A long Sunday

Sunday was one of those long days just waiting for something to happen.  I watched the sunrise over the bogey hole and got smashed by a storm from the South just as the sun peeked over the horizon.  I walked out on the break wall...nothing happening there.  Then I had coffee at Merewether.  The sun was still low and the sky exploded with colour.  By this time I was starving so I made my way home for lunch.

In the afternoon I went back to Catherine Hill Bay and finally found the cliff top I was looking for!

Life is awesome in Newcastle!

Image above:  Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @16mm, ISO50, f/22, 5sec and 0.3 sec, Cokin 0.3 ND filter

Middle Image:  Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @16mm, ISO50, f/20, 30 sec

Last Image:  iPhone 5 Panorama

Incoming Storm over the Bogey Hole

Catherine Hill Bay

Moonrise at Catherine Hill Bay

I took a drive out to Catherine Hill Bay yesterday afternoon on more of a reconnaissance trip.  I've been there a few times and only shot from the beach.  I was actually trying to find a way to the top of the cliff but that seems to require jumping a few fences and I was a little nervous about that.  I couldn't get round on the beach side as the tide was very high.

The sun was setting and the moon was rising so I decided to stop looking for the path and shoot a few images.  I am so happy with the way this turned out.  The slow shutter allowed me to capture both the colour and movement in the clouds.  This is such a beautiful and secluded spot.

Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @35mm, ISO50, f/20, 20sec, Cokin 0.3 ND filter

A rainy September Saturday

It hasn't been the best weather week in Newcastle.   In fact it feels like winter is back!  It's been raining since Wednesday and it's cold again :(

Every morning this week I have been driving at 7am and there has been a beautiful rainbow to the West.  I was hoping for the same today but, alas, it was not to be.

I've been trying to get a shot of the Bogey Hole for a while now and haven't had much success.  Last week was the closest I've come so I decided to give it another crack today.  I stopped off on the ANZAC walk as the sun hadn't risen yet.  It's now and iconic part of Bathers Way that runs up the coast of Newcastle.  The above image is the first I've captured here.  So many possibilities!

When I got to the Bogey Hole, the waves were massive.  I have this spot near the edge of the cliff that I think will, one day, deliver the shot I'm looking for.  Except, this morning it was being bettered by the waves.  I decided to take my chances and try to nip in between waves.  By the time I managed to get in, the sun had unfortunately come up over the horizon a little more than I wanted.  Oh well, back next week :)

Above:  Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @18mm, ISO50, f/22, 30sec

Below:  Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @16mm, ISO50, f/18, 6sec, Cokin 0.3 ND filter

Sunrise at the Bogey Hole

Storming Redhead

I left work a few minutes early today in the hope that I could make it home in time to get my camera and make it to the beach before sunset.  I had been mindful of the weather all day.  The wind had been blowing, the surf report indicated big waves and it's been raining since the weekend.  There had to be a good shot in this!

As I drove down to Redhead I looked back through the valley towards Warners Bay.  I wondered if I had made a mistake as the sunset over the lake looked amazing.  Too late, I was committed.

I raced out of the car and down to the beach.  Got off a few hand held shots which is always my safety.  I extended the tripod and stood it in the sand as I reset my ISO.  Bang!  Over went the empty tripod as the howling wind blew it into the sand.  Now everything was sandy.  My tripod head and all the adjustments.  I hate that crunchy sound!  

I recomposed and this was the result with only about 5 minutes left to shoot.

Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @16mm, ISO50, f/20, 5sec, Cokin 0.3 ND filter

Last shot of the day at Redhead

Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @16mm, ISO50, f/22, 15sec, Cokin 0.3 ND filter

A trip to Zenith in the driving rain.

This morning was the second day of the Supermeet.  It started at 4am with me leaving home to get back to Port Stephens for the sunrise.  The rain was absolutely chucking down and when I arrived at Zenith Beach I was alone!  It looked like all the keen people from yesterday had bailed because of the rain.  Then there were lights.  Two Canadians arrived and we made our way up the path through the now spitting rain.

