Charissa Allan Photography

100 things – What is on your list?

May 25, 2019June 2, 2019 Charissa Allan

Last week I saw a video, a 15 minute talk by Sebastian Terry (see below). As stated by Sebastian Terry during this video, 100 things is not about a bucket list but about a journey. And, this has given me a lot to think about.

Everyone, no matter who you are, will have on thing (or more) that they want to do before they die. Some even have a list of things that they want to do. But, how many can say that they have achieved these goals?

In 2009, after the death of a close friend, Sebastian Terry came to realise that he had not yet achieved many of the goals on his bucket list. So, he made a list of 100 things and began ticking them off. This list was the start of his journey to prove that anything is possible – including: marrying a stranger in Las Vegas, helping to push a man in a wheelchair for a half marathon to raising $100,000.00 for Canteen. You can check out Sebastian Terry’s list here.

Video source: 100things.com.au

Have you ever thought about creating your own list of 100 things?

As everyone has different wants, needs and expectations for their life, every single person will have a list that is uniquely theirs. I personally found it difficult to sit and write 100 things I want to do in one sitting, purely due to trying to way things up in my own head to see if they were good enough to be on the list. However, I came to realise that no matter what it is, it is what I want to achieve or experience and, therefore, there are no wrong answers.

My 100 things (so far):

See Orcas in the wild;
Travel through New Zealand;
Travel to Antarctica;
Work in Antarctica;
Travel through Europe;
Complete a PhD;
See the Southern Lights;
See the Northern Lights;
Visit all Disney theme parks;
Dive Ningaloo Reef;
Dive with a Whale Shark;
Dive with Whales;
Visit the Daintree Rainforest;
Live and work overseas;
Travel through Africa;
Have a photograph published by National Geographic;
Meet Jason Edwards (National Geographic Photographer);
Meet Paul Nicklin (National Geographic Photographer);
Meet Sir David Attenborough;
Visit the Louve;
Write a book;
Publish a photography book;
See a Spirit Bear in the wild;
Have one of my photographs included in an exhibition;
Finish this list!

I know that this list isn’t finished, but I know that I will continue to add to my list as I experience new people, places and things. Tell me about your list – let’s see if there are any items that we may be able to do together (we all love a good challenge).

So what happens when the list is finished?

I honestly have no idea, and it seems that Sebastian Terry has the same view. There will always been developments along your journey to completing your list, you will see something that triggers you to want to see more, you will meet someone who may inspire your to do something new or give back in a different way. You never know what may happen, so why not continue to keep adding to your list until you run out of goals/achievements/things you want to complete.

Call to action:

I challenge each of you to think about and develop your own list of 100 things. Share them with me, with your friends and family. Get out there and start ticking your goals off your list.

xoxo C

New Zealand… or bust.

May 21, 2019June 2, 2019 Charissa Allan

In June of this year, Adam and I will be packing our bags and grabbing our passports before jumping on a plane to New Zealand. This will my first overseas trip since receiving my camera four years ago and (if you can’t tell already) I am out-of-my-mind excited!

New Zealand has always been somewhere that I have wanted to travel and photograph. The beautiful landscapes, the unique wildlife and the local cultural heritage are just some of the massive drawcards that New Zealand has to offer.

Adam and I will be travelling throughout New Zealand over a period of 15 days, approximately 1 week on each the North and South Islands. We have chosen to travel by campervan, to give us the greatest amount of flexibility and give me the best opportunity to capture some night shorts, particularly the Southern Lights.

Our itinerary (subject to change)

Day 1: Fly into Auckland, pick up our “home on wheels” and supplies. Overnight in Pauanai.
Day 2: Early rise before travelling to Matamata, to visit Hobbiton. Travel to Rotorua to do the Whakarewarewa Twilight Redwood Walk. Overnight in Rotorua.
Day 3: Exploring Rotorua and surrounds, including Kuirar Park, Te Puia Geyser and Hot Water Beach. Overnight at Rotorua.
Day 4: Travel to Waitomo to see Waitomo Glow worm caves, travel to Lake Taupo for an afternoon boat cruise to see the Maori carvings. Overnight at Lake Taupo.
Day 5: Travel to Wellington, via Napier.
Day 6: Interisland ferry from Wellington to Picton. Overnight in Blenheim.

Map: North Island of New Zealand *(Source:* Drive NZ Rental Cars).

