Wellington City, "coolest little capital in the world" - Cam Theme - 55

Wellington has been named the " coolest little capital in the world" by travel guide publisher Lonely Planet.
It has also ranked Wellington as the 4th top city in the world to visit in 2011. 


This panorama shot of Wellington city is a stitched photo of three and cropped. 
You'll have to click on it if you want to appreciate it in a larger view

Welling city panorama - morning light

There are 11 photo sets in this "CAM" series and one guest photo.
If you would like to see more images of Wellington  - click on the labels tab at the bottom of this blog

Click on any image for a larger view.

Previous posts can be viewed by clicking on the "BLOG ARCHIVE" section to the right.
If there is a particular subject you would like to see - it just may already be on my blog.
Check the top right of this main page to search it out.

this is a view across the Bay from Oriental Parade where the glass facades reflect early morning sunlight on the city and water.

I only noticed the rowers gliding over the reflection in the water (on the right hand side of the photo) when looking at it on my screen

From Oriental Bay looking over towards the northern end of Wellington city - focusing on the port entrance next to the Westpac Stadium reflecting early morning light.

The three gantry cranes a prominent feature...

Having driven into the city to collect my mail, this is an early morning view of downtown Wellington on Customhouse Quay

This is a view of part of the "coolest little Capital city in the world" from the Planetarium side of the Botanical Gardens, over the city of Wellington and Oriental Bay to the vista of the Orongorongo and Tararua mountain ranges.

The dark building on the far right is the second tallest building in Wellington

This is a view of Bolton street, Wellington after leaving the Botanic Gardens from the rose garden side.

The bridge in the foreground is one of many that cross over the central city motorway.

At the bottom of Bolton street it joins The Terrace.

Where once there were more than 10 000 acres of sky to view, the developments of a growing city now shows part of the new Inland Revenue Department (IRD) building

Lambton Quay is the heart of Wellington city's business district in the "coolest little Capital city in the world".

Lambton quay is where you would take the famous Wellington cable car up to the Botanic Gardens

The new Supreme Court building was built beside and expanded into the old High court building on Molesworth street.
Prince William formally opened this building on 18 January 2010

I was on a car park rooftop at The Terrace, looking down on Lambton Quay when the colours of these neon art windows caught my eye.

This is a ten-panel neon 'sculpture' by Paul Hartigan entitled, "Whipping the Wind". You'll find it on the corner of Ballance Street where it meets Lambton Quay. Part of the Supreme Court building can be seen just to the left of this pic.

At the end of the day in Wellington, nothing beats a stroll along Oriental Parade on a balmy evening.

This photo shows the lights of the Fisherman's Table restaurant reflected in the waters of the Bay.

GUEST PHOTO: ...




On my earlier Cam Theme of Candid Black and White Photos of People, Yvonne sent me some pics that reminded her of some candid photos she had taken. I couldn't decide which ones I liked best so decided to put up two  pics she sent me, since I like them both.

... :GUEST PHOTO

Candid Black & White Photos of People - Cam Theme - 54

I was recently inspired by a You Tube video I saw of black and white photographs set to music - and wondered how some candid practice shots of mine would look on this blog.

Candid photography needs to be done quickly, so you can capture that moment which drew you to it in the first place. This often means that 'technique' plays second fiddle to 'impulse'.

One thing I've learnt when taking candid photos is: set your ISO to 400 - the photos wont be so blurred when you raise your camera in a hurry to get that all important shot.
Don't have the ability to set your camera to 400? No problem, just choose High ISO instead.
If you don't like the results, change it back to what suits. Give it a go though and see what happens...

Oh, and try not to have your flash on when you are taking candid photos of people.
Giving a friendly smile (to the unsuspecting subject should they realise they indeed ARE the subject) can often be helpful too.

There are 11 photo sets in this "CAM" series and one guest photo.
If you would like to see all images of Candid Black & White photos  - click on the label at the bottom of this post

Click on any image for a larger view.

Previous posts can be viewed by clicking on the "BLOG ARCHIVE" section to the right.
If there is a particular subject you would like to see - it just may already be on my blog.
Check the top right of this main page to search it out.

I'm looking at her,

-

looking at the artwork

 -

on the gallery wall -

 -

wondering what

 -

she is making of it all.
 -
 -

In Wakefield, at the memorial, I saw this couple deep in conversation. I was far enough away not to be an eavesdropper, so used the lens to bring them closer.

I like this pic because it makes me think...

I just like this one of a couple walking hand in hand with their dog on the beach.
(Ok, their dog isn't walking hand in hand with them - but you know what I mean... :-)

It is a cropped photo, so the focus stays where I want it to.

On a tour of Singapore, we visited a Mosque.

This scene lends itself perfectly for a black and white photo.

Whilst it could be considered intrusive, it definitely isn't invasive.

