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Positioning Statement

'Where in the world am I, and what stories can I tell?’

I have lived in Auckland my whole life and one of my favourite things about this city is the nature and greenery. Auckland offers many beautiful parks, like Cornwall Park, which can transport you into a peaceful world away from the busy city. Through this project I delved into the aspects of the parks that make them so special, from the amazing trees, plants and flowers to the birds, farm animals and people who inhabit these spaces. The natural beauty of Auckland is the story I wanted to share through photography.

I initially explored and photographed multiple parks around Auckland but I was drawn to Cornwall Park the most, and I spent many hours there. Cornwall Park has a large amount of trees, gardens and farm land, with many walkways and grass areas. Many different people spend time at Cornwall Park, and everyone uses it in different ways.

The park's rich history also interested me. In 1901 Cornwall Park was gifted to New Zealand by Sir John Logan Campbell, his vision was “to create a park encompassing a working farm, heritage sites, sports grounds, walks and tree-lined avenues, which New Zealand could treasure forever.” Sir John had owned Cornwall Park for around 58 years prior and one of his lasting legacies is the Olive Grove. During the 1870s to 1880s he planted 5,000 olive trees creating the Olive Grove, and some are still there today.  Capturing the beauty and current life of these trees was an important part of the narrative I wanted to include in this project.

At the beginning of this project my focus was entirely on capturing the nature at the park. I experimented with different camera angles, using close ups to highlight the details and wide angles to show more context of the park. I purposefully avoided taking photos of people at the park as this was something I wasn’t familiar with doing and I was uncertain how to approach the challenge. However, feedback from my peers encouraged me to incorporate people into my compositions as a way of developing my ideas further. I found photographing strangers a bit outside my comfort zone, and I didn’t want to disrupt anyones experience at the park. Over time I became more comfortable with the process but I wasn’t loving the photos. I did some research and was inspired by a few of the photos Chris Corson-Scott and Rachel Soh had taken of people in nature, and I liked the idea of people being subtly included in natural landscapes. I experimented with compositions that included people in a more discreet way, by sitting on a bench, walking along a path or simply becoming part of the background. This idea allowed me to keep my focus on the natural beauty of Cornwall Park while also creating a sense of scale and showing ways people spend time at the park.

My hope for this collection of photographs is to share a journey through Cornwall Park, combining the beautiful nature, history and people within these spaces.

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Summative Portfolio

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Martin Parr

Martin Parrs photo "Leaning Tower of Pisa" is a great example of a photo capturing not just people, but people taking photos. As I was exploring the parks and taking photos of people using them I noticed other people taking photos and tried to capture these moments like Martin Parr. His photo has a different story to tell and is a unique take on photographing a popular place like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, focusing on how others are interacting with the space.

Photo Reference:

Parr, Martin. Leaning Tower of Pisa. Photograph. In Small World. London: Dewi Lewis Publishing, 1995.

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Derek Henderson

When I was researching Derek Henderson and looking through his many photo collections these two photos from his collection "Kamchatka Far East Russia" stood out to me. I really like how in the first photo the dog creates scale of the trees and helps show the amazing height of them. This is similar to what I experimented with in my previous photoshoot when taking photos of the trees and having people in them to help emphasise the size. I like how the second photo shows the change in seasons of the trees with the mix of green and orange leaves. I also like how the trees line the road and help guide your eye through the photo.

Photos Reference:

Henderson, Derek. "Kamchatka Peninsula." Accessed October 13, 2024. https://derekhenderson.net/project/kamchatka-peninsula/

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Project Title Ideas:

Urban Oases

Natures Corners

Echoes of Green

Serenity in the City

Land of Leaves and Light

My favourite is the last one "Land of Leaves and Light"

I could add a subtitle to give more specifics:

A Journey Through Auckland's Parks

A Glimpse into Cornwall Park

Photos of Selected Auckland Parks

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Week 11 Summative Photos Draft

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My favourite photos from Cornwall Park photoshoot 4

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Cornwall Park Photoshoot 4 - Contact Sheets

Based on the feedback I received last week I went back to Cornwall Park to take more photos and reshoot a couple of photos I had taken previously. I walked around most of the park taking photos and I went to the olive grove to take some photos there as well. I'm really happy with how these photos turned out and I tried to take photos of people in similar ways to some of the photographers I researched (by not making them the main focus of the photo). The weather was really nice even though it had been raining on and off in the morning. Going back to some of the same spots as before it was crazy seeing the change in trees and how they now have more leaves.

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Week 10 Critic Notes:

Statement on the last page of pdf in 2 columns 

Draft pdf needed with written statement for next week aim for 500 no less than 450

Needs a hero photo on the front

Come up with a working title for the project

Feedback:

Likes gondola photo from Cornwall 3

Have a breather of no people

Cornwall 3 Path framing - reshoot light is average

Make lighting more dynamic and interesting 

Likes tiny people big trees photo

2 max flowers - likes the single shot cherry blossoms 

Look into olive trees

One photo can be one story

Cornwall 3 - 184 - different vibes not just pretty

Make them creepy?

