Highlands (2022)
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I had long wanted to take photographs from a helicopter. I have no idea why, it’s just always been one of those things that seem like a fun thing to do. So, having woken early full of excitement and then signing a form saying I wouldn’t touch anything, follow all the pilots instructions while ensuring my pockets were zipped up, we took off. What made this trip even more thrilling was the fact that the helicopter had no door. It had been taken off so I could get cleaner, clearer shots without any annoying windows or glass being in the way. I don’t think I have ever gripped my cameras so tightly and been so grateful to be wearing a harness in all my life. Flying through the air with nothing between myself and the Pacific Ocean 1000 feet below, it was wonderful! It was as we reached Blackhead Beach that I hoped I would spot someone I knew, then I would be able to say ‘I just photographed the top of your head!’
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And so on to St Clair we flew. We arrived at around nine thirty in the morning in beautiful sunshine. The day had broken fine and the streets were quiet, the occasional car leisurely making its way through the placid suburban streets that backed onto the beach. I’d spent most of my life living in Dunedin and thought I knew it reasonably well, but a city can take on a whole new complexion when viewed from the air.
John's Blog https://blog.caswellimages.com/
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By the time we reached the Hot Salt Water Pool, a public facility perched on the end of a rocky point sitting below a line of cliffs, I was quite amazed. There were all sorts of patterns and textures, shapes and colours, some natural features and some made by man. Some of the features showed the wear and tear of time while other features like the seaweed growing off the rocks and the contrasting blues of the water made the whole area sparkle in a rugged, less than perfect kind of way.
John's Blog https://blog.caswellimages.com/
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Among the many hundreds of things that have come a long way in Dunedin since my arrival to the city in November 1978, unfortunately my golf game isn’t one of them. If we could drain the ocean around Lawyers Head, (particularly on the left hand side from the ninth tee) I’m sure most of the golf balls found would in fact be mine!
John's Blog https://blog.caswellimages.com/
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Finding myself looking over the Otago Peninsula and back up Otago Harbour I was astounded by the length and shape of the Harbour, but then again, I always am. Many years ago when I had returned to Dunedin after living overseas, one of the most enjoyable parts of my day was being able to drive around the harbour and the peninsula. I remember reading somewhere that it's’ like a beckoning finger lying between the Pacific Ocean and the harbour. I prefer to think of Robbie Burns' ‘My heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go.’
John's Blog https://blog.caswellimages.com/
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Further on, having crossed the Otago Peninsula we started to track the coastline back towards Macandrew Bay. The whole place looked stunningly pretty with long views down to the blue sea, bordered with majestic shades of green, separated only by a road that snaked its way along the base of the land by the sea shore. Perhaps it was the time of day, the weather or the sense of experiencing the world from a different view but it seemed perfect. The land rolling down to the water in splendid hues of colour. I could have looked at it for hours.
John's Blog https://blog.caswellimages.com/
The latest print price guide: https://bit.ly/3oLw9OI
We crossed the harbour and headed back to the hangar via a fly over the heart of the city, the Octagon. It looked quiet with a handful of cars scattered about, buildings of all ages stood at strange angles to accommodate the geographical shape that makes up the area. Ever since I was a child, I had always wanted to see the place from such a view, and now I had. You could see all the big main features of the city like the Town Hall, The Catherdral, The Central Library, along with all the other smaller buildings that were tucked into narrow alleyways. Everything was exactly the way that it seemed. And that was just fine with me.
John's Blog https://blog.caswellimages.com/
The latest print price guide: https://bit.ly/3oLw9OI
John's Blog https://blog.caswellimages.com/
The latest print price guide: https://bit.ly/3oLw9OI
John's Blog https://blog.caswellimages.com/
The latest print price guide: https://bit.ly/3oLw9OI
