RobiNZ Personal Blog

Wished I had a real camera today, missed a classic aircraft photo

While walking the dog I heard the distinctive sound of an old aircraft engine. Looked up to see a de Havilland Dragon (like the one below) heading west. As I watched, in the background, an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 broke through cloud  — gleaming white in a beam of sunlight — on approach into Auckland. Unfortunately the iPhone camera didn’t get close to capturing it in any worthwhile detail. I wished I was carrying a real camera!

Amazing to think only sixty five years development separates these two.

 

de Havilland DH.84 Dragon image by Nigel Ish via Wikipedia         Air New Zealand 777 image by me!

The West Coast Penguin Mystery?

Back in 2006 I took a photo of this rather unique road sign on the South Island’s West Coast.

This year (in somewhat better weather) I couldn’t resist taking the same photo again. It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed “next 10km” of penguin in 2006 had reduced to 5km in 2011.

However a few kilometres up the road there was another “Next 5km” of penguin so maybe they have just moved along the coast a bit?

I placed a tune, On the Planet Of New Orleans!

This came on the playlist while I was walking the dog today, remembering my few days in New Orleans. It’s just a corner of two streets but I remember snapping the photos thinking “it’s really here”!

Standin’ on the corner
Of toulouse and dauphine
Waitin’ on marie-ondine
I’m tryin’ to place a tune
Under a louisiana moonbeam
On the planet of new orleans

Planet Of New Orleans lyrics from “On Every Street” by Dire Straits are the property of the respective authors, artists and labels

Five Minutes on TradeMe could fill a garage (I don't have)

When people ask "What sort of car would you buy if you won Lotto" they are often surprised by my response. A Bambina, a Fiat Coupe, X1/9, a 2CV and more. There are reasons for all of those and just a few minutes on TradeMe NZ presents a wealth of selections. Now I just need the right ticket

That Wharf Shot...

Northern Solstice Cycle Tour, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

This is such a cliche shot for anyone who visits Nelson Lakes but the weather added a bit of drama. Great as a desktop background!

WRC in the Auckland Domain

WRC in the Auckland Domain, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

Usually cars screaming through the domain would attract Police attention. This night it was about 25,000 Aucklanders who turned up to see the WRC come back to town

World Rally Championship at the Auckland War Memorial Museum

World Rally Championship at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum was a fine sight when the WRC visited

A New Orleans Apocalypse?

A wet night in New Orleans, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

Imagine waking up, jet lagged after a long flight, and flicking on the TV to see Glen Beck (who I had never seen before) running a panel "rant" about the "Apocalypse" and "The Rapture". It was probably the first time I'd seen Fox, and Glen Beck, so wondered what this "News" channel was reporting?

Then I opened the curtains to see this!

It was just a wet night in New Orleans and, even jet lagged, didn't take too long to figure out how crazy Beck can be...

Bing’s world’s craziest drives includes The Milford Sound Road

Below are two photos of the Milford Sound Rd heading from Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. The first was taken just before a thrilling 800m to 0m (sea level) 8km mountain bike descent, part of the Adventure South Milford Wilderness trip. I have also done this in the car (fun in the mighty 1.0 litre Uno) and by helicopter. On a scenic flight we landed by the road near the tunnel to drop someone off then swooped down the valley following the road. It’s one of the roads featured in the Bing Travels “The world’s craziest drives” and deserves to be there!

  

Bing - The world’s craziest drives - Travel Blog - Bing Community

Full tank of gas? Check. Map and directions? Check. Sense of adventure and drama? Most definitely check.

Here at Bing Travel, we love winding highways that ribbon themselves enticingly around the hills, up the coast, down the river, or through the side of a mountain. The best and most interesting roadways command the driver’s attention as they wend their way through serpentine switchbacks and up steep slopes, offering views of spectacular natural beauty.

A new Bing Travel slide show  presents a photo gallery of 12 of these delicious roads across the globe, all of which come with a nerve-tingling hint of danger…

Some other views from the Te Anau – Milford Road

 

Meeting Sirocco, the rarest of shags from an endangered parrot

Perhaps this is why the Kakapo is the rarest parrot in the world. Stephen Fry meets, Mark Carwardine gets intimate with, Sirocco in BBC’s Last Chance To See.

Follow Sirocco on twitter.com @SiroccoKakapo  Sirocco on www.facebook.com

How to take Photographs in Formula 1, not like this!

Photographing is harder than you’d think. I mean you know where the cars are coming from, roughly where they are going to be and what is likely to happen. Even then it’s possible to have Michael Schumacher nicely framed as he rounds the bend only for…. move your damn hands!

 

Anyway, here are some tips from someone who takes better Formula 1 shots that me!

