Category: Australia’s Finest Seascapes

The Great Ocean Road, Landscape Photography.

Hi Friends,

The Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, with stunning coastal landscapes and rock formations that attract tourists and photographers from all over the world. One such photographer who has been capturing the magic of this region for over two decades is none other than myself.

For more than 20 years, I have been photographing the Great Ocean Road and its many landmarks, including the iconic Twelve Apostles and Gibson Beach. These locations are popular tourist attractions and are among the most photographed spots in Australia.

The Twelve Apostles are a series of limestone stacks that rise out of the Southern Ocean and are a must-see destination for anyone visiting the Great Ocean Road. These towering pillars of rock were formed over millions of years through the relentless forces of wind and water erosion. As the years passed, the softer limestone rock eroded away, leaving only these impressive stacks standing tall and proud.

Photographing the Twelve Apostles can be a challenge due to their popularity and the sheer number of visitors that flock to this location each day. However, with the right equipment and a keen eye for composition, it is possible to capture stunning images that showcase the natural beauty of this area.

Gibson Beach is another location along the Great Ocean Road that has captured my attention over the years. It is a secluded and tranquil beach nestled between towering cliffs and is a favorite spot for photographers looking to capture the beauty of this rugged coastline.

One of the reasons I love photographing Gibson Beach is the dramatic interplay of light and shadow that occurs during sunrise and sunset. The cliffs cast long shadows across the beach, creating an otherworldly and surreal atmosphere that is truly awe-inspiring.

Over the years, I have seen the Great Ocean Road and its landmarks change in many ways. The ocean erodes the cliffs and shapes the rocks, while the weather conditions vary from season to season, making every visit a unique experience. Despite these changes, the beauty of this area remains constant and is something that continues to inspire me every time I visit.

In conclusion, photographing the Great Ocean Road, including the Twelve Apostles and Gibson Beach, has been a passion of mine for over 20 years. These landmarks are truly awe-inspiring and offer endless opportunities for creative expression through the lens of a camera. Whether you are an experienced photographer or a novice, I highly recommend visiting this remarkable region and capturing its beauty for yourself.

Darren J

 

Gibsons Beach, Great Ocean Road.

The Amazing Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road is one of the most stunning coastal drives in the world, offering photographers an abundance of opportunities to capture breathtaking seascapes. I recently had the pleasure of photographing this magnificent coastline, and I’d love to share my experience and some tips on how to capture stunning seascape photos.

Composition is key when it comes to photography, and this is especially true for seascape photography. To create a visually pleasing composition, you’ll want to consider the foreground, middle ground, and background of your image. This will give your photo depth and a sense of scale, making the viewer feel as though they are a part of the scene.

When I was photographing the Great Ocean Road, I found that using a wide-angle lens helped me to capture as much of the landscape as possible. This allowed me to include both the foreground and background in my images, creating a more dynamic composition.

Another tip is to use the rule of thirds to compose your image. This involves dividing your frame into three equal parts both horizontally and vertically, then placing the key elements of your image on the intersecting points. This creates a balanced and visually interesting composition.

One of the challenges of seascape photography is capturing the movement of the water. To achieve this, you can experiment with different shutter speeds. A slower shutter speed will create a sense of movement and allow you to capture the silky texture of the water. On the other hand, a faster shutter speed will freeze the motion of the waves, which can create a more dramatic and dynamic image.

When photographing seascapes, you’ll also want to pay attention to the light. The best times of day to capture stunning seascapes are during sunrise and sunset when the light is soft and golden. This will create a warm, inviting atmosphere in your photos. If you’re shooting during the day, you may want to consider using a polarizing filter to reduce glare and create more contrast in your images.

In conclusion, the Great Ocean Road is a photographer’s paradise, and with the right technique and composition, you can capture stunning seascapes that will take your breath away. Remember to experiment with different shutter speeds, pay attention to the light, and use the rule of thirds to create visually interesting compositions. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to capture the beauty of the Great Ocean Road and create images that you’ll treasure for years to come.

 

Darren J

Red Johanna Beach, Seascape Photography.

Recently caught up with my good friend and fellow photographer Rob Featonby. We spent the weekend camping and photographing over at Red Johanna Beach, along the Great Ocean Road.

These days things have gotten very busy at Red Johanna, lots of campers and families enjoying the great outdoors. Lots of fishing, surfing and just kicking back.

Rob Featonby and l have spent the last couple of years catching up for photography sessions on a regular basis. Last year we spent two weeks cruising around Tasmania in his F250, camping and photographing most of the iconic locations Tassie has to offer. Although the weather conditions were not on our side, the journey was awesome.

