Summer

Sometimes you just have to try and try (and try!) again. This is how I felt recently attempting to take this iconic Newcastle scene, but it really was worth it.

Taken at the World Heritage Listed Cape Tribulation, in the Daintree Rainforest this artwork captures exactly what the area is known for, where the Rainforest meets the Reef. Taken by drone this artwork gives you the perfect birds eye view of this perfect part of Australia. 

I have been trying to capture this overview of Merewether for many years now, coming back regularly, hoping for the perfect sunset to set the blue colours of the pools off.

I finally captured one recently. The composition requires some dangerous climbing, but it's the only way to get to what I wanted. I set up, perched on a rock ledge on the cliff and waited, patiently hoping that sunset would be a beautiful one, and not a fizzer.

Dark clouds were coming over from inland and I was extremely worried that it would block the setting sun.

I waited it out in the cold wind, sitting cross legged under my camera and tripod. Just as I was getting ready to call it an evening, the clouds on the horizon began to pick up these beautiful pink colours.

To me this image represents life in Merewether for many Novocastrians, as this is how many spend their weekends and days.

Taken at the gorgeous Fingal Bay Spit, in the Nelson Bay region of NSW, this image brings to mind the things that the two separate bodies of water, constantly clashing and joining together can tell each other, and how it speaks of two people talking and sharing ideas, with the sandbar in between representing our individual understandings and beliefs. 

It shows time continuing to pass and how change and movement are required, bringing growth and development. It correlates with bringing peace and happiness to individuals and groups of people in varying situations, whilst keeping some stability and flexibility like the sand.

After a full on day in my Gallery, I was pumped to stop talking about my artworks with people and get out and capture one!

This was my 4th attempt to get a nice Redhead sunset, each previous attempt foiled by nature, people or my own forgetfulness (Apparently I need a tripod to shoot).

I had really high hopes for this evening, there was a strong wind, and interesting cloud formation. I had hoped to get a nice vertical panorama with beautiful lit up clouds overhead.

As sometimes happens though, nature has its own intentions, and I just have to roll with it. This soft cloud glow was the best of the night, as the sun sank into a dense cloud bank before it really had a chance to bring much colour to the clouds.

I used the opportunity to get some muted sand and water colours, brought together by these incredible rock formations and the surf lifesaving tower. The quick moving clouds created a nice soft sky for the tower to stand against.

This lone Boab tree sits proud at sunset on the savannah near Derby, WA, Australia

A lone Fisherman tries his luck at Bay of Fires, on Tasmania's east coast. 

 The old pylons that once supported this productive jetty strike out into the sea, marching on seemingly endless out to the ocean, in this small northern Tasmanian town. 

The Striking remains of the Bridport Jetty strike out from the shore, seemingly forever into the bay. The shallow sand slides into the blues of the water on this blissful, warm Tasmanian summer day. 

A lucky pass with my drone near Denmark, WA, and I saw this great Australia outlined in rocks and weeds! 

 What a stunning location this is. As you arrive, you park up on the hilltop, and wander down a set of steps, with the magical pool unveiling itself before you. Best seen on a warm summers day, bring your swimmers! Summer is absolutely the mood for this image. 

 What a stunning location this is. As you arrive, you park up on the hilltop, and wander down a set of steps, with the magical pool unveiling itself before you. Best seen on a warm summers day, bring your swimmers! Summer is absolutely the mood for this image. 

Such a special place, the sacred art site of Ubirr within Kakadu National Park. Overlooking the floodplains, filled with buffalo. We took a picnic up here and sat and watched the sunset with all the other tourists. I was up here early to nab a good spot, however my preferred framing ended up having about 10 people jump in front of me! 

Luckily after sunset, everyone left, we were the only ones left on the rock with the ranger. The sunset kept going and going, long after it should have finished, letting me capture these beautiful sun rays. 

In the Coffin Bay National Park, this beautiful blue scene shows the peace and calm common throughout South Australia's National Parks on the Eyre Peninsula. 

Eyre Peninsula Sunset

 Captured while staying at Belmont Pines Holiday Park in the Lake Macquarie area over summer, this stunning sunset looking towards Belmont 16s over Belmont Bay is a calming idyllic artwork that the area depicts. I was spoilt for choice with the caravan park surrounded by water that I left it up to the clouds to decide which direction I'd be shooting this evening. 

 Captured while staying at Belmont Pines Holiday Park in Belmont, NSW (Lake Macquarie area) over summer, this stunning sunset shows what the Lake Macquarie area is known for, fishing on calm waters. I was just managed to capture this artwork before the rain begun, but Amanda missed out as she was too slow walking with the dogs and Aria to meet me, it doesn't look like the rain was coming, but it goes to show how the weather can change so quickly. 

Hastings Point, NSW and the Hastings Point Lookout was a picturesque location with views as far North and South as your eyes could see. Taken during Golden hour, I loved the colours and shapes of the rocks forming the base of the Hastings Point headland. I love the movement of the clear blue water in the foreground against the steadiness of the rocks. It makes me feel grounded, yet free.  

Hastings Point, NSW and the Hastings Point Lookout was a great afternoon out with my family. After taking in the views and playing on Pottsville beach it was time for some work. I predicted the clouds were going to be too thick in the direction of the sun to allow for any bright colours, however, I really liked these mossy rocks on the beach. After sending the drone up for some aerial images and footage, I turned my attention back to these gems in front of me, It is not often you get such nice mossy rocks surrounded by smooth sand.  The clouds did come to life and the reflection on the wet sand and pools of water allowed me to create this unique artwork.  