No sooner had I set up my camera and the torrential downpour I had experienced on the drive up hit again.  The Canadians disappeared back to the car.  Shortly later Anne arrived...without her camera but she bore something more valuable...a lens cloth.  The photo above was taken from under an umbrella in the driving rain!

Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @29mm, ISO50, f/22, 2.5sec 

The one below was taken about a hour later after we had gone to get a much needed coffee and the weather broke for a few minutes.

Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @16mm, ISO50, f/22, 4sec, Cokin ND filter

Zenith Beach

A flipping good day! :)

So yesterday was the first day of the Instagram Supermeet!  What an awesome day spent with like minded people, sharing ideas, jostling for position and just hanging out.

We started off on the Tamboi Queen and a little whale watching.  The captain took us around Cabbage Tree Island to see the Fur Seals.  Lucky this was over when it was as my stomach was churning a little.  I'm not the best on water.

We ended the day shooting the dunes at Anna Bay.  It's been raining the whole weekend but a wonderful break in the weather brought us an amazing rainbow!

Fur seal on Cabbage Tree Island

End of the rainbow

Newcastle's Bogey Hole sparkles at sunrise

In the morning I am two things:  Reluctant to rise and happy to be able to get up early to see things like this.  I once read an article from a photographer that I follow and he said that nothing haunts him more than the mornings he didn't get up.  Well, there are things that haunt me more but I'm always sorry when I don't make the effort.

The forecast said rain for this morning.  There was a little of that but the beauty of the morning sun creeping over the horizon made me not even realise.

Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @16mm, ISO50, f/22, 6sec

Spring sunset at Merewether

The weeks, these days, seem to pass by so fast.  The days past where time seemed to drag on forever are long gone.  I find myself trying to hold on to every minute as it helplessly falls through my fingers.  Time is such an elusive thing and certainly more precious than anything man can find or fabricate.  It's what makes us fallible, it's what makes us temporary, it defines our existence and, ultimately, when we have no more, it will cause life to leave us.  I care so much about it but it cares nothing for me.

Tonight I needed the peace of the ocean.  It was cold, windy and rain threatened.  I knew there wouldn't be anyone else at Merewether.

Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @24mm, ISO50, f/5, 30sec

Spring sunrise at Merewether

I was out late last night chasing the light at the Sygna so a sleep in was definitely on the cards this morning.  Fortunately my sleepless nights continue and I was awake for sunrise again.

Merewether looks different every time I come here.  It wasn't the best sunrise but as the light spilled over the ocean I was reminded of how magnificent this town is. #lovethisplace!

Canon 5Dmiii, 16-35L II with polariser @16mm, ISO100, f/16, 10sec

A return to the Sygna

Today I returned to the Sygna.  A ship that was wrecked off Stockton in the year of my birth...1974.  It broke up when they tried to refloat and remove it.  What's left corrodes slowly and less remains every year.

It's not the easiest place to get to I must admit.  The last time I was here was 2007 and I hiked all the way from Stockton.  That was a mistake and saw me only make it to the wreck after the sun had set.  Today I tried to come in from Fern Bay.  It was a lot better but seeing as though my initial attempt to get there through Fulerton Cove had failed, I almost missed the sunset again!  

It was a hours walk along the beach from the nearest car park I could find that didn't need a beach permit...I need to get one of those!  Approaching the wreck I thought I had missed the sunset again but as the sun dipped behind the Western horizon, the sky exploded!

Canon 5Dmiii, 24-105L with polariser, ISO50, f/22, 10sec

Great response from Newcastle!

The response from the Newcastle community to this little compilation of clips has been amazing, humbling and so satisfying.  I love this town.  Right now I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

Sunset at Warner's Bay

I spent most of today trying desperately to get something good.  I was up at sunrise (after shooting an exhausting wedding yesterday), I shot in the middle of the day and then at sunset.  Yes, a little work avoidance behaviour but it was great fun.  I didn't feel like I got what I wanted but that's just how it goes...some days you do and some you don't.

