Category: darrenjbennett Australian Landscapes

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

Aireys Inlet, Great Ocean Road.

Hi all,

Feel free to check out my latest youtube video

Darren J.

 

Seascapes and Rainbows at Aireys Inlet.

Hi all,

Another extreme adventure on the Great Ocean Road last weekend. A couple of nights over at Aireys Inlet. This particular evening was very special indeed with rainbows, sun glows and dreamy reflections on the glistening sand.

3 days of rain and cloudy skies, things were looking fairly bleak as far as photography goes, fortunately one of the evenings produced a little magic for me to work with. Throughout the day we had rain with the occasional sunny break, rainbows were prevalent and the clouds had a little bit of substance about them.

Whilst scouting around the local beach area in Aireys Inlet l stumbled upon a small rocky outcrop, the tide had been out at that time, therefore l was able to have a good look around and decided that l would do my evening photo shoot there.

At 4pm the tide was forecast to be relatively high, which meant that l would have some water motion in and around the rocky outcrop I intended to photograph. The rocky outcrop was somewhat cluttered, therefore my objective was to isolate one or two larger rocks and use them as foreground interest with the receding water creating lovely patterns around them (when using slower shutter speeds, it helps to create lovely streaks in the water patterns).

Generally, l slow my camera shutter speed down to 2 seconds or less. The tide was now on its way in, l wacked on my waterproof shoes and started shooting. The water rushed in and around my tripod and legs, at times the water level reached above my knees, l grasped onto my tripod and stood my ground, waiting for the water to recede before moving from my current spot.

Its vitally important to wait for the incoming water to recede as it may be quite high and the visibility around your feet is blurred with water, making it nearly impossible to make out small rocks which may cause you to trip or lose your footing.

There was a lovely golden glow emanating from the clouds above, reflecting lovely golden hues back onto the wet sandy beach, the colours were rich and vibrant and the glow was superb. A few drops of rain threatened to ruin the light parade but soon dissipated and another rainbow set the skies aglow.

Evenings like these are few and far between, I’m so happy to have been there as a witness to the beautiful spectacle. Please enjoy the images.

Darren J.

Golden Glows and rainbows.

 

Seascapes on the Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet.

Hi everyone, check out my youtube channel. Please support me by giving a Like, and Subscribe to my channel. Thanks.

 

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

Great Ocean Road Seascapes, Slideshow Video.

Feel free to follow, like and subscribe to my youtube channel, thanks, Darren J

 

Photographing Seascapes on high tide video.

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.