Warren Williams :: New Zealand Photo Blog

Launch of new Website – Williams Photography

Warren Williams — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:08:38 +0000

Some of my regular subscribers may have wondered why I’ve been slow at posting lately.

I’ve been busy building a new blog for the joint venture between Katrina and I.

I shall keep this going, and have further plans to move this whole blog across to the root directory, of warrenwilliams.co.nz with a new design etc.

In the meantime, please keep checking by our new site,

http://www.williamsphotography.co.nz – which has larger splash images, funky designs, and ability to do built in flash galleries.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing – Conquering Mt Doom

Warren Williams — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:52:01 +0000

My friends and I decided we needed a larger challenge to conquer, than just a small Waitakere bush walk. We’d been talking about re walking the great Tongariro Crossing over the past couple of summers, but only just managed to put into action. Road trip ahead, as we tested Pete’s new wagon. We bunked down in National Park for two nights, whilst spending much of the time trekking over the mountains of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom), and Ruapehu.

Lake Taupo from the southern end

First sight of Tongariro coming from Taupo and Turangi

Bayview Chateau Tongariro (nestled on Mt Ruapehu)

Bayview Chateau Golf Course – New Zealand’s highest course

Road tripping with Mark, who previously ascended Cradle Mountain, Tasmania with me

Pete’s new car – too bad about the motor?

From one of the stream crossings driving up Mt Ruapehu

Zooming upwards on Mt Ruapehu – North Island’s tallest mountain and volcano, at 2,797 metres

We parked late in the evening at the Bruce carpark, and found the place deserted. Free roam of the mountain! We ventured up around 1km up the rocky slopes, as the temperature quickly dropped.

Mark, Warren, Kat & Pete against the barren rock of Ruapehu

Strangely, the clouds around us descended beyond our elevation, revealing the glowing sunset across the west. Was quite amazing to witness a sunset with a cloud base lower down.

Amazing light being filtered around Ruapehu

Defining ridge lines on Ruapehu

Various volcanic rocks and high altitude plants

The following morning, we had to wake at the crack of dawn to catch the shuttle to the start of the great Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Witnessing an amazing sunrise across all three mountains certainly made it worthwhile.

Sunrise over Mt Doom

Sunrise from National Park / SH47 intersection

Amazing New Zealand Beauty

Arriving at the Mangatepopo carpark, we were now ready to tackle the 19.4km long mountain crossing.

First steps along the 19.4km long Tongariro Crossing

The intital track starts deceptively easy!

Great view of Mt Ngauruhoe

The final 1km stretch leading to the saddle, connecting Tongariro and Ngauruhoe.
This section was the hardest, with a steep incline, and noticeable difference in breathing

The camera was put away for the next 45min as we climbed the Mangatepopo Saddle

Success!

Following the Saddle, we drop again, in the enormous South Crater of Tongariro, before climbing one of the ridges offering great views

Sheer cliffs, along the ridge

Climbing out of the South Crater, with cloud cover blocking one side of the mountainside

Reaching the Tongariro Summit, at 1,967metres

From Tongariro summit, peering into South Crater

360 degree panoramic from the additional Tongariro Summit walk

View looking down to the Emerald Lakes and Red Crater

View down the fun scree slope, with Blue Lake in the backdrop (perfect place to moon jump)

One of the Emerald Lakes, caused from leaching minerals

Tongariro Emerald Lakes

Further views of the Emerald Lakes, with steam rising from the ridge

Low cloud cover at the Ketetahi Hut (well, over 1,400m isn’t exactly low!)

With some much needed Red Bull

And away with the camera it was, as the rain came down for our last hours walk downhill.

Dusk over Mt Ruapehu and the winding highway

The following morning we made the short walk to to the lovely Lake Rotopounamu – an easy walk, however we were all suffering from fatigue and muscle pains after a full day of walking the previous day.

Lake Rotopounamu

Mark, chilled out

The drive home was non eventful, although we did try our luck at the Hole in One challenge on Lake Taupo. Out of 25 balls, I managed to land 6 very close to the hole on the floating pontoon, 102metres out.

West Coast Beauty

Warren Williams — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:00:29 +0000

Spent much of the past week visiting several beaches, including taking an English friend to the tranquility of Whatipu near the mouth of the Manukau Harbour. Here’s just a snippet from the recent beach adventures:

Whatipu Beauty – Short walk from the gravel road

Whatipu Stream

Kat and Shirley shooting spiders in the gorse

Spent the following few days at Kat’s farm overlooking the hills of Bethells and Waitakere.

