Rarotonga snorkelling is like swimming in a crystal clear tepid aquarium. Large and small, the colourful tropical fish glide in and out of coral beds, and sometimes appear to pose for our compact underwater camera. Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands. It’s a tropical paradise surrounded by a reef that creates protected Rarotonga …
Photography Tips
How to Photograph a Light Festival: Enjoying Auckland at Night
Vivid colours, artistic lighting, and marine projections brought with it the challenge of photographing a light festival in Auckland at night. Bright Nights brought Viaduct Harbour alive with a light and sound spectacular curated by international award-winning light artist Angus Muir Design. As always, New Zealand knows how to throw a party. “The waterfront means …
Juneau Whale Watching and Other Juneau Shore Excursions
Alaska’s capital city is unique but with only six hours to see the sights, Juneau whale watching was my number one priority. However, the choice isn’t easy for everyone. Juneau, the largest US capital city by area, offers exciting and unique things to do including nature and wildlife viewing (bears, whales, waterfalls), adventure sport (kayaking, …
How to Photograph Waterfalls (Travel Photo Tips)
There is something magical about a cascade waterfall spilling over a cliff. Whether it’s a huge waterfall or a gentle trickle, capturing the waterfall photography effect that you want is easy once you know a few simple tricks on how to photograph waterfalls. The secrets lie in having the right equipment and understanding the camera settings …
Dramatic Black and White Photos of Lysefjord in Norway
Norway’s fjords are one spectacular masterpiece of nature after the next. Despite the mist and rain, Lysefjord stood out as my favourite of the fjords we sailed through. Maybe it was the smaller boat that made it more attractive, but more likely it was the majesty of huge cliffs, the dramatic contrast created by layers …
Photos of Sydney Australia Testing Limits: Olympus 14-150mm
Today I am taking you on a photo tour of the little things that made our weekend in Sydney Australia so special. It was a quick trip. Our first stop was the camera store where I got a new Olympus 14-150mm lens. I switched to the mirror-less micro four-thirds technology over a year ago, and …
Photo Tricks: Shattering the Illusion of Broomstick Flying
Several years ago the girls and I took broomstick flying lessons in the same English courtyard that Harry Potter learned to fly. They were timed to fall just after the “On Location” tour of Alnwick Castle, an actual castle that was used as portions of Hogwarts during filming. To this day, people still ask me about …
Photo Tips: Shooting at the Golden Hour
Just before sunset, colours get softer and redder. Photographers call this time of day the golden hour and, whenever possible, they take advantage of its gentle light. Add in a white cliff, a water reflection and an east facing view so the sun is setting behind the photographer, and you have reached perfection. In the …
Photos: A Rainbow of Hair Color in Wellington New Zealand
People watching from a cafe on Cuba Street in Wellington, New Zealand, Sarah suddenly had an idea “Hey mum, I challenge you to do the 100-Strangers Project featuring a rainbow of hair color.” It’s a new twist on an old challenge to help improve my portrait photography skills. Last year I never completed the 100 …
Auckland: Dusk to Darkness – A Night Photography Workshop
Auckland is nicknamed the City of Sails for good reason. It’s estimated that one in four Aucklander’s have a boat. I am not sure if we really count, as we currently only have kayaks and a dinghy. (I race on a friend’s yacht.) Thursday night I took a night photography workshop from Three Little Wishes. …
