Poodle Walks

January 17, 2013

it is hot

The day dawned warm and bright. I was down at the jetty area by 6.15am, but the light was already intense, even though the sun had just risen above the hills. The wind was warm rather than cool. The day promised to be unpleasantly hot.

So I just sat on the edge of the jetty and made some sea abstracts, with both digital and medium format film cameras:

I gave up after 20 minutes as the light was becoming too harsh. It was a pity because the rocks, seagrass and the strong tidal current were providing good possibilities for abstractions.

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January 16, 2013

at Redbank, American River

We returned to Redbanks, the cliffs on the Kangaroo Island side of Backstairs Passage, tonight for a 5×4 shoot along the cliffs. Though it was a 5×4 shoot we turned it into a bit of a picnic–wine and nibbles—whilst I waited for the light to soften.

It was very pleasant watching the dolphins cruise by, waiting for the light and soaking up the moment, knowing that the heat will return tomorrow.

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January 15, 2013

bird sanctuary walk

American River is charming as well as picturesque and peaceful. It teems with bird life and has interesting, low profile walks along the edge of Eastern Cove. Both the northern (Red Bank) and southern sides (Pennington Beach) of the island are easily accessible.

It is a little world unto itself that allows one to relax and unwind. It’s a gem of a place. Yet Kingscote, the main main town, is close by, if and when you need household supplies.

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January 13, 2013

at Kangaroo Island

Our 8 day holiday at Kangaroo Island started yesterday. We left Victor Harbor for Cape Jervis late morning to catch the Sealink ferry over to Kangaroo Island, and we arrived at American River in the mid- afternoon.

American River, which is on Eastern Cove, is very quiet and laid back. It is a fishing spot (recreational boating and fishing) that is still unspoilt by development. The houses (holiday homes and fishing shacks) are unpretentious, and the place is teeming with bird life–both seashore birds (eg., pelicans) and bush birds (eg. black cockatoos).

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January 10, 2013

a digital disruption

When I was walking around city west yesterday I couldn’t help but think about the digital disruption that is going to happen in the near future. This will be less from the proposed free wireless in the city and more from the National Broadband Network facilitating the digital economy.

What prompted these thoughts was the construction site of the University of South Australia’s new Learning Centre. I couldn’t help but think that many in the area have little idea of the forthcoming digital disruption.

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January 9, 2013

a momentary respite

Today Adelaide had a one day respite from the heatwave. It was actually cool enough for Ari and I to be able to drift around the western part of the CBD in comfort. I was even able to do some photography in the form of making digital snaps.

Exercising, working, or even walking at a fast pace becomes difficult to sustain at temperatures above 35ᵒC. During the heat we just sought out the shade around Veale Gardens and we moved very slowly in the shade to avoid overheating and heat stress. Fortunately, the city had cooled down over night and it was no longer a heat island. So we were able to walk the city in the late afternoon for an hour and a half.

I was looking for photographic ideas to explore. In drifting around the Hindley Street part of the CBD and then city west I was wandering around in the seedy or scruffy side of Adelaide.

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January 4, 2013

heatwave

It was 30 degrees (C) last night in Adelaide. As it is going to be over 44 degrees (C) today, I made some photos very early in the morning. I took a break from working out in the gym around 6.15am and went to take some quick photos before the very bright early morning sunlight hit the streets. Then I went back to the gym.

I wasn’t really interested in The Wave per se. This was a snap I did on the way to photograph the deserted building on the King William Street and Gilles Street corner. This used to be a Chinese restaurant before they bought The Brecknock pub on the opposite corner and converted it into a restaurant.

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January 3, 2013

Victor Harbor: bark abstract

The poodlewalk on the last day of our holidays at Victor Harbor was spent mooching around the reserve opposite the studio. The southerly winds had dropped and the days were bright and sunny. It was perfect summer holiday weather for those wanting fun at the beach. Suzanne went for her first summer swim before we left.

I had a sense that a heatwave was coming Adelaide’s way so I spent what time I had photographing leaves and bark in the early morning:

I made number of studies of bark abstracts in both colour and black and white in both medium and large format.

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December 30, 2012

plugging away

We returned to Kings Head for yesterdays poodlewalk so that could make more photos. It was overcast and cool, but the south westerly was still blowing too hard. I could only work in sheltered areas–behind a rock formation that protected me from the wind.

Mine is such a different approach to this DSLR style of landscape photography that relies on extensive post-processing. I am also much more interested in the detail of the landscape rather than the landscape itself.

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December 28, 2012

rocks + twig

The temperatures have cooled and it is possible to start a poodlewalk around 5.30-6pm, walk to a location and take some photos. Ari and I walked to Kings Head yesterday afternoon, and I took a few snaps— plus some studies for large format photography.

It’s a favourite section of the coastline of the Southern Fleurieu Peninsula, and I have made a number of photographs there. There is something about the location that keeps drawing me back, but I am not sure what that something is.

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