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Piha Beach


Piha Beach
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3817 W: 505 N: 8098] (27718)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-05-06
Categories: Ocean
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Canon EF 17-40mm f4L, Digital RAW 200, Hoya UV 77mm
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-05-25 4:54
Viewed: 1175
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Piha Beach

Piha is a coastal town in northern New Zealand. It is one of the most popular resorts in the area and a major day-trip destination for Aucklanders throughout the year, although especially so in summer.

Location: It is located 28 kilometres west of Auckland city centre, on the Tasman Sea coast to the north of the Manukau Harbour, amidst the Waitakere Ranges.

The area has retained much of its natural beauty and isolation. The rugged coastline and forested Waitakere Ranges offer a number of walks, or tramps, ranging from easy to very difficult. Close to the beach are the Kitekite Falls which while not very large are picturesque. Swimming is possible all seasons in a pool just above the falls while at the bottom is a sheltered picnic area popular in summer with families.

Features, Geology Lion Rock, a natural formation named for its similarity to a lying male lion when viewed from the rear (shore side), is a natural formation dividing North and South Piha beaches. Lion Rock is immediately visible to visitors as they descend along the only access road. Lion Rock has become iconic not only of Piha, but of Auckland's West Coast in general. It was featured on stamps as well as an Auckland phone book. A blowhole is also located at Piha.

Surf Piha is probably New Zealand's second best-known surfing beach after Raglan, and it has a reputation for awesome surf. It was the birthplace of New Zealand board riding in 1956 and has been the scene of both New Zealand national and international surfing championship competitions. This black ironsand beach is notorious for its rips and currents, so is not a good beach for novices to attempt. Two Surf Lifesaving Clubs provide surf patrols in summer. United North Piha Lifeguard Service is responsible for the section of the beach north of Lion Rock and Piha Surf Life Saving Club patrols the section of the beach to the south of Lion Rock. Both clubs provide patrolled areas designated by red and yellow flags as is the custom with New Zealand Surf Lifesaving.


Extreme Danger The rips along this section of coast are very unpredictable and can shift with little warning. They claim many lives despite the efforts of surf life-savers, although the life-savers commonly complain of people swimming outside of the flags.

The above obtained from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piha

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 10D8
Time of day: 11:47 a.m.
Date: 6th May 2006
Weather conditions: Overcast
Lens: Canon 17-40mm USM L
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/250
F-Stop: F/9
Focal Length: 17mm
ISO: 200
Original file type: Digital Raw
jeanpaul, marhowie, LordPotty, aido, SunToucher, mjdundee, Evelynn, hekcik has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Pam
Belle présentation de ce joli paysage cotier,les couleurs et la nettetée sont très bonnes, belle composition car la prise est vraiment parfaite .
Au revoir et félicitation ....JP

Hi Pam,
Expanding our WA horizons again I see :)
Amazing DOF at F/9..Good exposure on an overcast day. I think it's well composed, with great sharpness and detail seen..
I'm no expert ;) but perhaps a tripod and ISO 100 would be something to consider in the future, for the best quality shot?
Nicely done and TFS!

Great photo of Piha beach Pam.
Haven't been here for ages.
I've been watching Piha rescue each week.
I even wrote to them there.
We have no surf lifesavers here on the West Coast. I'm out nearly every day surf kayaking, and the waves are MUCH bigger here.
I'll send you a couple of photos if you like.
Steve

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1044 W: 156 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-05-25 11:33]

Hi Pam,
I like this a lot, the low POV gives a real sense of space, and the light on the hills in the distance draws the eye there. I like the lines too that all seem to converge in the upper centre. Nice format too, excellent.
Regards,
Adrian

Hi Pam,
What a beautiful scenery and what a excellent photo of it. Great low POV with the horizon placed at a perfect position. The depth in your photo is super, with the diagonal lines in the f/g and the rock in the center leading you toward the sunlighted rocks in the back. Excellent colors and light. I won't mind spending severall hours at this beautiful place.
TFS,
Niek

Hello Pam,
Fantastic catch of light and great depth.
Yur POV is excelent. Good note too. TFS
Thomas

Hi Pam,
Top shot. Great use of low camera angle to fill the foreground with a bit of interest.
TFS
Paul

Hi Pam,

This is a beautiful, sharp image. I really like your composition which leads the viewer into the scene, back to the surf and sunshine. Nicely done.

Thanks for sharing

Evelynn : )

Wow Pam ...
This wide angle sure draws my eyes into the center.Thefantastic rock formations in the front add in making this a truly brilliant vista. Nice how the sunlight is hitting the back.

Hi Pam,
A bit of a late one last night (work not fun!!). Just time for a very quick visit. Have a lovely weekend
Thanks for posting, well worth a big smiley.

Hi Pam,

Beautifuk landscape.
Very nice compositon and exposure.
Well done!

TFS :-)
Norbert

What a beautiful environment, the wide angle perspective is excellent showing great detail with your perfect exposure. I also like how all the lines draws attention, bringing the eyes focus to the top center. Well done Pam. :)

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