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2013-04-08 21:51:38 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

In the next few days we are announcing 9 new designs, 8 of which are from Queenstown and the surrounding area. This is the first we are announcing and is of the beautiful Lake Wakatipu taken by me (+Ben Smith ) early in the morning from the shore line around Queenstown.

2013-04-03 20:28:07 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 18 +1s)

Split Apple Rock

On the edge of Abel Tasman this rock has been split in two by the forces of nature. I just wish nature had planted the rock closer to the shore! I spent an annoying morning trying to photograph this pretty cool geological wonder, only for the rock to be a small blip in the picture (I'll probably share some more from that morning later), certainly not something that was ideal for a postcard. In the end I gave up on foreground interest, put on my 100mm prime lens and went for something a bit different, thankfully in time for the sun to finally appear. 

I showed it till +Phil Jones  (my business partner) later that day and his first reaction was... nah, it looks like a chocolate orange!

...grrr.. 

next visit we are going to try and coincide with low tide! :-)

Copyright Pikitia Postcards

2013-04-03 20:27:43 (8 comments, 3 reshares, 44 +1s)

Split Apple Rock

On the edge of Abel Tasman this rock has been split in two by the forces of nature. I just wish nature had planted the rock closer to the shore! I spent an annoying morning trying to photograph this pretty cool geological wonder, only for the rock to be a small blip in the picture (I'll probably share some more from that morning later), certainly not something that was ideal for a postcard. In the end I gave up on foreground interest, put on my 100mm prime lens and went for something a bit different, thankfully in time for the sun to finally appear. 

I showed it till +Phil Jones  (my business partner) later that day and his first reaction was... nah, it looks like a chocolate orange!

...grrr.. 

next visit we are going to try and coincide with low tide! :-)

Copyright Pikitia Postcards

2013-04-03 04:09:53 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 6 +1s)

Nelson

Spent a few days in Nelson last week. It's a beautiful part of the country and an area amazingly I've not seen many NZ photographers explore. The light was quite special, with this evening golden glow filling the town. Lots more photos to process yet but this was one of the first, taken not long after I landed and whilst I was desperately trying to find a good viewpoint of the beach. 

Also one of the first photos taken with my new company bought 5d mkiii. After 8 years of using the original 5d I have finally upgraded! 

This photos is Copyright +Pikitia Postcards 

2013-04-03 04:09:32 (1 comments, 3 reshares, 17 +1s)

Nelson

Spent a few days in Nelson last week. It's a beautiful part of the country and an area amazingly I've not seen many NZ photographers explore. The light was quite special, with this evening golden glow filling the town. Lots more photos to process yet but this was one of the first, taken not long after I landed and whilst I was desperately trying to find a good viewpoint of the beach. 

Also one of the first photos taken with my new company bought 5d mkiii. After 8 years of using the original 5d I have finally upgraded! 

This photos is Copyright +Pikitia Postcards 

2013-03-12 20:00:04 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Glenorchy Tree

No, It's not that tree in Wanaka, but it's cousin in Glenorchy!

2013-03-12 19:59:43 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 42 +1s)

Glenorchy Tree

No, It's not that tree in Wanaka, but it's cousin in Glenorchy!

2013-03-11 21:44:14 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Shotover Canyon, Queenstown

A beautiful canyon just near Queenstown. From behind where this photos was taken you can take a Jet boat that rushes down through this canyon at break neck speeds just missing the walls! It looked great fun! Though I swear the drivers were deliberately trying to splash me and my camera at the side of the river!

2013-03-11 21:43:49 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

Shotover Canyon, Queenstown

A beautiful canyon just near Queenstown. From behind where this photos was taken you can take a Jet boat that rushes down through this canyon at break neck speeds just missing the walls! It looked great fun! Though I swear the drivers were deliberately trying to splash me and my camera at the side of the river!

2013-03-04 20:00:54 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

The edge of Lake Wakatipu offers so many good spots for photographer and this shot might be my favourite from my recent trip to queenstown. A morning shot taken just before the sun pops over the mountain and blasts this small tree with far too much light, and a speed boat goes past and ruins all the lovely reflections. A 10 stop was used to help smooth the water.

2013-03-04 20:00:35 (7 comments, 3 reshares, 35 +1s)

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

The edge of Lake Wakatipu offers so many good spots for photographer and this shot might be my favourite from my recent trip to queenstown. A morning shot taken just before the sun pops over the mountain and blasts this small tree with far too much light, and a speed boat goes past and ruins all the lovely reflections. A 10 stop was used to help smooth the water.

