Photography Spots in Christchurch
There are many amazing places for photography in Christchurch in the Canterbury area. Why not why not try out some of my suggestions below.
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The Waimakariri River
There are several places along this river which are wonderful for photography. One place is just next to the old Waimakariri bridge near Kaiapoi, just below the bridge. The light here in autumn is amazing and the trees are all golden if you stand on the single river road looking towards the old Waimakariri bridge. You get this beautiful vista which you can see in this photo here. This is my sister in a yellow dress spinning around. It is also great place for family photography.
Haul Road
Another place along the Waimakariri River is Haul Road. This is in the Macleans Island area and is suitable on a cloudy Norwest day and is great for getting photos of children throwing stones into water and other interesting shots. There is also quite a bit of vegetation around the area where you can get some quite arty shots.
Further towards the mountains there is Macleans Island Forest Park and be on that another road that heads to the river. The access can be hard to hear but the forest is quite cool in this location. There are lots of European type trees the lighting is fairly speckled but on the right day that can be amazing for back lighting through the trees especially at sunset. Sometimes in autumn after a week of heavy rain, a few days later you will find fly agaric mushrooms which are the red mushrooms with the white dots.
2. Macleans Island Forest Park.
This location has very dark lighting in many spots. It also has a very orange brown tone or bright green tone depending on the time of year and where you position your subject. This isn’t for everyone – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an interesting spot.
It was once my favourite place to go mainly because it was close to my house, but now I found places with better lighting.
A forest tunnel
One of the most interesting places is a long tunnel of trees which is off the Golf Club Access Road to McLeans Island Golf Course. If you place your subjects at the edge of this tunnel you get great lighting with a great tunnel effect.
There is a photo I took further down the tree tunnel several years ago which gives dark eyesockets and dark lighting in general. It is not a flattering lighting but it suits this photo because I was going for a dark mysterious look. I entered this in the Iris awards and received a bronze award several years ago. My daughter looks as if she has come out of surviving a war. This look might not be so good for families. There are other better locations in this area of McLeans Island Forest Park which are quite good for family photography work.
You need to go around and search and try different things until you find good locations. Think open shade with a good background in the distance that you can turn into creamy bokeh.
3. The Port Hills.
There are several locations on the Port Hills which are wonderful for family photography.
The journey up there is quite long and a couple of the locations are further away so your families will have to really be adventurous.
Gibraltar Rock
One place I really love is Gibraltar Rock. This is a long way around the port hills above Halswell / Taitapu area. The best way to access it is from Dyers pass Road and along the summit road until you reach above all is well. You cannot miss this interesting volcanic cone. If you walk down the walkway from the car park there are some native bush which you could shoot then or on the edge of. I need to try this myself very soon.
The other location is on the hill just before you get to Gibraltar Rock. This can be a very windy area so I don’t recommend it on a Norwest day. It is also good here for astrophotography and sunsets. You can get a great landscape photo up here at sunset especially if there is cloud cover which blocks the sun slightly and stops your highlights blowing out.
Other Port Hill locations
Other easier locations on the Port Hills are any of the reserves across the top of the Summit Road closer to Dyers Pass Road. A friend of mine uses the Sign of the Kiwi. This is easily accessible with a good car park and you can get views over Christchurch and the mountains. There is a walkway going down the side of the stone building towards Lyttelton Harbour. Some people go further around to Rapaki area to take photos.
A completely different area is up Mount Pleasant Road to a reserve overlooking Britten Crag. This area is very quiet as the road is now a dead end after the Christchurch Earthquakes. The views over New Brighton spit are truly amazing. You will be dealing with back lighting which can be challenging but by exposing for the sky and then lifting the shadows slightly in Photoshop or Lightroom you can achieve a wonderful image.
4. The beach
There are several beach locations that I would recommend. My number one choice would be Pines Beach near Kaiapoi. This beach has pine trees quite close to the sand dunes. This means that you can go just before sunset and have beautiful shaded light on parts of the beach for your subjects sometimes with rim lighting behind them. If you go to South Brighton or new Brighton the light takes a lot longer to get beautiful because there are no trees blocking it.