Day 7: Whale watching out of Kaikoura. Travel to and overnight in Tekapo.
Day 8: Exploring Mount Cook National Park and surrounds, possibly a helicopter tour of Mt Cook. Overnight within the National Park.
Day 9: Explore Milford South and Fjordlands National Park.
Day 10: Travel to Invercargill. Overnight in Invercargill. Hoping to capture the Southern Lights.
Day 11: Tour of Stewart Island. Travel to and overnight near Te Anau.
Day 12: Travel to Dunedin. Overnight in Dunedin.
Day 13: Travel to Oamaru to visit to Moeraki Boulders, the Steam Punk Museum and the Penguins. Overnight in Oamaru.
Day 14: Travel to and explore Christchurch. Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 15: Travel day – Homeward bound

*Map: South Island of New Zealand (Source:* Drive NZ Rental Cars).

During my trip, and where Wi-Fi permits, I will be posting photos, videos and stories from our adventures. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date.

Do you have any highlights or lowlights from your trip to New Zealand? Any particularly tips or tricks to make the trip more enjoyable? Please feel free to share.

xoxo C

Photo series: Lake Nuga Nuga National Park

May 17, 2019May 16, 2019 Charissa Allan

Nuga Nuga Night, taken at Lake Nuga Nuga, Arcadia Valley, Central Queensland.

In October last year, Adam and I spent a weekend exploring Lake Nuga Nuga National Park near Rolleston, Central Queensland. We are campers and enjoy visiting new camping areas, particularly those that give me the opportunity to get my camera out. And, Lake Nuga Nuga National Park did not disappoint.

Established in 1993, Lake Nuga Nuga National Park was created to conserve a remnant population of endangered bonewood (Acradenia euodiiformis) scrub and the vulnerable ooline tree (Cadellia pentastylis). Situated within the Arcadia Valley
in the Central Highlands Region of Queensland, approximately 200km by road north of Roma and 700km by road north-west of Brisbane, the park and the adjacent lake are a haven for wildlife in an otherwise arid landscape.

Map showing location of Lake Nuga Nuga National Park
(Source: https://www.robertashdown.com).

The lake, for which the National Park is named, lies adjacent to the south of the park; however, the lake itself does not lie within the extent of the park. Lake Nuga Nuga is a naturally formed freshwater lake which fluctuates in size due to seasonal flow from the Brown River and Moolayember Creek. Consequentially, the lake is lined with many stands of dead trees. This drowned forest provide essential habitat, and refuges, for many bird, fish and reptile species.

Raptors, including Whistling Kites (Haliastur sphenurus) and White-bellied Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) are a favourite of photographers, often seen fishing for small fish in the early hours of the morning and late afternoon. Many species of migratory birds also utilise the lake as a resting area, including Australian Pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Black Swans (Cygnus atratus), Brolgas
(Antigone rubicunda) and Pink-eared Ducks (Malacorhynchus membranaceus).

Other draw cards include the spectacular sunsets often seen at the Lake. Ranging from bright yellows, to deep oranges and rich pinks and reds, no two sunsets are the same. The drowned forests also make for a dramatic foreground. Conditions are also optimal for night photography.

So, what do you need to visit?

I highly recommend that if you are going to make the trip to Lake Nuga Nuga, that you travel by 4wd. You can make it in a standard 2wd, however it will be a smoother and safer trip if you do have a 4wd. Also, if the area has had recent rain, the road into the park may be slippery and there is potential for a 2wd to get bogged.

The camping areas have sufficient space for a fire, you will need to bring your own wood as you are not permitted to collect wood within the park. It is recommended that you take your own cooking supplies as there are no barbeques.

There are only camping facilities, with no showers or toilets located within the park. Whilst some opt to swim in the lake to clean up, others bring camp showers. No matter what you chose, it is highly recommended that you bring enough toiletry supplies (and a good shovel). There are also no bins within the park, to ensure that the park is left the way you found it, please remember to take any rubbish home with you.

Want to see more images taken during my trip to Lake Nuga Nuga National Park? Check out my gallery Lake Nuga Nuga.

Nuga Nuga Morning, taken at Lake Nuga Nuga, Queensland.

Geocaching: The sport of using GPS to find Tupperware in the bush.

May 14, 2019May 16, 2019 Charissa Allan

Whilst I love photography, it isn’t the only hobby that I spend my time doing. Geocaching has lead me to some interesting, and otherwise unlikely, places. Many of these places have provided me with photographic inspiration.

