This scene with the old sandstone building, the modern yet old school scooter and the real estate with the modern name of Century 21 was too good to just pass by without taking a shot. I've wanted to photograph this building for a long time now but was never satisfied with what I saw. That scooter changed everything. It's not a great photo, I admit, but I needed the photo to tell a story. And not just be a photo of an old building. I might try a sunset shot the next time I'm in Randwick Junction (Sydney, Australia).
It was the end of the day and sunlight was coming through the forest trees to illuminate parts of my friends' shaded garden. I just couldn't resist trying to capture some of these beautiful backlit flowers. This is the best of the different compositions I had taken. I was so concentrated on getting the flowers in the backgroung in the shot that I didn't realise the bright light, in the top right corner, would be so distracting. And the lens flare as well. But I still like this photo quite a lot. Which is why I'm sharing it with you.
Just a few photos I took at my friends' wedding. Simple, beautiful, no nonsense and a crazy lot of fun. The ceremony was held at Mairie De Nouméa (Noumea Council) and the reception at Le Bout Du Monde (The End Of The World) establishment. Though it was a traditional wedding, it wasn't only a marriage between two people but two families and two cultures as well. The French and the Walisian.
I spent Christmas in Ettalong, Central Coast, Australia. The family was chilling out the backyard when I saw pelicans flying by. They may look funny and joker-like on the ground but in the air they're quite graceful flyers. It took me a few shots to get these three decent ones though. Panning the shot was very important to get a sharp image. I only have a kit lens (18-55mm) on my camera and I was at it's long end to get these shots. The solo pelican is my favourite.
I went to a dog contest... well, not really a contest but a ranking. It was to see if the dogs were good enough to move up in their security training ranks. It was a very interesting morning. I initially went to try out the auto-focus on the Canon EOS 1300D and photograph my mate and his dog. First time I've been to one of these things and I was very impressed.
I don't know if it was the camera or the lens, either way it was a little slow to focus especially on continuous auto-focus. I find the images slightly on the soft side too. I did enjoy using the camera though.
(Mont Mou, Païta, South province, New Caledonia)
Hike On The Convicts' Path
Another little recon on this beautiful little path situated in the municipality of Yate (South Province, New Caledonia). The path starts at the Kanua Terra Lodge in Port Boisé Bay. About an hour an a half's drive from Noumea. The road down is descent enough for a small car to make the journey. You will hit a couple of bumpy dirt roads but not to the point of needing a 4X4. Beautiful view are to be seen and also the huge Goro nickel mine (which brings up mix feelings).
Once at the lodge, it's an easy going 5 km walk inland following the Trou Bleu River. The path is mostly shaded, which is great, as the sun can be quite harsh but humidity very high, nonetheless. The whole area is preserved with fishing, camping and fire prohibited. At the end of the path, if you wish, you can go farther (much farther) but you'll have to cross the river. Not a difficult task but a very slippery one. If you're not careful you'll get wet or, worst, hurt yourself. Otherwise you take the same path back to the lodge.
I'll definitely come back for sunrise and sunset shots but this is an area with no light pollution so it's perfect for astrophotography.
Oh and I thought I'd add my friend's dog Lycan. Trained for security but loves to play.
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.
So at the end of my last time-lapse video, you would've seen this photo. I arrived early for this shot (and the time-lapse, of course) unlike the last one.
One of the reason I love landscape photography is because I find myself in front of beautiful scenes to relax and think. And sometimes reflect.
Rest in peace my friend and thank you so very much for that kind gesture 35 years ago. It has marked my life.
You may have seen this photo in my last post as the cover photo of the time-lapse video. As I mentioned then, I've wanted to photograph this cemetery for a long time and the death of my very good friend, pushed me to get it done.
We call it Cimetière Du 5ème Km (5th Km Cemetery). Situated in Noumea, New Caledonia. Most cemeteries are well maintained and some are just beautiful with colourful flowers decorating the tombs.
I arrived late for the sunset but got a chance to capture this fleeting moment of gorgeous colour in the sky. At the time I didn't think I had captured anything great and so decided to head back here the next day. In the end I prefer this photo to the one I took the following day.
A sunset time-lapse over the 5 km cemetery in Noumea, New Caledonia. I've wanted to photograph this cemetery for a while but got round to doing it. They're well maintained and with all those gorgeous, colourful flowers on the tombs, I find it beautiful. The cover photo was taken the day before the video. I went back the next day for a different composition and the time-lapse.
The passing away of my friend this week seemed the perfect reason to photograph the cemetery. It also gave me the opportunity to reflect and remember him.
May you rest in peace my friend.
The SCI - FI CLUB had organised the Week-end Geek on 29th Oct in the Maison Des Artisants at Nouville (Noumea, New Caledonia. I went on the last day of the event, which concentrated more on cosplay, table games (much bigger than board games), console gaming, manga figurines, comics and a couple of gaming computers. Not really my kind of geek show but I did enjoy photographing the event. The figurines impressed me the most.
A time-lapse of the sunset at Kuendu Beach (Nouville, New Caledonia). The hut construction on the right is part of the Kuendu Beach Resort (IN RENOVATION NOW). I even captured a cruise ship passing by. I was disppointed at the time of filming but seeing it on the time-lapse, I like it.
My first photo from the Canon EOS 1300D that I won from a photo contest last week. A 20 second long exposure at f/11 with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II kit lens. Not a lot of details in the shadows and I had some difficulty getting focus to infinity. I put it down to my lack of experience with Canon cameras.
A sunset photo from Baie Des Citrons (Noumea, New Caledonia). This is the main road that runs along the most popular beaches here. I have to admit, I have no idea what this building is. I just thought it would make for an interesting photo, the cool tones of the building and the sky against the warm tones of the road and hillside.
It took a while and a few shots to realise I would need a least three cars' taillights to get enough of a red streak and only one car's headlights for the white streak. I finally got my opportunity before bleu hour ended and got the photo I wanted.
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.
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.
OK, just one more post after this one of carnaval portraits. I promise.
Just a few more portraits left to share.
Sorry, I haven't finished with the portraits. There were so many great costumes.
We are well into the evening of the carnaval now with these portraits. Noumea, New Caledonia.
Celebrating 30 years of carnaval in Noumea, New Caledonia.
