It's fair to say I had what I describe as a spiritual calling to go out to Uluru. I don't know how to explain it, but there it was, that big rock in the middle of the great Australian continent, calling my name. So in mid 2019 I went, camera and tripod in hand, and sat with the rock for several hours as the sun set and the stars came out. Then again in the morning, I sat in the pre-dawn light, camera on my tripod as the sun inched up over the horizon and drew the most intense reds from the scene.

I took hundreds of photographs on this trip, however only a handful have made it to public view. I wanted to capture the drama of the place, the intense colour, the warmth of the desert, and particularly the night sky over Uluru which I'm very pleased with. 

Until you go to Uluru, the place is just a myth. The sheer distances involved in getting there make it an epic journey in itself. There is the majesty of Uluru itself, the warm hospitality of the people, the expanse of desert, and the variety of landscape in the surrounding area. Hot in the day, and freezing cold once the sun sets, this is a trip I will never forget. 

Did I have a spiritual moment while in the presence of this majestic landmark? Any kind of awakening? A soulful reflection or a moment of deep clarity? No, that didn't happen. But I did sit in reverence, and allowed myself to slow down and enjoy my time there. I also enjoyed the company of a doctor and nurse who were set up beside me also photographing the night sky, which I have to say was quite reassuring as the night fell and I became aware of the awesome darkness around me, well aware of the not so friendly critters in the grass at my feet! 

Here are the images, all available as framed or unframed prints in the printshop. 

This night stars shot is a composite of two images, one a sunset shot of Uluru to pick out the red rock detail, and a second taken from exactly the same location to capture the night sky. I had my camera rigged on a tripod and left in situation so there was no movement between the two images, which were taken about two hours apart. Post production work was done using Adobe Photoshop, making use of the layers functionality. 

The camera set up on my travel tripod, where it stayed for a couple of hours to achieve the night sky shot! 

Were you really there? Only if you take a selfie aparently! :) 

It's a long drive from Auckland's North Shore to the southern head of the Manukau Harbour. A straight line is only 35km, but the drive is 115km around the southern coast of the harbour through the suburbs of Karaka, Glenbrook and Waiuku.

The reward is worth the drive – stunning views north to the Waitakere Ranges, Whatipu Beach, Boulder Bay and Huia, only 2.5km across the narrow (and dangerous) harbour entry. Plus you'll find a lovely lighthouse, some nice walking and this beautiful little deconsecrated church.

I do feel sorry for the brake pads on my car – when I see something like this on the road, I stop pretty darn quickly (and safely of course). Sometimes it’s the light, sometimes a cloud formation or an interesting building... in this case it’s all three, with this brilliant, white-painted wooden chapel in the centre – quite a sight, and definitely worth a stop to photograph.

I shoot everything in colour and later choose my black and white settings, though I'm usually pretty clear on whether a photo will end up in colour or black and white.

This makes a terrific black and white, the classically designed building backlit with sunlight, a dramatic sky – a solitary composition.

I'm very happy with this photograph, and it makes for great wall art – if you are having trouble choosing an image, you can’t go wrong with this one. You can purchase it as a framed or unframed art print here:  Church at Awhitu Peninsula