Nature’s Pic Images Blog

Excited to see our latest book project land in bookshops this week – our 17th book so far.

We’re giving one away FREE here if you’re keen ($55.00 value, and we’ll sign it too)?  Check out more detail (or get yourself a copy) at our publisher’s website here.

NZ’s Country Calendar TV show is the 2nd oldest TV programme in the world after Coro Street.

It was an honour to be commissioned to photograph the official 50th anniversary book to commemorate the milestone for TVNZ. It’s been a full on 6 month photographic journey, twice around NZ, poking my nose into so many interesting stories, and meeting lots of passionate interesting people around NZ.

Firstly, if you haven’t got a copy of this iconic book, get yourself along to my publisher and order a copy – you won’t be disappointed. I’m very proud of the quality of the photos created to tell each of 15 stories, and Matt Philp’s writing style is brilliant at capturing the tales.  Here are a few favourites from the many images

The job wasn’t easy – turning up to live with complete strangers 24/7 for up to a week, while seeking their confidence to document their stories and poke a camera into their lives. It was stressful for them and me, but without exception everyone was incredibly hospitable and obliging which allowed me to tease out their stories and capture it within 8-10 frames.

Each image had to earn it’s spot, and often illustrate at least 2 concepts. Such as the photo below, it needed to be a portrait, talk of wetland restoration and Stu’s Kaitiaki role and his love of whitebaiting. It took some doing: Stu Muir runs a dairy farm, but is passionate about wetland restoration in the Waikato River Delta.  This is what I came up with:And here’s how it was done – 2 days of planning/executing, screening water flow, and a lot of time coaxing shy whitebait within 50mm of my wide angle lens (the little guys take fright at their reflections and the tiniest vibration), while trying to hold a punt in the current (with 10mm free board), and keep the good natured Stu Muir from getting too bored. It was a success and a frame I’m proud of.

We’ve added 2 new titles to a successful seven book series with New Holland Publishers.  The series has been well supported by book sellers and educational institutions and have been great fun to produce.

Early reviews are looking good so they should be great additions, given that the other books have already had multiple reprints.  Dr Sven Schroeder wrote text for Historic Places of New Zealand book, and Alison Dench took care of the High Country in New Zealand title. Thank you to both of you, and to New Holland for creating the great new additions. Find them in all local bookshops.

Very happy!  Harry Broad and my book ‘Molesworth – Stories from New Zealand’s largest high-country station’ has won the Booksellers Choice award at the prestiguous national NZ Post book awards.

Molesworth Book wins prestigous award, NZ Post Book Awards 2014 (photo: Mark Tantrum)

On stage to accept the award (on behalf of Harry Broad too), it struck me how wearing a suit and tie here was about as far away from a horseback on the Kaikoura Ranges in sleet and snow mustering cattle with the young stockmen; an irony that felt good.

I’d like to thank Nielsen Book Services and New Zealand Post for their support of the  award.  Department of Conservation and Landcorp for supporting the work Harry and I did.  Jim and Tracey Ward, as managers of Molesworth, they gave us tremendous access and freedom to the Station – I’m sure letting a couple of ‘North Island townies’ loose on the property was a punt, so thank you. Also, the young stockmen that I worked alongside were great company and willing helpers to make things work – especially helping to coax a greenhorn horse rider into a horse rider of sorts – thank you. Robbie Burton worked passionately to make Molesworth a title to be proud of.  Thank you Robbie, to you and your team at Craig Potton Publishing, I’ll be forever grateful for your work.

Thanks to readers and buyers.  We’ve sold a tremendous number of books – in fact reprinting 3 times in a month, and that’s remarkable for New Zealand.  Your support is fantastic and humbling. Clearly Molesworth connects deeply to the Kiwi pysche – and long may it I say.

Lastly, I’ve saved special thanks to all the booksellers that have stocked and supported our book. You are the ones that work at the interface with book buyers, and truly understand books and what people want. As a colleague in the industry said:

“What a marvellous achievement, congratulations!  The Booksellers Choice Award is the best one to win as it is a reflection of consumer awareness, from the people who buy and sell books, not just the view of the judges for any one year.”

That is why the award means so much to me.

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (winner of the 2013 Man Booker prize) was in our category, so it was a tremendous surprise to win, and underlines what a tremendous job Robbie Burton (above right) and his team at Craig Potton Publishing did to create Harry’s and my work into something of weight and substance.  That’s some competition to weather!