The other good thing about Pines beach is that there are so many different backdrops you wouldn’t believe it. There is a road going in which makes a wonderful walking shot. It is not a busy road but you do have to look out for cars.
The sand dunes
There are straight trees and small sand dune hills. These can give a very busy background but interesting arty look. You can also find golden trees here as well.
There is also pine forest with lots of sand dunes where you can put your subject up high to achieve an interesting look. The one problem here is if it’s a very sunny day you have to be aware of blotches of light falling on your subjects.
The beach itself at sunrise or sunset is one of the best I’ve found.
5. Naval point.
This is the location I went to just recently and I will shoot here again definitely especially for model shoots, teen shoots and even child shoots. The one thing you have to be cautious of here is the water and children falling off wharves. It is probably more suited to teenagers and young adults unless you are sure the children are sensible.
The light here at sunset is again wonderful because the Port Hills block the harsh light with just small pieces coming over the top of the hills to give a golden effect. The hills over near Diamond Harbour become red or golden giving a beautiful backdrop.
The water on a calm day is again and amazing backdrop for a portrait. It is rippling and blue green.
6. The estuary.
The estuary is a place I haven’t shot much at that it is very popular especially the wharf from the South Brighton domain. The best time of day here is once the sun has actually set. Unless you want to go for a brightly lit fashion shot with slightly harsh lighting and shadows like the one below. It is not that suitable for families as it’s hard to squash everyone on the wharf although it could be done if you use a wide angle lens. For individuals like teenagers or adults wanting a fine art shoot it is fantastic. Be aware that there may be a queue to get photos especially on a very nice evening.
7. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
If you are shooting weddings at the Botanic Gardens you need a license but it may also apply to other types of photography depending on the scale of the shoot. If you are not sure, get the free permit. Commercial photography incurs a charge. The booking letter needs to be carried with you as you go around doing your shoot. You are also not allowed to shoot in the native New Zealand native garden and rose garden as well as some other areas. There is the list of instructions on the Christchurch City Council website.
Fantastic trees
In the autumn the trees in the Botanical Gardens just fantastic. Probably the best place is over near the hospital where these large hemlock plants grow in the spring and provide an amazing backdrop for photographers. You will find flattened patches of hemlock where people have had portraits taken. Just be aware that hemlock is poisonous and don’t let children eat it. I have taken maternity photos here in the middle of the day and the one thing I had to control was my background where the light was very bright. The Botanical Gardens is always best at sunrise and sunset the same as any place, but you can find places where the background is not blowing out if you were shooting in the middle of the day. There is lots of open shade here.
8.Burwood Forest Park.
Again this is pine forest which can be incredibly dark and you have to watch the light as it can be unflattering in certain circumstances, creating dark eye sockets. If you use open shade you should be okay for family shots. Also if you were doing maternity work you will be fine taking your subject further into the forest if they are looking down at their stomach etc. Looking at the camera the light may be less flattering unless you use a fill flash. It’s better to move your subject to the edge of the forest but then you may not get the beautiful sand dune mounds that are in this forest and make it interesting.
9. Local parks.
This is a bit more generalised but don’t forget your local parks. I live near several local parks and they can have secret little areas that are great for photography. You just have to location Hunt and find what works for you. The Groynes has several amazing spots. Paths through the forest that are great for families as long as you have the families on the edge of the forest or in open shade. I also love the Groins for its amazing fishing ponds. Quite often I use the reflections and put my subjects in the pond. I want to do a lot more of these shoots because they really are fun and provide a very serene effect. Check with the local councils if you have a very large shoot and think you may require a permit.
10. My studio
My studio is in my lounge. I have amazing consistent lighting that gives a soft effect on the skin. I’m also proficient at several different types of lighting so you can be assured you will receive a photo you love. Because my studio is indoors it is nice and warm, with the fire going on a cold day. It also means I can shoot at any time of the day or into evening. And the lighting is always fully controlled. Outdoor shoots mean that the lighting can be varied and different every time you go out. The weather can also foil you for several weeks in a row. In the studio weather is not a problem and your booking is assured with no cancellations due to weather.
If you would like a shoot please let me know.
