Cormorants, Tutukaka Marina, New Zealand
Reflection photography is my favorite! This was taken from a boat in the Tutukaka Marina, on the way out to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve....
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Reflection photography is my favorite! This was taken from a boat in the Tutukaka Marina, on the way out to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve.
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Jul, 2014Views
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Fall Award 2020
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Behind The Lens
Location
I was on a Dive Boat in Tutukaka Harbour, going out to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve in New Zealand (one of the world's top 10 diving sites) when I spotted these cormorants who seemed to have taken over that small yellow boat. I live nearby, I'm currently establishing myself as a professional photographer, my favourite genre being seascapes with reflections.Time
I took this shot from a Dive Boat going out to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve at about 8am; I spotted the cormorants, yellow boat and red post nearby and immediately wanted that shot. Shooting from a moving boat going past my chosen subject fast was a gamble, I was worried about blur, not having brought a tripod. When I later saw the shot it was everything I hoped for, and more!Lighting
It was 8am in mid-October, that's springtime in New Zealand, so still fairly close to sunrise in the Tutukaka Harbour; taking the photo in that specific early morning light was through luck rather than choice since I only had seconds to capture the scene as the boat I was on went by.Equipment
I use a Sony Nex7 camera, in this case with the E 55-210 lens. I was mainly equipped for underwater photography that day, so hadn't brought a tripod.Inspiration
As the Dive Boat I was on glided past this scene in the Tutukaka Harbour I saw an opportunity (birds, strong primary colours such as red, yellow and blue, reflections, light) and went for the shot; I only had time for a couple of takes as the boat I was on moved past, with no time to worry about blur without a tripod - amazingly it came out exactly as I'd hoped for. This scene has everything I like best in photography: some interesting wildlife, strong colours, water reflections and the early morning light. It wasn't set up, just opportunistic; strangely (for a mostly landscape/seascape photographer) this happens a lot, I just see a moment and cease it. However admittedly this is a rare example of everything coming together just right despite the obstacles (such as standing on a moving boat without a tripod with only seconds to act).Editing
There wasn't a lot of post-processing; mostly I lightened the whole shot and enhanced the colours a little to get the effect I wanted. I also did some individual adjusting, such as the wooden post that is not painted, it was originally a bit darker.In my camera bag
I have two Sony Nex7 bodies, one with a 55-210 lens attached, the other with the 18-55 lens; that way I can grab whichever camera is best for the shot without having to change lenses first. I also carry a fixed 50 macro lens. I love the Sony Nex mirrorless range, it's perfect for the sort of photography I like doing; however the lack of bigger lenses for that range may eventually push me to return to more conventional, cumbersome, larger cameras. As it is everything fits into a smaller bag carried across the body for quick access. I never go anywhere without it.Feedback
Photography starts with a vision and an eye for the unusual; techniques can be learnt, but the best photographs are taken when emotions come into play. That shot can never be repeated, even if you went out at the same time on the same boat every day: because of the birds it would never be the same shot, it's a moment in time. So: cease the moment, be passionate about what you do, go for the shot even in less than favourable circumstances. Always have your camera with you, at the ready, as I did here. Above all, enjoy what you do - no great photograph was ever taken by someone who sees it as a chore.
