"Boats... an impression #3" posted on +500px

The third in the series, shot in Sandringham (Victoria, Australia) back in August. This series is inspired by the Impressionists, although this one is more after Georges Seurat because of its 'pointillism' feel - I know it's a far shot, but you get what I mean, I hope!

I edited a bit the photo in Aperture, to crop its format, and boost the light reflecting on the sea, and achieve more of a blue monochrome impression.

The photo is below, and I've also posted to my +500px gallery here: https://500px.com/photo/91272997

Boats... an impression #3 - (c) Gilles Royer 2014

For reference, this is my previous blog with the first 2 versions of the boats on the Port Phillip Bay. I think I prefer the B&W version. Let me know which one you prefer:
http://australianlightseeker.blogspot.com/2014/09/boats-impression-2-versions-posted-on.html

Thanks for your visit

"Boats... An Impression" - 2 versions posted on 500px and Kujaja.com

Last weekend, with the arrival of Spring, I headed off to the beach, in Sandringham, with the family. The light was really strong around lunchtime, yet it was beautifully reflecting on the water. Sailing boats were out on a race on the horizon, and the whole scene reminded me of some impressionist paintings (think Monet or Seurat), given the quality of the light.

I tried to render that impression in the below shot:

"Boats... an impression" (c) Gilles Royer 2014

The link to my 500px gallery is as follows:
http://500px.com/photo/81716257/boats-an-impression-by-gilles-royer and is also on the Kujaja.com website: http://www.kujaja.com/en/photo/36783

I also tried a B&W edit of the same image, that further conveys the subtle tones and atmosphere of the scene:

"Boats... an impression - B&W edit" (c) Gilles Royer 2014

Respective links are as follows: http://500px.com/photo/81842781/boats-an-impression-b&w-edit-by-gilles-royer and http://www.kujaja.com/en/photo/36918

Please leave me a comment and let me know which photo you prefer. Thanks!

Photos from Queenstown, New Zealand

I've posted a couple of older photos (August 2010), when I went on a ski trip to Queenstown, New Zealand.

If you haven't been, and if you like skiing, that's a fantastic destination - 4 ski resorts are nearby (Coronet Peak, the closest, The Remarkables, Cardrona, and Trebble Cone), which gives you many options re skiing, with different degrees of difficulty. But Queenstown itself, on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, is a beautiful town, and will keep you busy even if you don't go to the snow (or if the weather is too bad to ski that day). There are many things to do, such as cruises on the lake, driving around the lake (so many scenic routes, see below), visiting nearby towns, including Arrowtown, Wanaka. There is also a longer drive to the mighty Milford Sound (didn't get there on that trip, but it's on my to do list!)




Here are a few pictures, that I posted on my 500px gallery.

1. View from the top of Coronet Peak resort

The most striking thing when you ski in New Zealand (or at least in the Queenstown area) is that the mountains are bare - not a tree. Not only does this lowers the risk of you running into a tree whilst downhill skiing, it also provides great views to the surroundings, especially when you are on the Queenstown side of the mountain, and you get a great panoramic view of the lake.

"The Quickest Path to the Million Dollar"

Here's the link to the photo on my 500px gallery:
http://500px.com/photo/79129857/the-quickest-path-to-the-million-dollar-by-gilles-royer

2. An icon from Queenstown - the old steam boat "Earnslaw"

When you're in Queenstown, you can't miss this boat. It takes you on a ride to an animal farm of some sort, but is also such an emblem on the town.

"An Icon from Queenstown"

Here's the link to the photo on my 500px gallery:
http://500px.com/photo/78938271/an-icon-in-queenstown-by-gilles-royer

3. View from the drive to Glenorchy (on the northern point of Lake Wakatipu):

A drive from Queenstown around Lake Wakatipu is a must when you get there. The landscapes are surreal, contrasting the mountains in the back with the changing colours of the lake. The photo below is taken on the way to Glenorchy, and gives a hint of the scenery you can experience, especially at sunrise or sunset. 

"Lake Wakatipu"

Here's the link to the photo on my 500px gallery:
http://500px.com/photo/6024110/lake-wakatipu-by-gilles-royer

Thanks for your visit!

