Went to Featherston today to pick up my new (second hand) Leica M8 rangefinder camera. I have been a rangefinder user for 40 years, and only stopped 5 years ago while Leica caught up with digital. My friend Richard has a new M9 and I now have his old one. It's strange using this old technology again but the results are very filmy and I like it. I made the portrait of him and a shot of his backyard. The camera is very heavy.
I was searching my files for a photo and came across this one taken in Tauranga 10 years ago. It fits with my marching people series (Jan 13 & 28) below. It's as if they are being told where to march by the placement of the dome, and I somehow knew where to stand. It is such fun taking these photographs. 
Finding the walking lady below got me interested in looking at my other LA photographs. I made a small book in 1976 called LA Stopover. These two pictures were taken in 1975 and were in the book. 
Los Angeles 1975. I love the moment of the marching lady when she swings her arm a little higher. In those days I stalked people and waited for these moments. I was a hunter with a camera and isolated my quarry.
Wellington 2010. These days I wait and watch for images to appear in front of me. When they do it's like a gift from the gods. 
Last Sunday I went to the Gay and Lesbian 'Out in the Square' for a bit of old fashioned stalking. There were colourful excited people everywhere but it didn't work, and I saw nothing other than the ordinary. As I left I shot the playing child, which I like. It was the best I could do with my older eyes. 
A beautiful sea fog crept over Island Bay this evening and ship's horns could be heared from Cook Strait.
I found the Dandelion Dog while waiting to see Prince Wills last Monday. Actually the dog was more interesting. The owner had tied it to a tree with flax as she desperately tried to shake hands with Willy. The dog got free and vanished into the crowd.
Went to the Royal road show yesterday to photograph the crowd. Above is the PSA balloon man.
That's tall handsome William in the background.
And John popped up to shake my hand. He's very short! 
The photo above I found in Manners Mall the other day. I like it because it feels like a set up or a frame from a movie. I think it's because they are walking in step like models. It reminds me of the photo (at the top) I made of marching people in the early 90s. It appeared in my second book (Just A Word 1996) and remains a favourite. 
Back in Nelson after 8 days camping in the outbacks of Tapawera. A place called Tui. It is a fascinating place of rustic farms, metal roads and mysterious photographs which ask questions. A musical gathering of folk and country singing people, and of course (old time) banjos (my favourite instrument). 
Christmas day and the light is magical. 
Looking for a Christmas image and it was there just outside my front window. Santas crossing Cuba St on their way to work.
Take time in Courteney Place (outside the St James) to visit Gabrielle McKone's exhibition called Three Stories Up. Outdoor light boxes of beautifully selected street photographs (curated by James Gilberd of PhotoSpace). Gabrielle's daily blog can also be seen in my links and well worth visiting.
