PSNZ Coromandel Landscape Workshop

with Meghan Maloney - By Brian Karl LPSNZ

After two Covid postponements last year, it was a great relief that this workshop could finally go ahead. I had been very much looking forward to the weekend ̶ and I was not disappointed. Meghan Maloney creates beautiful work and her workshop style is inspiring. Karen Moffatt-McLeod APSNZ kept us fed and well organised ̶ what more could we wish for?

This two-day landscape photography workshop was based at Tairua on the Coromandel Peninsula. There were three classroom sessions and three photo shoots. On Friday afternoon fifteen of us gathered at the Tairua Community Hall for introductions and a presentation from Meghan. It included useful information on filters for use in landscape photography.

With rain clouds gathering we headed to Flat Rock, Pauanui, for a sunset shoot. Most of us managed to get a couple of shots on either side of the rain which chased us to shelter under the trees! Back at the hall, we spent the rest of the evening editing, with input from Meghan, and then enjoying pizzas.

We were very fortunate with the weather on Saturday morning. The sunrise outing to the north end of Tairua Beach was dry and not cold. Everyone managed to bag a few good shots before we met back at the hall for more instruction and editing. And more good food sourced from the local café!

The final session was in the Karangahake Gorge but the weather was not looking great. When it was time to leave Tairua the sensible ones, and those with further to travel, headed home. I wasn’t one of them, and I joined Meghan with three others in the gorge.

We started at Owharoa Falls which had reasonably high volumes of water flowing, probably too much for the best photos, but we made the most of it. Generally, overcast conditions are preferred for waterfall photography anyway.

About 4:30 pm we all went our separate ways, happy with our two days' work. I confess that I did sneak in to take a few photos of the Ohinemuri River before heading home. I couldn’t help myself.

Thanks again to Meghan and Karen for all their time and a big thanks to PSNZ for supporting workshops like this. The opportunity to learn from experienced photographers and to have immediate practice is invaluable.

PSNZ Coromandel Landscape Workshop

with Meghan Maloney - By Linda Mannix

Finally, after two postponements, Meghan Maloney’s Landscape Photography Workshop was actually happening. The forecast was not good, with rain predicted, but we headed to Tairua with a sense of excitement.

After introductions and an informative presentation, we were on the road to Flat Rock for our sunset shoot. Heavy, threatening, dark clouds loomed over the hills and, as two of us were lagging behind the others, we decided to set up on the beach. This was not a wise move. While those at Flat Rock hid under the trees and managed to take photographs of those rocks, there we were ̶ out in the open as the rain poured down. No photos for us the first night!

We headed back to dry off, arriving in time for scrumptious wood-fired pizzas. Delicious! Most had their computers out and were checking their photos. I had photo envy. It was an evening of knowledge. I learnt so much about Lightroom that on returning to the motel I spent until midnight applying that knowledge to some of my photos.

Next morning, determined to get sunrise pictures at Tairua Beach and ignoring the rain, we headed to the beach. Fortune was on our side; the rain disappeared, the clouds lifted, and blue skies and the sun made a welcome entrance. Under Meghan’s patient guidance, I managed to get some photos. Next stop, the Manaia Café for a well-earned breakfast. Next it was back to the Tairua Community Hall to edit our photos, applying the knowledge we had picked up the previous evening. In the group I was sitting with, I saw some fantastic images.

Karangahake Gorge was on the afternoon itinerary but the rain had made yet another appearance, making the thought of photographing Owharoa Waterfall unappealing. I decided to make the decision at Waihi . Do I turn left or right? Once again the weather was on our side and blue skies accompanied us all the way to Waihi. I turned right ̶ and what a great decision that was! Only a few of us turned up, perfect because it meant that Meghan could spend even more time assisting me. Well not just me, the others as well. What a magical waterfall, in full flow.

What did I get out of the workshop? Knowledge and understanding: which settings to use for landscape photography, how to use neutral density and polarising filters, and why it is helpful to use them. My Lightroom editing skills have expanded immensely and, most important, keep an eye out for the light!

Thank you Meghan, for your knowledge and enthusiasm.

Thank you, PSNZ, for organising this most enjoyable workshop.