After the post yesterday I thought it might be nice to see Milford Sound by me. I was only there for a day, but hey, I got some photos.
Milford Sound by Me
It would be unfair to say that I am not happy with all my images from Milford Sound. Considering I was only there for one day, I think I did okay. It was a great day and one of the best I had in New Zealand.
I took some long exposures at the bottom, a couple I like, including the one above.
When I was thinking back to what Trey had done when I was there, I thought they were all long exposures. Seems I had that wrong. So I am happy that I took quite a few without the filters. It is good to be spontaneous when taking photos. You can get some good images when you just allow yourself to let go. Turn your camera in all directions and see what you can find.
Making some changes
You may notice that in this post I’m including a selfie of myself. I don’t do this very often and I have often tried to protect my identity in the past. I just always thought that if people saw me they wouldn’t like me or my work anymore.
That may be a stupid attitude, but there you are.
After the comment by that little s**t at Wanaka, I have been thinking about this a lot. I shared the story in the post, New Zealand Wanderings Day 5 – That tree again, and I heard from many people how they feel self-conscious about going out and taking photos because of the way people perceive them. It really made me think. While I haven’t let the fact that I am old and overweight stop me from taking photos, it has stopped me from being more open.
So, I think things need to change. I want to be more open about me, or rather let people know this is me. So I have a selfie for you.
It was also taken at Milford Sound, you can see it in the background.
We need to show that it doesn’t matter what size you are, what you look like, how old you are or what your gender is, at the end of the day it is all about the image. How well you take photos has nothing to do with any of those things.
I like taking stands and this is one I definitely want to take. Who will stand with me?
Gallery
Here are a few photos I prepared earlier for you. Some of the ones from Milford Sound. No doubt you will see more, perhaps even tomorrow.
Amazing pictures and an adorable selfie, Leanne! I’m home and trying to get over a little jet lag from the 12 hour flight from France. I’ve enjoyed following you on your travels in NZ!
Thank you Pam, thought it was about time to start doing some selfies, lol. Will email you soon, looking forward to hearing about your trip.
🙂
You are so right my friend!! Love the selfie … great to see you again!!! Great photos Leanne 👏👏
Thank you Julie, I don’t know I managed the selfie, must be the practice I’ve been getting.
It’s not easy for some of us to share our selves online, especially if we’re insecure about how we look. But you’re right — in the end, your work is the most important thing that has your name on it.
I totally get that, I have been one of those for a few years now, but think I need to do this now. I want to encourage women to get out and take photos. Thank you, I’m glad you agree with me.
Great shots of Milford Sound, Leanne. Brings back some good memories.
But that shot of you is lovely. I’ve felt your pain and empathised with the impact the unkind comments had on you. But in some way, this was a cathartic release for you. Though you may never forget the pain this caused you, I believe you will look back at this and view it as a turning point in your personal growth and development.
Thank you Don, good to hear about the good memories.
People being rude, you should be able to do something to them, though calling someone names based on what they look like says more about him, I suspect.It has been, sharing the experience has been really good. It is nice to hear from others.
Hi Leanne, Don’t worry about what some people say. You are your own person and if it’s any consolation to you, I enjoy your postings very much. I am 81 years old, silver haired and still taking photographs. So keep shooting and posting!
I try not to Sheila, though it isn’t always very easy. I am so glad to hear from you and that you enjoy the blog. That is wonderful. You keep shooting, sounds like you love it, I love that. Thank you Sheila.
Bravo for posting your picture. You are an amazing person, inside and out! Loved your images of the sound. We were at Nigara Falls in 2013 during our cross country trip. I was a year into doing photography, and knew I needed to capture something different of these well photographed falls. Remember, I had limited ability at that time. I did manage to get a shot of all three falls together. That’s my take away from that visit. Again, good to see you again. I so totally enjoyed our day together with Nia a few years ago!
Thank you Anne, I did think about it for a while. You are being so kind, thank you so much. It can be such a challenge to do something different, I usually try to achieve it in post. Sounds like you did really well. That is great. I loved that day we spent together, it was a special day for me.