Cornwall 2- Looking out at park behind bench people

Have a big great selection of photos can start photoshopping to add more colour but not make it look like it’s photoshopped 

Likes the western springs trees, spooky Craigavon pathway, one tree hill monument

Reshoot people sitting on bench

Expand further on the looking up the tree

Can only do 1 or 2 photos of monument 

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Ann Shelton

I really like Ann Shelton's "mother lode" portfolio because they are simple photographs that show the overgrown wildness of nature really well. I like how the only colours in the photos are greens and the yellow sunlight which has been captured nicely. This style is something I could explore with my photographs especially as I sometimes struggle with being able to capture the blue sky in my photos so this is a way to utilise those photos without it.

Photos Reference:

Shelton, Ann. "Mother Lode." Ann Shelton. Accessed October 10, 2024. https://www.annshelton.com/works/mother-lode

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Rachel Soh

I looked through Rachel Soh's photography and found these photographs from her personal collection which I really like. The photo of the beach is amazing, I like the lighting but the main reason I chose it is because of how she has captured the people in the photo. I like how they are small black silhouettes, as it not only creates a scale of how big the beach is but it also shows people in the environment while making the beach and nature the main focus on the photo. I also like the photo of the mountain because of the composition and focus of the photo with the plants in the front and how it makes the viewer feel amongst the plants. I also like the third photo because of how majority of the image is out of focus expect for a small branch and leaf. These photos and techniques are things I would like to create with my photos.

Photos Reference:

Soh, Rachel. "Personal." Rachel Soh. Accessed October 10, 2024. http://www.rachelsoh.com/personal

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Chris Corson-Scott

Upon researching Chris Corson-Scott's photography I found this photograph which I really like as I think it is a great example of how to show a person amongst nature while still making the nature in the photograph the main focus. I really like the aesthetic of this photo and the colour. This type of photo is something I would like to try recreate with my own work.

Photo Reference:

Corson-Scott, Chris. Wildflowers In a Development Near Tauranga. 2015. https://trishclark.co.nz/artists/corson-scott-chris/#page/selected-works/

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Nancy Zhou

I really like Nancy Zhou's "New Zealand Landscapes" portfolio and in particular these few photos. I like the feeling the photo of the trees create, a more spooky vibe which is something I could try create with my photos. I like how the photo of the road guides your eyes through the photo to the beautiful landscapes and that is something I can try recreate with paths in the parks. I like how the different style view point of the flowers and the pop of colour it has compared to the other photos. These photos are simple but really effective and that is what I want my photos to be like.

Photos Reference:

Zhou, Nancy. "New Zealand Landscapes." Nancy Zhou. Accessed October 10, 2024. https://nancyzhou.com/proj/new-zealand/

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Reflective Statement Prompts

Where in the world am I?

I am in Auckland, New Zealand, visiting popular public parks such as Cornwall Park, western springs and craigavon park. 

What are the particular, peculiar oddities, beautiful, raw, hidden gems of your surroundings?

I think the particular, peculiar oddities, beautiful, raw, hidden gems of these parks are the wide variety of nature and wildlife living throughout them like trees, plants, flowers, birds, farm animals and insects.

Are they interiors, exteriors, or both?

These parks are mainly exteriors but some of them have cafes and buildings that are open to the public.

Where do you connect with people and places?

I personally enjoy spending time with my family and friends at parks. I think parks are a great way for people to not only connect with each other by going on walks, bike rides, having picnics, playing games but also a way for people to connect with nature and our beautiful country. 

What do these places look like?

Parks - Cornwall park, western springs and craigavon park

What is your visual story to tell?

The beautiful unique nature that these Auckland parks have to offer and the ways that people are currently using them.

Find a point of difference in your visual story, while also finding a genre of expression that suits you. How do other photographers tell a visual story? Name and describe the approaches to visual stories that other photographers in your genre use.

Compared to other landscape photographers what is my point of difference - what is your unique thing

Include the research of other photographers. At least 6 other relevant photographers that have influenced your inquiry + photographic approach should be discussed on your blog.

Chris Corson-Scott

Derek Henderson

Ann Shelton

Gavin Hipkins

Rach Stewart

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Potential Photos For Summative

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Cornwall Park Research

Sir John Logan Campbell, the “Father of Auckland”, gifted Cornwall Park to New Zealand in 1901.

"In giving the park to the public I have lived to receive the crowning happiness of my life" - Sir John Logan Campbell 1901

Sir John’s vision was to create a park encompassing a working farm, heritage sites, sports grounds, walks and tree-lined avenues, which New Zealand could treasure forever.

Our trees are an important part of what makes Cornwall Park special. We have more than 8000 trees of 350 different species, both introduced and native to New Zealand. The trees you see today were part of Sir John’s vision and you’ll notice as you walk that there are trees everywhere they are the stars of the park, shape the paths and views, provide shade, bring beauty, are home to birds and insects, reflect our heritage, and are far enough apart so you have the space to play.

