Mt Taranaki, NZ
Taranaki is geologically young, having commenced activity approximately 135,000 years ago. The most recent volcanic activity was the production of a lava dome i...
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Taranaki is geologically young, having commenced activity approximately 135,000 years ago. The most recent volcanic activity was the production of a lava dome in the crater and its collapse down the side of the mountain in the 1850s or 1860s. Background setting for filming the "Samurai".
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Mar, 2020Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in the province of Taranaki, on the West Coast of the North Island, New Zealand.Time
It was late in the afternoon, sun was beginning to set I knew that I didn't have a lot of time. So, I drove off the main highway onto a rural farm road in search of a foreground to go with framing the mountain. I was on the north-east side of the mountain. No foreground subjects stood out, so I decided to go for a shot of the mountain itself.Lighting
There are spectactular images of Taranaki Maunga (Taranaki the Mountain) that I have seen with cloud formations above or covering the peak of the cone. This cloud was like a halo that circled the mountain. I was hoping for more sunset colours. That would have resulted in a sillouette of the mountain if I waited longer. I took the image as soon as I set up the camers.Equipment
I used a Hasselblad H3D:31 medium format camera with a 50mm - 110 lens on a tripod. The Hasselblad H series cameras and lenses are heavy and almost impossible to take sharp images without a tripod in this light.Inspiration
My mother grew up in Taranaki. She had an unhindered view from the time that she walked out of their homestead and on her way home from school. The mountain has its own legal personality. He is considered by Maori who live in the area as a tupuna (ancestor). Whenever, I travel through that area I look for an opportunity to take photos of him hoping to catch one of those magicial images. I have yet to acheive that aspiration.Editing
I use the Hasselblad software Phocus. I needed to lighten the lower part of the image to get some detail and added a a tinge of sharpness and increased the colour tone to enhance the blue sky a little.In my camera bag
I usually travel with all my workable cameras. I had the Hasselblad H3D:31 for about 12 months and have been taking landscape photos with it. I carry H series 28mm, 50-110mm and a 150mm with a H 1.7x converter. I also carry a Fujifilm XT2 with a range of lenses and a Leica M3 for black and white film.Feedback
When you dont live in the region it is all about pot luck. The mountain can be beautiful and clear, covered in snow in winter, partially covered in cloud and fully covered. Have you camera ready for use, pull safely off the road, double check that it is safe to get out of the vehicle, always thinking about the safest place to pullover (maybe a side road is the best). Grab the shot when you feel that is the best time and view that you can get. If, he happens to put on a show for you in all his beauty be ready - even with a mobile phone. Otherwise, move to the region and live there for several seasons you can then see for yourself why he is greatly loved.
