Art Blog Photos

Neighbours just will not stop bleating ........

2012-02-07T18:19:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous Anthiriums

2012-02-03T01:36:00.000-08:00

' Hanging Out' - The Plastic Ghost

2012-02-03T01:33:00.000-08:00

These plastic strips were added as a wind indicator and to stop whacking your eyes out but they looked pretty much like wee ghosts through the camera lens and even more ghostly at dusk :)

"Cow Juice" Face

2012-01-06T17:49:00.000-08:00

Opened the fridge to get milk for coffee and spotted this cool abstract Face staring out at me from the spilt milk in there - see ? Abstracts are all around us !!!

Watermelon - Abstract Acrylic Painting

2011-08-31T23:58:00.000-07:00

Almost As Good As Rust

2011-08-30T04:09:00.000-07:00

Emerging Punga Frond

2011-06-25T20:44:00.002-07:00

King of the Castle

2011-06-17T00:59:00.000-07:00

NZ Green Lipped Mussel Shell

2011-06-17T00:58:00.000-07:00

Foiled Again

2011-06-03T02:29:00.000-07:00

Aluminium Foil

Photography for the Creative Eye - Learn how

'Giraffe' - Driftwood

2011-06-03T00:02:00.000-07:00

Another pic of my driftwood giraffe - this has now disintegrated and decayed beyond use but still I keep it ....

Old, Shrivelled and Past its Prime - still got it though

2011-06-01T03:52:00.000-07:00

Shrivelled ginger or wee animal ? Ginger Takes Many Forms

Photography for the Creative Eye - Learn how

Queen of Hearts

2011-05-30T01:47:00.000-07:00

Crushed Juice can on a beach

Photography for the Creative Eye - Learn how

Luscious Mandarin

2011-05-30T01:42:00.000-07:00

Photography for the Creative Eye - Learn how

Golden Lichen

2011-05-30T00:29:00.000-07:00

Colors of Nature

2011-05-16T23:46:00.000-07:00

Guinea Fowl

2011-05-16T22:42:00.000-07:00

Picasso and the Art of Leavings

2011-04-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

Lemon Squash

2011-03-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

Organic, Fresh and Nutrient Rich

2011-03-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

Awesome Tree Ecosystem

2011-03-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

Mangawhai Coastline< Northland NZ

2011-03-20T18:22:00.000-07:00

Taranaki Landscape

2011-02-28T22:12:00.000-08:00

Jackson Pollock

2011-02-20T03:03:00.000-08:00

Abstract Speed Painting Abstract Expressionist

2011-02-19T03:00:00.000-08:00

Art Journaling Workshops - Easy Backgrounds for Art Journals

2011-02-18T02:17:00.000-08:00

Luscious Colour - Paint Palette

2011-02-17T12:37:00.000-08:00

Tiffany Cooling Off

2011-02-16T02:23:00.000-08:00

Delightful Chinese Silky Hen called Tiffany drinking out of the bird bath

Aluminum Foil - A Photographers Light and Shade

2011-02-15T17:34:00.000-08:00

I love the high contrasts in this medium and could click away for hours. Check out how the foil lights and shade contrast look to have almost human form/ The reflective surface of foil can also be another form of photographic lighting in the absence of a reflector or light.

Crook Neck Squash

2011-01-20T02:04:00.000-08:00

The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression

Nikon tutorial for photographing architecture Video

2011-01-14T11:54:00.000-08:00

Portrait Art, Speed Charcoal Drawing,

2011-01-12T02:20:00.000-08:00

Jamaica Street Art Studio, Bristol

2011-01-09T02:04:00.000-08:00

Ideas - D40 - Photography

2010-12-26T01:04:00.000-08:00

Paua Spirit Within

2010-12-24T11:24:00.000-08:00

Rust - It Never Does Sleep

2010-12-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

Rust - It never sleeps and that's a good thing for photographers !
See it, Feel it, touch it - rust is an amazing sight for photographers and the fact that its everywhere makes it practically everyday photography.
Learn more about amazing photography

Ready and Waiting - Garden Tool Handles

2010-12-20T11:01:00.000-08:00

Plain old garden tools popped into prominence and the handles make a cool abstract with the bark chips in the background.