I met the couple in the second image below.  Aaah, young love :)

Redhead Beach - Midday

The pier at Warner's Bay - Sunset

Humbled again

I was humbled yet again yesterday by hanging some of my work in somebody's home.  It's something I never take for granted.  Decorating someone's personal space is always an honour!

Redhead Beach

Moonrise over Redhead

I did some flying over Redhead as the sun was setting this afternoon and, after thinking it was all done, I went to get a pizza.  As I walked out of the restaurant door, I saw the moon rising.  Back in the car!  Race down to the beach again!  This is the first time I'm posting twice in one day but it's been perfect!

The moon rising to the North of Redhead

Sunrise illuminates the baths at Merewether

I like to get up early on the weekends for sunrise.  Somehow it's so much easier on a Saturday or Sunday than a week day.

The sunrise was a little disappointing this morning so I decided to fly a camera over the baths.  It's been a while since I had the drone up so I was concerned about the batteries...especially over the water.  Turned out well nevertheless.

I feel so blessed every time I see the sun rise over the ocean in Newcastle.  This is a wonderful place to live!

One day in Newcastle

So this is my first video post on my blog!  I've been experimenting with a few video techniques over the past year or so and had all these little clips lying around so I thought I'd throw them together and share a little of what Newcastle has to offer...other than some of the best beaches in Australia.

Sunrise at Merewether

This morning the alarm went off again well before sunrise.  I poked my toe out to test the ambient temperature and quickly retracted it in horror...COLD!  Nine minutes later my first snooze had run out and a further nine minutes later my second.  I forced myself up.  It's tough in winter.

By this time I couldn't get to Redhead on time for sunrise so Merewether it was.  In the end, a fantastic morning.  I walked down the stairs to the beach and saw just about all the photographers in Newcastle there!  There was an Instameet happening.  I didn't know anyone except for Scott who I had met one early morning in the cave at Caves Beach.

All the shooting was proceeded by a nice breakfast and a chat at Merewether surf house.  Much camera talk which suited me fine!  Then the running crowd trickled in...more friends.  Great morning!

Surfers brave the winter sea in Newcastle

Losing a loved one

Last week a friend of mine called me and asked if we could make some "car porn".  I had to laugh.  Paul is selling his 15 year old, beloved RS4.

I tortured him and made him get up for sunrise this morning so that we could shoot some interesting shots.

We both arrived at first light.  Paul pulled the Audi into position and I set up some lights and fixed the exposure.  A few minutes later we were all done and he's reconsidering selling this beautiful beast :)

Newcastle sunrise

What is the purpose of all of this?

It's hard to know. 

All we have are those we love

And the places we go.

Shooting what I noticed yesterday - Belmont

As I drove back from Caves Beach yesterday morning, I was on the lookout for something different to shoot.  I had watched the moon set over Lake Macquarie on the way out and thought that I would have to come back to shoot that.  There was no time yesterday.  I also only noticed this pier on the way back anyway.  This morning I was determined to get up again.

Sunrise was at 6:42 am but moonset was only at about 7:15am.  It was never going to be as good as yesterday from a light balance point of view but It was just good to be out again.

Having said all this, as I pulled out of Madison drive at about 6am, I looked East and saw that the sun had lit up the sky like a furnace over the sea.  It was hard to ignore in pursuit of this.  Maybe I should have been at the beach, who knows.  I love what I got nevertheless.

With the sun rising behind me the sky had already started to brighten making the exposure a little tricky as the sun hadn't yet hit the pier.  I used a Graduated ND filter to balance the light

Camera:  Canon 5d Miii  Lens:  16-35mm II F/2.8  Shutter speed:  3.2sec  Aperture: f/22  ISO: 50  Filter: Polariser and Cokin 2 stop graduated ND filter