New Zealand. Auckland --> Hobbiton

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Hello again. My Hong Kong pics seemed to go down quite well, so here's the first batch from NZ. We were driving down the country, and the first stage was Auckland to Matamata, better known as Hobbiton. I've tried to be a bit more selective here, there are more on my new photoblog. Enjoy.

(1)

(2) First BBQ of the year!

(3) Auckland Sky Tower

(4)

 

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(5) The view down

(6) B/W better?

(7)

(8) From my grandparents back garden

 

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(9) Who needs HDR?

(10) Orewa Beach. Just down the road.

(11) On the road to Matamata

(12)

 

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(13) On the grounds of Hobbiton

(14) Candid competition?

(15) Hobbiton!

(16) Checking out the Hobbit's pad

 

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(17) The view

(18)

EDIT: Sorry about so many, i'm not capable of being that selective

 

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Great shots, I myself will be over there (NZ) soon!

Cool, for a holiday i presume? My top two places to go would be Abel Tasman (Do some sea kayaking! Pics to come when i get round to them!) and Taupo to do a skydive. It's the cheapest place in the country (~£75) and has the best view -- over a lake with snow-capped mountains in the background. Breathtaking! Oh, and go to Doubtful Sound instead of Milford! Oh and go to Queenstown to do all the adventure stuff. And Wanaka 'cos its lovely. Do the Tamaki Brothers Hangi (Maori feast) in Rotorua -- its the best in the country. Do the Zorbing and Luge there too.

..Bah you got me started now.. i wanna go back!

 

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Oh, thanks for the comments too. Regarding the clouds, i'm not sure what i'm doing wrong. I generally have a bit of a play in Camera RAW, mostly changing the curve to medium or strong contrast. Then in PS i've been changing the curve to an ever-so-slight 'S' shape or simply ben it up a bit. Perhaps thats too much? I thought i was evening things out, because i generally use a level mask on the sky and bring it back down. I'll try to take note of the clouds in the future, as opposed to going mad on the blue sky.

If anyone wants to have a play with any of them, feel free.

 

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I've only been back a week and i'm already jealous of you lol. Just get used to saying "sweet as".

 

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bro!!!!

haha

I love the way the Kiwis say "eh" so much as well. Even when what they're saying doesn't remotely resemble a question

Really like that shot of the skytower (4), I found it pretty difficult to get a unique perspective on it, as you've got.

Thanks. I have to admit i was at the stage where i was going a bit wild with angles etc.. Seemed to work for that shot!