Posting #3 of my road trip from Fremantle to Kununurra, Western Australia.

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

This post contains images from my express visit to Coral Bay and Exmouth, Western Australia.

Ah, the tropics 🙂

These next three images are from Coral Bay – a stunning and simple place.

The front of the image is shallow water over a sand substrate; this then abruptly drops off into a deepish lagoon which is protected by Ningaloo Reef (Australia’s “other” reef) in the background. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.

Unfortunately I only spent about 8 hours in Exmouth which is nowhere near sufficient. Nevertheless, here are some scenes of this fascinating area.

A light-painting of the retired (non-functioning) Vlamingh Head Lighthouse – Exmouth. The evening air was thick with moisture from the Indian Ocean as it pounded Ningaloo Reef so I thought I’d make an image to suggest how the light from the lighthouse may have appeared to mariners of yore. During the 30 second exposure I mimicked a beam of light from the lighthouse by aiming my spotlight on the structure for a few seconds, allowing the moisture in the air to appear as a beam.
This image includes the Southern Cross (and pointers), along with a portion of the Milky Way.

Vlamingh-Head-Lighthouse---Exmouth-2AM-002554

Vlamingh-Head-Lighthouse---Exmouth-2AM_no-base-image_lighten_startrails_b

Star trails caress the retired (non-functioning) Vlamingh Head Lighthouse – Exmouth, on a blustery and balmy autumn night. This is a stacked image consisting of 61 images (each image f4 for 30 seconds at ISO 800). © 2014 Andrew McInnes.

More posts from this road trip to follow this.

Posting #2 of my road trip from Fremantle to Kununurra, Western Australia.

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

I hope you enjoy these images of a portion of my recent travel up the Western Australia coast.

More images to follow in upcoming photo-blogs.

Posting #1 of my road trip from Fremantle to Kununurra, Western Australia.

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

I recently embarked on what turned out to be a quite a drive with the purpose of visiting an old mate from my teenage years whom I have not seen for more than 20 years! My old vehicle (1984 Toyota Hilux diesel) logged 9,193 km (5,712 miles) doing my return trip from Fremantle – Kununurra – Fremantle, Western Australia.

With an esky full of water and assorted sandwich-construction material, plus spare diesel, oil, etc., I essentially drove until it was time to find a bush-camp for the night. I’d awake early and continue northward, repeating as required until I arrived at Kununurra.

Subsequent blog postings will present more images from the trip to the north of this bloody big state.
Theses images document my travels up and back – I hope you will find them appealing.

It isn’t long until these emblematic signs present themselves, with varying fauna presented.

Having previously visited and photographed The Pinnacles (click here to view these) at Nambung National Park, near Cervantes, I chose to revisit and shoot more images from this amazing ‘moonscape’ before moving on and finding a place to camp for the night.

This leaning tree is but one of many around the Greenough area. These River Gum/eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) have horizontal trunks due to exposure to strong and near-continuous southerly winds.

Should you find yourself anywhere near Geraldton or Walkaway, I thoroughly recommend a visit to Ellendale Pool, be it for a day trip or a place to camp – as I did for an evening.

Lovely spot to set up a caravan!

The ubiquitous and raucous Little Corella

Hope you enjoyed the early portion of my trip, if vicariously 🙂

More images from the trip to follow soon.

Cheers,

Andrew

Some “snapshots” from around Fremantle, Western Australia; January-February, 2014

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Here is an eclectic assortment of images from near my home in Fremantle, Western Australia for the months of January and February, 2014. Being a coastal and historical port town, there is much variety and options for activities and scenery.

