A spring storm blowing in off the Southern Ocean made long-exposure photography a challenge while I was visiting the Great Ocean Road in Australia. I ended up shooting about four replicates of each composition, using my body as a windbreak and hoping that everything wouldn’t turn out blurry.
London Bridge and Waves, Great Ocean Road, Australia (12″x12″)
On a trip to Australia in October, I had limited time for photography. I tried going to Princes Pier on a moody, foggy morning, but my GPS stopped working. I gave it another try a few days later, and the clouds parted as I arrived- beautiful weather, but bad for long-exposure photography. Here’s what I could do with the conditions.
Princes Pier Pylons, Melbourne, Australia (12″x12″)
Looking back towards Auckland from Waiheke Island at sunset.
Light through Clouds over Auckland at Sunset, Waiheke, New Zealand (4″x16″)
On a trip to Australia in October, I stopped for a few days in New Zealand and took the ferry over to Waiheke Island. Early spring in the Auckland area is fantastic for photography- passing rain storms, moody clouds, and some sunshine. I loved it and would love to go back.
Clouds over Island, near Waiheke, New Zealand (12″x18″)
In October, I was driving around the countryside north of Melbourne (near Avenel) and had to stop to photograph a few canola fields in full spring bloom.
Canola Fields, Tree, and Sky, near Avenel, Australia (12″x18″)
The light took on a silver quality as the fog thickened on my hike down from Talapus Lake so I decided to stop and photograph the stream flowing out of the lake.
Fog, Falls, and Trees near Talapus Lake, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA (12″x18″)
Fog, Falls, and Moss near Talapus Lake, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA (16″x36″)
A brief thinning of the fog/clouds allowed a few beams of light to penetrate the trees and shine on the moss along the Talapus Lake Trail.
Fog, Tree Trunks, and Light on Moss, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA (12″x18″)
Autumn clouds blowing in from the Pacific push fingers of fog into the forest on the flanks of the Cascade Range. On this hike to Talapus Lake and Olallie Lake, the clouds were so low and thick that I could taste the water droplets in the air.
Fog, Tree Trunks, and Light on Branches, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA (12″x18″)
Fog and Tree Trunks, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA (12″x18″)
Bridal Veil Falls on the Historic Columbia River Scenic Highway near Portland, OR.
Bridal Veil Falls, Historic Columbia River Highway, OR (12″x18″)
Bridal Veil Falls, Historic Columbia River Highway, OR (18″x12″)
Back in September, I attended a workshop at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. On our last morning in town, I got up early to take a few photographs before breakfast. Low clouds and fog were blocking most of the morning light, and I was regretting my decision to leave my warm bed. As I was about to pack up my tripod, the clouds on the horizon parted enough to allow the rising sun to cast a jaw-dropping golden glow that reflected off the fog, drenching the air in honey. This light lasted for maybe 2 minutes, then disappeared.
Golden Light Behind Tree at Sunrise, Friday Harbor, WA (12″x18″)