Of course, Eleanor was very gracious in defeat by Molesworth I should add.  She has had a tremendous year, and collected awards on the night too.  It was great to spend time celebrating with her – clearly she has been able to keep her feet on the ground despite her incredible win on the world stage.

Eleanor Catton, Elise Grange, Rob Suisted

If you’d like to experience more of Molesworth, then have a go with these:

– Behind the scenes youtube during book filming. Caution, it may or may not contain footage of young stockmen swimming in freezing alpine tarns!

– Story and images from the tough Robinson Saddle Muster

– My Molesworth Station photos

– Quality Molesworth Book images for sale

– Buy the book from cpp.co.nz

We’re excited to say our Molesworth Station Book (created with author Harry Broad), has been selected as a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards for 2014.

Please cross your fingers for us, we’re up against tough and worthy competition. The public can vote, and we hope you chose to vote for Molesworth (vote here now).

If you’re interested you can view behind the scenes story and video of photographing the Molesworth Station Book.

Wildlife of New Zealand is the fifth book by Rob Suisted in a series with New Holland Publishers NZ that has just been released and should be in good book shops around NZ.

Wildlife of New Zealand, by Rob Suisted. 80 pages, soft cover, Sept 2013. New Holland Publishers New Zealand. ISBN: 978 1 86966 400 8

After a 3 year gestation, our Molesworth Station Book is done – one of the most satisfying book projects so far.

Harry Broad is the author, and I’ve produced the photos. It’s been an incredible adventure.

Here’s an interesting behind the scenes video I shot while filming the unique Robinson Saddle muster (caution; it contains hardwork, a greenhorn learning to ride, some skinny dipping, some adventure, and a few laughs. But, mostly it contains spectacular scenery and a rare glimpse into a unique high-country lifestyle and job):

The full story of this Robinson Muster is also written up with some photos.

Check out some Rob’s favourite Molesworth Station images collected over 3 years.

Special thanks to Landcorp Farming Ltd, Department of Conservation, the managers of Molesworth (Jim and Tracey Ward), Craig Potton Publishing, everyone who has featured in the book, and especially the many people who worked hard for us to make the project successful.  Thank you.

Just had an enjoyable Radio New Zealand interview with Harry Broad and Kathryn Ryan. You can listen here to Harry share some wonderful stories he’s uncovered through his research (I never get sick Harry’s colourful telling), and I attempt using words to explain my visual portrayal of the Station and experiences.

Books are expected in book shops from the 16th September 2013. Find it on the Craig Potton Publishing Website: Molesworth; Stories from New Zealand’s largest high-country station. Harry Broad with photographs by Rob Suisted. Craig Potton Publishing, Hardback with jacket, 250 x 310 mm, 192 pages, plus map insert. ISBN 9781877517167. September 2013.

We’ve put together a special collection of 68 high quality canvas photo art prints, for home or the office, from the Molesworth Station book here:

MOLESWORTH STATION, stories from New Zealand’s largest high country station, has been a 2 1/2 year journey with author Harry Broad, attempting to create a book that does Molesworth Station justice.  At 500,000 acres the station is bigger than Stewart Island, and contains one of NZ’s biggest cattle herds.  Here’s the first glimpse of the cover of the book, due for September release.

The name of Molesworth has huge national recognition, not only because it is our largest high-country station, but also because of the remarkable story of how, from the early 1940s, the legendary manager Bill Chisholm rebuilt a ruined landscape and turned it into a flourishing and profitable farm. Molesworth covers an area greater than Stewart Island, and is in every sense a working farm, home to one of the country’s largest cattle herds… > > > Continue reading : full post + comments > > >

Just had my 10th and 11th books hit the book shops; very satisfying to see them arrive.

Thoroughly enjoyed a RadioLive interview with Graeme Hill.  Have a listen here for why Triffids were mentioned in the interview about NZ flowers, why NZ flowers are mostly white in colour, and the parasitic native orchid that gets its life from sucking it out of other plants:

CLICK to listen to interview with Rob Suisted

Some other promotion included: The Press Christchurch Oct-1-2012, Stuff Website, Yahoo, GardensNZ, MindFood Magazine

Cameron Williamson, travel editor of the DomPost, kindly did this interview about Rob Suisted and his 9th new book release. 

Click above to read the PDF of the interview with Rob

Just got advance copies of my eigth and ninth books arrive.  Smaller softcover titles this time.  Especially like the Mount Ngauruhoe cover; Beaut. You should see these in shops in the next week or two.