Gregor Ziolkowski - Paintings

2010-12-17T01:19:00.000-08:00

Fauvist Art - Part 1 of 2

2010-12-16T01:28:00.001-08:00

Matisse Video

2010-12-16T01:23:00.001-08:00

Ben Goossens, Surrealistic Photography

2010-12-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

Magnolia in Black and White

2010-11-29T18:11:00.000-08:00

Madam Matisse - collage

2010-11-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

Matisse, one of my faves and I couldn't resist this collage done with scraps of my artwork and mixed media.

Day Lily

2010-10-31T02:27:00.000-07:00

New Zealand Fern

2010-10-31T02:15:00.000-07:00

'The Deep'

2010-10-26T03:59:00.000-07:00

'Going Bananas' - Acrylic on Paper

2010-10-22T01:46:00.000-07:00

Picasso Style Cow - Pastel Original Artwork

2010-10-17T01:12:00.000-07:00

Art Blog Photos: Driftwood Giraffe complete with eyebrows

2010-10-12T00:20:00.000-07:00

Art Blog Photos: Driftwood Giraffe complete with eyebrows

Artful Creativity and Innovation: Abstract Vase and Plate

2010-10-12T00:14:00.000-07:00

Artful Creativity and Innovation: Abstract Vase and Plate

Driftwood Giraffe complete with eyebrows

2010-10-12T00:02:00.000-07:00

Moss Garden - Natures Own Artwork

2010-10-09T01:26:00.000-07:00

Unbelievably a very small piece of concrete slab that had broken off !

Truly Beautiful !

2010-10-09T01:25:00.000-07:00

Mould Garden - mould on bread Beautiful huh ?

2010-10-09T01:19:00.000-07:00

'Jawbone'

2010-09-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

Artwork - abstract acrylic images

2010-09-21T05:22:00.000-07:00

Natures Symphony

2010-09-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

Tools For Planting Displayed in all their glory !

2010-09-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

I hadn't intended to do much wordy posting on this site but quite a few of you have asked what camera gear I use and what is "the best."

There is not really any "best" as everyone is different and every situation is different and users are unique with unique preferences and unique requirements and it all depends on what you want to use your camera for.

I have gone through a few cameras and have come to the conclusion that its a trade off between lugging a lot of stuff around and having everything to hand ( and not being able to remember how to use it !) or having a basic click and point camera that does everything for you automatically but you don't have the options to change settings or lenses.

Digital makes everything far simpler and you can get a range of options and still have a camera that you can put in your pocket and just click and point or you can change settings for more individual uses without spending a fortune.

I am currently using a Nikon Coolpix and I find it suits what I want to use it for pretty good without having to car around a heap of gear. I use the Macro setting a lot, I can quickly switch the flash off or on - I mainly use the flash off. Since I am into more natural light shots and like atmospheric photography I rarely use backfill lighting and I like even more the serendipitous effects that just happen sometimes rather than take absolute perfect shots and being into art, I tend to go after art photographs rather than traditional or realistic photography.

Remember that a huge part of your photography starts with a creative concept and will most likely start with seeing like a photographer and having some idea in your minds eye and "just knowing" that whatever you choose will make a awesome shot so the best camera in the world won't help if you don't use it or don't get out and practice seeing what would make those fantastic shots. Once you train yourself and get the knack, practically any subject or topic will become the most fascinating source of inspiration, like the garden tools in the above shot.

I bought my Nikon Coolpix in a rush so didn't deliberate for a long time so I was probably quite lucky that I chose something that suited my mode of photography so well and lucky that I am still wrapped with what I can do with it.

I have others but this one I use most of the time as it is so quick and easy to use that I don't need to spend a heap of time fiddling around with the settings so I can concentrate on the creative side of things so it gets my vote !

There is nothing that kills the creative urge faster than trying to fiddle out how to get your camera to work at all while your photo disappears with your frustration !

Buy Nikon Coolpix L22 12MP here

In conclusion, "the best" camera to get is one that does what YOU want it to do, ask yourself what you want to use it for and how often you will be using it, will you want a stack of fancy options when a simpler camera will do everything you want.

