While you are here – please check out my home page!
“Photography: Painting and Drawing with Light”
INTRODUCTION
This photography adventure came out of a need for my dear hubby to get-out-of-the-house after spending almost four weeks bedridden due to a back injury. Now on the mend, he felt a desperate need to take a drive into the bush to do some forest bathing. As I had been his carer over this period of time, I too felt the same need! We decided to visit a region we had driven through before, but hadn’t stopped at called Mount Alexander Regional Park at Faraday, Victoria – Australia. Here we travelled to three locations, one called Dog Rocks and the other two – old historical Granite Quarries.
At Dog Rocks, which is a short stroll off Joseph Young Drive, we discovered a conglomeration of ginormous granite rocks. Dog Rocks was named as such back in 1846 by the manager of Lockhart Morton of Sutton Grange Station as many dingoes were seen around the rocks during that period of time. Dog Rocks is a very picturesque location with native gum trees growing in mangled formations around these huge boulders. The late morning sunshine dappling its way through the bush helped make for interesting photographic opportunities. But the gale force winds presented me with a photographic challenge – that being to ensure my photographs didn’t experience any motion blur; with a high shutter speed and high ISO’s, mission accomplished! Small pockets of openings through the bush revealed expansive views of Harcourt farmlands which looked particularly green due to winter rains. We spent some time here photographing and just simply enjoying the beautiful, scenic surroundings.
After leaving Dog Rocks, we drove a little further along and discovered another track leading off Joseph Young Drive which lead up to a historical granite quarry. Bathing in the late morning sun, we found monstrously huge chucks of granite, stacked around a large-scale quarry piece of machinery. Opposite the quarry site we found an area where stunning panoramic views looking out across towards Harcourt could be easily photographed. After our departure from this location we spotted another track which lead us to the opposite side of the mountain. Here we found a smaller granite quarry and once more panoramic views looking out across towards Sutton Grange.
PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT USED
During this landscape photography exercise – I used a compact system camera, a Sony A7 Mark II – Full Frame with a Sony A FE24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Lens. For these photographs I used the camera mostly hand-held due to the high shutter speed and high ISO camera settings. For the panoramic views I used low ISO’s and the camera mounted on a tripod with a remote. I also used my Apple iPhone 8 Plus mobile phone for quick spontaneous photographs and gain GPS location readings.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS
On my return home, I downloaded all the photographs into Adobe Lightroom Classic CC. I developed a small selection of photographs. During the process of developing them I was able to see what I needed to address during my next photographic adventure. Please find both above and below, the best of what I took during this photography adventure!
CONCLUSION
Being out-and-about experiencing the natural wonders of the world really does rejuvenate the body and soul. Photography is just another way to improve one’s sense of wellbeing and at the same time – be creative!
Happy photography all – © Karen Robinson – August 2018
Please click here to visit my ‘Photography – About’ page where you will be able to find blog links and photographs about other photographic adventures…
POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH: Improving one’s sense of wellbeing using art, creative writing, photography, blogging and public speaking – my journey written by ©Karen Robinson. Please click here for my latest blog news!
ido art karen robinson 
I’m glad your husband is doing well and the trip sounded like a good reintroduction to being outside again. I love how those rocks and trees embrace each other.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Claudia, I am glad too! We are getting at an age where it is to be expected but hopefully good health will follow us – it’s a reminder to do what we can today and not leave until tomorrow. Yes and the trees, they really have had to adapt to their environment, that being sharing the wilderness with huge boulders. I like what you have said “rocks and tress embracing each other” a good observation…warm regards Karen
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right about doing these things now – my husband had a severe leg injury last year and so I know your story from that situation, being laid up and caring for a laid up person. When recovery comes the return to health is very sweet and even more so since these events remind us. I think the perseverance of those rocks and trees fit well with the reason for your trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Claudia, thank you once more for your words – there is a sense of comfort in sharing with others whom have experience and/or are experiencing similar circumstances…sincerely Karen
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely agree with your conclusion, especially about getting outside and rejuvenating your body and soul. Wonderful photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mama…thank you for your thoughts. Hubby and I really missed being able to go out-and-about over the last month due to his back injury but he is recovering well now. Upon our arrival back home after this particular photography adventure, he seemed so much better in spirits, and I was happy to see him more like his old self. Once more thank you…so appreciated your support…warm regards Karen
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what that’s like. My husband hasn’t been well for over two years so when he has a couple of good days it’s like a gift, especially if we can get outdoors together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mama, so sorry to hear about your husband being unwell for the last two years – that must be very hard for you both and your family. What do you do to ensure you ‘tick the happy box’ each day? And how are you keeping your spirits up?…sincerely Karen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some days are harder than others. I get out and bake bread for a local museum two days a week that gets sold at the Farmers’ Market and I’ve joined a lawn bowling club. I try to visit my granddaughter at least one day a week and I try to get to the cottage for at least three days. At the cottage I find a lot of quiet time to read and work on my art.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like you have some very solid practices in place to look after yourself which is so good😊. I am always telling my daughter to remember to look after herself too – because we need to be at our best in order to be great for others in our lives…take care Mama…Karen
LikeLiked by 1 person