"Morning in Melbourne - With Balloons" posted on my @500px gallery

I've now posted on 500px the second photo highlighted in my previous post (http://australianlightseeker.blogspot.com/2014/07/morning-in-melbourne-posted-on-my-500px.html)

The link is below:
http://500px.com/photo/76953623/morning-in-melbourne-with-balloons-by-gilles-royer

Thanks for your visit!

"Morning in Melbourne" posted on my @500px gallery

The series "Morning in..." continues with this shot from Melbourne CBD. Amazing what motivation can do to me - waking up at 6am for a morning photo shoot seems easy that the same on the Monday morning to go to work. Go figure....

When I got the car out of the garage, I also noticed that it as a beautiful full moon, and once again, a perfect crisp clear sky, typical winter morning. So I headed off closer to the city this time (see my previous posts in St Kilda, Bolte Bridge, and Swan St Bridge), precisely on the St Kilda road bridge.

I set up my tripod, went to Aperture priority mode to get long exposure (I wanted that smooth/mirror effect on the water), and the remote control, and started to shoot, fine tuning to get the best angle and composition. First shots are a bit too dark, not enough light yet, but I got this one at about 7.05am, so technically, just before the first lights. The moon was full, and on her path to disappearing behind the foot brings you can spot in the background.

I was soon joined by a few other photographers and iPhone snappers, so it must have been a good spot!

Here's the shot I selected to post on 500px gallery (http://500px.com/photo/76655195/morning-in-melbourne-by-gilles-royer):

As the sun rose behind me, a hot air balloon appear on the left, in the background, soon joined by a couple more, and they made their way towards the Rialto towers (those 2 towers with an electric blue light at the top - quite a landmark in Melbourne), but it was hard to get both a long enough exposure, and the hot air balloons sharp enough.

Anyway, it was worth fighting the cold (must have been one of the coldest mornings so far) to get a decent shot

Thanks again for visiting!

"Morning in Docklands" photo posted on @500px

Another photo from the series "Morning in..."

Winter is cold down here, and quite wet, but this is also a great time of year to get out early and catch the first lights, whilst the air is very clear and crisp. I went last weekend around Docklands (check the other post from the Bolte Bridge: http://australianlightseeker.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/new-post-on-500px-gallery-morning-at.html), and made my way along the river towards the city. 

By the time I arrived in Docklands, the sun was up, which gave me a beautiful warm light. I took this shot of the marina near Webb Bridge, and opted for a long exposure (6 seconds) to enhance that calm mood, and get the smooth effect you can see on the water:

I've also posted it on my 500px gallery, at the following link: http://500px.com/photo/76077427/morning-in-docklands-by-gilles-royer

Thanks for your visit!

The Story Behind... Blue Hour at Cowes Jetty

Back from my holiday in Phillip Island, I posted this new photo in my 500px gallery (http://500px.com/photo/65154481), titled "Blue Hour at Cowes Jetty"

Blue Hour at Cowes Jetty (c) Gilles Royer 2014 - Nikon D200 / AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm / 24mm / 3sec / f/3.8

Phillip Island is situated east of Port Phillip Bay, and is famous worldwide for hosting the Moto GP in February. But as I discovered this week, it is a beautiful spot, only 1.5 hour or so from Melbourne, and full of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. 

On Wednesday morning, I got up early to have a go at the sunrise. Staying in Cowes, on the North side of the island (and being the main town thereof), I decided to go close, to the jetty. I took a few shots, from the beach on the western side of the jetty, then moved to this side (east) as I thought the long jetty would block most of the sun as it rises behind it. I therefore settled at the start of the jetty, and waited for the sun to point its nose over the horizon. This one was taken in the blue hour before the actual sunrise.

I had my tripod, and screwed on a polarising filter in front of the lens, and set it for a long exposure - 3 seconds - at ISO 100, to get maximum details, and get that smooth effect over the water. The light on the bottom left-hand side of the shot, on the stones, comes from the street lamp over, and helped me bring the textures of those beautiful bluestones.

Quite a few people were also walking on the jetty, so you can see some silhouettes there. That's the perfect time for fishing, not just taking photos!

Unfortunately, the sky was quite cloudy above the horizon, so I didn't get (looking towards the east - or to the right of the photo) a good sunrise. When the sun pierced through the clouds, it was already high above the horizon, and to bright to take directly. 

Hope you enjoy it. When I have a bit more time, I'll post more photos of the Phillip Island trip, as well as my (not happy) story re my jammed lens...

Thanks again for your visit!