2018 through my lens

In the final Lens-Artists photo challenge for 2018, Ann-Christine asks us to review our photos of the past year and share some favourites.

There are threads that run through all my photography: preferred subjects, lenses, and styles of composition. Food, flowers, beaches and art are always well-represented in the archive.

The first plums harvested from our tree. Image: Su Leslie 2018

My enjoyment of food photography is a natural extension of my passion for food. What I like best about the shot above is that it was my first (and only) “take.” I don’t have a dedicated studio, and have to construct a set-up for every shoot. Because I’ve done the close-up-on-black-background style of photography before, I was able to set this up really quickly and got the shot I wanted first time.

What’s not to love about dramatic landscapes?

Manukau Heads, from Huia. Auckland, New Zealand. Su Leslie 2018

Old garage, Whangaehu, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Morning walk, Greenhithe. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Or beautiful flowers?

Fun with flowers. Image: Su Leslie

I like the shots below because they not only remind me of a great visit to Sydney to indulge in my passion for art, but about being in the right place at the right time.

Wei Wang, Walking. Sculpture by the Sea, 2018. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Viktor Freso, Niemand. Sculpture by the Sea, 2018. Image: Su Leslie 2018

This year, my interest in art has taken a new direction with an on-going commission to photograph the life of a friend’s art studio. Because it’s both a working and teaching space, I have suddenly found myself learning to take portraits — not only of a dear friend but also the many students she teaches, and a couple of events the studio has hosted.

Young talent. My young friend Aiko performing at her mother’s book launch. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Su Leslie 2018

I’ve chosen the portraits above, not because I think they are necessarily great photos, but because they represent moments in women’s lives that I was privileged to be able to share.

My favourite photograph of 2018 is another portrait.

 

The Big T, with whom I’ve shared my life for 32 years, doesn’t generally like being photographed, so allowing me to point my camera at him is an act of generosity, if not love. For which I am really grateful.

The Big T. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Wishing you all a very happy and creative year ahead.

Monday Macro

Dill seed heads. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Older than the neighbours

Ferry terminal, Auckland. Designed by Alexander Wiseman and completed in 1912. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Not old by international standards — nor even amongst the earliest buildings in Auckland — but the Ferry Terminal is one of the few remaining stone buildings in a CBD increasingly crowded with steel and glass towers.

Posted to One Word Sunday | old

Abstract

The longer you look at an object, the more abstract it becomes, and, ironically, the more real.  —  Lucian Freud

Posted to Ragtag Daily Prompt | abstract

The beginning of the plum harvest

Posted to Six Word Saturday

The Changing Seasons, December 2018

Waiting for the music. Part of the tableau inspired by Katherine Mansfield’s “The Garden Party”, created in The Masfield Garden at Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

December has been another month of relative inactivity, with few photos added to my archive.

Unexplained pain in my right leg has kept me from traveling much (a visit to Hamilton Gardens notwithstanding) — or even walking far. A post-Christmas visit to the doctor is planned.

But beyond that, I seem to be living in a curious limbo. The Big T and I have talked for years of selling up and leaving Auckland, but while our enthusiasm for a life-change is undiminished, work, families and a host of other roadblocks have continually flung themselves in our path.

At times I feel I’m living in The Eagles’ “Hotel California” —

“… you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.”

The Mansfield Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

The reason for my visit Hamilton Gardens (apart from testing my pain threshold) was to see the newest creation — The Mansfield Garden  — named after New Zealand author Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923).

The garden recreates the setting of Mansfield’s short story The Garden Party (1922), complete with the facade of the family home, lawns, Ford Model T on the drive, a pond and a tennis court upon which a marquee has been erected to cover tables laden with carefully recreated facsimiles of the food described in the story.

Written a year before Mansfield’s death from pulmonary tuberculosis, The Garden Party tells the story of the wealthy Sheridan family as they prepare for, and host a garden party. During preparations, they learn that a working-class neighbour has died suddenly. While Laura, one of the Sheridan daughters, believes that the party should be canceled as a mark of respect, the rest of the family disagrees and the party goes ahead. Later Laura visits the dead man’s family with a basket of party leftovers, and is taken to see the body, laid out for the wake.

The story is seen as a reflection on Mansfield’s own impending death. She had been diagnosed with tuberculosis several years earlier, at the time considered a death sentence.

The Mansfield Garden is lovely; both as a recreation of the story’s setting, and as a beautiful space in its own right. It was incredibly busy when we were there, and the light was quite intense, so I took very few photos.

I guess I’ll need a return trip on a quieter, more overcast day.

Marquee on the tennis court. Part of the tableau of the Mansfield Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image Su Leslie 2018

Detail, Mansfield Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Mansfield Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image Su Leslie 2018

Ford Model T, Mansfield Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image Su Leslie 2018

Detail, Mansfield Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

• Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
  
• Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
• Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

• Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
• Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
• Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

Update

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Little Pieces of Me

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Mick at Mick’s Cogs

Deb at The Widow Badass Blog

Sarah at Art Expedition

Jude at Under a Cornish Sky

Tracy at Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Ju Lyn at All Things Bright and Beautiful

Friday flower

Agapanthus. Image: Su Leslie 2018

 

White

Image: Su Leslie 2018 (click to enlarge)

I noticed lots of hydrangeas flowering around Hamilton when we visited yesterday. Mainly blue, but I did spot these lovely creamy whites.

Image: Su Leslie 2018 (click to enlarge)

Posted to Ragtag Daily Prompt | white

Steampunk airship in garden — why not?

Floating steampunk airship, part of the Concept Garden at Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton, NZ. Image: Su Leslie

Posted to Six Word Saturday

Friday flowers

An inexplicably swollen ankle has kept me a bit house-bound the last few days, so I’m recycling a pohutukawa photo from last week — albeit with a bit of Xmas bokeh.

Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia

(Merry Christmas and a happy New Year)