So, if you are looking for something to do, that gets you outside and exploring the area around you, why not think about trying Geocaching? I have been geocaching for about 4 years now and find that this is a really enjoyable activity, whether alone or with a group of friends. I have found several beautiful locations and very creative caches since starting, and often make a point of collecting a few caches whenever we travel to see friends or family.

So, what is Geocaching you ask??

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game in which participants follow a set of GPS coordinates to find a hidden container, or cache. A number of websites list locations where caches can be found. The website Geocaching.com has over two million cache coordinates to locate across the globe.

When you discover a container, you sign the logbook inside, exchange a trinket for one of those left by previous players, return the container to its exact location, and go on to search for another. Afterward, many geocaching players share stories and photos online, Infotainment News reports.

Equipment: The two essential things you need to get started are cache coordinates and a GPS device or GPS-enabled mobile phone. A topographical map of the area and a compass are also recommended. If you are geocaching in the countryside or wilderness, you should have sturdy hiking boots, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, a water bottle, a first-aid kit and extra batteries for your devices, a camera, a notebook, and pens.

Rules: The main guideline of geocaching is to be considerate of other players. Never remove or relocate a cache. Leave it exactly where you found it so others can enjoy the hunt as well. When you take a trinket, leave another of equal or greater value. Leave the environment better than you found it by collecting and disposing of trash you find along the way. Respect private property and register and obtain permits if necessary when geocaching on state or federal land.

Locations: Caches are hidden all over the world. Containers vary in size from micro-caches as small as a thimble or film container to larger receptacles such as plastic Tupperware containers, ammunition boxes, buckets with lids, or fake rocks or logs with hidden compartments. Some caches are in plain sight, while sticks, rocks, or bark hides others.

Another interesting element that some cachers partake in is Trackables. A Trackable is a sort of physical geocaching “game piece.” You will often find them in geocaches or see them at geocaching gatherings. Each Trackable is etched with a unique code that can be used to log its movements on Geocaching.com as it travels in the real world. Some of these items have travelled hundreds of thousands of miles thanks to geocachers who move them from cache to cache!

There are three main types of Trackables: Travel Bug^® Trackables, Geocoins and other Trackables.

A Travel Bug is a trackable tag attached to an item that geocachers call a “hitchhiker.” Each Travel Bug has a goal set by its owner. Goals are typically travel-related, such as to visit every country in Europe or travel from coast to coast. Travel Bug Trackables move from cache to cache with the help of geocachers like you. See the “What do I do when I find a Trackable?” section of the guide for information on how you can help Trackables move.

Geocoins are customizable coins created by individuals or groups of geocachers as a kind of signature item or calling card. They function exactly like Travel Bug Trackables and should be moved to another cache, unless otherwise specified by their owners.

Other Trackable items come in various forms including patches, key rings and more. A common feature of Trackable items is that they bear a unique ID code and text noting that they are trackable at Geocaching.com. More information about Trackables can be found here.

Should you take up Geocaching, I hope you will look me up and add me as a friend. Happy hunting.

xoxo C

Friday Favourites: Podcasts

May 10, 2019May 16, 2019 Charissa Allan

I wanted to share some of my favourite things with you, the readers. This week I would like to share my favourite podcasts.

I love expanding my knowledge about current events and topics of personal interest. And, podcasts are an easy, mobile way for me to fit my interests into my daily routine and, sometimes, find inspiration for my photography. So, what is a podcast?? A podcast is an episodic series of downloadable digital audio or video files (Wikipedia). And, they are addictive.

I have listed five of my favourite podcasts below:

The Speak Up For Blue Podcast – This podcast raises awareness regarding the ocean and the efforts to conserve the ecosystems and species that inhabit it. This is my favourite podcast at the moment. It helps to remind me of my passion for the ocean and marine species.

Case File Podcast – A true crime podcast. The podcast catch phrase is that fact is scarier than fiction, and it is all too true. Each case is thoroughly researched and described to the listeners providing you with a very different perspective of each case. Just be warned, some of the cases can be disturbing.

PetaPixel – A twice weekly podcast discussing the wonderful word of photography in a humorous and intelligent way. Not only will you have fun, but I know that you will learn something new about photography.

Sincerely, X Podcast – This podcast tells the anonymous stories of people who have experienced events that are too sensitive, painful or potentially damaging to share publicly. These stories deserve to be shared and heard. Just be warned, some of the stories can be triggering.

