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“Photography: Painting and Drawing with Light”
Lerderderg, Victoria – Australia ‘Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area – Lerderderg State Forest’_Karen Robinson tucked away within the natural vegetation taking photographs of Australian Gum trees. Photographed by ©Karen Robinson’s husband using a Samsung Galaxy S6 mobile phone_www.idoartkarenrobinson.com – Feb 2017
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this photography adventure was to capture amazing river and bush scenes within the Lerderderg State Forest Park. It is a 14,250-hectare park located between Bacchus Marsh and Blackwood, an hour’s drive from Melbourne – Australia. The Lerderderg river itself “has cut a 300 metre deep gorge through sandstone and slate, almost bisecting the park” (Parks Victoria 2016). To our surprise, the Lerderderg stony river bed was mostly dry with some occasional small water holes and lagoons to be found – as we ventured by foot along the expansive stony river bed. My husband explained to me that some 50 years ago and when he was a young man, he would trek this area; and back then – there was no shortage of water flowing through this river’s watercourse way. It was a shock to view this once mighty river so dry! We will probably need to come back over winter and at the beginning of spring to see what difference the winter rains have made on this region of Australian bush. The native wildlife surrounding the river greatly depend upon its water resources for daily sustenance, and this lack of water must mean that animal and bird wildlife would be suffering. It is a beautiful region to visit; its isolation added to our overall experience, it was a magical day…
ABOUT LERDERDERG STATE FOREST
Lerderderg State Park encompasses scenic and geological gorge formations surrounding the Lerderderg River as well as the volcanic cone of Mount Blackwood. The adjacent and separate block called the Pyrete Range forms part of the park. The park is known for its remote setting and the 300 deep Lerderderg River gorge is a dominant feature. Private land abuts the park to the south and the Wombat State forest abuts to the north and west (VEAC.Vic.Gov – 2017).
A range of vegetation types, including a riparian Blue Gum and Manna Gum community of State significance and 23 significant plant species present in Lerderderg State Park, together with nine significant animal species. The vegetation changes dramatically from north to south in accordance with the rainfall gradient. Dry Stringy-bark-box forests are found near the gorge mouth, and Box-Iron-bark woodlands along the high ridges of the south. There is a change to taller, damper Messmate-Peppermint-Gum Forests along the northern boundary of the park. The river margins support Blue Gum and Manna Gum, while grevilleas, wattles and hakeas are found in steep and rocky sections. Late winter and spring are best times to see the spectacular display of wildflowers. The Lerderderg River is a proclaimed Heritage River and there are 3 reference areas in the park (VEAC.Vic.Gov – 2017).
The Wurundjeri and the Wathaurung are Aboriginal tribes known to have lived in the area. European occupation of the area commenced during the 1830s when squatters took up large pastoral runs around Bacchus Marsh. Gold was first discovered at what is now the township of Blackwood, in 1851. The area was rich in alluvial gold and large nuggets were found chiefly in the bed of the Lerderderg River and its tributaries in what is now the Wombat State Forest and Lerderderg State Park (VEAC.Vic.Gov – 2017).
PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT USED
During this landscape photography exercise – I used my EOS 1100D Canon DSLR camera on a tripod with a remote timer for the big shots. I also used my Samsung Galaxy S6 mobile phone for quick spontaneous photographs and to also gain GPS location readings.
Blackwood, Victoria – Australia ‘River Crossing – Lerderderg State Park’_Karen Robinson taking photographs within and along the stony river bed. Photographed by ©Karen Robinson’s husband_www.idoartkarenrobinson.com_February 2017
THE PHOTOGRAPHS
On my return home, I downloaded all the photographs into Adobe Lightroom 6. I developed a small selection of photographs. It was once more a new experience, especially developing the landscape photographs where some of the skyline was over exposed. A number of the photographs I decided to crop the sky out of the photograph itself. I also decided to turn some into black and white photographs in order to gain the best raw photographic details – using Lightroom 6. Overall though I was happy with my efforts and feel that the essence of the natural Australia bush was captured. Please find both above and below the best of what I took on the day.
MacKenzies Flat, Victoria – Australia
Photographed by Karen Robinson
Please click on the images to view in full and find camera setting details
Lerderderg, Victoria – Australia ‘Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area – Lerderderg State Forest’_Photographed by ©Karen Robinson_www.idoartkarenrobinson.com – Feb 2017
Lerderderg, Victoria – Australia ‘Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area – Lerderderg State Forest’_Photographed by ©Karen Robinson_www.idoartkarenrobinson.com – Feb 2017
Blackwood River Crossing, Victoria – Australia
Photographed by Karen Robinson
Please click on the images to view in full and find camera setting details
Blackwood, Victoria – Australia ‘River Crossing – Lerderderg State Park’_Photographed by ©Karen Robinson_www.idoartkarenrobinson.com_February 2017
Shaws Lake, Victoria – Australia
Photographed by Karen Robinson
Please click on the images to view in full and find camera setting details
Blackwood, Victoria – Australia ‘Shaws Lake – Lerderderg’_Photographed by Karen Robinson_www.idoartkarenrobinson.com_Feb 2017
SLIDE-SHOW OF ALL PHOTOGRAPHS
CONCLUSION
Another magical day taking landscape photographs. I would encourage anyone to take up photography as a way of tapping into one’s creativeness; a way to reconnect with nature. Photography as an art form used as therapy – helps to improve one’s sense of well-being and gets a ‘thumbs up’ from me…
Happy photography all!
Blackwood, Victoria – Australia ‘River Crossing – Lerderderg State Park’_Karen standing in the river bed taking photographs. Photographed by ©Karen Robinson’s husband with Samsung Galaxy 6 mobile phone_www.idoartkarenrobinson.com_February 2017
Please click here to visit my ‘Photography – About’ page where you will be able to find blog links and photographs about other photographic adventures…
© Karen Robinson – March 2017
Whilst you are here – please check out my home page! Post-traumatic Growth – My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy, photography and storytelling…by Karen Robinson
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I love your blog Karen. There’s a lot to go through and I don’t follow too many as I am only allowed 24 hours a day. Glad to see you following jamoroki-art I hope to see you on jamoroki as well where there is more going on. Keep well James.
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Thank you James, much appreciate you taking time out to have a look at my weblog. Love you sense of humor ‘only allowed 24 hours a day’….very funny…warm regards Karen
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Beautiful landscape and photos. A lovely place and I enjoyed learning about the trees etc. so different from my area in the US.
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Hi Claudia, thank you for taking a look and glad the additional information was useful. I learn so much too about the areas I photograph as well – a win, win I feel…warm regards Karen
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