First Women Photographers in NZ

Recently I had a chance meeting with a young man in a mens’ fashion boutique in Newmarket; Thomas Thew who told me his Great Grandmother was one of the first women photographers in New Zealand. I decided to do some research and discovered that his Grandmother and another  woman were indeed our first women photographers.

I believe Elizabeth Pullman started  practising as a photographer 6-8 years before Harriet Cobb. It doesn’t appear that these two women knew each other  however their stories have many similarities. This camera was similar to Harriet Cobbs precious camera   bought to NZ on the Lady Jocelyn.  It was a Dallmeyer made in London. Continue reading

Westfield Newmarket rolls out the future

Recently I was issued with hobnail boots, a high vis jacket and a hard hat for a tour of the biggest project undertaken in New Zealand.  Sean Nash, Project Manager and Dorita Munro the Community Relations Manager, took me up to the top dome area via the scaffolding to inspect this massive  construction site.

Westfield, Newmarket is undergoing a total reconstruction. If you think a knee reconstruction is major, take a look at this project.

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Photographer Melanie Burford

Introducing New Zealand’s only Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Melanie Burford. Some of you will be fascinated to see how life after the Pulitzer has unfolded, others will be captivated by this talented woman.  My sincere thanks to Melanie for sharing her thoughts on things photographic.

When I first met you as a young photographer I recall you working for The Evening Post newspaper in New Zealand. Your father John is a well known New Zealand photographer and you looked to be following in his footsteps. Within a few years you were off working in Dallas, Texas as a newspaper photographer. A dream job for a young New Zealand woman. Continue reading

Escaping Auckland for 3 days

The Hokianga is one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets.  Colonial New Zealand, Maori Culture, scenery, ancient forests and surprises around every other corner, it isn’t always the destination but the journey. I have travelled this road numerous times and every time I discover new sights. It is a bonus to end up  in the Bay of Islands.

Recently I took an American photographer on a three day roadie north – she was not disappointed. This is a photographic  journey; enjoy. Continue reading

Fancy a White Christmas?

Jackson Hole in Wyoming can almost guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Jac, as the locals call it, is about 2,000 metres (6,000) feet above the valley floor. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, a short drive from Jac, boasts one of the longest, steepest continuous vertical drops of any ski area in North America. When you see it, you realise why people come here.

I don’t ski, so why did I come? Jac offers plenty for the non skier too –

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My Letters to New Zealand from San Francisco – 1968,69

In 1968 I arrived in San Francisco to nanny for an influential and affluent American family; they had ten children. I was to be in charge of the six youngest. They had a Japanese cook, a cleaner and a driver so I was pretty much the caregiver for the children ; driving them to and from school when required , shopping for their clothes at   ” I Magnin’s Department Store”, dressing them for dinner party appearances etc. The older children were away at boarding school. The home was three-storied with two sets of stairs in the beautiful Nob Hill area. In fact the street was made famous in the Steve McQueen movie BullittIt was filmed in and around San Francisco in late April 1968. It featured a tremendous amount of on-location filming. Best remembered for the car-chase. One of the film’s scenic location shots (there are many) is of a house at 2700 Vallejo Street, at the corner of Vallejo and Divisadero in the Pacific Heights section of the city.

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Steam Punks, Steam Trains and Al Pacas!

ˈstiːmpʌŋk/

noun

a genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and typically features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology.

a style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction.

“the essence of steampunk is homage to vintage fashion with a modern, sassy twist”  Continue reading

How was the food in China?

Whenever I return from China I am  asked “how was the food?” The food is fabulous; not every dish suits the western palette but most do. Don’t be put off visiting China because of the food, that would be a big mistake. Spicy food doesn’t agree with me and if you also have a delicate constitution then watch out for the chillies.

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Allerton Garden Photo Tour – Kauai Island

Allerton Garden on the lush green Island of Kauai in Hawaii is a must see for any garden lover. 80 acres of lush tropical trees and flowers with surprise sculptures around many corners. The Allerton is one of 3 Botanic Gardens on Kauai. This picturesque setting has been used in a number of films and TV shows, including South Pacific, Jurassic park, Magnum PI, Starsky & Hutch and Donovan’s Reef.       Continue reading

Honolulu secret gem…

Honolulu’s best kept secret is the Museum of Modern Art – an $11.00 Uber fare from Waikiki! So when the salt, sand, humidity and heat on the beach get too much, grab a cab to one of the best art galleries I’ve visited in ages – air con makes it a pleasant escape from the humidity too. There is a cafe and excellent restaurant; calm amongst the chaos. PhotoCourtyard Honolulu Museum of Modern Art.

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