Leanne I know how hurtful comments about your age and weight can be. Years ago, long before I was old a young woman (probably drunk) called me a fat old cow after a baseball game. It was hurtful and has stayed with me all these years. I rarely post selfies because they never turn out but I don’t mind posing for photos. Please stop calling yourself ‘old’. I believe that age is more than a number, it’s a state of mind. Love your posts and beautiful photography. Happy to put a face to this special work. Carol
It is terrible isn’t it. I don’t know that people really understand how much the cut into you and stay like scars. I have had a few comments over the years. I remember them all. I call myself old, because in the photography industry I am, and apparently there is no room for me. I’m trying to embrace the getting older part of my life. In my head I think I am still 28, lol. I’m so glad I posted my face. I’ve been practicing doing selfies for a while now, usually with a friend in them, but thought I would try one on my own. I might ever start doing more. Thank you so much Carol. I appreciate your thoughts.
Wow, Leanne, well its good to see you after all these years! And good for you for taking the plunge! I will certainly stand with you.
I suppose I’m lucky in that I never think about what others think of me, both generally and while photographing (and so to blogging as FATman Photos I suppose!!!) and that attitude is only getting stronger as I get older – 70 next birthday! In fact I’m at my happiest when out and about – with a camera – and dressed in really scruffy, comfortable, old clothes – clothes that will not complain at all if I get them dirty or soaked through while looking for images!
I don’t know the Wanaka tree you’re talking about, but I presume its one that attracts masses of photographers – LOL!!! all trying to capture their own, personalised image of something that has certainly been photographed (at least) thousands of time before! We have a lot of this in the UK, and frankly I find it astonishing – and also betraying a vast lack of imagination into the bargain, I NEVER visit such “famous icons” (I use the terms very, very loosely!) and I shy away from the picturesque. To me, its just far better, and far more satisfying, just to wander about somewhere with a camera or two, looking at anything and everything, and seeing what turns up.
Once again – good to see you! Adrian 🙂
Hello Adrian, there I am. Yeah, I never thought I would do it.
It is good when you can do that, it isn’t something that I’ve been good at doing, but the older I get the more I find I don’t care what people think about me. It doesn’t affect me like it used to. I get what you mean about being happy to be out and about, I often struggle getting out, but when I get home I am always so glad I went.
Yes, that tree is famous, I’m sure you have seen photos of it. Everyone goes to Wanaka to see it. I wanted to as well. Though I would never go back. I am usually the same, I like to find other things to photograph, but sometimes it is nice to photograph something “famous” or infamous. I guess the challenge is to try and do something a little different, which sometimes works, and most times doesn’t.
Thank you Adrian, really appreciate your words.
Good morning, Leanne–so good to see you! Ugh, people and their remarks. I don’t even try to understand why people say what they say. I just keep in my head, ‘Consider the source’ and move on. Gorgeous photos as always.
Thank you Lois, I’m glad. I know what you mean, it does my head in how people expect you to bend over backwards for them so they can get their photos. What about mine? I like what you keep in your head, I will have to try and remember that.
Hello Leanne, lovely to see you at last! 🙂
Thank you Ruth, it’s been good to hear people say that.
This is a lovely long-exposure image of Milford Sound. Feels sombre, reminds me of hiding in the shadows. It is nice to see your face on here, Leanne. Really like your purple glasses and you seem to be enjoying yourself.
I read that Wanaka Tree post of yours, and the unpleasant incident with the fellow photographer. Such a shame, really (and even more so from someone who was a part of a tour groups run by a prominent photographer…and I know who it is because I saw your comment on IG and I follow one of the tour guides on IG :/ ). Shocking. I haven’t had people tell me off when I’m trying to photograph something outside but I have been told to move when I am in the way – which is fair enough when I’m blocking a footpath.
Thank you Mabel, it was nice to do some long exposures there. I like your description. Oh my purple glasses are new, only had them a couple of months and yes, I was having a lot of fun there, it was peaceful, which was really nice.
It was very unpleasant, sadly. There was just no need for it really. I think I know who the tour group was as well, though they have denied the person was part of theirs, so who knows. It is something that I have never experienced here in Australia. It is fair enough to be told to move when you walk in front of someone taking a photo, but when you were there first, you don’t expect to be told to move. That was a first for me.
