Photography has really shifted how I view the world. It’s like a window into new experiences and a way to revisit familiar places. Take my island, New Caledonia, for example. This blog is where I share my perspective on the world through my photography. I hope you find it enjoyable!
LODGE FLOWERS
Mount Koghi, Dumbea
We have been officially out of confinement since the 4th May. This is a six week trial. Let’s hope we don’t get a case in that time.
A beautiful Spring day brought us, my grandmother, mother, aunt, a friend and her two kids, to the Auberge du Mont Koghi (Mount Koghi Lodge). This was back in 2018 when my mother was visiting from Australia. I came back with a few memorable family photos and these closeup shots.
It was the end of Winter and we were slowly moving into Spring. A lot of flowers had already blossomed and others waiting for a little more warmth before doing so. It had been a long time since we’d visited the Auberge du Mont Koghi and it had been sold and closed for quite a while too. The lodge reopened mid June 2018 with new management, staff and all new chef specials on the menu but retained it’s special French Savoyard cuisine it was known for. Isolated in the Koghi Mountains in Dumbea yet no more than a 30 minute drive from Noumea, it’s a great place to get away and relax for the day or a few in one of their refurbished bungalows. Checkout the magnificent panoramic view or go for a stroll in the forest. Enjoy lunch, dinner, coffee or a sunset drink… there are plenty of reasons to go there but with a place like this, you don’t need one.
These closeup (macro-ish) photos were taken with my Canon EOS 1300D/Rebel T6 camera and kit lens. Zoomed all the way in at 55 mm to get really close to my subjects and get a blurred background. The widest aperture available for that focal length is ƒ/5.6, helped achieve the blurred background and let in as much light as possible. A native ISO of 200 gave me clean, noiseless images and I adjusted for more light when needed. Minimum shutter speed was at least twice that of the focal length, 1/125th second, to get those clean, sharp images and I increased it depending on the wind. Apart from missing my focus by a millimetre on a couple of shot, I’’m very happy with these photos. I thought I would have gotten a slightly larger depth of field at ƒ/5.6 but I can’t complain to much with such a beautiful blurred background. And the colours are just gorgeous.
As many of you know from my last post, a new chapter has begun in my life with the birth of my daughter. We’re in the process of finding a balance between family, work and our hobbies/passions and I know we’ll get there. I’m asking for your understanding and patience if at any time there’s a lack of content on the blog. Saying that, I’d like to thank everyone for your support so far. Thank very you.
Before going, I hear more and more countries are coming out of auto-confinement which is great news, nonetheless, remember the protective measures are still in vigour. Stay safe everyone and I hope to see you on the next post.
THE OLD KOUTIO TOLLS
L’ANCIEN PÉAGE DE KOUTIO
Koutio, Dumbea
Doing just fine on this 13th day of auto-confinement.
Glad I came across these photos because it documents an era in New Caledonian history, road tolls. I’ve even had a hard time finding relevant information and there aren’t a lot of photos either. So I’m glad I can share something that doesn’t exist anymore.
The Voie Express no.2 (E2) or, more locally known as, Savexpress is a highway that expands from Dumbea to Païta. The highway opened in 1979 and the tolls a year later, they provided a rapid entry/exit into Noumea from the north. After 33 years in operation, the toll gates closed at the end of 2013 and were destroyed in 2014, only a few months after these photos was taken.
Quite controversial since it’s opening, users on one hand cut travel times down dramatically but, on the other, would spend on average $150-$200 a month for the privilege. A couple of years before it’s destruction, there were talks of moving it farther north toward the international airport La Tontouta. In the end they decided to get rid of the tolls altogether.
My Fujifilm FinePix S9500 died on me a few months earlier but I was very lucky to have a colleague and friend, Tony, not only lend me his Nikon D3200 with the kit lens but also suggest I photograph the structure before it disappeared forever. Thank you very much Tony.
I edited the very first photo (top of page) multiple times over the years without satisfaction. I’ve learnt a lot since 2014 and, not long ago, I realised I was over doing it with the edits. Since my research on the subject, I decided to use these images to document an era in New Caledonian history. The top image is in colour because the contrast of colours work well together between the tolls and blue hour. The other photos, I felt, looked better desaturated with one of my split-tone presets applied. Actually, I like to edit a lot of old structures and things this way. It does depend on the image, of course. For example, colour didn’t bring anything special to these ones. The slight vintage look though changes to mood, put more emphasis on the structure and/or scene.
I’m sure these photos bring back a few souvenirs and stories amongst some of you. And for others, absolutely nothing but a part of history you’ll never know. I hope everyone enjoys the photos.
Once again, protect yourself and others by staying home. Wash your hands, keep your distance, sneeze and cough in your elbow… you know what to do. If we all do our part, we’ll beat this Covid-19 a lot faster. Stay safe everyone.
HIKE ON THE SENTIER DE L'ANCIEN BARRAGE DE DUMBÉA... ALMOST
HIKE ON THE TRAIL OF DUMBEA'S OLD DAM... ALMOST
I wanted to do a recon of this trail for some photos later on. Like myself, a friend and her two kids had never been here either and so came along. We parked the car at the start of the dirt road. we didn't realise we were allowed to drive further up the trail but it was a good think as it gave me the chance to see what scenery offered. The trail follows Dumbea River upstreams to where you eventually reach the old dam.Unfortunately, we didn't quite get there. With the two young kids it took a lot longer than expected to get to the trail heading to the dam. We did stop for lunch and a bit of a swim for the kids as it was a hot day and there's no shade. Nonetheless, it was a great little hike and I got some nice pictures. I'll be heading back out there for another recon to the dam.
Dumb, South Province, New Caledonia.
LAST RAYS OF VITAMIN D
Copying one of my favoutire photographers here, Paul Zizka. He often posts landscape photos with himself in them to show the scale of things. That's not me in the photos though but a friend that I invited to tag along. I may do more of these kind of photos with someone in them to show thw scale of things. What do you think?
LOOKING OUT FOR SUN RAYS
I went up to a lookout tower in Mont Koghi (Dumbea, New Caledonia). I think it used to be a bush fires observation tower for fire brigades. It's just before you arrive at the Auberge du Mont Koghi. At this time of the year, the sun sets at the end of the valley of Dumbea. To the left is a gorgeous view of Noumea and the lagoon in the distance. You get a great view as well from the Auberge. A must for a sunset drink and a meal aftewards.
TOP OF THE HAT
This is Pic Malaoui. It's also known as Chapeau Du Gendarme and is part of the Koghi Mountains (Dumbea, New Caledonia). As you can see, there's a track heading to it's summit. I took this photo to remind me to get my butt into gear and organise an early morning trek up there.
ICY APOGOTI ON FIRE
A company had contacted me for a sunset photo over Apogoti Bay but, unfortunately, I hadn't any. I decided to head and scout the area for potential spots and came back with this one. I just had to shoot this amazing sunset over Apogoti Bay (Dumbea, New Caledonia). I almost missed it. I was about to head home when I notice the orange coming through. It's not the best of shots. I rushed it a little. But I'm glad I got it.