Hi from James in NZ!

[kiwiapple]

Hi al! I'm a keen amateur photographer based in the beautiful town of Oamaru on New Zealand's South Island. I'm not from here originally, though--I'm from beautiful New York City, which I called home through college, but then I left for grad school and never went back. Speaking of leaving and never going back, I left the US for work right after grad school and have lived overseas pretty much ever since, mostly in China and the former USSR. In 2010 we decided to semi-retire and relocate to New Zealand, a country we had never visited, and we have not looked back since. We own a small boutique hotel here, so I'm often busy with guests or preparing their meals (I'm also the chef), so during the height of the tourist season, I rarely get to break out the cameras.

I got the photography bug in high school, following in the footsteps of my elder brother. My very indulgent parents even let me set up a darkroom in our apartment's guest bathroom. I put my cameras to the side for a long time while working as an international development consultant (so yes, I had a lot of missed opportunities for some amazing shots!) but then picked it up again just about when the digital revolution began. I mostly photograph landscapes, but in recent years I have also developed a fondness for astrophotography.

I really enjoy seeing what other people are capturing, and venturing out with friends to shoot all sorts of subjects. I even get to take some of our guests on guided photo outings, which are great fun. I look forward to learning more about the rest of you!

 

[AlanLichty]

Nice background writeup James - sounds like a fun journey to your current residence in New Zealand. What is your tourist season down there? Do you get more free time during your off season and what kinds of photo opportunities are available that time of year?

 

[JimFox]

Hey James!

Thanks for introducing yourself in this new section. It's interesting to find out things about each other, even though in our case you have been a member here for quite a few years.

You had quite the journey! That's pretty brave and gutsy to graduate college and leave America behind. But it sounds like you have done really well for yourself. Your Boutique hotel sounds like such a cool place.

 

[Michael13]

Welcome aboard James! We are looking forward to seeing more of your work . I wouldn't be brave enough to move to a country I had never visited, but it seems to have worked out well for you.

 

[BlackRockArt]

Hi al! I'm a keen amateur photographer based in the beautiful town of Oamaru on New Zealand's South Island. I'm not from here originally, though--I'm from beautiful New York City, which I called home through college, but then I left for grad school and never went back. Speaking of leaving and never going back, I left the US for work right after grad school and have lived overseas pretty much ever since, mostly in China and the former USSR. In 2010 we decided to semi-retire and relocate to New Zealand, a country we had never visited, and we have not looked back since. We own a small boutique hotel here, so I'm often busy with guests or preparing their meals (I'm also the chef), so during the height of the tourist season, I rarely get to break out the cameras.

I got the photography bug in high school, following in the footsteps of my elder brother. My very indulgent parents even let me set up a darkroom in our apartment's guest bathroom. I put my cameras to the side for a long time while working as an international development consultant (so yes, I had a lot of missed opportunities for some amazing shots!) but then picked it up again just about when the digital revolution began. I mostly photograph landscapes, but in recent years I have also developed a fondness for astrophotography.

I really enjoy seeing what other people are capturing, and venturing out with friends to shoot all sorts of subjects. I even get to take some of our guests on guided photo outings, which are great fun. I look forward to learning more about the rest of you!

James, welcome !

My only memory of Oamaru is the race course, lol. Then I did my first bungy jump in Queenstown 30 years ago, how time flies. Do please post more photos & we would love to see the scenearies from the southern hemisphere.

Oliver