Crepuscular-Rays-2AM-005269---EOS-5D-Mark-III

Crepuscular rays (God-beams) as we enjoy our morning breakfast on our Mediterranean style courtyard at home.
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Dog-Beach---South-Beach-2AM-002163-EOS-7D

Who says that dogs don’t “smile”?
South Beach-2AM-002163
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Green and gold – Australia’s National Colours.
Illyarrie/Red-capped gum 2AM-003304
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Santa revisiting to kiss mum under the mistletoe?
Santa 2AM-002528
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Recycling – just a little fun image taken at home this lovely summer morn’ as my bride enjoyed hot mint-tea with honey.
Honey Bee 2AM-004025
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Floral delicacy and delightfully aromatic – Frangipani.
Frangipani 2AM-003114
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Airborne – higher than the moon?
Kiteboarding 2AM-002816
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Airborne times two.
Kiteboarding 2AM-002934
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

An adult White-cheeked Honeyeater feeding two fledglings early on a glorious summer day.
White-cheeked Honeyeater 2AM-002411
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

After hanging inverted to forage in this eucalyptus tree, a Little Corella takes flight flashing its pale yellow underwings, blue-grey eye ring, and muted pink above the beak.
Little Corella 2AM-004182
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Paella cooking at the Bather’s Beach food market; lots of families enjoying communing, a nice breeze, and sun on our faces – life is good.
Paella 2AM-002205
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Unexpected.
Pebbles 2AM-002488
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Odd…
Pebbles 2AM-002496
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Some assorted structures/architecture/patterns…

South-Terrace-Home-2AM-003049-EOS-5D-Mark-III

A residence on South Terrace.
South Terrace home 2AM-003049
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

St.-Patricks-Fremantle-2AM-003068-EOS-5D-Mark-III

St. Patricks – Fremantle 2AM-003068
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Stairway 2AM-003112
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

WA-Maritime-Museum-2AM-002536-EOS-5D-Mark-III

Western Australia Maritime Museum 2AM-002536
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

WA-Maritime-Museum-2AM-003091-EOS-5D-Mark-III

Another stairway.
Western Australia Maritime Museum 2AM-003091
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

WA-Maritime-Museum-2AM-003100-EOS-5D-Mark-III

A third stairway.
Western Australia Maritime Museum 2AM-003100
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

WA-Museum---Shipwreck-Galleries-2AM-002253-5D-Mark-III

This port town, like all port towns, abounds with maritime history; the “Western Australia Museum – Shipwreck Galleries” displays some of this. rugged history.
Western Australia Museum – Shipwreck Galleries 2AM-002253
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

WA-Museum---Shipwreck-Galleries-2AM-002533

More external views of the Western Australia Museum – Shipwreck Galleries.
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

North-Quay-and-Inner-Harbour-2AM-002549-5D-Mark-III

North Quay and Inner Harbour, Fremantle during the “blue hour.” I reckon the cranes look rather Jurassic.
North Quay and Inner Harbour 2AM-002549
© Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

I hope you enjoyed this brief sojourn around where I live. More posts of Fremantle will follow over time.
Thanks for viewing 🙂

Two views of Perth, Western Australia – January 2014

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

A bit of a delay in getting these two images up

Two views of the Perth skyline across the Swan River. I hope you enjoy them.

Street light illuminating Perth 😉
Perth 2AM-004259
Copyright 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Park bench with a view to commence some pondering 🙂
Perth-2AM-004262
Copyright 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

That is it for now. Cheers.

Bush fire at Banjup, Western Australia – February 2014.

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

More horrific bushfires around the Perth/Fremantle area recently (Banjup to be more precise). I was on my way to shoot a winery when I observed the early smoke of what became a raging fire. I spent a while photographing the fire – the pilots of the helicopter and plane water-dumpers/water-bombers appear fantastically skilled, and also very courageous; thankfully, damage to human and home was minimal.

A bushfire rages at Banjup, Western Australia.

Banjup-Bushfires-2AM-005092
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Banjup-Bushfires-2AM-005089
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Banjup Bushfires 2AM-004519
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Banjup Bushfires 2AM-004549
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Banjup Bushfires 2AM-004771
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Banjup Bushfires 2AM-004559
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Banjup-Bushfires-2AM-004980
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Banjup Bushfires 2AM-005126
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Banjup Bushfires 2AM-005125
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Police road block as a bushfire rages at Banjup, Western Australia.

