Media Release

Participants in the 2009 PSNZ Central Regional Photographic Convention will be encouraged to Get a Grip to develop their photographic expertise. They can expect to be amazed, amused, motivated and educated during the convention, to be held over a 3 day period, October 30th to November 1st. Hosted by the Hutt Camera Club at the Silverstream Retreat, Upper Hutt, it will feature workshops, field trips and guest speakers who are notable professional photographers.

Field trips will include a visit to the Staglands Wildlife Reserve with its numerous photographic opportunities which feature birds and animals, and an interesting old bush settlement. Staglands spreads over 10ha of bush, streams, ponds, hills and gullies and has been created and developed over many years to provide an area of natural beauty and character.

The Silver Stream Railway Museum will also provide awesome photo opportunities for the enthusiast with a steam engine working, people in period costume and authentic uniforms, period luggage and all the trappings of a bygone age.

Efil Doog (read this backwards) is another photographer’s paradise in Upper Hutt with its beautiful gardens, designed with imagination and humour. Here there are unusual trees and shrubs, and intriguing sculptures set in an area of rare and special ambience.

For those who fancy getting up early there is a treat in store with a visit to Pauatahanui Inlet with its multiple photographic opportunities. At the Western end of the inlet are numerous boatsheds of all sizes, colours and descriptions that provide ample subject material for the pictorial photographer. Pauatahanui Nature Reserve can be found at the Eastern end of the inlet where well defined tracks lead to several well-built hides which allow keen nature photographers to get up close and personal with the various birds that frequent this area.

Workshops will include wedding photography with a twist ( see photos to see what happened at a practice shoot! ), photojournalism, digital darkroom techniques, macro photography and more There will be something for everyone.

During the Second World War the Silverstream site was established as a military hospital to cater for large numbers of American marines, casualties of the war in the Pacific. This will be the theme for the Saturday evening dinner with entertainment.

This convention is suitable for anyone interested in photography. Point and shoot owners will be mingling with DSLR owners. Hobbyist, amateurs and professionals will all be learning together. This will be a fun filled weekend with photo opportunities galore.