This Gold Coast Sunset artwork taken from the Ian Dipple Lagoon, really brings the warmth. The Gold Coast apartments and foreshore definitely depict the Gold Coast lifestyle. I was really hoping the sky would light up in the opposite direction however, I have no control over it so have to be prepared to bring forward my creativity on the spot and bring this moment in time to life and artform. 

Taken on a rare sunrise for me is the 3rd artwork in my Corindi Beach collection. I had previously scouted this composition from walks along Corindi Beach, NSW (in the Coffs Harbour Region) and my sunset captures. I was unsure how the tide would impact the capture, but as with all my photography artworks, unless I head out to have a look, I don't know. The hard part with sunrise is you can't really see to tell before then rushing to get the right composition.  This time it paid off and although I usually like some clouds in the sky for interest, I rather prefer the simplicity of this image and the sun rising against the blue water. 

Sunset at Corindi Beach Point was magical this night. We were staying at the Reflections Caravan Park near Coffs Harbour, NSW where it is a short walk to the beach. Amanda convinced me to head out for sunset as the clouds were similar to the previous night where it unexpectedly lit up all around us while we were having dinner. I'm so glad she did as it was one of the most amazing sunsets we'd had in some time. I knew from swimming amongst the rockpools earlier that day that the water was a crystal clear blue so had already decided I wanted that in my artwork.  This is the first of 3 images in this Corindi Beach collection as the sunset lasted a long time and changed so much, I couldn't resist continuing to capture three totally different works. 

See the video of he three Corindi Beach captures at https://youtu.be/9PWrId2PWdI  

Curtis Falls at Tamborine Mt in the Gold Coast Hinterland is a really special pocket of National Park Rainforest in the midst of roads and other tourism developments. A quick 15 minute walk from the Carpark leads you down to the falls themselves. Seriously calming, this place is full of wildlife and tranquility. This is my first released image taken on my new Sony A7RIV Camera.  It took me a good 20 minutes of experimentation to get this shot just right. 

A beautiful pastel vertical panorama image that sweeps you off your feet into the serenity of the ocean. Taken as sunset glows behind, the aqua water shines through the waves as they roll onto the shore.  

I tend to find myself drifting off to an unknown world when I look into the image. I wonder where I can go next in my life journey and what is on the horizon for me and my family. I can feel the sand washing out from under my toes as I sink into the image.

I created this artwork to bring some Newcastle peace and calmness to my space and remind me the future is beyond tomorrow, it is all the days ahead.

Greg and Tarnya visited our Gallery in January as they had been looking to replace a canvas piece they had with something new and modern.

They always wanted a beautiful image of Lake Macquarie, but Greg also really liked the idea of bringing the outside in, by having a shot of their view from their balcony on their wall inside.

We discussed our commission service and Greg and Tarnya welcomed us into their home to capture the shot for them.

This amazing evening occurred on our second visit and attempt, after the weather not playing the part on our first visit.

The added bonus of a commission piece is you can be standing with us while we capture the image and they were.  Greg and Tarnya were both amazed with the light show that Mother Nature was providing. They said "we have never seen this here before, the sun rays are amazing". Upon delivery and unveiling of their 80" Acrylic Face-mount print, they told us they still hadn't seen anything like that night since and that the print was "PERFECT!".

We loved getting to know and working with Greg and Tarnya and cannot wait to see the image once it is hung on the wall. 

All that remains of the Cat Bay Jetty on this famous part of Phillip Island, in Victoria, Australia.

This long exposure art image smoothes the motion of the water into calmness, lending a sense of serenity to the daylight image.

Ahhh those summer beach days, this shot of Dixon Park Beach, Merewether captures Newcastle in the Summer holidays.

I absolutely love everything this image shows; the white sandy beach, the turquoise blue water, the gentle waves, the beach goers enjoying the sunshine, it just makes my heart sing and happiness burst out. 

This playful image shows sun lovers basking in Summer at one of Newcastle’s most famous beaches, Merewether. The waves rolling in over the sand produce a beautiful intense blue that contrasts perfectly with the light yellow of the sand.

This image is a snapshot of summer, watching surfers and swimmers taken from above.

When creating this image I was aiming to bring warmth, happiness and sunshine to any space through it, whether it be a loungeroom, bedroom, bathroom or office.

I have spent many mornings and afternoons bodyboarding the Newcastle coastline and each time I look into this artwork, I am caught up in a wave and find myself reminiscing the many good times the Newcastle beaches made available.

It was a cold cold winter's evening at Catherine hill Bay, but what's landscape photography without enduring all of the seasons? We wandered around to various locations surrounding the bay and the jetty, unsure what the sunset was going to bring.

I settled on this composition as I loved the contrasting colours and the idea of how something threatened to be demolished sees the end of another day, surviving, just a little longer. Once used for loading coal, this jetty lies sleeping with many photographers enjoying its presence, its history and its unique character.

Deep in the restoration area of the famous Stockton Sand Dunes, this tree has survived alone on its Dune.

4WD access only gets you so far, before the no driving restoration area. I reached the edge about 20 minutes before sunset and commenced my hike in to this lone tree that we spotted from the beach. It was a hard slog through the sand, and I only just managed to get to the dune in time as the sky lit up in an amazing display.

Sometimes you just get lucky and this night was one of those. I tried several different compositions, and struggled with the strong wind blowing the tree branches around, preventing a sharp shot. I hope you enjoy this simple, pastel representation of the Stockton Sand Dunes near Newcastle, Australia.

Port Germaine's Wharf holds the record for the longest timber wharf in the southern hemisphere.

This image portrays the perfect sunny afternoon, which it started out as, before a large storm hit in the late afternoon (while we were out walking on the wharf!)

The vertical composition and simple colours will look fantastic in any narrow space, such as the end of a hallway.