2013-03-02 19:17:20 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Lake Wakatipu - Queenstown

Another evening shot from my recent trip to Queenstown. 

2013-03-02 19:16:54 (13 comments, 2 reshares, 38 +1s)

Lake Wakatipu - Queenstown

Another evening shot from my recent trip to Queenstown. 

2013-03-01 22:44:42 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

Matamata, home to the hobbiton movie set, has to have the best and coolest i-SITE's in New Zealand! 

This limited edition card is available exclusively inside the hobbit home that is Matamata i-SITE.

2013-02-24 19:52:00 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

Bungee Jumping off  Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge

If you are ever going to do a bungee jump this has to be one of the best and most beautiful places in the world to do it. The beauty is only slightly disturbed by the screams of terror and joy from the jumpers battling their fears as they plummet towards the water. It's great fun to watch, but I certainly wasn't tempted to give it a go!

2013-02-24 19:51:31 (2 comments, 6 reshares, 14 +1s)

Bungee Jumping off  Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge

If you are ever going to do a bungee jump this has to be one of the best and most beautiful places in the world to do it. The beauty is only slightly disturbed by the screams of terror and joy from the jumpers battling their fears as they plummet towards the water. It's great fun to watch, but I certainly wasn't tempted to give it a go!

2013-02-23 00:28:16 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 21 +1s)

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

The first of many pictures I took last week in Queenstown.  I had promised myself to not be too influenced by other photos I had seen of the lake but when I noticed the pointy rock seen in the mid distance and recognised it from both +Jason Law and +Todd Sisson photo collections... so I immediately felt compelled to walk out to it. So I rolled my trousers up and took my shoes off and start wading out. Within 10 miuntes I had ventured about one metre off the shore I had slipped several times, was soaking wet and had almost dropped the camera and tripod in the water several times. Suffice to say I swore a lot and gave up on the shot, grumpily decided they must have been wearing waders and specials boots and used the rocks closer to the beach as foreground interest instead!

#plusphotoextract   #landscapephotography   #newzealandphotography +Lands... more »

2013-02-23 00:29:20 (14 comments, 2 reshares, 38 +1s)

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

The first of many pictures I took last week in Queenstown.  I had promised myself to not be too influenced by other photos I had seen of the lake but when I noticed the pointy rock seen in the mid distance and recognised it from both +Jason Law and +Todd Sisson photo collections... so I immediately felt compelled to walk out to it. So I rolled my trousers up and took my shoes off and start wading out. Within 10 miuntes I had ventured about one metre off the shore I had slipped several times, was soaking wet and had almost dropped the camera and tripod in the water several times. Suffice to say I swore a lot and gave up on the shot, grumpily decided they must have been wearing waders and special boots and used the rocks closer to the beach as foreground interest instead!

#plusphotoextract   #landscapephotography   #newzealandphotography  +Lands... more »

2013-02-14 22:50:02 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Things are going well in Queenstown, not had any amazing sunrise or sunsets yet but starting to get my bearings. I'm hoping to get to what looks like a look out point here https://maps.google.co.nz/?ll=-45.026207,168.777916&spn=0.004118,0.010568&t=h&z=17 but the road says it's closed? Is that true or does is it mean just the end of the road by the ski field?

2013-02-12 16:31:46 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

I am off to Queenstown for a week with the family. We only go on holiday to destinations where we need postcard designs for these days! So will be up for a lot of sunrises and sunsets to try and get some new images. So If anyone has some advice on good spots I'm all ears! :-)

2013-01-25 22:37:00 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Check out page 3 (page 20 online) of the latest Arrival Mag. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Waimangu photos were taken by Pikitia Postcards.

2013-01-16 05:55:25 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Devils Punchbowl

This is an old image I found today sat on my hard drive unprocessed for the last two years. Quite please I found it! This is a strangely named waterfall in Arthurs Pass. 

2013-01-16 05:54:47 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 26 +1s)

Devils Punchbowl

This is an old image I found today sat on my hard drive unprocessed for the last two years. Quite please I found it! This is a strangely named waterfall in Arthurs Pass. 

2013-01-09 01:26:51 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

A train at Driving Creek Railway in Coromandel Town. weaving through the beautiful replanted native kauri forest.

