The trip to Akaroa was fabulous with the sun poking its head through the clouds and burning off the mist just in time, creating perfect lighting for portraits at our secret location (which is no longer a secret): Tree Crop Farm. This is a Bohemian B&B, which defies description, it is a place one has to experience. The young models looked fabulous dressed in period costume and modern French. I have received some lovely images of these young people. Lyn the proprietor made her special treats of herbal teas and an amazing hot berry-fruit drink to accompany our lunch.
We then went into the Akaroa Village to join-up with the people who had taken the Black Cat Cruise where they encountered the anticipated dolphins, seals and birds nesting in the rocks. We all then met up for an amazing afternoon tea supplied by the ladies of the historic St Peter’s Anglican Church (wow what a spread!) before boarding our buses for the trip back to Christchurch. “What a day”, and we still have a banquet to follow.

Our Guest speakers on Sunday were unquestionably a huge hit and kept everyone spell bound; both of them use their craft and passion for photography in different ways. Andrew Goodall from Queensland Australia, showing us how and when to take photos in the bush or Rain Forrest and getting it right in the camera first rather than depending on technology to make it right. Grant Sheehan from Wellington’s passion is quite different again, sharing with us abstract art photography, landscapes, travel and even 3D images from a new camera. I hope that if ever you get a chance to see either of these two gentleman’s work that you will endeavor to do so as you won’t be disappointed. All in all, in spite of being badly shaken on September the 4th and the odd shake during the convention that nobody seemed to notice, we all had a really good time and as President of New Brighton Photographic Club I would like to say thank you to all of you who attended.

I look forward to seeing you all again in Dunedin next year 2011.
Rondi Teisen