Our birds enjoy having so much green and thriving life in the park to call home. You’ll see (or hear!) more than 30 species of birds as you explore the park through their tapestry of chirps, fleeting flybys and rustling in the trees. Some are just passing through, others call Cornwall Park home, and all provide the choir we listen to each day. Some, like the kererū, the tūī or the silvereye, are native, and others, like blackbirds and house sparrows, are introduced.

Our historic stone walls provide ecological niches for all sorts of life. They are home to more than 30 species of lichen, and, if you are lucky, you might see our native copper skinks who love to hang out there.

Cornwall Park is a working farm with sheep and Simmental cattle. Our farmers and farm dogs are busy caring for our animals, while our sheep and cows are mowing our lawns, producing wool, meat and leather. The farmers work 365 days a year, sometimes preparing for newborns, sometimes shearing the sheep and always looking after the wellbeing of the animals.

Cornwall Park. General Brochure. May 2020. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://cornwallpark.co.nz/uploads/logos/General-Brochure-May-2020.pdf

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Cornwall Park History Time Line

Maungakiekie is split into two separate parks: Maungakiekie One Tree Hill Domain is jointly governed by Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau and Auckland Council as the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, while Cornwall Park is managed by the Cornwall Park Trust Board.

67,000 years ago Maungakiekie is formed in a volcanic eruption, creating the iconic scoria cone we see today. Walking around the park you will see scoria and basalt rock formed during this eruption.

1844 - Irish settler Thomas Henry purchases 400 hectares of Maungakiekie land from Māori and renames this Mt Prospect Estate.

1847 - The Crown confiscates part of Maungakiekie from Thomas Henry, which is then quarried for basalt and scoria rock.

1853 - Sir John and William Brown purchase Mt Prospect Estate, rename it One Tree Hill Estate and lease it out to farmers.

1870 - 1880 - Sir John establishes the Olive Grove after an unsuccessful attempt to cultivate a winery (11,000 grape vines were initially planted). After removing the vines, 5,000 olive trees were planted, some of which are still growing in the park today.

1871 - The Crown-owned land at the summit of Maungakiekie One Tree Hill is declared a public reserve.

1875 - Sir John plants a young tōtara in the middle of a grove on top of the maunga with five Monterey pine trees around it to act as a windbreak. Unfortunately, it did not survive the harsh conditions. Only one pine remained as the iconic “One Tree” until 2000.

1881 - Sir John decides he is going to give his One Tree Hill Estate to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, later gifting it to the whole of Aotearoa New Zealand.

1901 - The One Tree Hill Estate is renamed Cornwall Park after the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in honour of their visit to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1901. It was officially gifted to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand in 1901, but it will take two more years before the park is open to the public.

American landscape architect Austin Strong works closely with Sir John to create a park plan and landscape design to be enjoyed by all New Zealanders. The design of the sweeping tree-lined drives leading through the park was planned from the very beginning, providing access and amenities whilst highlighting the natural beauty of the slopes of Maungakiekie.

1903 - On August 26th, Huia Lodge and Cornwall Park are open to the public. Huia Lodge is built in the Queen Anne Revival style to house the park caretaker and serve as a stop-off point for visitors making their way to the tihi (summit) of Maungakiekie. The front room was designed as a tea parlour for visitors, with refreshments served on sunny days.

1906 - On May 24th, the people of Tāmaki Maukaurau Auckland pay by public subscription for a statue and water fountain of Sir John Logan Campbell to be placed in the middle of Campbell Crescent.

1907 - Sir John gifts an additional 41.6 hectares of adjacent land to the park.

1908 - A further 57.6 hectares are added to the parkland and the kiosk (now the Cornwall Park Bistro) is constructed.

1912 - On June 22nd, Sir John passes away aged 94. A small section of land is transferred to the park trustees atop Maungakiekie for his burial site.

1926 - The Cornwall Park Trust Board employs Farm Managers to form the Cornwall Park farm on areas previously leased to independent farmers.

1940 - Sir John bequeaths the obelisk at the Maungakiekie summit in honour of the Māori people. It is completed in 1940, but due to World War II, it was decided that the opening ceremony would be postponed according to Tikanga Māori which states it is inappropriate to unveil a monument during a time of bloodshed. The ceremony eventually took place on April 24th 1948 and was unveiled by the Māori King, Koroki.

1942 - 1944 - The US Army 39th General Hospital is built within the park for American soldiers.

1956 - The Memorial Steps are constructed as a memorial to Sir John.

1986 - 1988 - After the hospital was demolished, the land was returned to Cornwall Park and restored and developed for use by the public. Trees are planted, and the Band Rotunda is built.

1990 - Simmental cattle are introduced into the park.

2000 - On October 26th, the lone pine on Maungakiekie One Tree Hill is removed after being attacked several times over the century, as it became a health and safety risk to allow it to remain.

2016 - Three tōtara and six pōhutukawa saplings are planted at the summit of Maungakiekie to begin the process of growing the hills next "One Tree."

Cornwall Park. "Cornwall Park Timeline." Cornwall Park. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://cornwallpark.co.nz/history/cornwall-park-timeline