TAKEN FRIDAY 24 APRIL 2020
I don’t think of all the misery - but the beauty that still remains.
- ANNE FRANK
Amongst the sadness of a scorched, singed landscape - I see a beauty still. The hillside will be replanted. Papatuanuku will heal.
NGARUNUI BEACH SCRUB FIRE - RAGLAN
TAKEN ON THURSDAY 23 APRIL 2020
This scrub fire on the cliffs covered in pampas and cabbage trees - started around 9pm on Wednesday 22 April.
These photos are taken on my morning walk, around 7.30am the next morning… still burning, but under control and after a entire day and two helicopters dousing the flames with monsoon buckets - the fire was finally out.
Very grateful for the Raglan Volunteer Firefighters for leaving their bubbles in Level 4 lockdown to fight this fire.
Feeling relieved our beloved pine forest above didn’t catch alight…
MY SOLO MISH TO THE BIG SMOKE
I had 2 nights without the kids - in the week - I never get this, so I decided to head up to Auckland, I wanted to visit some framers, explore a bit and take lots of photos (of course). I also got to really catch up with 3 of my best friends too - it’s different when it’s just you, no kids (or hubbies)...
I don't use my phone to find my way around places - I like to kind of know my way, learn it, remember it. But after a few dead ends and an accidental crossing of the harbour bridge, I gave in to the fact that google-maps was my friend. I do love getting a little bit lost though - it’s a great way of discovering new places!
So I wanted to capture alternative angles of some Auckland icons - so under the Auckland Harbour Bridge seemed like a good start. Northcote side was restricted but Westhaven Marina offered great views and 3 hours free parking (free parking in central Auckland - I know right?!!).
I was loving the greyness, the windy wild day - as there was kind of no one around. All rugged up with music in my ears I mozied around under the bridge and along by the marina. At one stage I decided to take my earphones out, as I realised it was probably really noisy where I was - and yup, the sound of the traffic above me was so loud, constant, I felt so small underneath this massive, strong, manmade structure - it was quite humbling.
I wanted some pics of the Sky Tower, so I headed towards the CBD, I spotted Victoria Park Market - yes, some old and new. I parked along a side street, and walked along getting close ups of old brick buildings, moss growing, ‘weathered-ness’, I could feel passersby looking at me, probably wondering why I was up so close to the walls taking photos of all the crustiness haha.
Keen for some photos right up under the skytower I headed right into downtown Auckland... the optimistic country-bumpkin in me was just expecting an easy park right beside the skytower - yeah right, haa. Then, as I waited in traffic, stuck for like 2 minutes at some lights - it occurred to me I was literally right under it and that was my free (and easy) park! So I quickly snapped a couple of pics with my big cam and my phone - that was going to be as good as it gets on my trip this time - what a lucky moment.
Friday morning’s plans included visiting a framer, a cuppa date with one of my oldest (as in time, not age!) and bestest friends, followed by one of my most fave places in Auckland - the Wintergardens. It was a perfect day for it too, stormy and cold, 4 seasons in one day actually - typical Auckland weather. There was rain, hail, sunshine, thunder and lightning.
I hung round for hours capturing what I saw, from big graphic views, looking up in these old majestic glasshouses, to the little mossy corners and puddle reflections. I had to drag myself away, as I had a big trip ahead of me to get back and pick up my girls and then head home to Raglan.
I felt inspired, rejuvenated and reconnected.
Thanks Auckland - see you again soon.
PS - the graininess in some of my pics, is a result of me using my manual settings on my digital camera - I’m retraining myself, testing settings, preparations for using my film cameras again! (exciting)
music.
As I've mentioned before, music is a big part of my artistic journey - here is what I was listening to as I captured some of the pics below (seems I was loving the old school music!):
Under the bridge: Tiefschwarz ‘Some people’
Wintergardens: Linkin Park (in dedication, just after Chester Bennington's death) and Goldenhorse (to lift the mood!)
connect.
If you want to see more of my journey, buy some of my work or get in touch - links below...
instagram g.design_photo
facebook gdesignprints
email geb@g-design.co.nz
website www.g-design.co.nz
All photos by Geraldine Burns, g. DESIGN ltd Copyright 2017
Taken on 20 / 21 July 2017
TOKU HAERE - MY JOURNEY
So I’m up at 3.45am - yesterday was the winter solstice, the shortest day, which I think means I’m currently in the longest night (and it kinda seems it).
Every so often, I have nights where I wake, then I toss and turn and I just can’t get back to sleep. My mind, at the best of times is a busy one - a wee factory of thoughts, humming round my head - but sometime it’s kinda filled to the brim, which gets a little overwelming.
I have creative thoughts and ideas constantly.
I try to write them in my journal - but a lot of them probably get thought, then fly off into nowhereland. Sometimes I rethink them and note them down and then every so often, I action them.
I’m not really an ‘action’ kinda person though. More of a dreamer, a thinker (sometimes an overthinker).
So I’m up out of bed and trying to use this time wisely, and get some of these thoughts out, so I can sleep!
Anyway, toku haere - my journey.
As an artist - this is the essence, what I want to share with you. The world as I see it, captured through my camera.
I try to capture a mood, I want my photos to provoke feelings. The world is so visual to me - I constantly want to record what I see and share it.
The way I’m doing this mostly these days - is through Instagram, it’s such a great platform for me to share my journey visually, and some thoughts too (in the form of hashtags!)
With my trusty little phone - I can record my daily journey, sometimes it’s just around my house, sometimes a little more adventurous and out and about in the big wide world. And in some cases, I capture it with my ‘big camera’ - allowing me to create artworks from the images.
