Kia ora tatou:

For Windows users only ( Mac fanbois may now smirk contentedly).

If you shoot RAW and are continually irritated by the fact that you cannot see thumbnails of your images in Windows Explorer, then you should download and install the  FastPictureViewer WIC RAW Codec Pack. This utility enables Windows Explorer to show your images as thumbnails. It applies to most cameras, both current and legacy. It works with XP SP3 ( you have installed SP3, haven’t you?), Vista and Win 7. Recommended.

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Kia ora tatou:

I am currently in Rotorua, New Zealand, preparing for the official opening of the Innerlight Exhibition, an exhibition of work from students who atended last year’s workshop at Lake Waikaremoana.

Frankly the work has surpassed my wildest expectations. At a time when the medium is in transition, when digital photography has offered us a new direction which we are groping towards ( blog post in production), to see work which moves the medium into a new place, is very exciting indeed.

Do take the time to visit the show if you are close by.

Otherwise, have a look here, and enjoy the work, all of which has moved from photography as representation to another space altogether.

There are still places on this year’s Innerlight workshop….

Nga mihi

Kia ora tatou:

I need help(I imagine there are one or two of you who would agree with that statement).

Now that I am settled into Hanmer, more or less, and beginning to get back in the groove, I am keen to begin expanding the range of workshops I have to offer. To that end I have been doing a little informal market research, asking people what they would like me to offer. There is bound to be something one of you would like to see, which is never occurred to me.so if you have any ideas, you might like to either e-mail me or make a comment below. I would love to hear what you think.

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Kia ora tatou:

I know I have banged on about tripods ad nauseam, but I feel it is time to visit this again, having been at a workshop where the $80 tripods which are a chiropractor’s best friend were present. A good tripod is indispensable for a photographer.End of story.

If there is one piece of equipment which is absolutely indispensable to a landscape photographer, it has to be the tripod. Put simply, any landscape photographer worth his salt has a really good tripod … or two. Whenever I am teaching landscape photography workshops, it never ceases to amaze me how little emphasis would-be photographer’s give to the selection of their tripod. They spend an amazing amount of money on the best cameras, the best lenses and high-quality filters, then spend a pittance on the tripod. Buying a cheap tripod is, quite simply, false economy. And here is why.

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Religion is

The first winds of winter

Then let my name be called

Traveller

-Basho

From time to time I think about those people who, having found the photographic path that works for them, and fascinated by it, compelled to follow it, do so happily for the rest of their careers.

Lucky them.

The remaining few of us, restless souls that we are, and never quite content with any one direction, move from one thing to another, exploring, learning, then, having found what we wanted to find that period of time, moving on.

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Homer Tunnel, 31/10/1937

I am here now.

The last month has been a wild roller coaster, what with moving into a new home and dealing with my mother’s passing. What truly helped were the  telephone calls, e-mails, texts and cards which many of you sent me. I cannot begin to thank you enough for your kindness and support. I am deeply grateful. But, bit by bit, things are beginning to settle down, and bit by bit, I am beginning to get on the road again. Because of you. Because of your kindness.

My profound thanks.

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