Summer Days

THE WHERE
If you are driving to Hamurana from Ngongotaha, just before you hit the Dairy on the left, on the right, there is this tree with low branches, very close to a jetty.  Some of the low branches hang out over Lake Rotorua.  It holds a tyre swing and a seated swing, and from time to time, the odd hammock.

THE HOW
Camera: Canon 70d
Lens: Canon 24-105mm set at 105mm
1/250 sec shutter
F/5
ISO 640
Natural lighting (I used natural lighting a lot in this series, because I wanted that natural, summery, capturing a moment, feel to most of the shots.)
Models: Stella and Georgia
THE THOUGHT PROCESS
I met Stella (the one on the branch) through her modelling, but I also knew she was a singer and musician. I already had this tree in mind for a session with a musician hanging out within its branches, so I asked Stella if she would be the model for me.  She asked if she could bring her musician / singer friend, and this became one of the most enjoyable sessions for exhibition.  I got so many great shots of these lovely ladies, in the swings, playing ukuleles, in the water, on the jetty.... it was really difficult to choose my exhibition shots.  

This shot was my fave.  It was also on the back cover of the exhibition book. I love the interaction and the obvious friendship these two had.  To me, this photograph personified the whole exhibition theme.  Granny square blankets, a hot day, shorts and big floppy hats, hanging out with a friend, with the cars parked up and the lake right there.  

xox
​Calico Jo