2013-01-06 05:03:32 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 11 +1s)

Waiting for Pohutu Geyser - Te Puia - Guardian of Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, Rotorua

One of those frustrating times when we ( +Phil Jones and I for +Pikitia Postcards ) arrive early in the morning to Te Puia to grab an image of the normally reliable geyser erupting in the morning light over the adjourning water hole. The light was perfect, a fantastic orange glow with a nice clean blue background... only for the geyser to remain quiet! After seeing the light pass it's best, I eventually stropped off to get images of the Marae whilst Phil waited a little longer to get the glory shot! So if you could, when looking at this, imagine a large jet of water shooting out the rock in the left third then you'd see the amazing picture that never was! :-)

... still ... nice light...

2013-01-06 05:01:54 (4 comments, 4 reshares, 27 +1s)

Waiting for Pohutu Geyser - Te Puia - Guardian of Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, Rotorua

One of those frustrating times when we ( +Phil Jones and I for +Pikitia Postcards ) arrive early in the morning to Te Puia to grab an image of the normally reliable geyser erupting in the morning light over the adjourning water hole. The light was perfect, a fantastic orange glow with a nice clean blue background... only for the geyser to remain quiet! After seeing the light pass it's best, I eventually stropped off to get images of the Marae whilst Phil waited a little longer to get the glory shot! So if you could, when looking at this, imagine a large jet of water shooting out the rock in the left third then you'd see the amazing picture that never was! :-)

... still ... nice light...

2013-01-03 05:40:09 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 29 +1s)

Happy New Year all. I'm back from a New Years break in Taupo. Not much time for photography though as my sister and family were visiting from the UK! We did venture into the central plateau though and managed to get to the impressive Tawhai Falls. Could have spent a few hours composing pictures of these falls, though unsurprisingly the kids were restless after a few minutes! On my long list of places to go back too... preferably with waders!

2012-12-25 05:13:06 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Spreading Christmas cheer to everyone! :)

2012-12-24 01:09:10 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Waihi Beach from Bowentown Domain

The 10km stretch of beautiful white sand beach from Bowentown to Waihi Beach. A fantastic place to spend the Summer holidays, even in the rain!

2012-12-22 23:22:21 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Valve Tower, Zealandia, Wellington

The Valve Tower at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience in Wellington. Built in the 1870s the valve tower sits proud in these beautiful surroundings.

2012-12-18 20:51:02 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Tolaga Bay Wharf, Near Gisborne

Tolaga Bay near Gisborne houses the longest wharf in New Zealand at 600m long. This beautiful image is by Gisborne Photographer Gray Clapham. You can see more of his work at www.designarts.co.nz

2012-12-14 00:24:51 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

For those of you who are in the New Myspace. I've set myself up there but under my companies name Pikitia Postcards. So feel free to connect to me me/us over there.. https://new.myspace.com/pikitia .

2012-12-13 22:01:29 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

Westhaven Marina in Auckland

Westhaven Marina in Auckland, New Zealand, is the largest yacht marina in the Southern Hemisphere. The marina has nearly two thousand berths and swing moorings. Auckland, known as 'City of Sails', is known for its maritime passions.

This fantastic image is by Auckland photographer Kerry Kissane. 

2012-12-13 05:35:15 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand, located in the heart of Wellington. "Te Papa Tongarewa" is broadly translatable as "the place of treasures of this land".

2012-12-11 19:00:15 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Cornish Pumphouse, Waihi

A relic from the original mine in Waihi, built in 1904 from a design used in the tin mines of Cornwall, England. It stands proud overlooking both Waihi and the giant hole next to it where they are still mining today.

2012-12-10 19:05:58 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Young Nick's Head, Gisborne

Young Nick's Head is the headland at the southern end of Poverty Bay, clearly visible from Gisborne. It was named after 12-year-old Nicholas Young, who was the first person to sight land on Capt. James Cook's ship, the Endeavour on October 7, 1769.

This image was taken by Gisborne photographer Jordan Kappely. You can see more of Jordan's work at http://www.jordankappely.co.nz/

2012-12-09 22:29:10 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Thomas Cooke telescope, Carter Observatory, Wellington

Carter Observatory, at the top of the cable car, houses this beautiful historic 9 3/4-inch refracting telescope that is open for public star gazing sessions at night. The telescope was made by made in 1867 by Thomas Cooke & Sons of York.

