Last weekend the rodeo came to town. It is something my wife enjoys  and so in the past 2 years is the fourth one I have been to, but the first one here in Invercargill. It is a fun day out for the whole family, with the usual array of events inside the ring but also stalls and  sideshows around the arena. I particularly like the commentary.

From the photographic point of view I have come to realize that they are an interesting and rich environment. Drama,dust and excitement of the rodeo itself, the dress and rituals of the participants and the socializing and characters of the audience.

To photograph any subject well requires and level of understanding and intimacy with it; this is true be it landscape or portrait. But it also applies to an event. As I write this I realize that I don’t have a proper understanding of this world and hence I suspect that my images fall short. (I will add to mental to do list). By the way I have found that people are very friendly in regard to having their photograph taken at these events, but I recommend asking permission

On this day I had limited time but a ringside spot. I found that getting good action shots was harder than it looked: requiring good positioning, anticipation and a technical competence that has to be perfect, fast and versatile. Frequently I was frustrated by poor focusing or poor placement of the subject within the frame. For the landscape photographer this is a steep learning curve!

Here are a few shots from the day, if technically right they would have been keepers.

January 28^th Compliments and Testimonials

In September this year I released my third book ‘Fiordland Landscape and Life.”

This was designed from the outset to be the most significant publication of it’s kind about this special area of New Zealand. It involved numerous trips into the park by air, boat and foot over a period of 4 years, covering the entire area of this huge (1.2million hectare) park. The intent was to visually document every fiord, lake and major landmark within the park and to do so with each image being as artistically stunning, as possible. The book has been self published and so by necessity I have been heavily involved in every aspect of production: planning, design, printing and marketing.

I would like to pay tribute to a couple of people who have given special help, my wife Kara, designer Lana Osborne and the staff from Everbest Printing. As many of you, know this is something I do in my spare time and is very much a labour of love. When you produce a book it is an exercise in commitment and vulnerability: be it resources or putting your work out into the public arena for comment.

All this brings me to the point of this weeks blog. I received two notable pieces of feedback that I am pleased to share:

-from Wilderness Magazine, Feb 2012 (reviewer Shaun Barnett, himself a renowned and respected landscape photographer and in my opinion impressive wordsmith

“but with some of his landscape panoramics he can equal even the like of Andris Apse with a jaw-dropping image of sheer brutal Fiordland majesty”….”this is impressive panoramic photography, making a book to savour.”

And then an e mail from the master himself Andris Apse

-“I think your book is the best I have seen of Fiordland, some  excellent moody images that I would be proud to call my own. I am going to order a copy for myself”

I am grateful to both of these men. Kind words can make a difference but are sometimes hard to give. I have never met Andris Apse but he has been a huge inspiration for me with his groundbreaking book New Zealand Landscapes and subsequent work Landscape and Light,  collections of exquisite images of New Zealand. His comments are a mark of the generous spirit of the man and are a huge vindication for me.

So I encourage you look at the book, see what you think, spread the word and hopefully buy a copy.

Below is an image from the book.

Sportsmans Cove Dusky Sound

No all Blacks, No Ritchie MCCaw , Dan Carter,but Scotland and Goergia and The One News Breakfast team arrived in Invercargill this week. After much waiting and typical Southern disinterest in the hype, when the moment arrived we dusted off  our raincoats, opened our doors and got out and supported this once in a lifetime event and have welcomed our visitors.

Around the town hotels are full and locals are hosting strangers from the all over.

We missed Saturday’s game between Scotland and Romania and should have gone to see England and Argentina at the new stadium in Dunedin, so we ventured out on a chilly September evening to Rugby Park, opting for the “comfort” but as it turns out freedom and fun and colour of the terraces.

The game was a dour tryless affair probably not helped by the steady rain.From a photography standpoint this provided for more opportunities as you will see below.

Good games were had byScotlan’s Kelly Brown, Rory and Sean Lamont and captain Rory Lawson. And for Georgia Mamuka Gorgodze.

