TraditionalPhotographer.NET / On Photography / Location and Travel Photography

Desert Oaks of Australia

roteague — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:16:11 GMT

Two years ago, my friend Steve Nicholls and I took a road-trip from his home near Adelaide, South Australia to Alice Springs, Northern Territory; a distance of some 1500km through some of the harshest landscape on earth. Along the way, we overnighted in Melrose and Coober Pedy, South Australia as well as Stuarts Well Roadhouse (or Jim's Place as it's known locally), Northern Territory.

Upon arriving at Stuarts Well, we stopped to say hello to the owner, Jim Cotterill, whom I had met several years prior. Jim, a lifelong resident of this area has many fascinating stories to tell, like the story about how he, as a young boy, and his father opened the first road into what is now known as Kings Canyon, Watarrka National Park - the 1930s era Dodge truck they used is parked outside. After listening to some of Jim's stories of the Outback, we got to see and listen to Jim's singing dingo, Dinky the Singing Dog. This made for a memorable experience.

The next morning I got up before dawn, and my friend Steve not being an early riser, slept in while I walked out to the highway - watching the sun rise over the desert is perhaps my favorite thing to do in Outback Australia. There is a certain peacefulness that can't be explained at this time of morning. I'm sure my friend Steve still can't figure out what I see and love about Outback Australia.

As I walked, I could see the sky beginning to turn color behind a stand of Desert Oak trees, while a small herd of camels foraged for food in the background. This image, titled "Desert Oaks" is the result of that morning walk. While photographically, it isn't a stunning image (to some) it still speaks to me of the one place in the world I long to be, when I'm not at my home in Hawaii.

Nikon F5, Nikon 24-120 f3.5 VR Zoom lens, on Fuji Velvia 50

Panoramic Hawaii

roteague — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:11:57 GMT

I've been experimenting with panoramic images for a couple of years or so, and thought I would share some of my results with you.

[img]http://www.visionlandscapes.com/Personal/Hawaii001AA.jpg[/img]

Toyo 45AII, Schneider 135mm f5.6 lens, Fuji Velvia 50, Horseman 6x12 back.

[img]http://www.visionlandscapes.com/Personal/Hawaii002AA.jpg[/img]

Toyo 45AII, Schneider 135mm f5.6 lens, Fuji Velvia 50, Horseman 6x12 back.

[img]http://www.visionlandscapes.com/Personal/Hawaii003AA.jpg[/img]

Chinaman's Hat. Toyo 45AII, Schneider 135mm f5.6 lens, Fuji Velvia 50, Horseman 6x12 back.

[img]http://www.visionlandscapes.com/Personal/Hawaii004AA.jpg[/img]

Waikiki by nightfall. Chamonix 45N-1, Schneider APO Symmar 210 f5.6 lens, Fuji Provia 400X, Horseman 6x12 back.

[img]http://www.visionlandscapes.com/Personal/Hawaii005AA.jpg[/img]

Waikiki Sunset. Chamonix 45N-1, Schneider APO Symmar 210 f5.6 lens, Fuji Velvia 50, Horseman 6x12 back.

Philippines trip in October

roteague — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:00:02 GMT

I'm just confirmed for a trip to the Philippines in October, leaving here 11 Oct, returning 22 October. I'll be spending almost the entire time in Iloilo City, about 200 miles south of Manila.

This really isn't a pleasure trip, so I'll be limiting my shooting to 35mm; I'll probably also have the D200 for my blog as well, which I plan on updating as often as possible. The hotel I'm staying in is supposed to have Internet.

The biggest question in my mind is which of my 35mm cameras to take. As much as I love my Nikon F6, I'm considering taking the Nikon F5 instead; mostly out of a fear of theft. If anyone has any insights on this I would appreciate it. As for film, I'm going to be shooting mostly Fuji Velvia 100, with a little Provia 400X and Ilford XP2 Super as well.