Banjup Bushfires 2AM-005153
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Banjup Bushfires 2AM-005135
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Thanks for swinging by and looking at my images. See you next time I post 🙂

Hotham Ridge Organic Winery – Wandering, Western Australia

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

I recently had the pleasure of 36 hours at the lovely Hotham Ridge Winery at Wandering, Western Australia as I conducted a photo-shoot for the owners. At only a little beyond 1.5 hours from downtown Perth, this organic/biodynamic winery is a wonderful and proximal location to spend time relaxing with fine wine, delicious food, and gorgeous rammed-earth cottages that are refreshingly clean and quiet. The bistro utilizes a wood-fired oven to produce meals, from which I enjoyed what may well be the most delicious pizza I can recall – the “Classico.”

The following images are all taken at the winery – I hope you enjoy them, and if you are planning a visit to the Perth area I suggest you may want to consider spending time at Hotham Ridge Winery, even if only for a bite to eat and a sampling of their award winning wines.

Overlooking the Chardonnay, with a beautiful crop for this vintage.

1_Hotham Ridge Winery 2AM-003359-003361 panorama

Three-image stitch.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

Looking back at the cottages, homestead, bistro, and winery.

The Dutch influenced homestead, and the two cottages – “Billie” and “Nina” – as seen from the bistro.

Here is “Billie’s” porch.

These old oak barrels, settled among a garden of ponds, flowing water, and birds-a-plenty, greet visitors on pathway to the cellar door and bistro.

The Magpie tapestry – illustrating the basis of the Hotham Ridge label.

5_Hotham-Ridge-Winery-2AM-003498 - 5D Mark III

The vintner’s vintages.

Vines, very soon to be relieved of their sweet bounty.

Dawn breaks over the Chardonnay. HDR image.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

A red bicycle appearance among the vines.

This red bicycle makes an appearance in several of these images as the owners of the winery wanted the bicycle included in some of the scenes – I like it.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

As this is an organic winery (certified), there is no herbicide or pesticide usage thus these young vines are competing with the remnants of the spring’s grass.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

Mmmm, I see another award winning red in the making…

Table grapes drape and shade an outside table at the bistro.

The bountiful flora surrounding the Bistro entrance from the parking lot.

This short board-walk to the bistro is edged by a luscious pond and wetlands.

“The Wide World” as seen from the bistro garden area.

Ever closer, some of the outdoor bistro dining tables are revealed.

You have arrived at the bistro entrance

Times of yore; traps, sickles, and shears adorn the bistro wall.

Some of the available seating in the bistro – bench and table section.

Delightfully fresh wholemeal spelt sour-dough bread, fresh out of the wood-fired oven.

27_Hotham Ridge Winery 2AM-003550 - 5D Mark III

Awaiting oven’s readiness for my soon to be savoured “Classico” pizza!

28_Hotham-Ridge-Winery-2AM-003476-5D-Mark-III

To wrap up this express tour, I present a variety of visual vagaries 🙂

30_Hotham Ridge Winery 2AM-003591 - 5D Mark-III

Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) in full bloom.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

A eucalyptus gumnut – species yet to be confirmed.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis).
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

Highly aromatic flower of the caper plant.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

Motorbike Frog (Litoria moorei).
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

Bulrush; Cattails; Cumbungi; Wonga; Reed-mace; raupo; (Typha)
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

Wild oats ablaze in dusk’s amazing light.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

Curling bark.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

Lichen on granite (primarily).
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

Wine vines swishing in silhouette before a highlight of wild oats.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

Thanks for taking a look at my images.
Ciao for now.

Red Posts at Sunset – Galveston, Texas.

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Late yesterday afternoon the clouds parted allowing the post-front ‘northerly light’ to bath Galveston Island. I decided to drive around and see what the light suggested I photograph – my second, and last, stop was a beach the west end. A portion of clouds remained low on the western horizon painting a palette of pastels on this series of surprising red posts.

Red Posts - Galveston Island 2AM-001570-5D-Mark-III

Red Posts – Galveston Island 2AM-001570
Canon 5D Mark III with Canon 24-105mm f/4L lens. f22 for 20 seconds at ISO 50.
I also used two graduated N.D. filters (6 stops combined) as a regular N.D. filter to enable the long shutter speed.
© Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

A few quick photo shoots in Halifax and surrounds – Nova Scotia, Canada.

