Darren J Bennett is pleased to announce that he has been ranked Australia’s #1 Landscape Photographer at the 2020 One eyeland International Photography Awards.
Congratulations to all the other photographers who entered the competition.
Darren J.
Tag: victorian seascapes
Victorian Landscape Photographer.
Hi Friends,
A very unique perspective.
l am always on the lookout for something a little different from the Great Ocean Road. This location is amazing, off the beaten track and standing on a very narrow cliff face (shaking at the knees) whilst composing. The views are nothing more than awesome, with the wild ocean and strong breeze just about blew me over the edge. You really need to brace yourself whilst out at these locations and many times l ask myself ‘what the heck am l doing out here risking my life’ with so much corrosion and sections of the cliffs falling off, but here l am again living and loving what l do.
Salt Water in my Veins.
darrenjbennettphotography.com
Darren J.
Gibson Steps.
l needed another shot, to feel more of that salt water in my veins, the cravings are more hungry than ever before, the wanting and needing is now beyond my control, every moment l become more desperate, despair creeps into my bones and rage fills my mind, how can l reach you and feed my desire and feel you in my veins, you are my lifeblood, you are the ocean.
Gibson Steps, Port Campbell.
Darren J.
Aireys Inlet
The Razor Back.
‘The Razors Edge’.
Here is a recent capture from the Great Ocean Road. A slightly different perspective of the Razor Back, which is situated at Port Campbell, taken from an observation area that requires one to jump a fence. Participants on our Port Campbell Workshops are able to take in these stunning vistas, away from the regular tourist platforms.
Darren J.
Great Ocean Road Photographer.
Hi Friends,
A couple of evenings ago at the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road. Turned out to be a really lovely evening, slept in the car with my (50kg) puppy Tahshee, both of us huddled in the back of the car and l must say he handled his first night of sleeping in the car really well, l was a little concerned considering it was his first sleepout. Now that he can handle it, there will be plenty more sleep outs ahead. Although he has to stay in the car whilst we are visiting the National Parks.
l arrived at the Apostles car park at around 7.30pm with sunset due at around 8.20pm, sat with my dog at the car for a little while than wandered of to take some photos and boy was l excited when l arrived at the viewing platforms to see the 12 Apostles bathed in beautiful sea mist whilst the evening sunlight was creating a lovely warmth to the scene.
In all the years l have visited the Apostles it is very rare to have sea mist engulf them, truly a sight to behold.
Darren J.
Aireys Inlet, Great Ocean Road.
l am pleased to say that l have added a new Gallery to my website.
Aireys Inlet, has been added to the Great Ocean Road Gallery section. The images selected within this Gallery have been captured over a number of years, being one of the first destinations l started to practice my craft and learn the art of Seascape photography, Aireys Inlet has an abundance of subject matter to work with, really large rock stacks in many shapes and sizes, lots of interesting algae and seaweed to create interest in the foreground, beautiful cliffs that look as though they are on fire when the morning sunlight strikes them (they glow with intensity).
The tide itself will determine where and when you can shoot this particular region as some of the rock stacks are only accessible at high tide and at low tide you can get around the cliffs and rock outcrop areas with ease, although one must always take care looking out for potholes and craggy sharp edged rocks underfoot. So much to explore and you could spend so much time sourcing out your compositions with ease most of the time.
Generally sunrise would be the preferred time to be at Aireys Inlet as the sunlight can help produce striking colour on the cliff face and surrounding rock stacks and the whole rocky landscape area comes alive with colour. Sunset you will find the sun setting behind the mountainous backdrop leaving the rocky shore area a little drab and lifeless (unless you have awesome sunset colours setting the sky aglow).
Aireys Inlet is a quick drive from Melbourne, taking around 1.5 hours of your time to get there, so a quick sunset shoot after work is always on the cards dependant upon where you live. But once again sunrise would be more rewarding in terms of light on the landscape.