F1 Badger | How to take Photographs in Formula 1

Picture this! Ever wondered how F1 photographers get such awesome photos from grands prix, or how you could be an F1 photographer? Wonder no more – The Badger has managed to catch up with one of F1’s official photographers, ask a few questions and find out more about being an international motorsport photographer… Please welcome Martin Trenkler to the Sett…

Do you want to buy this train?

The Kingston Flyer, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

I'm not a trainspotter but the sight of this appearing out of the mountain gloom was too good to miss. It's for sale if you're interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_Flyer

Jean Batten, 100 years

Glad I'm not going in this, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

Jean Batten was born on September 15, 1909. You can't leave Auckland without seeing her plane, suspended in the departure area, and thinking of how air travel has changed since her pioneering flight. On 16 October 1936, pioneering aviator Jean Batten landed at the end of the first epic flight from England to New Zealand where she was welcomed by a huge crowd who had flocked to the grass air strip at Mangere to greet her.

He was wrong!

He was wrong!
Originally uploaded by RobiNZ

Who was the man in the foreground who said this photo wouldn’t work?

Souvenirs series

Souvenirs series
Originally uploaded by michael_hughes

Check out this, the latest from Michael's cool "Souvenirs" series where tourist tat meets the real thing.

Your Wellington, what do you want?

It's not my Wellington, I'm a JAFA who likes visiting, but if you are a Wellingtonian this is a site for you.  

Your Wellington - Building the city you want

Your Wellington is an initiative of Jack Yan of Jack Yan & Associates, a Wellington-based firm founded in 1987. Wellington is integral to our identity—and we want your input on how we can make this city better, together.

McLaren M8 at Te Papa

McLaren M8 at Te Papa
Originally uploaded by RobiNZ

The car is looking awesome as restoration (rebuild really) continues for it's track debut

Greg the Takahe

Greg the Takahe
Originally uploaded by RobiNZ

Curious, cute and rare

Ferrari 308, 70's Bertone style at its best

Ferrari308_1977_Corrected
Originally uploaded by RobiNZ

I have no idea who owned this 308GT4, but took the photo from the street (at Hahei Coromandel) when I was about 11. It's often considered "the odd Ferrari" as the wedgie Bertone style contrasted with the curvy Pininfarina heritage but I liked it then, still do. Considering it combined 4 seats (OK really 2+2) and a mid-mounted V8 I think the proportions are good and I love the C pillar air intakes.

It's certainly aged better than the Pininfarina styled Ferrari Mondial that replaced it.

A disturbing smile

Downtown San Francisco
Originally uploaded by RobiNZ

I liked these sculptures but those teeth...

The first Fiat I ever drove

Fiat 132, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

It wasn't a "Great Fiat" but after learning in a Morris Marina...

Pineapple?

Pineapple?, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

Fresh and hand delivered

Happy 15th Birthday 777

Flying out of Auckland, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

Happy 15th Birthday 777

"On June 12, 1994, John Cashman, and his first officer, Ken Higgins lifted off in N7771 from Runway 34L at Paine Field for the Boeing 777-200's maiden flight"

Quote from http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2009/06/happy-15th-birthday-777.html

Fort Point Battery Arches

Fort Point Battery Arches, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

This reminds me of the sort of scene used to demo CAD rendering packages, but it's real. The light, shade and geometry of the gun batterys and ammunition halls

The Kingston Flyer

The Kingston Flyer, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

I'm not a trainspotter but, driving near Kingston (Queenstown, New Zealand), saw this one coming. It was a misty wet day but the diffuse light and muted colours resulted in an image I really like.

777 and the miracle of flight

777 and the miracle of flight, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

Living a long-haul flight from most places I know flying isn't always a thrill. However I never take for granted the miracle of technology, science and engineering that makes it possible to see, and photograph, sights like this.

North from Muriwai

North from Muriwai, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

Ths is the image for this months banner. Why take your camera to the beach on a cloudy day? I was so glad I did!

Wow, I was there and it looked like this!

First of a new series, inspired by Adrienne Rewi Online. I have been watching her awesome photos, which are posted with a bit of commentary, for months then thought... why don't I do that? So I did*

As a kid I read a book about building the Golden Gate Bridge but never really imagined being there! The title really was how I felt standing looking at this iconic structure many years after that little boy read a book.

* Not that my photos will be awesome! I'll just feature selections from the random images shown in the Flickr sidebar badges on my blogs

Trusted Reviews my Canon IXUS 980

This is the camera than replaced my faithful old IXUS 430 after it's fatal fall. I'm still learning the new machine but the quality is great. The only real design flaw I have found is it's one touch replay button sometimes gets bumped, in the bag, on leading to unintended battery drain.

