Nelson Again

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Nelson street photographs then heading bush for a week. Next post in 8 days.

Cook Strait Again

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Christmas day and the light is magical.

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These photographs are taken with my new camera which can literally fit in my pocket. It's a Ricoh GR3 with a fixed 28mm lens and separate viewfinder. I like the size and the fact I can blend in with tourist, without a bigger camera drawing attention. I'll only use this camera occasionally because the lens is too wide for most work.

Santas

Click on image for larger view 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.

Portrait 7

Click on image for larger view Jamie was on leave in New Zealand after working as a mine clearer in African battle fields.

Christmas

Click on image for larger view Children singing horrible Christmas carols were nailed to a wall in Cuba Mall today.

Dancing in the street

Click on image for larger view 11pm Cuba Mall about one hour ago.

Dried Roses

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Found these flower arrangements the other day. I must be getting old but does anyone else find them beautiful?

Ratana Children

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Travelling back from Wanganui I diverted to Ratana. There I found a group of people with three children playing across the road from the famous Ratana church. The photographs have an ageless NZ feel and the little boy reminds me of the children (wrapped in cloaks) in the 19th century Burton Bros photographs.

Tory St Gondola

Click on image for larger viewOur little bit of Venice on a windy Wellington day.

Black tree

Click on image for a larger view Tinakori track above the city yesterday. After three days of rain the bark of the Macrocarpa turns black.

Two Street Portraits

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I watched these boys for a while as they fooled around in the entrance to a movie arcade (Manners Mall last night). It was about 11pm with minimal light. I finally asked if I could make portraits of them. They were rapt to see the images on my LCD screen. Having a digital camera is like a Polaroid when working with strangers. One boy said he liked Black and White.

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I think they were South Americans (perhaps Brazil). They spoke very quickly and then vanished.

No pay....

Click on Image for larger viewbbut great conditions. Taranaki 09

Stratford 5

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Stratford A&P Show 09.

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That's it I'll give Stratford a rest for a while, but I have many more fascinating photographs from the two hours I spent there last Sunday. The people are just the same as I remember 35 years ago when I last roamed with my Leica. I can recall the old photos clearly and I'll scan a few to put on this blog.

Stratford 4

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Stratford A&P Show 09

Stratford 3

Click on image for larger viewThe Red Man. Stratford A&P Show 09

Stratford 2

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Stratford A&P Show 09.

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Someone has emailed and asked about the A&P Show. It stands for Agricultural and Pastoral and I was struck by the magical light and colour in the barn. Stratford in Taranaki is dairy country and the farmers are very proud of their udders.