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TONES OF HOME
Every photographer always photographs what is close to them, usually friends or family. This is a collection of photographs what is close to me, in an around where I live. Tones of Home will always be a growing collection as I am always find new places and subject matter to photograph.
Miranda, Firth of Thames. Cinestill 50D
Originally from Africa, I sometimes find New Zealand too green. But sometimes, usually in the middle of summer, the grass turns brown, and I get to witness what I remember from my younger years growing up.
Beachlands, Auckland. Kodak Ektar 100
My most photographed subject: The wooden pier at Sunkist Bay. It’s close to my home
and where I often go to enjoy a morning coffee. Tones of Home in its purest form.
Beachlands, Auckland. Kodak Ektar 100 (converted)
The old boathouse at Shelly Bay. I had to wait a long time to get this photo. The tide needs to be low, very low, and every time I tried to capture this scene, it just wasn’t low enough...until it was.
This icon is due to be demolished for safety reasons, but I hope it stays.
Bethells Beach, Auckland. Kodak Ektar 100
I’ve always wanted to photograph the lifesaving tower at Bethells Beach, but I needed a day when I knew it would be quiet so I could capture that feeling of isolation. I waited for an overcast day and drove the 90-minute trip, only for the sun to come out. I was there anyway, so I thought I may as well take the shot. I didn’t rush to process it, as I felt I wouldn’t like it. But when I did, I loved it. It’s one of my favourite photographs.
East Coast Rd, Firth of Thames. Cinestill 50D
Driving on the East Coast Road, one of my favourite drives, I noticed this lonely boat in a field,
far from its natural home. I felt a little sad thinking that once this boat
was someone’s pride and joy, but now lies abandoned and forgotten.
Trig Beacon, Howick, Auckland. Kodak Ektar 100
I used to drive past this site almost every day, and I attempted this photo many times, but I could never get
the scene to feel right. This was my last attempt. I had decided that if I didn’t get the shot I wanted that day,
I would give up. But on this particular day, the clouds were perfect, and I got what I had hoped for
Magazine Bay Wharf, Maraetai, Auckland. Kodak Ektar 100
Another regular subject close to home, but a very difficult shot to get. Whenever the clouds rolled in and the tide was high, I would grab my camera and race out to try to take the photograph. I would always fail, as there were always locals fishing from the end of it. I’d have to console myself with a
good coffee from the beachfront and wait for another day. Luckily, that day did come.
Magazine Bay Wharf, Maraetai, Auckland. Kodak Ektar 100
This is the a variation of the wharf. It's a popular spot for fisherman so I had to wait for a
day when even fisherman thought the conditions weren't right to be outside.
I like the way the wharf fills the frame and the grey tones and hues make the picture almost monotone.
Whitford, Auckland. Kodak Ektar 100
I have always wanted to get a shot of the yellow grass of hay bales against a blue sky. I saw this potential shot out the corner of my eye while driving on the main road past Whitford. I peeled off down a private road, greeted a few residents hoping to avoid getting arrested for trespassing while setting up my camera. I got lucky! A stormy sky is better than a blue sky and the photo turned out exactly as I had hoped it would.
Another one of my favourites.
The Little Tree, Waharau. Cinestill 50D
took a photo of this tree many years ago with my digital camera and knew it would work well in a 617 frame. I just had to wait for the ideal conditions to make the hour long drive.
It gave me exactly the feeling I was hoping for - that little tree against an angry sky.
Whakatiwai, Waikato Region. Kodak Ektar 100
I’m not sure what the purpose is, or who built this collection of driftwood. I imagine the local children may have had a hand in it, but I thought the driftwood, along with the pebble beach,
blue sea, and grey clouds, made for a great photograph.
Dead tree in an abandoned farm, Whitford. Kodak Ektar 100
There’s a lot of abandoned farmland close to where I live. I guess the land is just waiting to be turned into housing. This photo was the first colour photo I took on my Fujifilm 617, and when I developed and scanned that roll, I realised I had got a lot wrong, but this particular photo had me hooked. Film is beautiful.
Abandoned farm house, Clevedon. Kodak Ektar 100
I’d driven past this abandoned farm house many times before, and one stormy day I finally decided to photograph it. I’m not sure of its history, but it has a distinct “western” feel. The long grass moving in the wind, combined with a slow shutter speed, gave me exactly the atmosphere I was looking for.
Totara Park, Auckland. Kodak Ektar 100
This farm storage shed sits on the edge of the park.
I was drawn to the rich red colour, the way the weathered surface
holds the light and adds texture to the scene.
Lone Container, Whitford. Kodak Ektar 100
I can’t tell you why I enjoy photographing shipping containers.
Maybe it’s because they feel out of place in some obscure field.
Maybe it’s because I wonder what they might contain, probably nothing exciting.
Whatever the reason, I like photographing containers in random locations.
Auckland Port. Kodak Ektar 100
This photo is probably a little out of place. These are containers in their natural environment before they retire from travelling the world and end up in some foreign field waiting for me to photograph them.
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