Book features stunning New Zealand night photos

Photographer and publisher Barney Brewster has been surprised to find that his just-published book of New Zealand night photos, Night Visions: Reflections for the moonlight hours is actually the first book ever on the subject. "It's a branch of photography newly liberated by advances in digital cameras, judging by the 3.6 million pages now listed for night photography on Google world-wide," he comments, "but there's so little in print to show this level of interest. Scanning on-line library holdings for both Australia and NZ showed nothing has been published in this part of the world for such an intriguing pastime."   

Barney's enthusiasm for photography after dark stems largely from how long exposures enlarge the scope for creativity, allowing effects as unpredictable as they are striking. "Long exposures can give such unusual results, not just in the way artificial lighting combines with moonlight but also in how any movement shows up within the frame," Barney explains. The bright and surprisingly colourful images in the book - several of which are streaked with star trails or moving car lights - prove his point. The result of a great many evenings out with his tripod and camera in different parts of the country, the book actually presents a whole new way of seeing our country - in both its rural and suburban aspects. 

To enhance their effect still further, the images have been combined with an entertaining and provocative selection of proverbs and pithy quotes, chosen from a wide variety of authors - including many New Zealand ones.

Barney's preoccupation with this new art form has come out of a longstanding interest in photography by moonlight, "a less esoteric pursuit than it sounds" he adds. A surprising amount of photography can be done just by the light of the moon alone, he explains, although patience and persistence are fairly important factors too. "It's given me a great excuse to be out on some beautiful clear evenings," Barney says, "although the prospect of fresh air and good exercise can be a bit daunting." While not all has been peace and calm under moonlit skies, tales of his tangles with electric fences, consultations with wildlife and dodging of alcoholic teenagers will have to be told another time.

Although Barney has previously published calendars and cards under his own name, this is the first title to issue from his firm Barney Brewster, Publisher. In real life he works from New Plymouth as a rare book dealer (one known for his quick turnaround of orders too, he states), but he's keen to publish more of his work in due course. 

The book is landscape format (210 x 277 mm) in laminated softcovers, and retails at $45. It has been ably produced in New Zealand by Petone printers Printlink. According to Printlink rep Paul Mallett, "We are extremely pleased with the result of the book and will be entering it in the next Pride in Print awards."

PS Barney's photo blog at www.brewster.co.nz now has over 250 images from all over the country, many with explanations of how they were taken

Footnote:

Booksellers - Night Visions is available now from the publisher at trade terms at: barneybrewster@xtra.co.nz, or via PO Box 900, New Plymouth 4340.