Sydney Opera House and Ferry

Here is the first of several photos I took of this iconic Sydney landmark.  It was a beautiful winter day for sightseeing and we had a great time.

G'Day Mate!!!

I've been MIA for awhile because we have been on assignment in Australia.  We've had a great conference, which we were in charge of organizing, and now are taking a few very much needed days off, since for a few days leading up to this conference I was averaging 4 hours sleep a night in order to get everything prepared.  It was all worth while as I think that everyone who attended had a great experience.


One day after our meetings, one of our local people asked if we wanted to go for a ride and see a bit of the area around Melbourne, then one of us said they wanted to see a kangaroo.  Our local man said it was doubtful, but he'd take us to a park where kangaroos have been seen at dusk foraging for food.  We drove through many lovely neighborhoods and just before dark, finally pulled into the parking lot of a park.  We were still in a suburb, not out in the bush, so I didn't think there was any chance we'd see a kangaroo.  We parked and walked about 15 feet from the car, and there were about 20 kangaroos.  They didn't seem too concerned that we were there and I managed to get my camera out, put on my flash and snap a few shots before they hopped off.  Another missionary couple working here said they had been in Australia 8 months before they saw a kangaroo.  What luck!

After our conference in Melbourne we flew to Sydney for more meetings, and now we have a few free days before returning to NZ.   

Auckland Photo Contest

Say Cheese

Harbor Lights

June is photography month in Auckland.  They have special exhibits, lectures, etc. all over the area.  One Saturday is designated as a contest day.  All photos entered into the contest have to be taken on that specific day and must relate to the theme, 'My Day in Auckland'.  Last year I submitted several photos just for fun.

This year I submitted three photos, including the two above.  I was surprised to receive a call that I had won second place, (out of over 1500 entries), with the following photo:

 A Day in Bed

I guess it was just quirky enough to attract the judges attention.  After the fact, I felt a bit uncomfortable that I had submitted this, even though I had permission from the 'subject' to do so!

Takapuna Sunrise

It is Saturday morning in this part of the world and I wanted to go down to the beach before sunrise to take some slow shutter speed shots in low light.  Unfortunately, I forgot to set the alarm clock and when I woke up the sky was already light in the east.  Even though I hurried as fast as I could, I couldn't beat the sun.  By the time I had my tripod and camera set up and ready to shoot, the sun was already over the horizon and it was too bright for the picture I had in my mind.  I had to settle for a picture of this seagull taking a moment to enjoy the early morning warmth of  a winter day in New Zealand.

Characters on Queen Street - Auckland

 CHARACTERS ON QUEEN

We spent a couple of hours in downtown Auckland last Saturday, and I had fun doing a little street photography. 

Photography and Something More

The Magic of Photo Editing Software

I've been teaching a beginning photography class once a week after work.  Everyone seems to be fascinated with my post processing and editing workflow, so this week I'm going to demonstrate the magic of Photoshop and talk about how technology has changed traditional photography forever.  Making minor adjustments such as cropping, removing red eye or adjusting the exposure are done in a twinkle.  But when you are feeling especially creative, using photo software makes it possible to start with a photo and turn it into something more.  Here is one of my examples for the class tomorrow:

Before

After

Harbor Bridge, Auckland, New Zealand

HARBOR BRIDGE

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

This is my first photo of the Harbor Bridge.  We wandered in and out and around local neighborhoods until we came upon this little bay with a lovely view of the Harbor Bridge with the Sky Tower in the background.  Earlier, I found other views but they were boring because there was nothing of interest in the foreground.  And even though the tide was out,  (so there were no great reflections in the water), I still like how this turned out.

(I shot this at f/16 for 13 seconds.  Using a small aperture is what makes the lights turn into stars.)

Moon Magic

The moon was beautifully framed in a pillow of fluffy cotton clouds tinged with the golden glow of Auckland at night.  Too bad my camera couldn't capture it all in one exposure.  But with the magic of computer editing, I combined an exposure of the clouds with an exposure of the moon and voila!

Auckland Skyline at Night

Yesterday was a holiday to celebrate the Queen's birthday.  I celebrated by taking photos.  For the first time since we've been in New Zealand I went out by myself with no other purpose than to shoot pictures.  Although we've been to some amazing places with spectacular scenery, we are always on our way to an assignment or other activity and I always have to rush to squeeze in a photo or two.  And the times we do have free, Jeff is always with me and he's not keen on hanging around too long while I mess around with camera equipment, lenses, and filters or take time scouting around for the best compositions.  

