Methven beat Southern, 2010 Watters Cup rugby

Whenever there is something interesting going on in Methven, if I go I usually can’t help but take a camera and do some visual push-ups.  I just enjoy photographing nearly everything (except weddings). These photos don’t usually have any apparent use – so I’m thinking about making a home for them on my website, sort of a visual diary of local life.  The page is not officially part of my website yet but can be found here for now.  The initial photos are from yesterdays Watters Cup rugby final where Methven had a good win over Southern.

Today Bruce Redmond proved he is the best ploughman in the world with a big win in the 2-day World Ploughing Competition held in Methven. It has been a huge event for Methven with competitors from all over the world converging here. Bruce thoroughly deserved the win. I spent the last hour of the competition fixed in a prime spot photographing only him and was surprised that maistream media were busy elsewhere – so I’m confident I have the best photographic record of New Zealand’s latest World Champion!

Bruce Redmond ploughing champion, Methven

The best ploughman in the world at work

Bruce Redmond, World Champion, with the trophy to prove it

Life imitates art, Methven Rodeo

Cowboys from all around descended on Methven today for the annual rodeo.  This bull earned my respect for the best impersonation of the graphic on the wall.

For the second year I have put together a calendar to help fundraising for the Methven Community Sports Trust.  It is out nice and early for those people who are organised and like to post overseas. This year we have streamlined the production and managed to reduce the price to $10 while maintaining the quality of last year.  Every cent goes to proposed new sporting facilities in our town so it is a good way to support the local community, promote our beautiful part of the country, and take care of a few Christmas prents all at once.  It is available at many retailers around town (a full list will soon be on my main website).  If you are out of town let me know, we can mail.

2010 Mt Hutt - Methven Calendar

Blues at the Blue

Wayne Pannett and the Back Road Blues band played to a packed house at the Blue Pub last night – I put a few images on my ‘Projects’ page here.

Methven A&P show

Ferris wheels and highland dancing – it must be showtime!

As a bit of an antidote to my general obsession with extreme detail and quality I have been doing a bit of work lately with images that are more impressionist than realist. It is photography deconstructed, conveying more of a mood or feeling than a literal record.

In most situations I will still be striving to capture as much detail as possible but at the same time i will be looking out for an alternate view. I have started a small collection of these images on my projects page, just click the ‘Impressionist’ tab.

This image here – familiar (yet not) to locals was taken early one morning on main street outside the Brown pub. I have made a 50×80 cm print on canvas of this, now hanging at the Icehouse Gallery.

Saturday was a great day for the keen individuals who took part in the Teva Big Day at the Office race.  It starts in Methven with a 40 km bike ride to the hills.  Next is a 24 k run through a sub alpine track around Mt Somers.  Back on the bikes for 30 km along the foothills, then in to kayaks for a 9km paddle along the RDR before the final 3.5 km run to finish at the Blue Pub in Methven.  

Teva multisport bike riders, Methven