Sunset

Sometimes you just have to try and try (and try!) again. This is how I felt recently attempting to take this iconic Newcastle scene, but it really was worth it.

Seisia, Cape York Peninsula, known for it's location as one of the most northern towns in Australia, provided some amazing sunsets for us while we were there exploring. The beach and palms trees just set the scene beautifully. 

Tiona, on Lake Wallis. 

It's almost every landscape photographers dream to be able to wake up or go to bed right where they can take gorgeous landscape images. Tiona Holiday Park offers just this! With Lake Wallis on one side, and the Beach on the other, there is an angle for every type of light.  

This composition wasn't one that I originally planned, but as happens with these things, you have to stay flexible and seek out the right images. 

View the Capture Video here - https://youtu.be/uvfmPc8whV8?t=619

One summer evening we decided to join friends for a picnic at Warner's Bay. They told us it's usually lovely there for sunset, music, cheese and crackers. But this particular evening there was a storm approaching after a rainy day so the music was cancelled. We convened with our friends and decided to risk the weather and enjoy a night off from working. Ha, who am I kidding, I'm always working when we are out and about at sunset.

We were all sitting there and then all of a sudden we looked at each other and said 'I think the sunset might actually do something interesting'. I left Amanda, Aria and our friends, Erica and Ash and ran to the car to get my gear.

As I set myself up, this young couple perched themselves on the end of the pier, enjoying the moment, each other's company and their love for each other. The sun continued to set and give off these amazing sun rays and light up the sky. The lake was silent, calm and elegant, it matched the mood of this young couple perfectly.

The storm was still getting closer, so not long after this shot we packed up to head home before we got wet. Such a contrast to what was miserable rainy day.

 We reached the top of Wineglass Bay, hoping for an amazing sunset, and as we climbed over the peak and and saw the amazing view, the clouds and rain started rolling across the bay from the far side.  I scoped out the shot composition I wanted, packed the camera away in it's bag, and we settled into our raincoats jackets and umbrellas to wait out the storm and see if something unique could happen. After 20 minutes, we got a break in the clouds and the sunset poked through, allowing me this unique and interesting image, far from the normal blue waters of Wineglass Bay. 

 An amazing natural formation, lit up by the beautiful WA sunset. 

A stunning sunset at our favourite lookout at El Questro, Branco's Lookout. El Questro is a popular station at the Eastern End of the Gibb River Road, Western Australia. 

 A wonderful warm summer evening at Coogee Beach, near Perth, Western Australia. I waited at the start of the Jetty for what seemed like hours, to get a gap in the pedestrian traffic, as everyone headed out onto the Jetty on this beautiful evening. Finally, a break, and I managed to capture this beautiful shot. 

We stayed nearby at the Busselton Jetty Caravan Park, so that I was able to pop down as many nights as needed to try and capture this iconic location. Luckily on our 3rd night in Busselton I rode down and was lucky enough to be able to execute my concept image, with the sky and water playing ball.

 Arno Bay, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia 

 Point Lowly Lighthouse

 Coles point

Taken on the shore of Fitzroy Island, in the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns, this image captures the coral beach, the amazing clear blue water and stunning sunset glow. We were having dinner and thought there was going to be too much cloud in the sky for the sky to light up, but when it started Amanda raced back to our room in the Resort to grab my gear for me, while I tried to work out my composition. 

Mutee Head, Cape York - I was free camping in this amazing spot near the top of Cape York, and we stayed for a few nights, hoping to see some turtles nesting. This amazing sunset was one of the rare ones on the East Coast of Australia that have the sun set over water. Luckily we were ready for it and I managed to capture such a stunner.

Mutee Head, Cape York - Our caravan is in the background of this shot, facing North towards the tip of Cape York. A very long exposure here has smoothed out the waves and the clouds, while picking up the beautiful backscatter of purple light from the sun setting.

 Where do I begin? This is the second time I came to Fruit Bat Falls, Cape York Peninsula as we had a hard drive failure after our first visit! I kept the same composure as last time and luckily had a beautiful Cape York night to show off this beauty and its colours.

 Captured Tannum Sands looking towards Gladstone, I didn't expect the sky to light up as it did. It was dull and just the sun popping under the thick clouds. I did my thing, then waited a little longer just in case and wow did it pop!! 

 What a stunning sunset. We were having drinks and nibbles with some new friends in our campsite when the light started to shine onto the bottom of the cloud layer. I raced out of my chair, grabbed the camera and ran down to the beach as quickly as I could, to get in a position for this beautiful peach sunset at the beach.
See the capture here - https://youtu.be/GR3Xp8bB27M

As the last light of the day fades on the Coffs Harbour Jetty, I was setup and waiting for the lamps to turn on. We had had dinner in the area and Aria my Daughter ruined a few images by playing with my tripod legs, but luckily patience won the day, and I managed to capture a steady and still image, right at the end of sunset. 

