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All,
Apologies for this, I think I might be the least locally-traveled person on the Island and am going to ask for some suggestions. For nearly 15 years I worked on Mauna Kea but only took up photgraphy a couple of years ago but with recent changes I don't go up there anymore. Some of you may have seen my pictures from the summit.
I'm trying to find places on the Big Island for photography. This isn't a commercial venture, just a hobby, but I'm also very busy during the day (and at night!) so can't scout out places very easily, especially those that aren't on the usual tourist trail.
If anyone has some places they know that might offer some potential please drop me a line or of course answer here (I'm aware that some might not welcome extra visitors in places they love and treasure, hence the email request). I'm particularly interested in sunset/sunrise shots plus the ocean but am open to any ideas.
East side of the island is good for me, particularly Puna or Hilo, but am open to suggestions to anywhere else on the island.
Many thanks in advance, and please don't think you have to know about photography to suggest a place, I'm just looking for places I haven't explored yet. Any suggestion will be very welcome.
Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/
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Green Sand Beach down at South Point
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One of my favorite spots for photography is the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden at Onomea Bay.
Waipio Valley is a very special, beautiful place if you have a 4x4. Akaka Falls is one of the most photographed places after the volcano / lava.
I've enjoyed your photos from Mauna Kea. I'm curious why you don't go up there anymore due to changes?
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Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens. Not just the animals, but also the gardens maintained by various plant societies -- Vireya, Palm, water gardens, etc..
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All along the red road there are endless photo opportunities. At times Puna gets these amazing Maxfield Parish sunrises, but of course you have to be in the right place at the right time with a camera for those. The HPP cliffs also provide some amazing wave action, sometimes they just explode on the rocks.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
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just south of Hawi during the golden hour is spectacular for photos.
Sunrise at Halemaumau and sunset from the top of Mauna Loa Rd.
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Oh my you could spend weeks on the Big Island and not photograph everything and it depends on your subject matter interest. Almost any sundown on the west side will give you spectacular result. Coconut Island and the Japanese Gardens (Hilo) is a great place at sundown even though you don't get a direct sundown look.
For plants you could spend hours/hours at Hawaiin Tropical Botanical Gardens. Bring tripod, macro lense, and long exposure for best results. Akaka falls has some nice views and plants as well. Lava Tree has some really fun landscape choices if you pick choose different angles.
Generally the falls on the east side are best photographed w/ a clear blue sky which tends to be early morning before it clouds over.
I have fun shooting all of the old Hawaii buildings such as the Pahoa board walk, Honokaa town especially has fun old buildings to take pictures of not to mention the dramatic view of Waipio Valley up the road a bit.
The Hamakua Coast has some spectacular views especially Laupahoehoe Point and the sugar mill ruins at Hakalau Landing are really fun. McKenzie State Park in lower Puna is especially dramatic w/ the large splasing waves and getting some of the tree tunnels along the "Red Road" are fun to shoot (just don't get run over standing in the middle of the road).
Of course when the lava is flowing get yourself over to Kalapana area.
The prettiest beach on the island to me is Makalewena Beach north of Kona but you better have a 4x4 to get in there easily. Pololu Valley up north is probably my favorite scenic spot on the island.
Places like Place of Refuge have loads of acient Hawaiian history to record as well as the King Kemehameah inspired temple ruins just south of Kawaihae Harbor. I got some really cool images looking towards the harbor at the temple offering stand w the moon and stars coming up.
To inspire you go into the Art Center at VNP and look at the really good collection of photography in there for sale to get inspired.
Enjoy !!!!!
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quote:
The HPP cliffs also provide some amazing wave action, sometimes they just explode on the rocks.
Tom has already done some truly amazing pics of the HPP cliffs. I was thinking the VNP (Kilauea). The diversity there is amazing. Also the areas just S. of there, especially if you do a bit of trespassing to get away from the highway. South Point area sunsets are amazing also.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
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Just a start on the north end of the Island:
The bog stunted "Elfen ohia forest" along Waipio ridge up in the Kohalas
rustic industrials at Mokukona
The dry gulches & straggley plants at Lapakahi
many of the Kohala ranch fields, esp for large animal shots
the cliffs & caves along Keokea Beach
the Llama tree at the Kona Dry Forest reserve
the bay & anchialine ponds Kiholo Bay
Pu`u Wa`aWa`a
ETA:back to the Kona areas:
Koloko-Honokohau NHP pond, bay & canoe shelter
the docks at Honokohau, the dolphins & Nolo Pt
the huge Ohias up Kaloko
the colorful town of Holualoa
the coffee shacks from Honalo down to Captain Cook
the Keawe trails around the Cook Monument
the south trails & Alahaka Bay (Pu`uhonua o Honaunau NP
the dolphins at Ho`okena
Areas around Kau:
The bay & arches ar kipahoehoe
the heiau & holua at Pu'u Hinahina Bay
Kaulanamauna Cove
the wind swept trees & old wind farm along South Pt Rd (esp. if cows are around)
the davits at Ka Lae
the sands at Kamilo Beach
the ranches along Ka`alaiki Rd
the piers at Whittington Beach
the buddhist retreat in Wood Valley
along the trails to Kea oi islet
Kipuka Kulalio along Mauna Loa Rd
the pines in Namakani Pao Camp
