Archive | boats

These Motuihe Island photographs were taken a week ago using a new 2x extender on a Canon 70 – 200 mk2 lens, during a short sail from Auckland.

Motuihe is a beautiful three sided island with a choice of white sandy bays providing 360 degree protection in moderate winds. It is only 16 km from Auckland and is probably the most popular day trip destination for Auckland boaties.

Looking back on 2011 brings to mind a few highlights, – the sale of 1000 IMAGES Cornwall Park One Tree Hill books to a single buyer, the establishment of a collection of photographs at Cornwall Park Restaurant, and the development of my garden. On the other hand this year, a number of friends have died or are dealing with terminal illness, and I’m constantly driven to do what is important, now, and to indulge a little, – because we all need to know, tomorrow may never come. Looking forward there is so much to do, I am part way through directing the redesign and development of this website and hope to have this online during February. I am also retraining in CAD and will pursue a number of personal Industrial Design projects.  Other plans for this year include offering  large format prints, adding motion plus sound, and marketing my photographic work, particularly my current Hauraki Gulf project.

May all your 2012 dreams come true  : : peter

It surprises me how often I am on the only boat anchored overnight in a bay, particularly when Auckland is flooded with boats. Even when sailing between islands, there may be no other boat in sight.

I didn’t set out to make boat photographs a significant part of my Hauraki Gulf collection, my focus was the sea and coastal landforms. However much of the time, the sea and coastal landscape offer limited photographic opportunities, – mostly this requires special light, weather, and particular locations. Where as, a boat can transform an otherwise flat and unremarkable scene, and boats are of course a huge part of Auckland and Hauraki Gulf life. Also, boat owners are not really in a position to photograph their own boats, particularly while underway.

The photographs I up load are selective, – only the best make the grade. Where ever possible, I include the boat name in the keywording and captioning so owners and friends can find photographs of interest and purchase large format, high quality, archival prints. So  if you recognise a boat here, please let the owner know, and keep coming back to see more boats as they are added to the Hauraki Gulf Boats gallery  : : peter

Often referred to in weather forecasts but never seen, – Channel Island was always a mystery to me. Early one morning my curiosity was satisfied by sailing from Port Jackson, at the northern end of Coromandel Peninsula, out and around Channel Island.

This small barren island lies in the passage of water between Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula. It is subject to strong tidal flows and heavy seas, and often records the highest wind speeds within the Hauraki Gulf.

The slide-show currently showing above gives a sense of my early morning departure from Port Jackson, and the sea and bird-life encountered  : : peter