Sunrise at Sunset Beach, Port Waikato
A Photo Essay
We headed out to Sunset Beach this weekend. It had been a while that Niloyd and I had gone out on a photo walk. So, it was a good to get back on the photo trail.
Sunset beach is located at Port Waikato. And this location has quite a bit of history attached to it. The area was first settled by Māori from the Tainui waka 700-800 years ago, who used the river for transportation, trade, and as a source of sustenance.
In the 19th century, Port Waikato gained importance during the New Zealand Wars. It was established as one of the first colonial settlements after the wars, starting in 1863. The port served as a crucial link for coastal trade, with ships traveling between Auckland's Manukau Harbour and Waikato Heads for nearly a century from the 1860s.
Today, the beach has been majorly affected by erosion and many houses are on the verge of collapsing into the sands below the sand dunes. Its desolate, windswept and ideal location if you are a photographer looking for a classic, windswept kiwi beach look.
For me, it was a chance to practice my long exposure using the ancient volcanic rocks on the beach.
It was so windy that it knocked over my tripod with the camera on it, while I was struggling to get the ND filters out. Phew! it was a close call, I tell you.
After many attempts this was the best composition that I could come up with.
30 second exposure
K & F 3 stop ND filter
F11 on Cosina 19-35 / Sony A7C
Meanwhile, Niloyd had disappeared to the other end of the beach, right at the river head where the mighty Waikato meets the sea.
The desolation of this place has to be seen to be believed. It is just amazing. Here is one shot that took my breathe away. I processed this on Capture One with a bit of split tone effect on it.
As I started walking towards the northern point of the beach, I saw a man and his dog walking towards me in the distance. I am a sucker for negative space. So, I had to take this shot.
So, talking about erosion, I stumbled upon a house that is in danger of losing the land that it is standing on to erosion.
My favourite shot of the lot was of a section of the sand dune. I processed it as a fine art black and white photographer and I just love it!
I decided to clamber up on to the sand dunes. The sand was so soft that my feet kept sinking it and I was making no progress at all. Finally managed to reach the top and the view was spectacular. The yellowish grass holding the dune together against the blackish sand, set against an overcast sky was jaw droppingly amazing.
All in all, it paid to get up at 3.30 am to get to this location! Would definitely be coming again for sure!
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