new zealand fine art and landscape photography  :  peter tasker design
new zealand fine art and landscape photography  :  peter tasker design
new zealand fine art and landscape photography  :  peter tasker design
new zealand fine art and landscape photography  :  peter tasker design
new zealand fine art and landscape photography  :  peter tasker design

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rangitoto island : the heart of aucklands hauraki gulf

A luxury launch at anchor with Rangitoto Island in the background. Photographed in evening light.  Hauraki Gulf, Auckland. (Peter Tasker)

Fullers ferry Starflyte passing Rangitoto Island at night. Waitemata Harbour,  Hauraki Gulf, Auckland. (Peter Tasker)

Rangitoto Island lighthouse with cone of Rangitoto Island in the background.  Hauraki Gulf, Auckland. (Peter Tasker)

If a physical feature was to be omitted from Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, I think it may be Rangitoto Island that would be missed the most. This beautifully symmetrical landmark is visible from all directions, and along with the Sky Tower, I think Rangitoto is the most tangible symbol of arriving home.

This must be the wettest Auckland summer on record, it really has been quite extraordinary. Today I provisioned the boat but have delayed my photographic trip, as yet again it is raining with winds howling through boat rigging. Leaving my marina berth in a strong northerly is difficult, particularly when solo, as the boat is quickly blown against a pole before managing to clear the marina berth.

The upside to all of this rain will be vibrant green grass, so, when the weather finally clears, I look forward to green hills, blue skies, and sparkling aqua seas, as these are elements I have been looking forward to adding to the Hauraki Gulf Galleries.   -   Peter

Click this link to view, purchase prints, and license all currently available photographs .

looking back : from motuihe to auckland

Silhouette of yacht leaving Auckland Harbour at dusk with downtown Auckland skyline in background. Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. (Peter Tasker)

Two occupants and a dog on the yacht, Sky, anchored at Motuihe Island. Downtown Auckland skyline in the background. Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. (Peter Tasker)

Silhouette of tug towing a barge across entrance to Auckland Harbour at dusk. Downtown Auckland skyline in background. Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. (Peter Tasker)

These Motuihe Island photographs were taken a week ago using a new 2x extender on a Canon 70 – 200 mk2 lens, during a short sail from Auckland.

Motuihe is a beautiful three sided island with a choice of white sandy bays providing 360 degree protection in moderate winds. It is only 16 km from Auckland and is probably the most popular day trip destination for Auckland boaties.

Looking back on 2011 brings to mind a few highlights, – the sale of 1000 IMAGES Cornwall Park One Tree Hill books to a single buyer, the establishment of a collection of photographs at Cornwall Park Restaurant, and the development of my garden. On the other hand this year, a number of friends have died or are dealing with terminal illness, and I’m constantly driven to do what is important, now, and to indulge a little, – because we all need to know, tomorrow may never come. Looking forward there is so much to do, I am part way through directing the redesign and development of this website and hope to have this online during February. I am also retraining in CAD and will pursue a number of personal Industrial Design projects.  Other plans for this year include offering  large format prints, adding motion plus sound, and marketing my photographic work, particularly my current Hauraki Gulf project.

May all your 2012 dreams come true   -   Peter

Click this link to view, purchase prints, and license all currently available photographs .

people in windows : RWC 2011 auckland new zealand

A group of people looking out the window of a sky bridge, during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Auckland, New Zealand. (Peter Tasker)

A boy looking out the window of an ornate commercial building during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Queen Street, Auckland, New Zealand. (Peter Tasker)

Two young men sitting in a window opening during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Karangahape Road, Auckland, New Zealand. (Peter Tasker)

It all seems so long ago. Of course if  we had lost, instead of  scraping home, the post mortem and mourning would be continuing. Now we have that satisfied acceptance of, -  job done – move on. Also, reality has rapidly re-imposed itself in the form of an election and the impending consequences that inevitably follow 40 years of world wide money debasement, – these are the next big games to be played.

The photographs above, ‘people in windows’, have just been added to the Gallery auckland RWC 2011. My photographic interest throughout the World Cup focused on the public, people in and about the streets, and of course up buildings and in windows. During a time of celebration, where people with cameras are accepted as part of the event, being photographed by a stranger is tolerated, even welcomed. Quite a number of times I was asked to take a photograph of one or more people, even though no thought had been given to how the subject would see or possess the resulting photograph. It is as though being photographed during such an event was an act of celebration in itself. As a photographer friend commented, it was a bit like ‘shooting fish in a barrel’. Actually, the whole period was outstanding for the universal atmosphere of goodwill amongst all, and I hope my collection of Rugby World Cup 2011 photographs become a valued addition to this significant event.   -   Peter

Click this link to view, purchase prints, and license all currently available photographs .