly the town of Ieper in the Flanders region which was central to many battles in World War 1 on the western front. With over 170 Commonwealth War Grave cemeteries in the area it really is a moving experience to visit. The above photo is of the Menin Gates on the entrance to Ieper, built by the British as a memorial to the British and Commonwealth officers and men missing in the Flanders area. 54,896 names are inscribed on the walls with a further 34,957 listed on the Tyn Cot cemetery memorial. The NZ govt at the time chose not to have the NZ soldiers names placed on the Menin Gates but prefered them to be on the Tyn Cot Cemetery Memorial as that was closer to the battle fields in which they gave their lives. The last post is played at the Menin Gates each and every night at 8pm by members of the local fire brigade, whatever the weather and regardless of anyone being there to watch.
IN THIS UPDATE AUG 26/2011
This is a gorgeous little video of the reaction to snow falling in Cuba Mall, Wellington, last week.
IN THIS UPDATE AUG 16/2011
Snow....snow... and more snow! The country has been blanketed from the far south all the way to Auckland which experienced snow flakes yesterday, the first time for about 50 years!
Today is the second day waking up to a fresh dump here in Christchurch. I love it!
Tried to spend some time yesterday morning down at Hagley Park, but was beaten back by the strong sou-westerly wind which made photographing difficult. Supposed to be working this afternoon at the airport, but because of the weather thats an uncertainty! So in the mean time tucked up in the warm and scanning negatives.
IN THIS UPDATE AUG 09/2011
The 'Earnslaw' in falling snow, Queenstown, 2011
Winter just didn't seem to want to start this year, with a wonderful drawn out Autumn, few frosts and virtually no snow. That has now changed!!! Although some areas may feel they are still behind in snowfall, Queenstown was hit three times down to lake level and Christchurch had its heaviest snowfall for 45 years. What was best though was that I was there.... and spent a fantastic morning photographing in Hagley Park. In fact I'm off to pick up the negatives this morning......
IN THIS UPDATE JULY 22/2011
Jetty, Queenstown, 2011.
Arggggh.. the ecstasy of being in the right place at the right time, but the pain... of having to leave when the snow was still falling. I've always wanted to be in Queenstown when the snow fell to the lakes edge, and this year it did and I was there! So I was very happy. Not a big dump but enough. But a day after I had to leave, an even bigger dump occurred.
c'est la vie!
Back home now and slowly working through the negatives which is always exciting. Will have more new images up soon.
IN THIS UPDATE JULY 07/2011
A great few days hanging around Westport but mostly got a suntan and few images!!! I expected the westerlie front to push clouds in but that didn't happen until Tuesday. Then Wednesday heavy rain moved in, but hopefully got what I wanted. The 'Friends of Denniston' have done a great job of presenting the information regarding the coal mining town and the people who once braved the elements 'up on the hill'. I also had time to explore around Millerton another abandoned coal mining town up above Granity. Some pictures soon.
I'm now making a dash down the island heading towards some incoming snow... watch here..... Due back in Christchurch next Thursday so hope the timing works out!!
IN THIS UPDATE JULY 01/2011
Maruia Falls, 2011.
Not that we needed any reminding of earthquakes...!
but I found myself at Maruia Falls just south of Murchison last week as I travelled north to Golden Bay. This is the first image I made on the 'winter trip'. It got me in the zone!!! I also realised at the time that infact the falls were a result of the Murchison quake in 1929.
Fast forwarding to today and I've just spent a couple of nights on Banks Peninsula chasing the weather with mixed results, but as is the case with film... I'll just have to wait and see. But now today, I'm heading across to the West Coast to spend some time photographing up on Denniston Plateau, just north of Westport. I do love a good road trip!
Denniston is the town that sprung up to house the workers and families of the Denniston coal mine. I was up there a few years back and now looking forward to trying and capturing some images and have a good look around. There has been an application made to create an open cast mine up there, so interested in seeing how that might impact on what's already there.
IN THIS UPDATE JUNE 27/2011
I love this....
Christchurch-Timelapse from lukaskaupenjohann on Vimeo.
Having serious doubts about the amount of snow forecast to hit the south Island over the next couple of days. I'm just in Christchurch overnight, restocking and poised to go south, but about to pull the pin. Sounds like any snow might come to the east instead....plan B??...... Banks Peninsula?.... watch here...IN THIS UPDATE JUNE 26/2011
An old photographic adage "f16 and be there" is on my mind right now as I keep an eye on the weather maps for the first decent snowfall to occur this winter. I'm at present away on my winter photographic trip and if you have just read my newsletter will know I'm waiting for any sign of snow before I dive south to try and meet it. However it's always a gamble as to whether it snows at all... let alone just where or how low. But as the saying goes, you just have to be there or there is no photo! (as for the f16, well thats your aperture setting to ensure everything is sharp in your image. Not always what you want but at least you wont miss out!) Keep warm and stay tuned....???