My last trip to San Francisco was shot entirely on the new machine, if you want to see what it's capable of: San Francisco 2009 on www.flickr.com/robinzblog

Canon IXUS 980 IS Review - Author Cliff Smith

For the past nine years, the Canon Digital IXUS series (also known as ELPH and IXY in some territories) has been the benchmark for luxury ultra-compact digital cameras, combining elegant styling, superior build quality and the latest technology to produce a range of cameras that have kept Canon at or close to the top of a highly competitive market...

Photographing Light Trails

DPS have a great post on the art of shooting light trails. I've tried this on film (Vegas below) and with my little IXUS digital.

How to Shoot Light Trails

The Strip (Canon EOS Film). Wasn't going for light trails but I like these

Hanoi Balloon Seller (IXUS Digital). Although on manual I couldn't stop it down for longer trails without over-exposing the scene.

Auckland City with out that tower

A view with out that tower
Originally uploaded by RobiNZ

Auckland looks a lot better without that bloody ugly Sky Tower dominating the skyline.

Taken from work as the sea fog lifted.

Shop for sale?

Ghost Shops?
Originally uploaded by RobiNZ

There's an advert on the radio for a shop in Southland which comes with a signed up long term lessee, and property either side, and only costs $99,000.

Every time I hear it I remember the day I got off my bike and took this photo.

The two aren't connected, except in my mind, I hope...

Finally...

My Niece’s response to me getting a new(er), than a 1992 Uno, car:

FINALLY!

I've started a "My Cars" collection on Flickr for images which, in any way, feature the Fiats of my life. I’ve never owned any other brand!

Will have to dig out some old pre-digital images for the mighty 127 & 128!

Spirit of Place, A Photographic Exhibition featuring Auckland's West Coast

This appeared on our company intranet today & is worth sharing. Paul Kettle has some lovely work on his site and is exhibiting as part of the Auckland Festival of Photography

Spirit of Place – Opens Sunday, 25 May '08 at 4pm (join us for a glass of wine) for four weeks

A selection of limited edition fine art prints capturing the spirit of place many Aucklanders associate with Auckland's west coast beaches. The exhibition is incorporated within the Auckland Festival of Photography.

Signal Gallery, 505 Highway 16 (1km before Kumeu), Kumeu, Auckland  0814, Ph 09 412 7052

Reproduced with permission from www.digitallight.co.nz

Schmap'ed

One of my photos appears in the  Schmap Florida Guide. Look for “Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex NASA Parkway (Ea...” in the map widget below

Online Photo Sharing in Plain English

Lee LeFever’s latest video is a brilliant explanation of “Online Photo Sharing in Plain English”. Kiwis who use New Zealand's largest ISP Xtra, said to be 500,000, already have a "free" Flickr Pro account as part of the Yahoo!Xtra Bubble offer. Watch the video, get over to Flickr and start sharing!

See more videos like this at www.commoncraft.com

Reminds me of Pat Metheny

The Central Otago landscape on the "Otago Traverse Cycle" reminded me of "Pat Metheny Country". The sort of images you see on his album covers appeared everywhere you look. This scene captures some that mood and reminded me of this disc cover.

Reminds me of Pat Metheny, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

Sunrise at Buffalo Airport

Josh Hallett has some awesome images of a sunrise at Buffalo Airport. Click through for the full image, it’s worth it. 

hyku | blog - Good Morning from Buffalo Airport - by business blog and social media consultant Josh Hallett

Loving the road...

The “Love The Road” campaign introduced New Zealand to the Mercedes Benz C-Class using a magical combination of Kiwi roads, music by Joel Haines, stunning scenery and production values to match. They are a tribute to the joy of driving, the joy of the road. It was a stunning campaign with production standards equal to any I've seen irrespective of origin. It’s a pity it wasn't used internationally.

I’ve travelled these roads and they are why “going for a drive”, even if not in a Mercedes, can still be a pleasure in New Zealand. You can view the four “Love the Road” videos at the site, below are a few of my own favourite shots from the road…

    

 

   

 

   

Love the Road - www.lovetheroad.co.nz
Remember how it felt? That first flush of excitement. Just you and the road. The roar of the engine. The rumble of tyres on asphalt . Your heartbeat quickening. Your breathing deepening. It was love. It’s time to feel it again. Introducing the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Background from daimlerchrysler.co.nz

The “Love The Road” campaign was a completely New Zealand produced campaign from the television commercial, to the photography of the asphalt and the billboards. It was only used in NZ at this stage. After three weeks of voting, hundreds of nominations and thousands of votes, the favourite NZ road is the Kaikoura Coast Road, which skirts the East Coast of the South Island.

The Kaikoura Coast Road, which runs alongside stunning rocky beaches, through road tunnels (which require the obligatory toot), past quaint crayfish caravans, never once leaving sight of the foaming Pacific, has been voted New Zealand’s best loved road on www.lovetheroad.co.nz.

