Featured in the Manly Daily (02/02/2012)

[Xenedis]

I am part of a newly-formed group of seascape photographers which holds weekly dawn shoots and breakfasts on Sydney's Northern Beaches district, and all the way up and down the coast.

Last Saturday at dawn we had a huge meet at Long Reef, and over 30 people showed up.

The Manly Daily newspaper ran a story about us, which appears on page 9 of today's edition.

The main photo features myself, shooting on the Newport/Bilgola rock shelf last week, during a very colorful dawn and sunrise.

The online edition of the paper is here:

http://digitaledition.manlydaily.com.au/default.aspx#folio=009

The feature photo is here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johna1/6751365307/

If any Sydney seascape shooters are interested in joining us for photography and social interaction, we can be found at the following Flickr group:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/northernbeachesnsw/

[Analog6]

Well done! And great images.

[old dog]

agree totally. I try to join in the Sundance group (Flickr) at Newcastle when I can and its a lot of fun and great people.

[matt shepherd]

Congrats John,

I must admit that shooting seascapes with 30 other shooters must be a challenge all on its own.
Great pics by the way

[Xenedis]

Thanks all.

The images in the article aren't my own. I'm just in one of them. :-)

They were shot by John Armytage.

[mechawombat]

What if you are a NOOB seascaper like me and want to start to learn? Its the 5am start that is a killer but I would love to learn

[Darey]

Join in, thay are a great group. I'm still a learner and I have enjoyed 2 shoots with the group.
We have good fun.

[Xenedis]

What if you are a NOOB seascaper like me and want to start to learn?

Photographers of all levels are welcome.

There are some seascapers who've been doing it for years, and some who are new to it.

What we have in common is not our experience, but our love of seascaping, desire to teach and learn, and desire for social interaction.


Its the 5am start that is a killer but I would love to learn

If only it were a 5am start. For most of my dawn shoots, I'm up at 3am and out the door not long after.

At this time of year I tend to arrive at the venue in at around 4:30-4:45am to allow time for prep, navigation and setup.

It's not sunrise I seek; it's the magical light before the sun turns up.

[maccaroneski]

What if you are a NOOB seascaper like me and want to start to learn? Its the 5am start that is a killer but I would love to learn

Tough to get a good sunrise shot at any other time :)

I'm part of the group as well, and they are a great bunch so come along.

[Cobalt Blue]

So a total newbie, who only has kit lenses and a 50mm (but is saving for UWA lens, tripod and a couple of other things) can come and learn? Even if they have a thousand questions?

[Xenedis]

So a total newbie, who only has kit lenses and a 50mm (but is saving for UWA lens, tripod and a couple of other things) can come and learn? Even if they have a thousand questions?

Absolutely.

A 50mm lens wouldn't be my choice for seascaping (or anything, really), but you can certainly use it, and people are always happy to provide advice.

If you have an 18-55mm kit lens, I'd suggest you use that instead, as it will give you a wider view.

[mechawombat]

When I get my Nikon I will most definitely get to bed early to come out and shoot

[mongo]

very admirable work and quite deservedly recognized and acknowledged. Congrats John.

[Mat]

Well done. I am in the Sundance group also and must admidt it can be hard to get out of bed so early but once I get going in the car and arrive at the mornings location I enjoy it so much. I encourage the NOOBs to get out and try it. With a turn out of 10 to 40+ togs there will be many who will help you but you just have to go. When you see the images appear on the back of you camera and know that you took them you might just get hooked. Some mornings (most) there is not much colour but the days that there are, it is magical.

[Xenedis]

When I get my Nikon I will most definitely get to bed early to come out and shoot

Nikons aren't permitted. Real cameras only.


very admirable work and quite deservedly recognized and acknowledged. Congrats John.

Thanks Mongo.

The photos featured in the article aren't my images, though; I just happened to be in the way when JA snapped a shot. :-)


Well done. I am in the Sundance group also and must admidt it can be hard to get out of bed so early but once I get going in the car and arrive at the mornings location I enjoy it so much.

I hear you.

My starts are very early, and during my recent five-week run of decadence and debauchery, I did quite a few dawns.