That is great your purple glasses are new. You can get a few years out of wearing them and look lovely. They really are a lovely pop of colour 😀
Definitely no need for name calling in your face along the tree. Yeah, when you get there first, you are first and you also do have the right to stay there for as long as you want. Some people have the perception that if you are up front, you have to take a few photos and then move on. I mean, that’s nice if you move along fast and make room for others but…first is first :/
Yeah, exactly, thank you Mabel, good to hear you like them.
I couldn’t agree more, name calling is such a childish thing to do. It is one of those places where you get there claim your spot and just stay there until the sun is way up. There is plenty of room. People just need to think about what they are doing and how they can get people to help them, rather than being rude.
A famous movie character one said:
“No matter where you go, there you are.” ~ Buckaroo Banzai
I appreciate you are being vulnerable by sharing a photo of yourself. I can now put face to the words that I read regularly on this website. It is a gift. Thank you.
I like that Khürt, really nice, it is a good saying and so true.
You’re welcome, not so sure what I was afraid of but nice to see people responding so well to it. Thank you.
Milford sound is a great place however it does rain there a lot . I have been there twice and it has rained both times and have also done the cruise which was great. I will be back there this year in late November or December and hopefully it may not rain all your images look great just keep up the good work.
Yeah, it seems to rain a lot everywhere in New Zealand, haha. We were lucky that day, but not the next. I hope you have great weather when you go back. Thank you David.
I love all of the layers here
Thank you ksbeth.
Lovely rich shots, Leanne. It’s hard to capture anything original in such a well visited spot but they have your own mark on them. I pop a few selfies on Facebook but precisely none on my site and Insta. Good to see you 🙂
Thank you Mike, you are right, when you photograph a place that is photographed all the time it is very hard to be original. I don’t really try, I just do what I want. I’ve done selfies on Facebook, but after that incident it seemed that some people needed to see me, so I hope it inspires them.
It’s a selfie to be proud of! Even in the most photographed of places we can all rightly claim it’s original to us. My NZ shots will probably take ages to see the light of day…
Thank you Mike, I have been practicing a bit, though I usually have someone else in the images with me. They are, really original to us, because we haven’t been there before, you could say. There is no time limit which is nice, soon you will hardly see any from NZ from me as I move onto places here.
I look forward to what’s next 🙂 I have quite a backlog to work through and more new places to come.
Sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you. One thing New Zealand did for me was help me appreciate what I have here in Australia, and I really want to get out more here and see what I can get.
Excellent. Travel makes you appreciate what’s closer to home 🙂
It really does, I love where I am, and think I want to highlight it more.
Super post Leanne and go to see you on the blog!
Thank you Chris, it has been a long time coming.
I love that you took a stand and it is so nice to be able to put a face to the name. Maybe one day I will get over to Australia and meet you. Love your blogs and your images. Youe have done my country proud. love
Cushla
Thank you Cushla, it is good to hear that my face is being well received. I hope you do get here one day, though you have a beautiful country.
Your images of Milford Sounds are beautiful. Makes me want to sail there in Anui. Hopefully soon! Good to see your face, Leanne, I love your work and you are my friend – big or small, old or young!
Thank you Chris, you are my friend too. How exciting to sail into the Sound, that would be amazing. I hope you do it.
Great photos and I love the selfie! You’re right. Only the photos should matter. However your honesty is very refreshing and brought more personality to your blog which I think it great 😁
Thank you so much, good to hear. I have been very reluctant to show who I am. I am hoping to show more personality here, that is the goal.
Good on you Leanne. I’m with you and can’t agree more with you in taking a stand. It does not surprise me that you were commented on by a total stranger… humanity I’m afraid! It seems folk are becoming more and more entitled. Oh, I could go on for ages on this topic. As you know, I travel to NZ often and you know what… I had never thought of going to Doubtful Sound before, so next time I visit the South Island I will make a point of it. It’s a real shame that the Wanaka Tree has become so popular, I know it in the days when it was just a tree! Lol Anyway, as usual, great images Leanne. Thankyou. Ian
Thank you Ian, It is a bit scary, but seems like a good thing to do. I know, I was so shocked, you just don’t expect that childish sort of behaviour when you are out. I have never experienced anything like it, where I’m expected to get out of the way so they can take a photo, especially when I was there first. Doubtful Sound is so amazing, you have to go to it Ian. I agree about the Wanaka tree, I would never go back to it. Thank you so much Ian.