2012-12-09 22:22:17 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 5 +1s)

Thomas Cooke telescope, Carter Observatory, Wellington

Carter Observatory, at the top of the cable car, houses this beautiful historic 9 3/4-inch refracting telescope that is open for public star gazing sessions at night. The telescope was made by made in 1867 by Thomas Cooke & Sons of York.

2012-12-09 08:32:46 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Three images from our last batch of cards that were accidentally missed out!

The iconic Tui is by Photographer Belinda Gifford.
The sunny Mount Maunganui image is by +Phil Jones . 
And the Russell design was taken by me +Ben Smith whilst on a +Pikitia Postcards  shoot in the area.

We are about to announce 9 new designs so watch this space over the coming weeks

2012-12-09 06:23:15 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

I spend a couple of months away from Google+ to concentrate on the Pre-season frenzy and a whole new feature appears! I'm loving this new community thing! So I thought I'd say hello and share a new photo from our ( +Phil Jones and I) recent trip to Wellington. It's currently being printed along with a few other new designs so you guys get the first sneak preview! 

So being new to this community feature... how does this work? Are images I share here posted on my feed as well or just here? Do I have to upload images twice or can I share an image from my folder on to here?... Maybe I should go and read the manual. :-)

2012-11-14 06:02:46 (1 comments, 3 reshares, 16 +1s)

Just come back from Wellington with Phil. Had a great few days and we both have a stack of very cool images to now go through and process! Catching our plane back to Tauranga was a bit precarious though as we had to dodge giant fish, and then a giant Gollum that came crashing through the ceiling!

Every airport should have a Gollum :-)

2012-11-03 02:30:05 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

We are happy to announce that New Zealand's most Iconic tourist attraction, visited by around 500,000 a year, are now also selling postcards from New Zealand's best and fastest growing postcard company! .... That's right, +SKYCITY Auckland are now selling a large stand of our postcards, including this design; a fantastic view of Auckland city from the top of the Sky Tower. From here you can see Downtown Auckland, the city port and over the water to Devonport , with the volcanic cone of Rangitoto in the distance.

This image was taken by photographer +Robert Brienza . If you aren't following him already.. you should be! :-)

2012-11-01 01:00:57 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
My Favorite Photographers!  --  Some Wildly Popular!  --  Some Unknown!

The photographers here are all in my personal circles.  The choices are mine and mine alone.  No one asked, begged, or pleaded to belong.  No bribes were offered or accepted.  These are the people that I routinely follow because I appreciate their great quality photography and their interaction.  There are NO requirements to share this circle.  I would appreciate the people in this circle plus the post, leave a comment, and share the circle as public.  

Who IS Here and Who Is Not?

I normally sharecircles ba... more »

2012-10-25 07:38:08 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Te Aronui a Rua Meeting House at Te Puia, Guardian of Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley in Rotorua.

This wharenui was first built in 1967 and completed by 1981. It was built by the tutors and students of Te Puia’s carving school and is now one of the highlights of Te Puia.

2012-10-23 04:03:42 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

This 1929 'Cat 60' was one of the first of its kind in New Zealand and replaced the power of 112 bullocks that used to haul the massive kauri logs. It can be seen at The Kauri Museum in Northlands.

2012-10-22 19:44:06 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Do any Australian Photographers here know of a good Canvas printing company that we can use to send out canvases from over here in NZ to our customers in Australia?

2012-10-16 19:07:47 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

Rainbow falls Waianiwaniwa, Kerikeri

There are some stunning waterfals in New Zealand and Rainbow Falls in Kerikeri has to be one of the most spectacular.

2012-10-16 03:12:36 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 19 +1s)

Kaka, Zealandia

The iconic New Zealand kākā is a large parrot in the same family as the cheeky kea. This one was photographed by Steve Attwood at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience and is the third new design created in conjunction with Zealandia, Steve and us.

2012-10-16 02:15:12 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Bath House Foyer, Rotorua Museum

When you enter Rotorua Museum you are presented with this impressive view. Opened in 1908, this building was originally a famous geothermal spa which offered therapeutic treatments to visitors from all over the world. The building represents the New Zealand Government’s first major investment in the tourism industry. It now houses Rotorua Museum where you can see collections covering fine arts, photography, social history, and a fantastic collection of Taonga objects from the Māori culture. And, of course, they sell the best postcards in New Zealand!

2012-10-14 00:53:48 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Now selling online internationally!

Our postcard packs have been updated with the new designs, we also now please to announce that we deliver internationally! You can buy our postcard packs and prints online at http://www.pikitia.co.nz/#/?id=shop .