I've wanted to get some pictures of the Auckland skyline at night ever since we've been here, so this was the day.  The Sky Tower shines with different colors and combinations of colors for special occasions and holidays and is the tallest freestanding structure in the southern hemisphere.

Walking the Dog

A little bit of street photography in New Caledonia.

New Caledonia Scenery

Sails, Sun & Sea

Fragile Beauty in New Caledonia

Take Time Today, Because Tomorrow May Be Too Late!

 Today I took time to admire something small and beautiful and fragile.  I'm glad I did because soon it was gone!

While on a lovely walk this morning, Jeff picked up an interesting flower that had fallen from a tree.  It had four petals that you cannot see very well in this photo.  I could tell it was delicate so I carefully carried it back to the hotel because I had never seen anything like it and I wanted a photo (every time I decide not to take my camera with me, which isn't often, I always find something I want to photograph!)  Anyway, by the time we got back, all of the petals had wilted and fallen off and it drooped sadly.  There was a purple file folder sitting on the desk, and I arranged the petals and propped up what remained as best as I could.  By then we noticed the most heavenly fragrance filling our room.  I really wished I would have had my macro lens with me but I didn't.  (After seeing how this photo turned out, however, I'm glad I didn't.)  I photographed this in the natural light from the glass doors with my telephoto lens.  I got as close as the lens would let me get and still focus, about 5 feet away.  This made for a very narrow depth of field creating this soft, out of focus background.  I only had time for a few shots before the flower totally wilted and fell apart.  Now all that is left is the perfume.....and my photo!  

Celebrating My Birthday in New Caledonia

 A birthday to remember at

Nouvata Parc Hotel - Noumea, New Caledonia

Here we are in Noumea for the second time this year, and we are staying in this lovely hotel complex because our contact here has 'connections'.  I took this photo from our balcony with a fisheye lens.  (I think this is the biggest pool I've every seen.)  This lens makes the ocean look far away, but it is very close, just in front of the hotel.

We are here to assist with the organization of the first stake of the church here in New Caledonia.  For my friends not familiar with Mormon terminology, a stake unifies several congregations.  (The word 'stake' comes from Old Testament imagery where a stake holds up the tent or the church.)  What a great place to spend a birthday!

Phun Phriday

Ahh, the good life!

Sunrise Rainbow - New Caledonia

I think Heavenly Father loves mornings!  I am not a morning person, but it seems that when I make the effort to be up early, I am often richly rewarded to see the beauty of this world revealed to me in lovely shades and colors of light as dawn signals another glorious day of possibilities.  Sometimes day breaks with cotton candy hues of pastel pinks and corals, and sometimes regal mauves and magentas.   Sometimes the sky is on fire reflecting a blaze of color  and sometimes it bathes the earth in a warm soft glow.  And once in a while, sunrise displays every color of the rainbow!

We are in New Caledonia this week.  I woke up this morning to the brilliant rainbow above.  I grabbed my camera, walked out on the balcony of our hotel room, and shot this scene.  As I was enjoying the view, the sun broke through, lighting up the water, and speck of land at the end of the rainbow.  I had my telephoto lens on, so I zoomed in as far as I could and this is the result:

  It's going to be a GREAT day!

Pretty Birdy

Mystery Bird

Well.......at least a mystery to me.  I took this photo in New Zealand and he/she certainly looks like some variety of parrot, but since I know less than nothing about birds, I really have no idea.  (Where are you Robin when I need you!)  He's sure pretty, though, and he posed nicely for my camera.

Sunrise, Sunset in Samoa

Sunrise from our hotel in Apia, Samoa

Sunset from our hotel in Savaii, Samoa

Remembering Gavin

Gavin Celebrates His First Birthday

It is hard to believe that five years have passed since this beautiful baby joined our family, and in a few months four years will have passed since he returned to Heavenly Father.  We miss him and think about him every day, but thankfully our faith tells us that through Jesus Christ we will be reunited and live together for eternity.  We know he lives!  We know families are forever!  We know this mortal life is only a brief separation, then we will be together again!  Happy Birthday, Gavin!  We love you!!!! 

Dawn in Samoa

If we are lucky, there are moments when we are in the right place at the right time to catch a brief glimpse of heaven on earth.  One such moment was this.....dawn as viewed from 'a little grass hut' on the island of Savaii, Samoa. 

Follow the Leader

While I was composing a photo of this church these two young boys walked into the frame so I zoomed in close to get this shot.