Rob would have to be one of the most tireless photographers I have met. His passion is shooting night skies and star trails. There have been many occasions when we have been out shooting and I called it a night around midnight, then woke up bright and early for sunrise, only to find Rob still out shooting star trails on the beach! Without sleep, he continues shooting throughout the night and the morning, no matter what the weather conditions; a most dedicated and professional-minded photog.

Rob is pictured here, knee-deep in seawater and loving every moment.

So without fail, I always know I’m in for serious stuff when Rob’s around, lots of energy and motivation. This weekend was no exception, Sunday morning produced a ripping sky and scene. Both Rob and I were ecstatic, due to the fact that the previous morning and evening had been a whitewash due to unfavourable shooting conditions.


For some unknown reason Red Johanna always finds a way to turn it on; very rarely have I not had a good shoot there. My only grudge is that l wish there was more subject matter to work with, but you can’t have it all.

Being able to camp at the doorstep of where you’re shooting is also a big plus: a hop, skip and jump, throw my waders on and I’m ready for shooting. Waders come in very handy whilst shooting seascapes, even Rob has invested in a pair.

I’m heading back out to Great Ocean Road in a couple of days – high tide rolling in at sunset, just the way I like it.

You can check out Rob’s amazing images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_featonby/

Darren J.

the sea within, great ocean rd, apollo bay, victoria, australia

ocean deep, great ocean rd, johanna beach, victoria, australia

Australian Landscape Photographer.

Hi all,

 

Feel free to head on over to my youtube channel, for all my latest videos and adventures.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKQwnHAJbb_uEHiMn0EHihw

 

 

 

Daren J.

Lake Wanaka.

Lake Wanaka and the famous WanakaTree.

The lonesome Tree is situated in the Beautiful town of Wanaka, on the South Island of New Zealand. l have always said to my wife that if we had the opportunity to live in New Zealand than Wanaka would be the place that l would love to settle in.

 

The surroundings are just perfect, with mountainous views surrounding the lake and poplar trees that litter the shores and landscape with the most vibrant coloured autumn leaves, snow capped mountains to compliment the scenery, on the very clear and still mornings the lake has the most amazing reflections of colour and light.

 

The Town of Wanaka has great bars and restaurants to visit, including bakeries and lots of gift shops.

A must see when you visit New Zealand and the South Island.

 

Darren J.

lady in red, lake wanaka, south island, new zealand,

Lady In Red : Prints Available

wanaka, tree, lake, south island, new zealand, dream weaver,

The Dream Weaver. : Prints Available

12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Photography.

Hi Friends and followers.

 

Please enjoy this short collection of seascape images from the Great Ocean Road.

 

Darren J.

https://youtu.be/z9s5McjUw6o

Photographing Seascapes on high tide video.

The Moon In My Eyes.

Latest image from Great Ocean Road.

I was lucky enough to wake early and have a sneak peek of the Moon over the 12 Apostles. What a beautiful sight it was, the moonlight from behind the Apostles and the first of the morning light illuminating the rock stacks in the foreground. The image was taken at 5.30am, with clouds moving in quickly from the South – I managed to shoot 3 images at 30-second exposures before the clouds completely covered the Moon and the moment was gone.

Image will be available for purchase as a Limited Edition from my Website.

Darren J.

moon in my eyes, 12 apostles, great ocean rd, port campbell, victoria, australia

Fine Art Prints Available.

My latest addition to my favourite print collection is now available through my website.

 

This stunning image was captured a little closer to home, Williamstown to be exact. Conditions were just perfect to be out taking photos with no wind  giving the water a crystal clear finish which helps to create the wonderful reflections and extra depth needed to help bring this image  to life.

Williamstown is located at the mouth of the Yarra River where it enters Hobsons Bay and Port Phillip, south-west of the Melbourne city centre.

Originally Melbourne’s first sea port, Williamstown has developed from what was a neglected industrialised centre into a popular and fashionable maritime village.

The beaches are usually a great spot to catch sunrise or sunset depending where you choose to shoot, City views to the East and Ocean views to the West.

 

Darren J.

Williamstown Beach, Victoria.

Milford Destiny.

This lovely image of Milford Sound has been added to my website Gallery.

Milford Sound is an amazing place to visit any time of year, l have been lucky enough to have visited this lovely destination on a couple of occasions and was completely overwhelmed with the landscape and majestic atmosphere that it holds.

On this particular visit l had been greeted with such a moody and dramatic scene, which almost took my breath away. the depth of the scene was enough to leave a lasting impression that will live in my memories for years to come.

The cloudscape was ever-changing and evolving around me with such brilliance, photographing the scene as it was a pure delight.

I look forward to my next visit.

Please visit my website if you would like to purchase this lovely image.

Darren J.

Milford Destiny.