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Andrew McInnes Photography

I recently undertook an express visit with my wife to visit friends who were staying in Halifax for a period. I only managed to get out and photograph on a few occasions but was enamored of the area. Magnificent vistas, abundant maritime history, so ripe with scenery and scenes; I would have thoroughly enjoyed more time exploring and photographing. Nevertheless, here is a sampling of images from the very few times I was able to go walkabout. I hope you enjoy!

This is the first image I captured – I love the posture, gait, and apparent enthusiasm of the youngster; the dog’s tail; and the fact that the father had a bright red sweater on (excellent for ‘pop’ of people out in nature).

Halifax 2AM-000802
Canon 7D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f4.5 for 1/800 second at ISO 800.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

A chicane of sorts …

Halifax 2AM-000834
Canon 7D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f5.6 for 1/2000 second at ISO 800.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Although we witnessed some glorious fall color, it was the same old situation of “you should have seen it last week!” 🙂
the next two images include a birch tree – the bark and patterning thereof fascinated me.

Halifax 2AM-000851
Canon 7D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f8 for 1/800 second at ISO 800.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Halifax 2AM-000860
Canon 7D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f8 for 1/400 second at ISO 800.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Definitely much color still available around the area, even if the leaves had fallen.

Halifax 2AM-000887
Canon 5D Mark III with Canon 24-105mm f/4L lens. f4.5 for 1/1600 second at ISO 800.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Early in our visit our hosts took me out for a brief but wonderful excursion to Herring Cove. Although very overcast and gloomy, the light was lovely for scenes that didn’t include much, if any, sky. After this mini-hike it was time for lunch so we stopped in at “Now We’re Cookin’!” where I had the superb gastronomic pleasure of a dozen perfectly fried and ultra-delicious “Digby Clams.”

Here are a series of images from the Herring Cove Provincial Park Reserve from that visit:

I call this image “The Admiral” – hopefully you can deduce why 🙂 I captured one of our hosts overlooking a temporarily tranquil Atlantic Ocean – it was a fleeting opportunity to get the shot, so I did not have time to adjust the camera settings, hence the very slow shutter speed for a hand held shot. Thankfully I managed to be stable enough for a sharp image.

“The Admiral” – Herring Cove 2AM-000977
Canon 5D Mark III with Canon 24-105mm f/4L lens. f22 for 1/13 second at ISO 400.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Early into the gorgeous walk I found this scene and liked the various elements so much – hence this image to capture it 🙂

Loved these rosehip berries!

Same general scene, different interpretation. My photographic mentor drummed into me to shoot and shoot and shoot a scene from numerous angles/interpretations, with a strict caveat that each composition/interpretation must be appealing to me, not just shooting a bunch and ‘hoping’ one of them will be ‘good’.

A portion of the walking trail.

More of the meandering walking trail and a very typical scene of this splendid coast.

’twas a very blustery gloomy day and the smart one here (that would be me 🙂 ) decides to take a multi-hour exploratory walk around the Halifax waterfront to take in some of the history of this place. When I say it was blustery, it was really blowing! There is a bit of a tale from my home country that goes something like this: “Tie a brick onto a long piece of line and hang it so that it is free to swing. If the brick/string is vertical, there isn’t enough wind to go sailing; If the brick/string are horizontal, then perhaps there is a little too much wind for a sail; Anywhere in between = just right for a sail.” Well, the brick would have been darn near horizontal whilst I wandered around that particular day 😉
This block and blue line appealed to me as they hung and swung, suspended above the dark cold water. Hope you enjoy it too.

I find the marine flora and fauna of cold water habitats fascinating, and Nova Scotia in early winter did not disappoint me.This image, and the mussel image following it, were taken on a bucking and rolling floating dock that was doing its non-level best to ensure that either I fell in the cold cold water, or dropped the camera into said water, or fail to get a sharp image of the subjects that were interesting me. I am very thankful that the 5D Mark III handles high ISO noise so bloody well!