Zero to Travel Podcast – A little bit of inspiration for me. Travel is something that I aim to do more of, and this podcast keeps those dreams alive. For those of you wanting to live a nomadic lifestyle, this podcast will help to inspire you to take that next step towards the life you want to live.

Please let me know if you like the podcasts in my list, or if there is another that your recommend.

xoxo C

Dragonfly, taken at Uluru, Northern Territory.

Travel Hacks: How I travel like a pro

May 7, 2019May 4, 2019 Charissa Allan

Flying has never been one of my favourite past times. Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel, but travel doesn’t love me back sometimes. In a past life, I was travelling, by plane, train and/or automobile, on a weekly, if not daily, basis. I was a fly in, fly out (FIFO) Environmental Officer working in remote Northern Territory and Queensland and quickly I was in airports more than I was at home with family and friends.

Now that I am travelling less, airports can instil a cloud of anxiety. However, I have started using some habits pre-, during and post-flying which have resulted in me travelling like a pro, again.

These habits include:

Drinking at least 1 litre of water above your normal daily intake. Ensure that you drink sufficient amounts of water to combat the in plane air conditioning. This air conditioning can dehydrate you and leave you feeling tired;
Don’t stay seated for the entire flight. As soon as I start to feel those tell tale aches, I get up from my seat and walk to the bathroom. If necessary, I do a few laps of the plane to stretch those tired legs;
Wear loose, comfortable layers. If you are like me, you find yourself cold (read: shivering) within seconds of your flight taking off, so layer up with a light shirt, light jumper/cardigan, jacket and scarf to ensure that you are both comfortable and warm during the flight;
Take a healthy snack. In flight meals are usually not the healthiest option, filled with sugar, preservatives and other triggers. I recommend a small packet of celery and carrots with hummus or another “dip” that you prefer;
Pack early. To reduce the build up of anxiety associated with travelling, I recommend packing at least 1 week before you travel. Write a list and tick everything off as you pack it in your luggage. About 2-3 days before, go back over everything and make sure you include any last minute items; and,
Always ensure that you have something to keep you occupied. Whether it be a book, a laptop or tablet with downloaded Netflix movies or TV shows, your journal or something else, having something to keep you occupied pre- and during the flight will help reduce your anxiety about travelling.

I hope that these tips help you when travelling next. Should you have a travel tip, please feel free to share in the comments or drop me a line.

Happy travelling

xx C

Byron Bay Lighthouse, taken at Byron Bay, New South Wales.

Sneak peak: Autumn Sunset

May 4, 2019May 4, 2019 Charissa Allan

Autumn Sunset, taken at Fairbairn Dam, near Emerald, Queensland.

In June every year, my local community of hosts an annual agricultural show. Every year, I say that I will enter at least one of my photos into that year’s photography competition. And, every year I find a reason not to enter. This year is different!

This year, I will be entering at least four categories, including: sunset/sunrise, portrait, landscape and animals. One of my entries (as seen above) is Autumn Sunset. To read more about the Emerald Show and the photography competition categories, check out there wesite: emeraldshow.org.au.

Autumn Sunset is a photo of the first Autumn sunset of the year, taken near Fairbairn Dam, Emerald. Recent rain throughout central Queensland has resulted in some breathtaking cloud formations, and sunsets, over the past few weeks. In this instance, the presence of light cloud cover created a dramatic sky, silhouetting the underlying landscape.

Learning: How to predict a beautiful sunset
There is no magic formula to predicting a beautiful sunset. However, there are a few things that you as a photographer can do to increase your chances of finding, and capturing, beautiful sunsets.

Sunlight is made up of the entire spectrum of colours. At sunrise and sunset, light entering the earth’s atmosphere must travel further due to the lower position of the sun in the sky, causing the blue light (the reason the sky is blue during the day) to be blocked and allow red and yellow colours to appear in the sky.

Other factors to considered include:

Check the weather forecast. Get a weather app on your phone. This sounds simple and obvious (I know!), but it is something that is so often over looked. Intellicast.com is a great website which gives you detailed hourly weather updates including: cloud cover, air quality, humidity, and wind speed.

Look outside – Look for a red sky in the earlier stages of a sunset. This will help you to anticipate the conditions of the shoot and the settings you will need to capture the perfect image.

Know your cloud types – different cloud cover and types will give you different outcomes to your photos. The Bureau of Meteorology has a detailed-yet-brief description of the ten most common cloud types.

If you have any other tips on how to get the perfect sunrise or sunset shot, please feel free to share!

xoxo C