Dunedin student flats: 165$ per week and not even free internet.

The Dunedin Photographic Society (est. 1890) casts in its last year’s call for entries some (flash)light on the tricky question of proper landscape photography. Which is, in a twisted way, one of the main goals of the ‘Ugly New Zealand’ project. The incredibly sweet and refreshingly modernism-free section guidelines state:

Natural History

Natural History depicts non-captive untamed animals, uncultivated plants in their natural habitat, geology and natural phenomena not produced by man. The accurate recording of the subject and the natural environment is the prime factor. Evidence of man and manipulation of the natural environment is undesirable and should be avoided. Digital images MUST maintain a faithful representation of the original captured image. Any enhancement, electronic or otherwise, must respect the structural and scientific integrity of the subject and the actual environment of which it is a part. Entries for this section will use Scientific, common names or interpretive/descriptive titles.

One could argue that ‘not produced by man’ excludes approximately 95% of New Zealand (and 98 of the rest of the world, assuming you don’t seek your satisfaction in taking shots of clouds or the sea. And the use of ‘faithful’ and ‘must respect’ is just touching.

However, it’s spot-on in terms of this blog’s main question: how would Ugly New Zealand landscape photography look like? Any suggestions, perhaps even with photo evidence?

(Thanks to Holger Regenbrecht for the info and link.)

The friendly people of Totally Wired, Sharon Guytonbeck and John Ransley, sent us a stunning example of what happens when a neighbour with landscaping ambitions gets ahold of a 30-ton digger. Our second – more or less – authentic landscape photo! More on that topic in the post above…

Photo © 2009 by John Ransley

South Dunedin’s busiest mall.

Photo © 2009 Scott Savage

In South Dunedin we go all out at Christmas. The unique post Christmas tradition is usually to decorate the curb-sides with Chisco Christmas Club boxes.

Photos © 2009 Scott Savage

Parking spaces in dire shortage in South Dunedin.

Photos © 2009 Scott Savage

Yeah! Hit me, Miami-Vice-style! Please also note the sign on the left-hand side.

Makes you wonder what the architect does today and if the council members had fun in that club that night…

Actually a great spot and a great photo, too. Apply your own lens correction if you mind bent reality.

Google Maps Location.

Ah, Dunedin, finally. Too be fair (at least for once): the place has been abandoned for a long time.

Again, this is a great photo and shouldn’t be here. Anyhow, the whole train station area feels like a Kaurismäki movie and somebody should shoot a movie there, the sooner the better. Close to one of my favourite cafés in NZ, the “Off the Rail Cafe”, which, despite its name, is an amazing place.