Archive | hauraki gulf

RSS feed for this section

looking back : from motuihe to auckland

Silhouette of yacht leaving Auckland Harbour at dusk with downtown Auckland skyline in background. Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. (Peter Tasker)

Two occupants and a dog on the yacht, Sky, anchored at Motuihe Island. Downtown Auckland skyline in the background. Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. (Peter Tasker)

Silhouette of tug towing a barge across entrance to Auckland Harbour at dusk. Downtown Auckland skyline in background. Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. (Peter Tasker)

These Motuihe Island photographs were taken a week ago using a new 2x extender on a Canon 70 – 200 mk2 lens, during a short sail from Auckland.

Motuihe is a beautiful three sided island with a choice of white sandy bays providing 360 degree protection in moderate winds. It is only 16 km from Auckland and is probably the most popular day trip destination for Auckland boaties.

Looking back on 2011 brings to mind a few highlights, – the sale of 1000 IMAGES Cornwall Park One Tree Hill books to a single buyer, the establishment of a collection of photographs at Cornwall Park Restaurant, and the development of my garden. On the other hand this year, a number of friends have died or are dealing with terminal illness, and I’m constantly driven to do what is important, now, and to indulge a little, – because we all need to know, tomorrow may never come. Looking forward there is so much to do, I am part way through directing the redesign and development of this website and hope to have this online during February. I am also retraining in CAD and will pursue a number of personal Industrial Design projects.  Other plans for this year include offering  large format prints, adding motion plus sound, and marketing my photographic work, particularly my current Hauraki Gulf project.

May all your 2012 dreams come true  : : peter

boats : auckland waitemata harbour. hauraki gulf.

Yachts racing on Aucklands Waitemata Harbour, Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, New Zealand. (Peter Tasker)

Aluminium fishing boat, minimalist atmospheric photograph, on Aucklands Waitemata Harbour, Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, New Zealand. (Peter Tasker)

Two launches, early morning, Te Wharau Bay, Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, New Zealand. (Peter Tasker)

It surprises me how often I am on the only boat anchored overnight in a bay, particularly when Auckland is flooded with boats. Even when sailing between islands, there may be no other boat in sight.

I didn’t set out to make boat photographs a significant part of my Hauraki Gulf collection, my focus was the sea and coastal landforms. However much of the time, the sea and coastal landscape offer limited photographic opportunities, – mostly this requires special light, weather, and particular locations. Where as, a boat can transform an otherwise flat and unremarkable scene, and boats are of course a huge part of Auckland and Hauraki Gulf life. Also, boat owners are not really in a position to photograph their own boats, particularly while underway.

The photographs I up load are selective, – only the best make the grade. Where ever possible, I include the boat name in the keywording and captioning so owners and friends can find photographs of interest and purchase large format, high quality, archival prints. So  if you recognise a boat here, please let the owner know, and keep coming back to see more boats as they are added to the Hauraki Gulf Boats gallery  : : peter

auckland harbour bridge : with alien spacecraft

Auckland Harbour Bridge. Photographed at dusk during a subtle pink sunset. (Peter Tasker)

Auckland tank farm, Hilton Hotel and container cranes as seen from underneath the Auckland Harbour Bridge, during a soft pink sunset. (Peter Tasker)

Auckland Harbour Bridge. Close up view of the AJ Hackett Bungy Pod and bridge understructure. (Peter Tasker)

These Auckland Harbour Bridge photographs and the slide show images above have just been added to Hauraki Gulf Structures. While not the prettiest bridge in the world it is nevertheless an important Auckland icon, a symbol of home to Aucklander’s.

What many Aucklander’s will not have seen is the beautiful and intriguing Bungy Pod structure, suspended immediately under the bridge roadway. It is from here A J Hackett run their Auckland Harbour bungy jumps. When I first saw it, – it was as though some alien craft had crept into Auckland and was hiding up under the bridge  : : peter