This is a Mercedes-Benz initiative designed to celebrate the launch of the new C-Class and rekindle New Zealanders’ love of driving. Voters in the online campaign were encouraged to think about the pleasure and emotions they felt when driving particular roads in New Zealand and to identify their favourite from a list of 120 roads, highways and bypasses. New Zealanders' second favourite road is the Desert Road in the Central Plateau, followed closely by the Thames to Coromandel road in the North Island.

Sometimes digital crap is better...

I can understand Photographer Peter Bush being frustrated about losing his work however find his comment about "abstract digital crap" rather odd. I think the story reveals one huge advantage of digital. You can send an original that’s just a copy with no effective loss of resolution. With "digital crap" the irreplaceable originals would be safe in his hands.

All Black photo treasures stolen - 17 Feb 2007 - National

"An irreplaceable photographic collection of All Black Rugby history has been stolen from New Zealand's most eminent sports photographer after a courier left a package in his mailbox."

"I still hope remotely that they may turn up," he said. "It is irreplaceable. This was material you could handle - not some abstract digital crap."

Car Magazine Desktop Wallpaper Gallery

If you like cars, photography or both and want a stunning desktop image Car have posted some of their best photos as for your viewing pleasure. Supercars, and not so super cars, Rally and Formula One, images from around the world, even Timbuktu.

My favourite is a Fiat Grande Punto in an unusual supermini parking lot.

Car Photo Gallery - Carmagazine.co.uk

The Gallery page has the latest, click on the “Wallpaper” heading to view the full gallery.

This is our pick of the finest shots that have graced recent issues. We'll keep updating the gallery, and occasionally throw in a few exclusive images that we couldn't squeeze in the last issue. But to revel in our photography in all its glory, make sure you pick up the latest issue of CAR, or buy a subscription online.

A few Holiday Snaps

I spent a few days sailing on the Hauraki Gulf, around Waiheke Island, and summer arrived! Well it was nearly summer; a cool’ish south westerly wind and “refreshing” water temperatures were a reminder that summer is really in February/March!

We really are lucky to have this huge playground, many islands and hundreds of bays, within a few hours sailing of Auckland city. I was surprised how empty it was but I guess many have ventured further for their annual holiday. That’s fine with me!

Holiday Snaps Index

    

   

   

The year in photos - from Car

Photography is one reason Car is the best auto magazine in the world. This is their top ten for the year.

The year in photos - Carmagazine.co.uk

Hobart fires

 Scary but remarkable photo from Swade: Bushfires near Hobart, Tasmania.

My Hometown - Saab Weblog - Trollhattan Saab
I mentioned yesterday that there were fires threatening a few places around here. This is how they looked last night....

Tags: Trollhattan+Saab, Hobart

Little People - a tiny street art project

Delightful, tiny people photographed in the big city. 

Little People - a tiny street art project
Little hand-painted people, left in London to fend for themselves

via drawn.ca

Here be dragons...

I don’t know why I like Komodo Dragons. They are certainly not cute, or cuddly, but are fascinating. This image by Michael Hanscom captures a wonderful moment. Click thru for the full image, it’s stunning.

eclecticism: Boy Meets Dragon
Boy Meets Dragon

Tags: Komodo+Dragon, Douglas+Adams

Porsche 997 Targa 4 in Tekapo, New Zealand

I saw the promotional photos for the new Porsche 997 Targa 4 and recognised the view…

See the website http://www.porsche.com/all/skydriving/usa.aspx

(Found via) Article and more photos at www.eurocarblog.com

My photo from Mount John during an Adventure South Cycle trip

Porsche on Mount John

Edited 24–07–2006: It’s Mt. John, not Mt. St. John as I first thought

Very cool Shuttle launch photo

Worth a look!

Bad Astronomy Blog » Very cool Shuttle launch image

Contrast, After the Cup

Auckland Viaduct was a fishing basin, home to trawlers and long-liners, before the Americas Cup arrived prompting a long overdue make-over. Although the apartments and visiting super-yachts are still there, the fishing boats which have returned make an interesting contrast.

Big toy - World's fifth-largest private yacht, Le Grand Bleu

During a cycle ride into town, and along the waterfront, took the chance to have a look at World's fifth-largest private yacht, Le Grand Bleu, which is visiting Auckland. 

 

It’s a remarkable boat: 113m/371ft long & powered by twin 2 x 4,570-hp engines. It comes with a helicopter and a small fleet of tenders. Among them a 21m/70ft sailboat and matching 20m/67ft power-boat, each stowed on the main deck under huge custom-made davits. Just what you see from the outside is impressive, I can only imagine what is inside!

 

   

More details and a better picture – I couldn’t get far enough away to fit it in the little IXUS lens – in this article