Thanks in advance,

Arches National Park, Utah: Wall Arch Collapses

roteague — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:49:30 GMT

For those who are fans of Arches National Park:

"Wall Arch, located along the popular Devils Garden Trail at Arches National Park collapsed sometime during the night of August 4, 2008. Rock has continued to fall from the arms of the remaining portion of the arch necessitating the closure of the Devils Garden Trail just beyond Landscape Arch.

On August 7, 2008, representatives from both the National Park Service Geologic Resources Division and the Utah Geological Survey visited the site and noted obvious stress fractures in the remaining formation. Rock debris has completely blocked this section of the trail. The closure will remain in effect until visitor safety issues can be resolved."

http://www.nps.gov/arch/parknews/news080808.htm

Of course, it is the natural order of the land for these types of things to happen. But, still sad for the landscape photographers among us.

Fiji, Vitu Leva Island

roteague — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:17:11 GMT

Last October (2007) I stopped in Fiji on the way home from Australia. Unfortunately, I only had 2 1/2 days to see what I could of the island of Vitu Leva. On my second day there I took a day cruise with South Sea Cruises to the Malolo Islands group. We left Port Denarau in the early morning, and cruised for a little over 30 minutes before making our first stop at South Sea Island. South Sea Island is a privately owned island, and very small. Our guides told us we had 3 hours to spend on the island, and it would take us about 5 minutes to walk all the way around the island.

http://www.ssc.com.fj/south_sea_island.aspx

I thought I would share some images of this first stop. Note: these are quick and dirty scans.

South Sea Island as we approached on our ship. Note, the people standing on the beach, they were there to provide a traditional Fijian greeting as we landed.

The water here is crystal clear, and not very deep. In fact, there are many small islands like South Sea - some that are not much more than mounds poking out of the water.

After spending 5 minutes walking around the island, here is one thing to do. Before we left, we had a great big BBQ. !!

This one is for Eric Rose. It makes me wish that I had brought my PADI card.

Note: all images taken on a Nikon F6, Nikon 24-120 VR lens, Fuji Velvia 100 film.

USA trip

PhotoBob — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:52:59 GMT

Hi
I'm headed for Nevada for a conference early next month.
I'm not interested in the city - I'd rather look for the unique in the landscape around Vegas.
Any ideas, I'm planning to use Saturday after the conference to dedicate to photography.
I'm also not sure what to take, 35mm or 645
I'll probably also use transparency film over B & W
Is one easier than the other through customs, US customs, another concern of mine.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Bob

Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

roteague — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 22:57:04 GMT

Here are a couple of images, just out of the scanner to share with everyone.

In the foreground is the Opera House Bar. The first image is naturally the Sydney Opera House itself, the second of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Both images were taken on a Nikon F6, Nikon 24 - 120 mm AF-S VR lens (handheld - VR on) using Fuji Provia 400X (the first time I have used this film). Images taken in September 2007.

Valley of Fire, NV

PhotoBob — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:59:18 GMT

Was recently at a conference and thought I'd take the opportunity to spend an extra day to devote to photography.

Subject: Valley of Fire about 24Km from Overton, NV. I proceeded to the park in the morning and started photographing almost as so as I got into the park. By early afternoon, I meet up with members of the Nevada Camera Club for one of their field-trip outings.

Good timing eh?

I don't often get such opportunities, so this was really neat.

I brought out my Mamiya 645 Pro TL and a 55-110mm zoom and a Arsat 30mm.

Film was Velvia 100, although I had some 120 black & white, the landscape lent itself more towards colour work ... at least at this outing.

If anyone is interested in seeing some of the work I made, I'll direct you to my blog at:

http://st-cyrphotography.blogspot.com/

Comments Welcomed

Take care and

HE IS RISEN - Thank you Jesus :)

Blue Mountains Australia

roteague — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:25:38 GMT

I'm planning on visiting the Blue Mountains of Australia in late September/early October and am looking for any advice anyone would like to pass along. I shoot almost exclusively Fuji Velvia, and will be primarily shooting 4x5, although I will do some 35mm as well. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,