indecision

indecision, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

Down Lambton Quay a film crew were setting up. They were operating a large camera on a trolley, and there were men in orange overalls controlling traffic. I was taken with their truck. I like finding things that are not set up, but just look right the way they are. It's like a beachcomber finding something to take away.

contemporary signs

contemporary signs, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

I was walking up Willis Street. I looked up and saw this column of signs. I liked the light that was on them. I took a photo and walked on, I was looking for something else.

no right turn

no right turn, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

It is the way a place looks, the architecture, signs, roadways and walkways that interest me. And in this case older Wellington homes that have a typical look, making the most of a small plot of land. Also the delicate picket fences in contrast to the steel street barrier, I want to make people feel what it is like to stand here, and look. Since taking the photograph other things interest me, like the diagonals created by the photographers shadow, blue car, no turn right sign, and window.

three buildings

three buildings, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

Colours have a colour weight, blue is much lighter than a deep red, so more blue is needed, if a balance of colour is needed. The three buildings have a balance to of contemporary and historic architecture, I like the old turn of the last century style and also I think these narrow high rise apartment towers are interesting to look at and live in. I like living in a city that retains the past while embracing the future with new styles.

painting

painting, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

I was looking at this mural, painted without any pretence, just a freedom and enthusiasm. I like the big fiery sun, I used to live in New Plymouth, and there the sun did sink over the ocean, here in Wellington it rises above hills and goes down over hills. I stood up on my toes so that Mt Victoria and St Gerard's Monastery would sit on top of the painting, I managed to get myself into the photograph as well.

life buoy & cloud

life buoy & cloud, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

The cloud is sitting on the life buoy cabinet. I made a print of it and it was then that I noticed it. I may have been aware of the cloud when taking the photograph, I just do not remember. I am not particularly interested in twilight on the water scenes, but I do like the cloud, and so I have posted it.

plastic

plastic, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

I took around 130 photographs over the weekend, sorting through them and it appears that this photograph of a plastic bag caught on a wire fence may be the highlight of my weekend photographic safaris. The Tui Beer sign across the road reflects a golden touch of light that lends an optimism to the image. For me hope and optimism are the characteristics of the morning hours where a whole day of opportunity lay ahead. This is when I do most of my photos.

walking

walking, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

A photo can take a moment of time and draw it out, so that it can be truly felt. When walking there are moments when everything falls into a balance. This photograph felt this way to me. In this slice of time there were no cars streaming past, just a stillness under a shaft of light where a small pole even took on a significance, a young woman came into view. Then the world just started moving again.

directions

directions, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

If I am feeling indecisive then this is the corner to start a walk. I can head off to Manners Mall, Courtenay Place, Cuba Street, or just walk up to Aro, or follow Willis Street downtown. I find something of interest just about every time. This sign has interested me before, I have photographed it several times. This is the first that I feel has worked, sometimes persistence is required.

yellow van

yellow van, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

I was on my way home and thinking mostly of coffee and breakfast. I had around 40 photos on my compact flash card, about four of these I would use. The weather turned the day into a scene of monochromatic grey. So when I came across this yellow van I thought one more photo then two people crossed the road so I thought them too.

milkman

milkman, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

I was looking up the street wondering if there was a photo, a truck was in the way, I wondered about that too. The milkman opened the door, then I saw the cow and pressed the shutter button. There were only a few people about this time of the morning, photographers, milkman and some early morning walkers.

shoppers

shoppers, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

It was not much after midday and the sun is low at this time of year. There is a shaft of light shining like a spotlight through Lambton Quay, turning shoppers into silhouettes and shadows. I just aimed the camera onto the bright tiles in front of me, focused and set the exposure, and everything fell into place, bright light and shadows, because that is what it is like on a Winters day on Lambton Quay (when the sun is shining).

pier

pier, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

At the end of the jetty there is a place to sit and contemplate the sea, and sometimes Wellington. Today the view was only the wind swept sea and a blanket of cloud that hid the landforms beyond. Though the Inter Island Ferry did emerge only briefly as it made its way towards the Wellington Ferry Terminal. I like being out on a wild weather day, everything is mysterious.

picket fence

picket fence, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

Eastbourne is a place that has a look of not changing over the decades. It doesn't have to, it's ok the way it is. I like picket fences, they look so domesticated, even when along a jetty like this, not losing their charm even with the rain clouds rolling over the hills.

parking

parking, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

I had the camera to my eye concentrating on the image of my wifes cake and fork in the viewfinder when a voice behind me asked whether I was taking a photo of his car, he was selling it. I had photographed the cars out side on the way in to the café. I liked the colour combination of turquoise ute and the yellow sports car, I also liked the idea that they were outside a café, and they were right opposite the sea.

café

café, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

The rain continued for most of the day, and it was not practical to go walking and take photos. We took a small road trip instead, my wife and I, over to Eastbourne on the opposite side of the harbour. The road hugs the side of steep bush covered hills, the other side drops away to the sea and rocky outcrops. There are road signs to be 'aware of crossing penguins'. I liked this place. My wife spent the time mainly reading crime novels and occasionally looking up. I went for small scurrying excursions between the showers of rain and collected a few photographs. A road trip, I think, should always be finished off with a stop over at a café for refreshment. 'The Chocolate Dayz' coffee was good.