Sunset from the farm

More views over the hundreds of acres towards Bethells Beach

Ziggy on guard by the pool, amongst amazing lighting

Further rich skies over the farm and one of the houses with shearing shed

The following evening, Kat and I decided to head down to Bethells Beach, and capture some fun portraits before a couple of sunset landscapes.

Shaila & Rajiv’s Post Wedding Fun

Warren Williams — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:00:46 +0000

After being unable to shoot Shaila & Rajiv’s recent wedding, due to being in London for much of the past year, I was privileged enough to shoot some portraits of their families. The location was the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial near Mission Bay, overlooking the city and harbour. Shaila was beautifully adorned in her colourful sari, along with henna scribed over her hands and feet. Katrina was also along for some awesome creative shots herself, and occasionally lending her skill of holding the light reflector to make use of the golden evening light.

Shaila applying the final touches to her mum

Shaila with her brother and sister

Rajiv with his sister Suhani

Overlooking the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto Island

Katrina having some fun between shooting

Suhani

Rajiv’s mum – Saroj

Shaila’s younger sister, Shainal

Shaila’s lovely earring which was momentarily lost

Golden light at Okahu Bay

Orakei Wharf for sunset

Swaying down Orakei Wharf

Macro shot by Katrina

Mokoroa Falls, Waitakere

Warren Williams — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:00:52 +0000

On the morning of a scheduled evening shoot, Kat and I decided to walk down to the beautiful falls of Mokoroa. Located just a 20min stroll from the end of Kat’s road, the recently upgraded track offers a brilliant sight into some rarely touched Waitakere Ranges beauty. Being mid summer, the water flow was a little low, but will increase as winter approaches, and no doubt capture some more shots.

View from down below

Houheria Stream and waterfall

Kat holding a stick insect

View from lookout

Makeup Portfolio Shoot – Sam Steel

Warren Williams — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:30:36 +0000

Kat was chosen by one of her fellow makeup artists, Sam Steel, to shoot his portfolio amongst the backdrop of urban Auckland. Whilst Kat was directing the models, I was taking some candids, whilst also making good use of the light reflector.

Kat in action, down by Fort Street

Contrasting light

Rush hour on the busy Queen St/Customs St intersection

Waiting his turn

Making use of colour

In the jungle on Queen St

Sam Steel in action

Stealing a Vespa for a prop

Trapped

180° panoramic from roof of Quest Apartments, Auckland

Maori Bay – Fish n Chups

Warren Williams — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:30:36 +0000

Well as any good kiwi would, Katrina and I headed off to Maori Bay, loaded with some snapper and chips, to devour along with a great strawberry milkshake from the takeaway in Kumeu. (A great personal recommendation from Kat). After the great meal on the rocky shore, it was time to take a few snaps of the setting sun, before finally doing a 15 minute exposure after dark.

Kat, silhouetted against the sunset at Maori Bay

HDR of Maori Bay

15 minute exposure after dark

Wonderful Waters of Whangarei Falls & Uretiti

Warren Williams — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:00:12 +0000

Driving back from Kaikohe to Auckland, we decided to detour slightly to the Whangarei Falls for lunch, followed by an afternoon swim at Uretiti.

Self portrait, within a wave at Uretiti Beach

Kat after our swim

Warren & Kat, shot by younger sister Candace

Tane Mahuta – Lord of the Forest

Warren Williams — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:15:22 +0000

Standing an impressive 51 metres tall, Tane Mahuta is New Zealand’s largest known Kauri. The trunk girth is even more impressive at 13.77m, with its estimated age being somewhere between 1,200 to 2,500 years old. Tane Mahuta is just one of the many large Kauri’s around the Waipoua forest, north of Dargaville. We made a little road trip with Katrina, youngest sister Candace, cousin Nicole, and her new daughter, Kayleigh.

Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest)

Roof structure, amongst the dense NZ vegetation

Kayleigh

Nicole, Candace & Katrina, with Kayleigh

Fern frond

Driving back to Kaikohe, I shot a few photos of the family dog and Kayleigh with Nicole and Katrina

Katrina

Wild Piha

Warren Williams — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:57:54 +0000

Settling back into New Zealand life, Katrina and I decided to venture out to the west coast beach of Piha. The strong westerly breeze brought in some quickly changing conditions, resulting in some dramatic sun beams as the sun was setting over the Piha swell.

Kat, treading on water

High tide over a gloomy Piha