Meanwhile a pellet of books makes it’s way to Invercargill, the Eagle is about to land. Watch this space!

Fiordland Landscape and Life by Roger Wandless and John Hall-Jones

Fiordland Landscape and Life is one of the most ambitious photographic publications undertaken not only in this remote region, but in New Zealand.

The book has over 140 images including every Fiord, major lake and of many other areas, both iconic and hidden throughout the extent of Fiordland National Park.

Images are taken on a mixture of high quality formats using both film and digital, landscape and panoramic formats. Readers will be treated to a visual journey that will cover the many moods and aspects of this World Heritage Wilderness area here on our own doorstep!

Book Dust Cover

Goods will not ship until payment is received in the bank or received in the form of cash or chq. Details of bank acc. number will then be emailed. Shipping, post/package costs apply to all items unless more then one book is purchased - in other words shipping is free for more than one book. Overseas ex NZ, if different will be advised by email

State Highway 6, New Zealand

“It’s another stunning book, on first glance its even improved on the last one.” Mark Chaddock, UK Doctor”

I saw Roger’s exhibition today, and his latest book (State Highway 6. I was so impressed with the dust cover that I purchased a book!” Pamela Stewart

Award-winning landscape photographer Roger Wandless is pleased to announce his second publication, State Highway 6.

State Highway 6 runs the length of the South Island and travels through many areas of spectacular New Zealand scenery. This is a personal visual interpretation of the journey reflecting the people, heritage and landscape that exemplifies this country. 80 page premium-quality casebound hardcover book with dustjacket. Ideal gift for Christmas, birthday, special occasion or overseas visitors. Enhance your corporate image by using this as a gift, that is guaranteed to showcase the southern region.

Goods will not ship until payment is received in the bank or received in the form of cash or chq. Details of bank acc. number will then be emailed. Shipping, post/package costs apply to all items unless more then one book is purchased - in other words shipping is free for more than one book. Overseas ex NZ, if different will be advised by email

Sold Out

ISBN 0 473 11506 9

ISBN 978 0 473 11506 7 (January 2007

“Congratulations, it is just stunning. I like the size, format and the quality of your work is wonderful. Well done.” Anne Zeeland, Eremia Retreat www.eremia.org.nz

“I would like more copies of your delightful photograph book. I have given them out to clients and they all have been thrilled with their gift!” Elaine Sutherland, Harcourts Lake Wanaka www.harcourts.co.nz

Features include:

• 76 panoramic photographs of unsurpassed optical quality and reproduction detail.
• 80 page casebound hardcover book with dustjacket
• Designed and printed by award-winning team
• Distinctive theme describing a journey from the 43rd to the 47th parallel and some of New Zealand’s most stunning and iconic scenery
• Personalised stories in each chapter

The beginning!

Have finally got myself organized an into the 21^st Century and have the pleasure of introducing this my addition to the world of blog.

I started the week with a pleasant surprise when my wife handed me my mail which included the latest edition of D-Photo. I had entered the competition because I wanted to win the Nikon D3000 for a camera for her but also to try and win a significant competition, something which has successfully eluded me. As a consequence I had sympathy with the argument that winning was merely endorsement by a particular judge.

Anyway I had received a call from the magazine several weeks ago to request I send a larger file but then had heard nothing, so had resigned myself to the position of honourable mentions. So with that in mind I opened up this months edition to find out what the images were that did win. I have to say that it appeared to be a successful competition with over 2000 entrants and the winners were also of a high caliber. Coming to the travel section there it was my image! I’d finally won something!

It has prompted to explore the relevance of photography competitions as part of our development as a photographer?  I think that it is great as a way of giving confidence and gaining validation for your ones work. On the other hand we may try and photograph to a formula rather than true to our own view of the world! What do you think?

Anyway here it is, the winning image

section competitions/nikon2011/travel