The beach is another public arena where it's ok to walk around with a camera without being considered 'weird'.

We noticed this kid being a little water-wary, but soon gaining confidence from the wisdom of its grandparent.

Another fortuitous candid shot...
- and far too many unintentional "w's" in the wording of this post :-)

I am a frequent flyer, but haven't forked out for one of those cosy airport lounge subscriptions.
It's far more interesting to 'hover with the masses' - especially with my camera.

Too engrossed in their techno-world, this couple didn't even notice me taking their photo.
I just hope they don't mind me posting it here...

Oriental Parade - the waterfront in Wellington...

My wife and I were sitting on the bench eating icecream, looking out over the harbour towards the city. (yes, we do actually get some lovely days in Wellington - despite some visitors to our fair city noticing the wind).

If it hadn't been for the seagull flying in to see if it could get a scrap of our 'food', I probably wouldn't have seen the lady next door as a photo-opportunity...

Sometimes it's nice to be the front seat passenger with a camera in hand for a change - as opposed to the driver with a camera in hand!

We pulled up to the traffic lights (thankfully red) so I could quickly take this candid photo. The lady was so engrossed in her book she didn't even notice. But I was ready to give her a BIG smile if she did happen to look up and see me taking her photo.

What's a man to do when his wife has found a curio shop full of goodies to peruse?
I left her in the shop and waited in the courtyard. Then I saw this guy...

Was he a non-shopping bored husband, the shop owner, just a people watcher, or a deep thinker?

That's what makes it interesting to me.

A busker is usually always keen to be photographed (just make sure you add a few more coins to the donation) and thank them.

While this guitar playing person is the focus of the picture, the lights of the subway walls draw the eye to the end - leaving one wondering what lies beyond. Well, at least it does in my mind...

This photo was over with in a matter of seconds. I saw him in the subway tunnel, raised my camera, grinned, he nodded  "yes" (or at least, I think that's what he meant), I took the photo, emptied the coins of my wallet into his guitar-case as I said "thank you", then carried on walking.

Perhaps it was rude not to stop and enjoy his music for a bit...

GUEST PHOTO: ...



What better way to end off this Cam Theme with something totally the opposite...

This one was taken by Ray Theron from Australia who's photo's inspired THIS blog - but the vivid colour of the phone booth was captured when he was in São Paulo, Brazil, last year.
Check out Ray's site for more stunning photos from around the world.

Guest Photo: Ray Theron

                                                                                                   ... :GUEST PHOTO

ANZAC and Atatürk Memorial - Cam Theme - 53

ANZAC - Australia New Zealand Army Corps

Every year - on the 25th April, ANZAC Day is commemorated in many towns and cities.
At war Memorials, wreaths and red poppies have become a feature of these services.

poppies are a symbol of ANZAC commemoration

ANZAC commemorates the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli, Turkey - on 25 April 1915 - as well as those who lost their lives during WWI.

Here in Wellington, on the south coast, is Ataturk Memorial Park - a conjuncture between three countries - to honour - and never forget ("Lest we forget")



There are 12 photo sets in this "CAM".
If you would like to see all images of Ataturk Memorial - click on the label at the bottom of this post

Click on any image for a larger view.

Previous posts can be viewed by clicking on the "BLOG ARCHIVE" section to the right.
If there is a particular subject you would like to see - it just may already be on my blog.
Check the top right of this main page to search it out.

I had to get down quite low to the pebbled ground for this photo.


The Memorial comprises:
a marble crescent,
a bust of Atatürk,
and soil from Anzac Cove.

ANZAC Memorial - Wellington

This was unveiled on Anzac Day 1990.

from the website of Culture and Heritage:
" The Memorial is an outcome of an agreement between the Turkish, Australian and New Zealand governments. In 1984, Australia asked Turkey if the cove on the Gallipoli peninsula could be renamed Anzac Cove in memory of the Australian and New Zealand troops who died there in 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign of World War One. The Turkish Government agreed to change the cove's name from Ari Burnu and also built a large monument to all those who died in the campaign. In return, the Australian and New Zealand governments agreed to build monuments in Canberra and Wellington to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who served as a divisional commander at Gallipoli and went on to become the first president of modern Turkey".

THE ANZAC MEMORIAL

" Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives...
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore, rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side,
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries...
Wipe away your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land, they have
Become our sons as well".  -  A tribute to the memory of the ANZAC's
by M. Kemal Atatürk, 1934
(Founder of the Turkish Republic in 1923)

quote by M. Kemal Atatürk, 1934

and, interestingly enough...

Beneath this star is placed a container of soil from Anzac Cove Gallipoli, Turkey.