So, right now I feel like my journey is at a bit of a crossroads. I’m feeling a little overwelmed and lost. I’m wondering where to go from here...
With my baby about to start school (!!) - I feel like I’m about to head into a new chapter of my life. And in 6 months, I’m turning 40 too, forty. Ahhhh - I remember very clearly my mum turning 40. Anyway, I’m trying to embrace it haha - a new chapter HERE WE COME!
I will stop blabbing now - but before I do, I want to share a little list of things that I want to action soon. And maybe sharing these things with you all, will make me accountable. Here goes:
exhibition - October
new print range
analogue (film) photography
set up darkroom
I have put together some of my fave Instagram images below to add a bit of visual goodness - enjoy!
Connect
If you want to see more of my journey, buy some of my work or get in touch - links below...
instagram g.designltd
facebook gdesignprints
email geb@g-design.co.nz
website www.g-design.co.nz
All photos by Geraldine Burns, g. DESIGN ltd Copyright 2017
THE LAST DAY OF AUTUMN 2017
I’ve decided to start doing blog posts of my photo adventures - I take so many photos and then don’t share half of them, plus I often have a story to share about these photos, experiences that are part of my visual journey - the kind of day it was, my mood, the music that inspired me that day (this is a biggie), the weather (a biggie too) and things like that.
I am not in any way a words person - I’m a visual person, so please look more at the images! hehe.
ENJOY!
This is my morning adventure on the last day of autumn 2017.
It’s a crisp and clear day in Raglan... I’m all ready for an ‘exercise walk’ along the beach - but my plans change and I head up into the pine forest on an adventure instead.
Music in my ears and camera round my neck - my happy place.
Music seems to sway my thoughts - words stand out, and melodies inspire.
I have this place to myself. The light is magical.
I emerge out of the trees and spot the sea from up high - it’s breathtaking.
Through the paddocks, taking in the sea views then walking inland. I get to a paddock with cows - I’m on the stile and I need to walk to the next stile that the cows are right next to. They all get to their feet and are all staring my way... now I’m feeling a little bit anxious! I take my headphones off and they’re all mooing at me. Hmmm, maybe not - I don’t think these staunch cows are so keen to let me through.
So I turn back, thinking - I’ll just go back through the pines again then! But I end up going through gates and other paddocks instead - PHEW, I escaped the mad cows.
Walking along the grass, in my own little world, music blarring.
I turn to my right and see my favourite view appear - looking north up the coast, this makes me smile.
Across to Wainui Reserve and down the walkway to the beach.
The feeling when I get to the beach is CALM and it’s so warm, so I kick my shoes off and walk through the sand barefoot.
date: 31 May 2017
place: Raglan, pine forest above Wainamu Beach, Wainui Reserve, Ngarunui Beach
weather: clear, sunny, warm, windy up top, cold in the shade
music: (songs that stood out) damien rice / volcano, radiohead / bends
mood: inspired, confident, at peace
All images by Geraldine Burns, g. DESIGN ltd Copyright 2017
Greens and blues and sun flares!
Raglan wedding - Jesse & James' SNEAK PEEK...
The weather kept us guessing on this autumn day in Raglan (I like to think the drizzle was keeping everything looking fresh). The surf was going off and we had the best view from a stunning property in Whale Bay.
This beautiful bride is someone I'm lucky enough to call a friend and I was also so excited to finally be photographing my good friend Ange's incredible floral work - this wedding was her masterpiece!
My fave local cafe Rock-it was transformed into Jesse's vision, with a long table and suspended bottles of white hydrangeas - it was magical!
Jesse & James' wedding was elegant, sophisticated and classic and ran so smoothly - which made for a relaxed and happy day.
...oh and that dress!
Wedding vendors included:
Floral design by Leef Floral Design
Make up by Raglan Beauty Studio
Reception venue & catering Rock-it Kitchen Raglan
Reception chairs Event Essentials
Cake by Irma Schutte
Event planning by Amanda Fitzsimmons
VIRTUAL EXHIBITIONS LAUNCH!
So this is my new baby.... Virtual Exhibitions!
Virtual Exhibitions are monthly online exhibitions featuring my Fine Art Photography. Artworks (3 of them this month) will be offered at a discounted price if ordered within the month of the exhibition... they will still be available to buy after that month, at full price.
These fine art pieces are super exclusive, only 7 of each image will be produced and sold!
They are professionally printed and framed - in a range of sizes and frame colour options chosen by MEEEE the artist.
Each month I will showcase a new set of images - some months I might have a theme of some kind (a place, colours etc), some months it may be completely random. Follow my Facebook and Instagram page to keep in the loop about these exhibitions and spread the word!
Please check out my first September Virtual Exhibition here - a set of 3 images captured over winter, my favourite time of the year to photograph my favourite place... Raglan :-)
Hope you're having a great week!
Geraldine x
WEBSITE LAUNCH!
YAAAAY. Today is the day - my new website is LIVE!
First day of spring 2016 - new beginnings, oooh the things to come... watch this space!
And watch out for another launch next week - a new project which is our Virtual Exhibitions, so exciting!
Welcome to my long-awaited website, have a look, spread the word!
Arohanui x
BLOG POST #1.
AHHHH - my first blog post EVER!
So I am writing this even before I launch my website... which I am aiming to do on the 1st September 2016 - just a few days away.
Start of spring... new beginnings - what better time to launch my new website. Yes I finally have a website YAY!
In the words of the old NZ TV ad from Mainland cheese (ooooh and I LOVE cheese):
"GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME".
So, here goes! :-)