Love taking photos? Enjoy discussing nuances of photography? Wondered how to do things effectively?
Go on a photo tour with one of Australia’s photographers and learn how to take better photographs whilst having a great time with like-minded folks … living the great outdoors … in most scenic part of Australia … Hobart, Tasmania !
And you don’t need your passport !
Where is it
Located only one hour’s drive south of Hobart is one of most scenic area in Tasmania. The Neck – thin strip of land connecting Tasman to Forestier Peninsulas; short distance from Port Arthur Historic Site; many scenic spots to investigate, such as Tasman’s Arch; Blowhole, Devil’s Kitchen, Maingon, Pirates and Fortescue Bays, …
Sunset
Brave gale-force winds, sweeping across beach … fighting to keep tripods from blown away … hair in faces … squint to focus … for magnificent sunset … with windsurfers skipping across waters in foreground …
Feast for your senses !
Or maybe just a little crazy to brave such windy conditions … needless to say, we were the only ones on beach … Awesome !
Sunrise
Up at 3.00am to catch fleeting comet across night sky at Eaglehawk Neck shoreline … night shots, maybe astrophotography if that is your thing … trying to keep awake …
Watch sun rise over skyline … from dark to lighter … and lighter … and lighter … till sun peeks over horizon – then all bets are off !
You are now on the clock – get as many good shots in as you can … sun is coming up, surely !
What to take … where to take … what composition … shutter speed … ISO … focus, focus, focus …
You really don’t know how it’s going to come together until you review images in post photo production …
Thrill of the moment … most satisfying !
Tessellated pavement
Don’t forget to check out Tessellated pavement below your feet – patterns or shapes fit together perfectly; no gaps, naturally formed – wonders of nature !
Sometimes, you miss a shot … other times you have several good shots … occasionally you have some magnificent shots … those will keep you returning to take more, every time !
Joy of photography !
Island cruise
Bundled like red sardines … guided to boat for exhilarating ride around Tasman Island … skipping over waves to see seal colonies and if lucky, whales cruising along. Mummy teaching baby whale unspoken signals – flapping tail above water whilst body is submerged … simply amazing !
Sometimes, we get lucky … yay !
National Park, waterfall, mountains & valley …
Mount Field National Park
Another day … another challenge – take a walk through Tasmania’s oldest national park – Mount Field National Park, part of Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Cool, moisture-laden air … dark and mysterious … stunning natural flora … world’s tallest eucalypt forests … unique alpine vegetation.
Moss everywhere – on tree trunks … on the ground … on fallen, decaying trunks … bright yellow mushrooms … large and small … but not edible …
Towering canopy of ancient trees … various shades of green … dark trunks contrast …
Russell waterfall
See breath-taking 3-tiered Russell Waterfall cascading down … surrounded by swamp gums; wet, cool temperate rainforests …
Set up tripod quickly to beat the crowds … try different angles … soft water spray all around … try to keep camera dry and stable …
Maybe do a few long exposure shots, time permitting … still trying to avoid other pedestrians from disturbing your shots … most distressing …
Styx valley
Explore Styx valley; adjacent to Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, with Styx River, main drainage system northwest of Hobart …
Temperate wet eucalypt forests, home to world’s tallest flowering plants, Eucalyptus regnans. Moss -carpeted gullies, lichen; giant tree ferns, myrtle, beech, celery-top pine.
Look and appreciate mountains alongside road … rugged, eroded sides, deep valleys … sub-temperate vegetation …
How do you get there?
Talk to Luke O’Brien of Luke O’Brien Photography … he will guide you to choice locations for your photos; commentary on what is around … maybe tips on your photography, introduce you to his favourite mushroom colonies in forest and catch sight of some wild orchids along the way.
Note – wild orchids are very, very tiny … could be missed with blink of an eye !
Thank you, Luke … without you this amazing trip would not have happened.
Fulfilled dream (and bucket list) for Roy and myself.
Thank you, John and Peter, our support team – carrying tripods, backpacks … provide musical entertainment along the way.
Conclusion
From seaside to boat cruise; mountains to valleys; amazing sunset and sunrise; seals and whales; ancient trees, mossy undergrowth, curious mushrooms, exotic waterfall, fast-flowing rivers, tumultuous waves along shores, curious natural pavements …
Amazing Hobart, stone’s throw from mainland …
Australia … still a lucky country indeed !
P.S. Check out Luke’s website to book your own photo tour at www.lukeobrien.com.au.
