Trip Report

REPORT ON GODLEY HEAD TRIP - Di Monk LNPSNZ

To master the art of sunrise photography ... the main component requires enthusiasm ... well done to Nature Photography members who took the opportunity to make an early morning visit to Godley Head.

For sunrises, timing is always a vital factor, so the idea was to arrive on location early to inspect the surrounds of the area and understand where would be a good spot.

With the many gun emplacements and relics from the past, we made full use of the elements to highlight our images ... focus, creativity, light meter- ing, clouds and the weather also added value.

After many visits to Godley Head, I prefer setting the camera on a manual setting and focusing the camera on infinity to lock the focus, hence avoid- ing a blurry photo ... so it requires more than one morning out to practice being creative with the right amount of exposure to create different ef- fects. However, the weather always has the final say.

Godley Head Gun emplacement Di Monk Watch out for "the second day of a nor west" ... the sky can look dramatic with a haze, while sunlight through the clouds can spark some rich colours in a photograph. The best results generally occur when there are mid-level clouds present, either alto-stratus or alto-cumulus. Those clouds often produce the deep red colours. When sunlight hits cirrus clouds they tend to turn orange or yellow. Big puffy cumulus clouds usually do not produce colorful photos.

It's a magic hour and each sunrise is unique in its own way ... nature planned it that way! So experiment and enjoy!

Meet

Godley Head Car Park at 6:30am for sunrise at 7:30am.

Directions

When you arrive at the car park at the end of Godley Head Road, follow the lookout track (harbour side of the pond). This headland is a breathtaking coastal location and ideal to take time to explore photographic opportunities.

9.00 a.m. Meeting back at the car park. There is a 360 degree view from the car park area and a great opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow photographers over a coffee.

10.00 a.m. Optional … turn off the lookout track for an hour-long return trip down a steep zig zag to a 120m tunnel (naturally lit). Either return the same way or follow the rough track beyond the junction with the zig zag, then climb back to the top.

What to bring

Warm clothes & good walking shoes
Camera gear
Torch
Thermos, tea/coffee, snacks

Trip leader

Di Monk