A couple of images from Sorrento Back Beach, Vic, Au, during the peak of Aurora Australis on May 11th.
I’ve never seen or experienced anything like this before. Previously I’ve only ever seen the aurora as a distant tiny colour smudge on the horizon. This night was something special. 🙂
There are two public walking tracks into Bushrangers Bay that are about the same length. One track starts north-east of the bay at Boneo Road and the other track begins at the Cape Schanck lighthouse carpark, west of the bay.
We chose to walk the track from the Cape Schanck lighthouse carpark because it’s arguably more scenic and there’s a lot more carpark spaces available.
Along the sandy track there’s a couple of opportunities to look back along the coastline towards Pulpit Rock.
Further along the track the native trees enclose the path and form a welcoming tunnel.
After a bit of walking the bush track crosses the Burrabong Creek via a small wooden footbridge. Eventually the bush track opens onto the sandy beach of Bushrangers Bay. Here you’ll encounter Main Creek which cuts through the sandy beach and enters the ocean.
You need to cross the creek. You might get wet feet here depending on how much water is flowing in the creek at the time, and how far you can jump. 🙂
In the photo below, Main Creek cuts through the sandy beach on it’s way to the ocean.
After crossing the creek it’s a short walk to the beautiful rock formations and platforms where at low tide there are lots of small crystal clear rock pools exposed.
At the water’s edge the rock platforms rumble as waves slam into the steep rocky walls.
Looking back from the arch towards Bushrangers Bay, lots of people exploring the platforms and rockpools.
It was a public holiday and very busy.
When we arrived at the arch we found that much of it was in the shade with very bright background elements.
This is problematic from a photography perspective, but anyway you work with what you’re given. 🙂
Photo below – Using a nice wide lens, some ND filtering, and blending 3 exposures I ended up with a keeper that I like.
This image is available to purchase as a print here.
Following are a couple of long exposure images from Montforts Beach taken at first light on a cloudy grey dawn. You can access Montforts Beach by parking at the Spray Point Road carpark and following the sandy walking track south. Montforts Beach is signposted along the track. It’s also well worthwhile visiting Spray Point while you’re here.
Tech stuff for the image below- 5 sec, f/11, ISO50.
Technical stuff for the image below – 2.5 secs, f/18, ISO50.
The French Island to Corinella Barge traverses a narrow section of Western Port Bay carrying vehicles and passengers back and forth between the island and mainland.
Pictured below is a long exposure image of the Corinella Barge landing area as sunset approaches.
A long exposure image of Sierra Nevada Rock, Portsea.  The rock formation is on Portsea back beach, just a short walk north-west of the London Bridge rock formation. IMPORTANT – It’s only accessible at low tide.
Tech stuff -15 sec, f/14, ISO 100, using an ND400 filter.
A long exposure image of surf crashing onto the rocks at Cowrie beach on Phillip Island. Cowrie beach is located a short distance north-east of the Nobbies tourist centre.
Tech stuff – 25 sec, f/8, ISO100 using a 10 stop solid filter and a 4 stop soft grad filter.
A long exposure image from the old Queenscliff pier on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria.
Upon arrival we couldn’t have wished for better lighting conditions. The harsh sunlight was briefly softened and diffused by a large cloud bank sweeping across the sky. 🙂
Tech stuff –Â 30 seconds, f/16, iso50 with an ND400 filter.
Last weekend we visited the new jetty at Olivers Hill in Frankston on the Mornington Peninsula.  As the sun dropped down towards the horizon the sky exploded in a way that we really didn’t expect.  It seems that predicting a colourful sunset in Melbourne is a bit like predicting the outcome of a coin toss.  🙂  These are short exposure shots using my phone camera as I left the “big boy”at home.
In the image above, the glowing red “eyes” and silhouette of a small drone can be seen hovering near the top edge towards the left of frame.  The constant buzzing noise from these little buggers can ruin an otherwise tranquil atmosphere, …but hopefully the owner captured some great scenes from up there.  🙂
Eagles Nest is a popular rock formation and beach located on Victoria’s Bass Coast. Â It’s about half way between Inverloch and Cape Paterson, and it’s well sign posted.
Pictured below, a couple of long exposure images from Eagles Nest on a bright afternoon with patchy cloud.  Conditions on the day were very photographically challenging as the sun was diffused by cloud one moment, then it would pop out with all it’s brutal harshness the next moment. This would happen several times during each long exposure causing many of my shots to be blown out.  Thankfully not all.  🙂
Technical stuff for both images – 150 sec f/18 iso50 using an ND500 and ND8 filter.
Another sunrise expedition to the groynes at Balnarring Beach on Western Port Bay. Â This time we visited the straight groynes on the beach near the general store.
The image above was shot just before the sun broke through the clouds on the horizon. Â It’s a 2 second exposure, slightly smoothing the surface details in the water.
Pictured above – A short exposure as the sun breaks through the clouds. Â I liked the way the reflected sun rays were glinting off the waves and the foreground sand.
Pictured above – As the sun rises higher in the sky, one of the groynes becomes beautifully side lit by the warming rays. Â This is a short exposure (1/20 sec f/18 iso100) shot with the camera way down low almost resting on the sand.
Pictured above – Friend Jason preparing for his next shot as the sky lights up.
Photography by Jim Worrall 