Some scenes need capturing, despite the quality (or lack thereof) of available light; I thought this public art installation the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk to be such a scene. This public art installation is a collaboration between Chris Hanson and Hendrika Sonnenberg. One of the lampposts (at rear in this image) is peeing in the ocean. The other two are on their way home after drinking too much – the closest has stumbled and fallen, the other is bending over to check if all is okay with the fallen one.

Boardwalk boards (and nails)

Whilst she isn’t particularly old, this yacht is reminiscent of a time apparently long gone, when vessels actually had lovely lines! Plus, what’s not to like about bowsprits, jib-booms, bowlines, and vertically seamed sails with stitched lines along the leech?

A new day, and, well, there were some trees still shedding their colorful leaves, and a stunningly sky, so why not?

Dusk was rapidly descending on a bloody chilly day when I happened upon this lovely little yawl at rest on its mooring in a secluded and tranquil inlet.

Sometimes “hard to figure out at first” is intriguing – to me at least 🙂

A revisit to Herring Cove because the light was “cleaner.”

A little ‘overflow’ creek from Powers Pond to the Atlantic Ocean (via Herring Cove).

To me these next two images typify coastal fishing hamlets.

To my eye, when strolling around town, this image was very appealing. Initial concerns about it being “too busy” rapidly dissipated – likely due to the location of the colored elements, the reflections, and the leading line of the dock. Perhaps I am mistaken?

Speaking of reflections… here are two more from the walking trail at Herring Cove Provincial Park Reserve.

A stunning blue sky, granite, and grass.

My final image from Herring Cove showing one side of the entrance to Herring Cove; the great blue yonder is the fabled ornery Atlantic.

On the coldest day of the winter thus far (it having snowed the first snow of the season the previous night), we ventured on a quick trip down to Peggy’s Cove – a gorgeous sunset, some ice in the rocky depressions of the granite headland, and it was blowing stink, and we were right on the edge of the Atlantic. Not blowing quite strong enough for there to be whitecaps in the toilet, but darn near!
The following images were all captured within roughly one hour, and again, I present 4 images with the lighthouse in it, each sufficiently appealing to me.

There were some strange light behavior happenings last evening during dusk at Peggy’s Cove – one with my lens glare (this image), the other some neat atmospherics (the next image).

The three of us who were there together all were mesmerized by the vertical shaft of light – normally I expect to see crepuscular rays, but this instance had only the vertical element. As it was developing I was scampering around trying to find any element for foreground interest. “Beam me up” or perhaps a “batman-like beam.” 😉

And to wrap up this visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia – Canada, here is a light-painting of the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove – the primary purpose of the quick evening trip to Peggy’s Cove. I hope you enjoy this light-painting image – is was certainly the most difficult to make: my wife and our host said I looked a bit like a mountain goat running around over the rocks and boulders in the dark whilst painting the scene with my trusty Q-beam II Million power flashlight.

A few hours in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Andrew McInnes Photography

On the first day that the National Parks were reopened to the citizens who own them, I drove to the Smoky Mountains to have a few hours in Cades Cove – a truly remarkable location, and a visit I highly recommend.

All images are Copyright © Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
If you wish to purchase prints please visit my website http://andrew-mcinnes.artistwebsites.com/ or send an Email to me.

I feel so very fortunate to see a family of American Black Bears up close and personal – sort of.

Peek-a-boo 🙂

Mama bear ascends. Such amazing claws/claw strength!

Unlike the assorted yahoo’s who observed the scene with me, I did not approach and stand under the tree!

The fog was very thick when I first arrived. This scene/habitat is very similar to that where I observed the bears.

Morning light flashes the prairie through the fog.

This is not a monochrome/black-and-white treatment. Rather, the fog and rain and mist altered the light to what you see here.

The lovely winding road that leads to Cades Cove follows a stream for a good portion, and this lone tunnel is always intriguing to me. I stopped to take this image on my way out – the fall leaves are beginning to turn on a show right now!

These images are a mere sampling of the wondrous place that is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For more of my images of the park, swing over to some of my earlier/archived posts:

https://2amphotography.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/a-bloody-cold-shoot-in-the-mountains/
https://2amphotography.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/serenity-in-the-great-smoky-mountains-national-park/

Cheers,

Andrew