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!
SAINT MARY'S AISLE
Sydney
At the time I took this photo, I wasn’t sure I was permitted to photograph the interior. Some religious establishments don’t allow this. I thought the colloquially St Mary’s Cathedral would be no exception. Officially, it is the Cathedral Church and Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Mother of God, Help of Christians and is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney, currently Anthony Fisher OP. More interesting reading over on Wikipedia.
St. Mary’s Cathedral is absolutely gorgeous inside and out. I remember having a hard time finding a good composition outside to photograph. I was just getting into photography back then. The inside was a different story. Firstly, though I wanted to photograph the interior, I had no idea if I was allowed. Then, as soon as I walked in, the grandeur of the place pushed me to take this obvious composition. The cathedral was empty, not a soul in sight, I quickly checked outside to be sure nobody was coming. I was alone. I quickly setup my tripod, framed, took three bracketed exposures and quickly packed up my gear. Now the mistake I made was to have zoomed in too much and compose horizontally instead of vertically. I can’t remember why I did that but if I hadn’t I would’ve had a lot more scene within the frame. I was inexperienced and didn’t want to get caught though I found later that photographs were allowed inside the cathedral. Oh well, next time I’m in Sydney I give it another shot.
The photo was taken with the Fujifilm FinePix S9500, a bridge camera I had bought just before coming to New Caledonia. When used within it’s limits, the camera can produce good quality images, though a little on the soft side. I can’t recommend it as it has been superseded and there are much better cameras now for the same price.
OK, take care and hope to see you for the next post.
MODERN HUT
I took this shot for a photo contest in 2017 but didn't end up using it. A modern building based upon the Melanesian huts found all around New Caledonia. I'm not 100% sure but I think it's a one of a kind. It's situated on the grounds of the Sénat Coutumier in Nouville (New Caledonia). The grounds are on the waterfront and the hut is placed near the water on the opposite side of the main entrance. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to walk in and start napping shots so I didn't wonder in. I noticed it was low tide though and soon realised I could walk along the, usually underwater, rocks to get up close to the hut. I took a few photos through the fence and done.
PLAINE DU CHAMP DE BATAILLE
Battle Field Plain
On the way back from a small hike in Prony with a friend and her two kids, we stopped at the Plaine Du Champ De Bataille lookout (Mont Dore, New Caledonia). On the opposite side of the road from there, are wind turbines, which the youngest of the kids is crazy about them. So we went up close to them so she could touch and see how huge they are. She was in awe. It was on the way back down to the car that I saw this magnificent view with sunrays lighting up the valley below. I wish I had my tripod with me. I'm sure I would've gotten a cleaner image. I still love the photo though.
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.
UN VOLS TROISGROS
My best friend's step-father got his pilote license at the end of last year and proposed a flight from Noumea to Boulouparis, Thio, Yate and back to Noumea. I could say no to that. This was back in March and only now had to chance to edit the photos. I'm not very happy with the quality of the photos but the flight was fantastic. My fault for the photos not turning out right. My settings were off. I hope you enjoy these photos. I've got a few more to share later on.
CARNAVAL PORTRAITS
OK, this is last of the carnaval portraits. I know it was a long series but I really wanted to share all them with you. I don't have the time to edit all the photos at once which is why I was sharing a few at a time as I finished them. Hope you enjoyed the portraits.
CARNAVAL PORTRAITS
OK, just one more post after this one of carnaval portraits. I promise.
CARNAVAL PORTRAITS
Sorry, I haven't finished with the portraits. There were so many great costumes.
CARNAVAL PORTRAITS
We are well into the evening of the carnaval now with these portraits. Noumea, New Caledonia.
CARNAVAL PORTRAITS
With these portraits of the carnaval, we start heading into the night. Only had the pop-up flash but I think it worked out ok.
CARNAVAL PORTRAITS
More photos of Noumea's (New Caledonia) 30th Carnaval. Portraits galore.
CARNAVAL PORTRAITS
More portraits of the Noumea (New Caledonia) Carnaval held on the 16th September.
CARNAVAL PORTRAITS
A follow up to my last post. More portraits taken at the Noumea Carnaval.
CARNAVAL PORTRAITS
Noumea (New Caledonia) celebrated 30 years of carnaval last weekend (Sat. 16 Sept.). I had friends participating in the event and so thought it was a great opportunity to practice some portrait photography. Here are just a few to start with. Many more to come.
XANGO MUSIC
Walking through La Place Des Cocotiers (Noumea, New Caledonia) on carnival day, I heard these guys playing music. So I went over to listen and take some portrait shots. I love those those traditional instruments. A big shoutout to Christopher Schyle who asked if I could tag him, Yvan Vaquijot and Xango Capoeira Caledonia. It's a pleasure to do so. I'm not sure if they're all members of the martial arts but they do play beautiful music together. Thanks guys.
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.
RETRAITE AUX FLAMBEAUX
LANTERN RETREAT
This event happens on the eve of Bastille Day (French National Day). In the last couple of years the parade has started from Place Bir Hakeim and ends at Place Des Cocotiers, as always (Noumea, New Caledonia). Lanterns are distributed at the beginning of the evening around 6:30 p.m.. At 7 p.m. we had the Royal Australian Air Force band perform with a couple of dancers. There fantastic! Straight after that we start the parade down Avenue Victoire Henry Lafleure onto Avenue Marichal Foch to Place Des Cocotiers. An leisurely half hour walk. The parade ends with fireworks at 7:45 p.m.. An excellent evening for young and old but kids, especially, love it.