Standing at the Ataturk Memorial Park

this is the view out on towards Tarakena Bay

and the car park on Moa Point road...

from Ataturk Memorial looking down on Moa Point road

The site for this Ataturk Memorial Park was chosen because the landscape here, resembles a striking likeness to the landscape of the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Ataturk Memorial in Wellington NZ

standing at the base of the plaque that was laid on 26 April 1990

this is the view of the monument

sculpured portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

The sculpured portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as part of the Memorial.

This, the man - who drew up the defence plans for the Gallipoli Peninsula,
using the Ottoman troops during World War I

and the man who went on to become the founder and the first president of modern Turkey

Standing at the plaque to Ataturk (in the photo below)

and looking right - this was the view...

view from Atatürk memorial over Cook Strait

This plaque at the Ataturk Memorial honouring Kemal Ataturk was unveiled
on 26 April 1990

 plaque at the Ataturk Memorial

It lies to the side of the actual memorial tower,

yet still forms part of it

Transcript:

"ATATURK MEMORIAL PARK AND MONUMENT

To honour the memory of 

MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATURK

Defender of Gallipoli, Founder and first President of modern Turkey

This headland and adjacent foreshore was named

Ataturk Memorial Park by His Excellency Mr Vahit Halefoglu

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Turkey

on 29 April 1985

The monument honouring Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

was unveiled by His Excellency Mr Lutfullah Kayalar

Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Turkey

on 26 April 1990"

entrance to Wellington harbour - as seen from Ataturk Memorial

Atop the Ataturk Memorial

looking towards Eastbourne in the distance

and the foreground showing Breaker Bay

with the smaller bays of Palmer, Reef, Flax  and Eve



Click on the label at the bottom of this post to see all photos in the series

.

 entrance to Wellington harbour

At the Ataturk Memorial -

on the ridge above Tarakena Bay -

the entrance to Wellington harbour

 looking NNE towards the inner Wellington harbour

walking behind the Ataturk Memorial I found these plants flowering
an interesting contrast to the solid structure of the Memorial

This is looking NNE towards the inner harbour

 rear view of the Ataturk Memorial

The rear view of the Ataturk Memorial -

looking south,

where it looks out over Cook Strait.

Wellington Waterlily's - Cam Theme - 52

Every city, I'm sure, has a Botanic Garden/s...
Wellington, New Zealand is no different.

In our Botanic garden - you will find a number of interesting sub and themed gardens.
The Lady Norsewood Rose garden is a popular area and starting pont for an afternoon of walking the tracks to explore and find some interesting corners - maybe even a few sculptures - some new, some old, and definitely some famous...

The Gardens themselves began in 1844, and were established in 1865 - even growing in size by the 1870's. Nowadays, definitely worth a visit at any time of the year.

At the Begonia House you'll find a café and two sections - one for tropical plants (which incorporates the waterlily pond) and another for temperate plants - namely many types of Begonias, but that will be another CAM-theme...

Enjoy this 'trip' of pictures of waterlily's from the Begonia House waterlily pond...

There are a number of photo sets in this "CAM" and one guest pic.
Click on any image for a larger view.
Previous posts can be viewed by clicking on the "BLOG ARCHIVE" section to the right.
If there is a particular subject you would like to see - it just may already be on my blog.
Check the top right of this main page to search it out.

please feel free to comment on any image...
HOW? ...(right click on the comment link and open it up in a new tab or window.
Alternatively, wait for the entire page to load in your browser then click on the comments link) 

This blog post will have a few double pictures to some posts.

I was enamoured with the striking colour and vibrancy of the blue waterlily.




Some of them - even beckoning me to lean far over the water to explore them further with my camera and balance...

I like how the leaves/pads of the waterlily seem to hover on the water in seemingly perpetual motion, but going nowhere...

I thought I would try and get a different perspective of the waterlily pond in the Begonia House of the Wellington botanic gardens...

Leaning over at a precarious angle, nearly got me tipped into the pond.
Thankfully, my wife was near enough to grab me by my belt...


.

Another set of two choices...

These white waterlily's are nowhere near the huge size of the giant Amazon waterlily species - I think they must flower at another time of the year in the Begonia House, so will have to return at some stage to capture them with my lens.

simplicity is a single yellow waterlily...

These are closer up photos of the lily's you'll see in the next post.

Again, I couldn't decide which of the two white waterlily photos I prefer, so include them both...

.

A nice little meander - around the Begonia House's waterlily pond.

Interestingly enough, and depending on what season of the year you visit the Wellinton botanic gardens, the pond is heated between 23 and 27 degrees celcius...

Very cosy for the myriad of tropical fish in the pond who's job it is to keep the algae down.
I wonder what happens to them if they don't keep the algae in the pond down?

I'm not sure about this photo of the waterlily pads...

Well... there were no frogs (or fairies) to be seen frolicking that day in the Begonia House's Waterlily Pond.