Oscar Wilde is credited with saying, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness”. As a mediocre photographer, I confess that in the past, I imitated the images of photographers whom I admired. I justified this because it was a means of learning. It taught me how to see, compose, and process a photo.
Several people have guided my growth as a photographer. Their approach to their work has significantly influenced my thinking and development. John Hodgson's work impressed me enormously during my first years at Eastern Suburbs Camera Club. I’ll never forget his image of the Wanaka Tree in New Zealand. It dazzled me. That crazy tree standing in the water with mountains in the background and a row of poplars in riotous autumn colour was overwhelming and inexplicable. How could such an improbable scene exist?
Four years after seeing John’s wonderful print, I attended a PSNZ convention in April 2011. One thing I learned is that the Kiwis put on a good convention. Charlie Waite, the doyen of English landscape photographers, was the keynote speaker. His striving for perfection with a 4x5 view camera was a revelation. I learned from him without imitation!
I had arranged for my wife to join me after the convention to tour the South Island. This was planned before the Christchurch earthquake struck on 22 February 2011. Tragically, 185 people died, and the damage amounted to $NZ77 billion. A massive cost for a small country to bear. It followed the earthquake of 4 September 2010, which severely weakened many buildings, making them especially vulnerable to the second quake. A phone call to our pre-booked accommodation at Christchurch revealed that they were still in business and desperate for us to stay with them. I flew down from Aukland on a plane half full of Australian Police who had come to assist their Kiwi compatriots. Rachel arrived directly from Australia.
Most of Christchurch was closed, a no-go zone, but our hotel was opposite an area between the city and the airport that had been opened the day we arrived. Residents and business owners were allowed to enter to see what remained. The devastation to all manner of buildings was tragic. A Greek restaurant owner dumped revolting-smelling food from his fridges and freezers into a skip. Crews had been through and left sprayed notations on building facades or footpaths. Paper forms advising of dangerous conditions were taped to doors and windows. I wandered with the camera for over two hours in the late afternoon light. Some scenes were of total building collapse. Other buildings appeared to be in good condition but nonetheless had warning notices - “NO ENTRY”. One modern building had some broken windows but looked solid. When we returned nine days later, it had been razed to the ground.
Total collapse. An example of the destruction wrought by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
Towards the end of our tour, we were in Queenstown, planning to return to Christchurch to catch a flight home. I realised Wanaka was nearby and could be included in the trip to Christchurch. We set the alarm for 4:00 am to arrive at Wanaka before sunrise. Happily, it was April, and deciduous trees were in full colour.
Arriving at the lake just before sunrise, grey clouds and dull light made it look unfavourable. As time passed, the light increased, the clouds thinned, and the trees and poplars became bathed in warm light. I couldn’t believe it. John’s photo was materialising before my eyes. There was a lot of shutter clicking for five or ten minutes, and then it was over. It was time to find breakfast in Wanaka.