Beautiful Boys!

I didn't need to speak Samoan to communicate with these handsome boys.  They wanted to know my name, and they thought it very funny and giggled hysterically when I tried to pronounce their names.  

My sister and brother-in-law travel a lot, and she is a photographer.  Often she takes a small portable printer with her when they travel to remote places and gives the people she meets, pictures of themselves on the spot.  Some have never had their picture taken, and feel like they have been given the best gift.  I wish I would have been able to do that.  These kids loved seeing their pictures on my camera, and their smiles make it all worthwhile for me, but I would have loved to give this photo to their parents.

Samoa Transportation

I took this photo from the balcony of our hotel room in Apia, Samoa.  I took pictures of small and large canoes that were out early morning and late evening most every day we were there.

Head of State, Samoa

His Highness

Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta'isi Efi

Head of State, Samoa

Accepting religious diversity is an issue in some of the Pacific Island countries.  Often only certain religions are recognized and fully accepted.  We have just spent 20 days in Samoa organizing a Law and Religion Conference titled "Managing Religious and Cultural Diversity in the Pacific."  We brought together academics and religious leaders from various countries around the world including leaders from Samoa, to share, interact, and broaden the understanding of this issue.  His Highness was in attendance and gave the keynote address.  I had to catch photos however I could, under horrible lighting conditions, with no flash, and while trying not to be too obvious.  During the conference I sat with a clear view of His Highness, and tried to take pictures without looking through the viewfinder.  This was a lucky shot!  To read about this fascinating assignment check out my recent post at  Our Kiwi Krossings.

Serene, Secluded Samoa

If one is lucky, one might get to stay in a lovely little Samoan resort like this one.  Unfortunately, we didn't stay, I just got to take a picture!  We packed so much work into the week we were in Samoa, it is hard to believe we accomplished what we did.  Since my past several posts of this tropical paradise, we have been back to New Zealand for several weeks, and then returned to Samoa for about 10 more days to complete our assignment.  Now we are back to NZ, exhausted, but pleased that all went well.  I'll tell you about our work there in the next post plus show you some more of this beautiful part of the Pacific.

Sauniatu Waterfall

Sauniatu, Samoa

Isolated high in the mountains and nestled in a lush tropical valley is Sauniatu.  We winded up a narrow road and when the road ended it truly looked like we had reached Shangri-la.  It was beautiful!

These two young girls were sitting in the little fale behind the sign and I asked if I could take their picture.  They were very shy, but after a little coaxing (on my part),  and a lot of giggling (on their part), they agreed.

Samoa's system of government is interesting.  Although there is a central government, most of the power rests with the village chiefs called Matai.  Each village chief makes the rules for his own village.  We also learned that if someone were to break the law, it would be the village that would take care of the situation, punish or impose a penalty.  We learned some of the rules of Sauniatu by reading this sign posted as you enter the village.

A group of fales built to honor a Mormon leader, (who later became the worldwide leader and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints),  who visited  Sauniatu and left a blessing on the village many years ago.

Floral Fantasy

We have never stayed at a hotel in a tropical location that had so many floral arrangements scattered around or lush vegetation.  There were huge vases filled with flowers that stood 5-6 feet high in the lobby and decorating the restaurant and pretty much everywhere.  Here are just a few of the snaps I took of flowers at the hotel:

There were lovely wooden bowls with floating floral arrangements sitting on almost every table in the lobby.

Food Story

Jeff and I are not very adventurous when it comes to what we eat, and any kind of raw meat is off limits.  We both have managed to avoid this......until now.  Here's the story.  We were sent to Samoa to help organize a conference and the first day we arrived we had a meeting with all the Samoan people who were to work with us as a team to pull it all together.  They expressed their frustration with us about how the organization of this event was going up to that point.  Since this was our first meeting with them,  we wanted to assure them we were there to work, ease feelings and tensions and make sure there was a feeling of cooperation between us all.  At the end of the meeting we took them out to lunch.  When you are away from the workplace, it's amazing how people relax and enjoy each other over food.  Because we did not know what to order, we let them do all the ordering and the first thing that was brought out was large plates of raw tuna.  Jeff and I looked at each other and knew there was no way we could politely refuse and risk offending them.  We both managed not to gag, get sick or do something else embarrassing! Here are a couple other examples of local cuisine:

 Jeff enjoying some sea grapes.

The slimy insides of a sea urchin.  We just couldn't go there!!