For Monday evening....I'm not convinced of much snow, but the best chance we've had so far....
IN THIS UPDATE MAY 01/2011
a similar camera to the one I carry around... just love the sound of that shutter!! Beautiful...!
IN THIS UPDATE March 30/2011
A great first weekend for the 'not so quiet earth exhibition' thanks mike and Helen for hosting the exhibition at their oasis near Lincoln. A fantastic crowd showed up over the day on Saturday and again on Sunday, the feedback was terrific. Thanks everyone. here are some pics...
IN THIS UPDATE March 22/2011
Over the next three weekends the following exhibition is being held at Mike Glover's studio/workshop. click here to see map and details. I hope you can make it.
IN THIS UPDATE February 26/2011
I am well, as are my family and friends here in Christchurch,
but oh... my heart is broken for our city and it's people.
Tuesday 22 February shortly before 1pm I was at home standing in an empty flat adjacent to my home awaiting prospective tenants who had organised to have a viewing. I felt a rumble as I stood in the middle of the lounge and was just about to put it down to being another bloody aftershock from the September quake, but immediately knew this was not the norm. I do not remember moving to the kitchen door, but so clearly remember bracing myself and riding it like a bucking horse. It was hard and violent and I quickly realised that Christchurch, in it's weakened state from the September shake, was in for a beating.
Never has the sound of incoming text messages been so eagerly awaited. Calls went out into space seeking the people important to me. The immediate answers reassured me. I was lucky. People have died, people are missing and people have had no answers. I was later to find out about a cousin's son who was caught under a falling wall, with possibly serious injuries to his spine. I weep for the loss, the hurt and also for what will never be again.
I sincerely thank you for your enquires about my well being and send out my heartfelt concerns to anyone affected by this tragedy.
P.S. My cousins son is now home and doing well.
IN THIS UPDATE February 08/2011
'Canterbury - Our Place' is a group exhibition being held in Oxford at the new Oxford Gallery. from 8th Feb through to March 6.
I have three works included; The Pier, September Morning and Three Dinghies, Akaroa. If your in Canterbury, do take the time as there are over 100 pieces of art on display...enjoy!
But before you jump on your bike and trundle down the Tram Road to Oxford here are some stunning images taken by Phil Hart at Lake Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. The images of bioluminescence in the lake were made in 2009 and are a result of both bush fires and flooding! See more images and catch the story behind them here
Photo by Phil Hart
Photo by Phil Hart
IN THIS UPDATE JANUARY 19/2011
Here's a lovely poem I found from American photographer Michael P Bermann. I think it sums up beautifully about traveling, seeing and photographing. I do like his photographs of the American west, and I like his thoughts on the landscape. Click on link here to get a short but worthwhile video.
The first day
my mind is like a jumping bean on a hot pan
What am I going to to do
what am I going to see
what I... what I....
In a few days
I settle down into a routine
get up hours before sunrise
walk and photograph until dark
In a week I am lonely
I wish I had someone to talk with
In two weeks
I talk with myself
In three weeks
I see things differently.
Michael P Bermann.
IN THIS UPDATE, NOV 19/2010:
THANK YOU
Thanks to everyone who dropped in to the exhibition. I do really appreciate your support. To those who bought a print.. thank you, enjoy!
and to Mike and Robyn thanks for sharing the adventure.
.
IN THIS UPDATE, NOV 03/2010:
EXHIBITION OPENING
The Three Views exhibition with Mike Glover, Robyn Schroeder and myself opens this weekend,
Saturday 6 November at the Bryce Gallery at 122 Riccarton Road, here in Christchurch. Everyone is welcome to attend the opening between 11am and 1pm. So do come along it will be great to meet you.
IN THIS UPDATE, OCT 11/2010:
- New Homepage image, 'Wind Fence, Cardrona, 2010'.
EXHIBITION ANNOUNCEMENT
To replace the now cancelled exhibition at the Arts Centre due to the Earthquake I'm excited to announce the 'Three views' group exhibition involving painter and pastel worker MIKE GLOVER see here. , painter ROBYN SCHROEDER see here. and myself will now be held at the Bryce Gallery.
Thanks to Denise Bryce for taking us into her fabulous gallery.
THREE VIEWS
November 6 - 12
BRYCE GALLERY
122 Riccarton Road.
IN THIS UPDATE, OCT 01/2010:
- Homepage image, September morning, Hagley Park, Christchurch, 2010.
- New snow images, see the recently released image gallery.
- In my recent email update I announced a November exhibition at the Christchurch Arts Centre, this has now been cancelled due to damage from the recent earthquake. However an alternative plan is being hatched! Confirmation of dates and gallery to be confirmed by mid next week. Call back here to find out details or join the mailing list now (here)
- Special Bimonthly print offer with proceeds to the Red Cross Canterbury earthquake appeal. Join the mailing list now (here)