A Strange Coincidence

A strange coincidence happened to me today. I say strange because it was exactly 2 weeks ago that a similarly fortuitous event occurred with a rainbow.

I was out photographing a ship leaving Otago Harbor. While waiting for the ship to appear the rain squall lifted and this amazing rainow that you see appeared directly in front.

Just as I started taking photos the ship hove into view and the two converged for a brief moment. If either the rain or ship had been a couple of minutes either way then this crossover wouldn't have occurred at all. Hence the strange coincidence between this event and my earlier encounter with a rainbow.

The photo was taken at about 5:30 pm in mid February. Camera: Sony F828 Settings: 1/500s, f3.5, ISO100, focal length 42mm, 0 ev

Tomahawk Beach

Tomahawk Beach in late afternoon from Lawyers Head. In the distance is Smaills Beach. For once the people of Dunedin were out in droves enjoying this sunny Sunday afternoon. It was the perfect summers day and a reminder of how beautiful New Zealand is and how fortunate I am to live here.

Tip for photography buffs: To create this view I selected a series of four images and then merged them using Autostitch software.

The photo was taken at about 5:00 pm in mid February. Camera: Sony F828 Settings: 1/250s, f4.0, ISO64, focal length 10mm, -0.3 ev

Rainbow Reality Check

For starters I want everyone to know this a not a trick photo! This really took place.

There was a wonderful rainbow this evening and so I raced out the door as soon as I got home to capture it. St Kilda Beach is only a few minutes from home and I knew the road above the beach would give a good vantage point for rapid shooting. However I wasn't prepared for the sight that opened up before me.

This particular rainbow was incredibly vivid. I don't think I have ever been as 'close' to a rainbow as this. As the light changed from the rainshower overhead the beam came to rest on the beach directly in front of me.

I took a few photos before the jogger appeared. From my viewpoint he literally jogged 'through' the beam of the rainbow. I have never seen anything like it before.

It was amazing and so no trick photography was necessary at all. I have other photos of this if anyone is interested.

The photo was taken at about 6:00 pm in mid February. Camera: Sony H1 Settings: 1/640s, f4.0, ISO64, focal length 38mm

In the Mood

Another stunning sunset from Highgrove above St Clair in Dunedin. I had to race up the hill to get these shots because I hadn't seen such a glorious sunset before.

It was very late when I took the photos - about 9:30pm after a brilliant sunny day. If you think the vivid reds in the sky are amazing then you are right but they were nothing to actually being there. Sometimes even a good camera cannot adequately capture the light and colour intensity in our southern skies.

The photo was taken at about 9:30 pm in mid January.Camera: Sony H1 Settings: 1/8s, f2.8, ISO100, focal length 6mm

Idyllic Farmland  

Tunnel Beach

It takes some effort to get to Tunnel Beach but as you can see the view is stunning. In fact it is easier going down to the beach than climbing up again! The beach gets its name from a small access tunnel dug into the cliff face.

Sailing past on the horizon is a luxury cruise ship. Passenger ships make frequent visits during the summer months and bring thousands of overseas tourists to Dunedin.

The photo was taken at about 6:30 pm in mid January.Camera: Sony F828 Settings: 1/250s, f5.0, ISO64, focal length 12mm

Victory Beach

A panorama of Victory Beach from Cape Saunders Road. I'm not sure of the local history but there must be a good reason for the name. I think there is at least a shipwreck or two to be found down there. In the foreground is the entrance to Papanui Inlet.

This is one of the more remote beaches of Dunedin so it will be in pristine condition and therefore worth a visit to see the abundant wildlife.

The photo was taken at about 5:30 pm in mid January. Camera: Sony F828 Settings: 1/125s, f8.0, ISO64, focal length 16mm

Blackhead Backdrop

This sunset was taken on the way home from Tunnel Beach. It wasn't on my itinerary that night. You may have seen Blackhead before. Blackhead is the rocky outcrop in the distance of "The End of a Long Day". On the other side is Blackhead Beach, a popular haunt for Dunedin surfers.

What makes this photo interesting for me is the light, which is fantastic, and the wide angle created by seamlessly "stitching" a series of photos together. The fact that the photos were taken handheld and the location was ad lib meant I was very pleased with the result.

The photo was taken at about 8:30 pm in mid January.Camera: Sony F828 Settings: 1/640s, f6.3, ISO64, focal length 22mm

Light My Way Home

Another photo from the MacAndrew Bay sunset series. This one captures the precise point when the suns rays started to break through the clouds. I think it is simply breathtaking.

The photo was taken at about 8:00 pm in mid January.
Camera: Sony f828 Settings: 1/250s, f5.0, ISO64, focal length 19mm