If you are interested in joining my Photography Workshops at Aireys Inlet feel free to message me and we can book you in. Group sessions and solo workshops are available. Its a great destination to learn your craft or expand on your skills with a huge variation of subject matter, there is even a lighthouse to shoot and practice your nightscapes.
https://www.darrenjbennettphotography.com/gallery/aireys-inlet/
Darren J.
Great Ocean Road.
Point Roadknight, Great Ocean Road.
This Adventure starts at Point Roadknight, located just before Anglesea at the very start of the Great Ocean Road. Its only a short drive from Melbourne (116 km) and would usually take me 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there, so its a great location to get to if time is a factor, a quick sunset/sunrise shoot and you’re home in no time at all. Very easy location to access from the car park with a short stroll along the beach, the rock stacks seem to be sandstone, so they are very craggy and the jagged surface can graze you easily.
The area itself stretches out about 200 metres or so and the rock stacks have really unusual shapes and features about them. The water flow in and around this location can be very very dangerous so its probably best to arrive early to do some ground work as there are lots of pots holes in and around the rock shelf and if you have an incoming tide the pot holes will not be obvious with water flowing over them. l always recommened no matter where you are photographing, arriving early to navigate the area and become familiar with the terrain, that way you will be more aware of what you will be dealing with when the light is low and the tide is coming in, also try to time your shoot when the tide is outgoing, that way more of the surface will be exposed as the water recedes. Explore the location at low tide and see what awaits you, imagine what the area looks like with water motion.
With the right tidal conditions you might be able to push out on the rock shelf a little further which in turn opens up more compositional options, and hopefully make the most of some water motion coming in and around the area creating beautiful little waterfalls which you can utilise for foreground interest. Cascading water movement will always help create a more dramatic and visually pleasing image and be sure to use a slower shutter speed to help emphasise to motion. Low tide will generally produce little water movement so you can work more on compositions using rock pools with a calm water surface and reflections, mid tide at Point Roadknight will have water gushing in all around you, creating cascading waterfalls.
When running my Photography Workshops in Anglesea, l take my participants for a shoot at Point Roadknight, either sunrise or sunset depending on tidal conditions. Low tide is always best to start learning about seascape photography.
Fortunately l have avoided any nasty falls or accidents at Point Roadknight, but not so lucky for a participant on one of my workshops, well it was after the workshop had finished that we decided to go for another shoot at Point Roadknight, a participant was scouting around for a good composition when she accidentally stepped into a pot hole, falling over and dropping her camera into the water, it turns out that her camera stopped working, luckily her insurance covered her camera and a new one was provided.
All in all Point Roadknight is a great location for seascape photography, so long as you have your wits about you, once again play it smart and have someone tag along to watch your back. Be prepared to get your feet wet and possibly your camera gear as there will always be a rogue wave or two.
Another thing to mention, when you find yourself knee deep in water (like the participants in the image below) wait until the water recedes back and you can see whats around you, when the water is coming in and around you its nearly impossible to see the pot holes as they are filled with water, once the water recedes make your move back. Invest in a pair of waders to get in closer to the action.
Darren J.
The Bakers Oven, Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell.
The Bakers Oven.
Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell, located a few hundred metres away from Loch Ard Gorge, towards Port Campbell, turn off onto a dirt track and walk a few hundred metres to the location.
Make the most of your foreground, pot holes and reflections give lots of depth to the foreground and algae sets the colour off.
Get in ‘close’ to your subject matter and use a nice wide angle lens. Foreground, middle Ground and background should all work together.
Darren J.
Great Ocean Road.
Hi Friends,
A very unique perspective.
l am always on the lookout for something a little different from the Great Ocean Road. This location is amazing, off the beaten track and standing on a very narrow cliff face (shaking at the knees) whilst composing. The views are nothing more than awesome, with the wild ocean and strong breeze just about blew me over the edge. You really need to brace yourself whilst out at these locations and many times l ask myself ‘what the heck am l doing out here risking my life’ with so much corrosion and sections of the cliffs falling off, but here l am again living and loving what l do.
Salt Water in my Veins.
darrenjbennettphotography.com
Darren J.