Cygnets at Western Springs
It’s the time for cute pictures, with all the new life that comes with spring. Enjoy!
For more black and white images check out Dragonstar’s Weekend in Black and White.
September 5, 2010
August 29, 2010
Freak of Nature
Artful Contortions (Phormium Leaf)
For more black and white images check out Dragonstar’s Weekend in Black and White.
This is a leaf of a dwarf cultivar of NZ Flax (phormium tenax, probably ‘surfer’ or ‘elfin’). I found it in a clump of somewhat overgrown vegetation in our garden. Some of the leaves of that plant and several others were quite misshapen, but this one was the most extreme, and just beautiful. I think that the twists and twirls are the result of insect activity (maybe mites), interfering with the normal growth process. If anybody can shed more light on this, I would be very interested. (The whole curly part is about 3-4cm.)
An expert told me that this is an instance of fasciation — fascinating!
The images date back several years, and I have not seen much of this phenomenon in recent times. But I like the top picture a lot (it is a natural sepia toning anyway, so a good candidate for black and white), and the story is intriguing. Three more examples below.
August 22, 2010
Everyone’s an Art Critic (Richard Wedekind 2008)
Everyone's an Art Critic (Richard Wedekind 2008)
For more black and white images check out Dragonstar’s Weekend in Black and White.
Last Sunday, the TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre had its opening day at the Pah Homestead (72 Hillsborough Road). This grand mansion has become the new home for a remarkable collection of contemporary New Zealand art. Above is shown a sculpture by Richard Wedekind in grey painted steel, entitled “Everyone’s an Art Critic”. It is found in the garden outside the “Morning Room”.
The above shot seemed ideally suited for high contrast black and white treatment.
A picture of this sculpture in a different setting and in colour can be found in the database of the Centre. I am grateful to curator Nicholas Butler for pointing me to this page.
The picture below shows how the citizens of Auckland embraced the new amenity – a few more visitors than you would like for a gallery viewing, but just fine for a great celebration. The sculptures in the alcoves are by Paul Dibble, left, and Terry Stringer).
Go visit the place, it’s good and it’s free! Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 11 to 4, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays 10 to 5.
TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre Opening
August 15, 2010
Toi Toi in the Winter Sun
Toi Toi (Cortaderia toetoe)
Toi Toi is a NZ native grass, belonging to the family Cortaderia, just as the introduced Pampas Grass. Here the winter sun is caught by the feathery flower stands of a clump of toi toi at the edge of the bush in Titirangi.
For more black and white images check out Dragonstar’s Weekend in Black and White.
August 8, 2010
Beach Walk: Piha
Beach Walk: Piha
We featured this walk along Piha beach twice already: here and here. In this picture we are closer to the northern end of the beach, and the light has changed, producing an almost black-and-white picture straight out of the camera. The present version emphasises this mood by removing colour completely, and increasing the contrast.
For more black and white images check out Dragonstar’s Weekend in Black and White.
July 25, 2010
The Bench
The Bench
This bench with its elaborate cast-iron decorations is found in the Oratia Cemetery on West Coast Road. Desaturation is a wonderful rust remover!
For more black and white images check out Dragonstar’s Weekend in Black and White.
July 18, 2010
The Bouquet
Dried Grasses
Herta gets the flowers – and I get to shoot them. I don’t know the ID of these grasses which are everywhere along beaches and roadsides.
For more black and white images check out Dragonstar’s Weekend in Black and White.
