Boat Sheds

We've been traveling a bit over the last few weeks, which gave me the opportunity to meander about on the scavenge for a snap or two. I'm a tad partial to practical no nonsense buildings. The top shed I feel was not originally designed as a shipwright's place of work.This was spotted near Blenhiem. As you can see it is embedded in a vineyard, one of at least a trillion that have taken over virtually every paddock in the district.
The middle shed is at least situated on the waters edge. The plaster work and colour are particularly exquisite. I like the well used crank thing too.
The bottom one could be a bit scary in a big storm. I think it must be better constructed than it looks because it appears to have been there for a considerable while. The road/dirt track that led along this bit of the coast was only about, on average, 20cm above sea level. Thankfully the tide had just turned and was on the way out and the wind was only gale force and frigid This shed and the middle one are both near Portabello on the Otago peninsula near Dunedin.

Macrocarpa

I had to go to Timaru for a job last week. After I had finished I headed for the beach in the hope of a good scavenge. The beach was devoid of goodies, however I had parked next to this fine specimen clinging to the top of a slowly eroding clay cliff. I have been wanting to try out the technique where several images are merged together to create a bigger more detailed image. This pic is made up of two portrait format photos blended together. How the software in the computer manages this boggles the mind. It's seamless!

Benches

Another snap from Oriental Parade. Public benches intrigue me, what has been discussed, seen or overheard? I feel a series of pics developing.

Cyclist?

We were in Wellington a few weeks back. I spotted this bloke on a floating bike contraption just offshore round Oriental Parade. Who needs cycleways? Not sure if it would be comfortable in choppy weather.

Memorial

This War memorial is in Milton, a small town in southern Otago. Virtually all towns in New Zealand have a War Memorial, originally erected after the Great War of 1914-1918. These memorials commemorate the many young men from the local districts that were killed in conflict. This photo was part of series shot on 8" x 10" film and contacted printed way back in the early 1980's

Fungi

This cluster of fungi was part of a larger colony all growing on what remained of some long gone tree stumps. I think they are called 'Laughing Jim' (Gymnopilus junonius)

B&W

Every so often I get sick of colour pics. Now is one of those every so oftens.  I stumbled across a book at the library about  the great American photographer Edward Weston. When I was a youth I was introduced to his snaps by Murray Hedwig, our photography tutor at Christchurch Technical Institute.
Along with my dear dear friend Kevin Capon we were instantly smitten by his pics, the subject matter, the sharpness, tonality and all round exquisiteness. For many many years I was heavily influenced by Edward Weston. I was shooting a lot of large format B&W and printing on what I consider the best photographic paper ever created, Agfa Portriga 111(it was discontinued about a year after I discovered it) and doing the whole archival processing thing.
It's been interesting re-reading about Edward again after such a break from him. I can now see his pics from a different stage of life perspective.
I'm hankering to get back home after nine weeks trapped in a motel waiting for earthquake repairs to be completed and get into the darkroom and dabble.