February 4, 2010 by David
I’ve long been a user of the Lee system of square / rectangular filters. In my experience, nothing comes close to the optical quality of their neutral density graduated series which I use on pretty much every landscape picture I take. Other manufacturers’ (e.g. Cokin) filters seem to introduce a very noticeable cyan colour cast which is impossible to remove in post-processing. One other thing I love is that the ND grads can be used as straight ND filters as there is enough surface area of the darkened bit. It saves having to carry around more of the very fragile bits of plastic…. (more…)
by David
I’ve been trying to catch a dramatic sky over the lake for a while now. I’ve either been frustrated by bad weather (it rained all last week!), heavy clouds or being somewhere else. So last night, I headed down to my favourite spot, not too far from the house.
The result is a work in progress I think. The other day there was a log on the beach which created a much better feeling of depth in the image but now its gone. That’s the nature of landscape of photography – it isn’t often that all the elements come together at the same time. Or at least not whilst the photographer is there.
It was a big log though….makes you wonder where it has gone.
by David
We recently went for a bike ride along the “W2K” on the north side of Lake Taupo. Easy riding on a well made path through semi-natural bush to the lovely, lake-side village of Kinloch. It should be a 28km round trip but we inadvertently added the extra 12km loop. Not normally a problem, but I’m not used to carrying the camera on the bike at the moment, certainly not in a waist-pack. Also, there weren’t many views to be had, which was a bit disappointing to say the least! Here’s one I did get when I managed to catch up to Lisa:
Definitely a ride worth doing if you are in the Rotorua / Taupo area and you fancy a change from the forests.
PS: Ice creams available in Kinloch!!
by David
Well, I’ve now been in New Zealand for nearly a month and beginning to settle in. Its been quite difficult so far as its all so new, but Lisa and I have a beautiful home. The jet lag seems to have lasted a long time and dawn starts are proving a real challenge but I’m starting to get to know the local area and take some photographs.