Quick tips:

Get at least 7 megapixels or you will be kicking yourself later when you outgrow it.
I would recommend a macro function - you will be amazed at what you will shoot with it
Don't choose something too basic
Make sure you have a long battery life
Get a good size memory card or it will be frustration plus when you have to delete pictures to fit more on our in the field

Buy Nikon Coolpix L22 12MP here

What to do with all that junk mail ? Photograph it !

2010-09-11T05:34:00.000-07:00

Charcoal Quick Drawing

2010-09-11T05:04:00.000-07:00

Rust, Dew and Picasso Influence

2010-08-30T05:18:00.000-07:00

Lotus Leaves

2010-08-29T00:59:00.000-07:00

Macro White Daisy

2010-08-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

Macro Flowers

2010-08-28T19:45:00.000-07:00

Things That Are Good For You have Simple Names'

2010-08-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

'The Bird'

2010-08-26T20:50:00.001-07:00

Bizarre lily that has just appeared in my garden

2010-08-26T01:19:00.000-07:00

Anyone know what this is called ?

That's Torn It

2010-08-22T01:04:00.000-07:00

'Just Peelers'

2010-08-20T01:07:00.000-07:00

Van Gogh in Plastic Wrap !

2010-08-20T00:58:00.001-07:00

'Sunlight Over Landing Pad'

2010-08-16T02:32:00.000-07:00

Spiky Plant

2010-08-15T23:08:00.000-07:00

'Lotus Leaf Rising Above the Mud'

2010-08-15T02:37:00.000-07:00

Well, What are you up to ?

2010-08-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

'The Depths'

2010-08-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

Natures Palette

2010-08-12T17:36:00.000-07:00

Pipe it In - Editing Digital Photo

2010-08-11T23:54:00.000-07:00

See how fantastic plain old pipes on an old building can be with a bit of imagination

'Old Rib Eye' Acrylic on Paper

2010-08-06T16:53:00.000-07:00

'Tree Spirit'

2010-07-31T19:19:00.000-07:00

Tree Bark with 'Tree Spirit' popping out into prominence

Photographing the Everyday

2010-07-25T02:56:00.000-07:00

Rusty, peeling paint flaky rubbish bin

New Zealand Paua Shell

2010-07-25T02:43:00.000-07:00

Flax Leaf - Harakeke NZ

2010-07-23T02:03:00.000-07:00

Lake Kai-Iwi, Northland New Zealand

2010-07-23T01:16:00.000-07:00

'Carved Head'

2010-07-19T23:17:00.000-07:00

How cool is this ? Just attended a horticulture course on soil and composition and this was part of the exercise to see how different soils would bind together and spotted this face that looked like an native carving - even the hair is there !

'Oil and Water'

2010-07-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

Had this left over from a salad and it looked too good not to photography. Its Balsamic vinegar floating on olive oil - extra virgin, cold pressed of course !!

'Curious' Inquisitive Rooster

2010-07-13T01:20:00.000-07:00

'Frozen in Time' - Mixed Media Plaster cast, Cartridge paper and Assemblage

2010-07-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

Frozen in Time - Digital Image of Assemblage in Mixed Media

'Color Works'

2010-07-12T05:35:00.000-07:00

Zen Rock

2010-07-12T05:26:00.000-07:00

Wave Patterns at the Beach

'Hands - Coming to Get You"

2010-07-11T21:06:00.000-07:00

'Constraint'

2010-07-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

'Dead Man Walking' Acrylic Paint - Origiinal Artwork

2010-07-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

The Flax Queen Rules

2010-07-11T15:47:00.001-07:00

'Waving Grasses'

2010-07-10T03:21:00.000-07:00

'The Landing Pad'

2010-07-10T03:04:00.000-07:00

Macro Tulip Flower

The Mould Garden

2010-07-07T04:16:00.000-07:00

Want sharp, vivid, crystal clear shots ?

This one's mold on a loaf of bread

'Mosaic' Dried paint

2010-07-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

Picasso Pastel

2010-07-06T06:34:00.000-07:00

'Study in Felt and Soap'

2010-07-06T04:50:00.000-07:00

'Quiet Harbour'

2010-07-06T03:40:00.000-07:00