 Captured while staying at Belmont Pines Holiday Park in Belmont, NSW (Lake Macquarie area) over summer, this stunning sunset shows what the Lake Macquarie area is known for, fishing on calm waters. I was just managed to capture this artwork before the rain begun, but Amanda missed out as she was too slow walking with the dogs and Aria to meet me, it doesn't look like the rain was coming, but it goes to show how the weather can change so quickly. 

 Captured while staying at Belmont Pines Holiday Park in the Lake Macquarie area over summer, this stunning sunset looking towards Belmont 16s over Belmont Bay is a calming idyllic artwork that the area depicts. I was spoilt for choice with the caravan park surrounded by water that I left it up to the clouds to decide which direction I'd be shooting this evening. 

Hastings Point, NSW and the Hastings Point Lookout was a picturesque location with views as far North and South as your eyes could see. Taken during Golden hour, I loved the colours and shapes of the rocks forming the base of the Hastings Point headland. I love the movement of the clear blue water in the foreground against the steadiness of the rocks. It makes me feel grounded, yet free.  

Hastings Point, NSW and the Hastings Point Lookout was a great afternoon out with my family. After taking in the views and playing on Pottsville beach it was time for some work. I predicted the clouds were going to be too thick in the direction of the sun to allow for any bright colours, however, I really liked these mossy rocks on the beach. After sending the drone up for some aerial images and footage, I turned my attention back to these gems in front of me, It is not often you get such nice mossy rocks surrounded by smooth sand.  The clouds did come to life and the reflection on the wet sand and pools of water allowed me to create this unique artwork.  

This Gold Coast Sunset artwork taken from the Ian Dipple Lagoon, really brings the warmth. The Gold Coast apartments and foreshore definitely depict the Gold Coast lifestyle. I was really hoping the sky would light up in the opposite direction however, I have no control over it so have to be prepared to bring forward my creativity on the spot and bring this moment in time to life and artform. 

"Corinidi Sunset" is the 2nd artwork in my Corindi Beach collection. This spectacular sunset evening at Corindi Beach, NSW (in the Coffs Harbour Region) had a rainbow of colours and tones, with the weather changing drastically over the hour that sunset took place.  This image shows the calming tranquil beach that continues through to Woolgoolga. Although it doesn't look like it, to capture this image, I was ankle deep in water and had the waves crashing against my tripod. This always makes me nervous, but it is worth it to ensure I can create the artwork I imagine in my head. 

Sunset at Corindi Beach Point was magical this night. We were staying at the Reflections Caravan Park near Coffs Harbour, NSW where it is a short walk to the beach. Amanda convinced me to head out for sunset as the clouds were similar to the previous night where it unexpectedly lit up all around us while we were having dinner. I'm so glad she did as it was one of the most amazing sunsets we'd had in some time. I knew from swimming amongst the rockpools earlier that day that the water was a crystal clear blue so had already decided I wanted that in my artwork.  This is the first of 3 images in this Corindi Beach collection as the sunset lasted a long time and changed so much, I couldn't resist continuing to capture three totally different works. 

See the video of he three Corindi Beach captures at https://youtu.be/9PWrId2PWdI  

What can I say about this image? It was a difficult one for me both physically taking it, and mentally editing it to get it's true potential out. The location is the Pinnacles, on Phillip Island, VIC.

The hike was pretty intense, a few hard km, rushed to try and make it before sunset. As you can see, we made it! The climb down past the "No access" sign was... Sketchy... and we had a few pant wetting moments on the way down. You can see the climb down in this photo, it's the grass on the far right. Looks a lot steeper in person!

The sunset looked pretty poor, we were getting frustrated that after the long climb we would be left without a great image.

Thankfully as I was setting up the panorama gear, Amanda told me to look up at the clouds. A hint of pink was starting to show through. I hurriedly finished setting up, and started to fire off shots for a panorama I had in my head. The light show we got was just amazing and really popped the colours of the cliffs around us in this epic location. I had seen other photographers images of this place, but I don't think any of them got as lucky as I did with the beautiful colours and clouds.

Stitching the image together was a whole other challenge! My quick setup and some poor execution on my part gave me days of headache getting this image stitched. It required some serious manual stitching work and almost did my head in! I've been sitting on this trying to get it right for weeks now!

The climb back up the cliff in the dark and the 4km hike back to the car was painful, but I was buoyed by the fact that I had captured an amazing scene.

This iconic Newcastle Landmark, the Nobbys Lighthouse, juts out in the Newcastle Harbour on this glorious sunset evening. We decided to have an afternoon splash at the beach before the cooler weather begins and of course whenever we head out for the afternoon the camera comes too.

My wife and I both haven’t been to this part of Stockton before, and it is always great to explore new places and get great photos at the same time. The sunset gave us a pastel rainbow style sky and the Harbour was quite calm, without many ships coming or going.

Story coming soon!