NZPhotographer Issue 59, September 2022

Wairepo Arm
Canon 5DMKIV 70-200mm lens @ F11, 1/250s, ISO400, 160mm
One Saturday morning last July, I was lying in bed
just scrolling through my Facebook feed when a post
popped up about a hoar frost happening in Twizel.
I got really excited and did a bit more homework
and was told that the hoar frost should be around for
another three days or so. I knew I had to get down
there and photograph it; the one problem was that I
needed to get time off work, so I rang my boss to ask
for a week off, and he agreed, thank goodness.
It was a mad rush as I only had one hour to pack
my suitcase and camera bag, and then we were
on our way to Auckland airport to catch my flight
that evening. While my husband drove, I booked my
accommodation and rental car.
I arrived at Christchurch at 7pm and drove as
far south as I could that night. The next day I left
Geraldine at 6am and arrived at Twizel at 8.30am to a
magical site of hoar frost. I spent all day around Twizel
photographing the landscape that was covered in
ice. I got to my accommodation just on dark, I was
buggered! The next morning, I got up at daybreak
and went back out to photograph more of the hoar
frost. By early afternoon it was all gone.
I was very lucky to spend nearly two days
photographing a magical wonderland. I spent
the rest of the week travelling around the area,
photographing the landscape. I came home with
memory cards full of landscape images that have
become my favourite to date.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE KNOW ABOUT YOU OR
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?
I travel at least once, if not twice a year, to the South
Island. I don’t really like big crowds and prefer to go
to places where there are fewer people. I have seen
a lot of New Zealand, but I still have so much more
to see. I love how diverse our landscape is and that
both islands are so different. I think there will be a time
when I’m ready to start travelling overseas, but for
now, I’m happy to stay here and capture more New
Zealand landscapes.
ANY INSPIRATIONAL WORDS TO LEAVE US
WITH?
Well, I’m not sure if these words are inspirational, but
they have helped me to get to where I am today.
Photography is an art; it is your art. Do it your way,
and don’t worry about other people’s thoughts.
Photograph what makes you happy; shoot from the
heart. Also, keep it simple. I strive for simplicity, and I
try not to overcomplicate things which is easier said
than done!
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU ONLINE?
www.shelmarcphotography.co.nz
@shelmarcphotography
@shelly.linehan
excio.gallery/shelly
24 September 2022 NZPhotographer