Rodney Campbell's Blog

Fairy Fronds

NIKON Z 7 + 14.0 mm f/2.4 @ 14 mm, 15 sec at f/2.4, ISO 8000

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

I was back under super dark skies territory once again. Way out in remote western New South Wales. Far Far Far away from urban lights or other light pollution

So given the clear skies and cool conditions it was time to get out the astro kit and put the location to good use

I found this nice leafless tree with these fantastic weeping fronds just 50m from the caravan so setup the camera for some simple light painting and the stars

My intention was to kick off a star trails sequence and let it run whilst I go back for dinner and watch some TV before returning a couple hours later for the camera

Alas things didn’t go quite to plan (which I’ll elaborate in the next post)

Still I got a few nice static milky way images with a little red lighting under the tree

Meadow Glen

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/30 sec at f/4, ISO 160

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

The happy discovery which was Meadow Glen Rest Area was tucked away amongst these lovely trees

Somewhat surprisingly it was lush and green in a little valley off the highway

A good opportunity to spin up the drone for a little aerial practice just before sunset. Orange rays and long shadows lend warmth and depth to the already lovely location

Day 2 – Campfire

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 29.5 mm, 1/30 sec at f/5.6, ISO 360

Day 2 and we’ve met up with some other friends of my parents who we’ll be travelling with for a few days. Time to take off some of the chill with our first campfire 🙂

The previous night we stayed at a very very cold Gooloogong in mid NSW. The Camping Ground was very good however with power and water supplied and no set fee. I love how these remote towns are encouraging people to come and stay. We of course ate in the local pub 🙂

Tonight we’re staying in this fantastic rest area – Meadow Glen Rest Area. It sits inbetween Cobar and Wilcannia in the west of our State

Parched

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 70 mm, 1/250 sec at f/5.6, ISO 64

Travelling through western New South Wales it’s somewhat sobering to see how parched some of the landscape is

Being locked in drought is a terrible thing for these farmers whose very existence hangs in the balance

Day 1 – It Begins

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 70 mm, 1/80 sec at f/5.6, ISO 140

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

and so it begins. We are off on our epic ten week journey through remote outback Australia

It has been four (4) years since my last trip like this

My parents are what are colloquially known as Grey Nomads. That breed of older generation that head north to warmer climates every winter

This particular trip I’m joining them for what will take us across New South Wales into South Australia. Then up the centre into the Northern Territory. We then swing left across into Western Australia (into the remote north west of the Kimberley and the Pilbara). This has to be some of the most beautiful, remote and isolated areas of Australia