Rainie

The day I've been looking forward to and one of my reasons for making this trip :D  I've never been to a Southern Regional Convention before and whilst the numbers are rather less than the big-brother PSNZ annual convention (as to be expected) the quality of the speakers was every bit as good.  I've learned that listening to great photographers talk about their style, their their journey and their philosophy is unbelievably motivating.  Today's speakers - Tony Carter, Katherine Williams on visual story-telling and documentary style photography, Helen McLeod on My Photographic Obsession and Shelley Harvey on creative portraiture.  So diverse, so inspirational and so creative.  Loved it!

In the afternoon a group - including fellow blipper and friend rainie, seen here behind her lens - went along to Lake Ellesmere on a bird photography outing.  Hmmmmm........not a lot of birds to be seen at all but wonderful to be out and about with like-minded people, to have a few locations for possible future trips identified and to spend time with Steve Attwood who is presenting a talk tomorrow on his amazing bird photography.  He even introduced us to New Zealand's only venomous spider, the katipo (extra) with a couple found living on some driftwood............never seen one before so that was a first.  Home late afternoon then a quick clean up and change then off to dinner.  Great conversation and lovely people..........feeling inspired :D