Rob Suisted's new book titles due any day - Birds of New Zealand book, and National Parks of New Zealand Book. New Holland Publishers.

Also – I’m judging the NZ Geographic Magazine Photographer of the Year awards again in 2011.  Make sure you get your entries in by 14 September 2011 here

Things have been really busy since returning from Antarctica; I’ve been a little remiss on updates amongst the exciting jobs.

I’m working on three new books at the moment.  One book is on a well known high country station which I’m really enjoying.  I had another visit last week and again met great people, great scenery and it was nice to photograph hard working people in dusty dry conditions; hard on photo gear, but good atmosphere.  Here’s an image that evokes one of the mornings with the stockmen.

I also had the pleasure of meeting the Bush’s of Bush’s Honey, Blenheim.  They’ve been beekeepers since 1916, and are very nice folks – I’ll be buying their honey from Moore Wilson’s from now on.  They put me in a bee suit to take some photos of working their hives.  They’ve developed their craft without the use of smoke to calm the bees, necessary in a very high fire hazard zone in the high country.  Fine for them, but I soon discovered that bees (when there are millions of angry ones) are experts at exploiting weaknesses.  If I put my camera too close to my eyes they could sting through the veil mesh, and after 2 hours their tally was 4 stings to my face.  No probs at the time, all part of this job.  But, a day later I was feeling very sorry for myself.  An extremely swollen face was testament to the poor lymphatic drainage abilities of our faces;  I was the elephant man incarnate and scaring small children and some adults.  I was unrecognisable!  I’d post a photo here, but seriously it’s not good for PR.  Thankfully the swelling has pretty much left now after a week, and I found out that if I was allergic to bees I wouldn’t be here to write this.  It was surprisingly extreme photography, very exciting with hundreds of bees smashing into the body aand face mesh, while trying to take photos. I now understand why the Bush’s take safety so seriously.  Thanks for the amazing experience guys – and the honey sandwiches!

Photographing the Bush boys collecting honey. An extreme exercise in photography. Click for larger photo

I’ve also been working up the Whanganui River, with a spot of walking, jetboating and canoeing with Bridge to Nowhere tours.  A great place somewhat off the beaten track, and some great images.  A highlight was calling into the old convent at Jerusalum near Pipiriki early one morning.  Such a peaceful place with sun forcing through the river fog on a windless morning, surrounded by trees groaning under the weight of ripening fruit.  A little paradise.

Some nice news this week.  My book Majestic New Zealand just won runner up in the Whitcoulls pictorial book of the year awards at the Travcom conference.  Simon Mcmanus (VP at Travcom) kindly let me know that the judges said it was very close to judge.  So, I’m proud about that, and grateful to Travcom and Whitcoulls.  The book is available signed via my website bookstore and here’s a short youtube clip of the book.  Sorry about the music, but I’m a photographer….

Rob had a great long interview with Kathryn Ryan on Radio New Zealand National yesterday. Have a listen here to hear Rob speak about his new book, life and some of his great adventures.

Any thoughts? Rob would love to hear your feedback!

Just put together a video slide show of Majestic New Zealand book we’d like to share:

***Rob is being interviewed on New Zealand National Radio, 2 Feb 2010 at 10.05am, about this book and his travels. Tune in and listen live, or by archive. > > > Continue reading : full post + comments > > >

Just interviewed on my old Varsity Radio Station Radio Active FM.  Great fun interview with Simon Smith and Zelda Edwards about my new book, recent adventures, and life. Really enjoyed the chat.

Click here if you missed it live and want to listen.  We chewed the fat on things like; Greenland, the Arctic, Climate change, life in space, teleprompters, Antarctica, TankCam, NZ’s rarest bird (the fairy tern!), NZ Geographic Mag falcons, the spice of life, Icebergs around NZ, Majestic New Zealand book, stalked in cyberspace, and Head like a Hole…

Update 22 Jan 2010: We now have signed copies of Majestic New Zealand available for supporters. If you’d like to consider a copy, have a look here.

Out today in North and South Magazine, a profile piece on Rob Suisted, his travels, photography and new book Majestic New Zealand. Click for a read.

Update 22 Jan 2010: We now have signed copies of Majestic New Zealand available for supporters. If you’d like to consider a copy, have a look here.

Another interview by Simon Miller on Radio 95bFM, about my new book Majestic New Zealand, recent adventures, and conservation.


Click here for a listen:

Update 22 Jan 2010: We now have signed copies of Majestic New Zealand available for supporters. If you’d like to consider a copy, have a look here.

I’ve just been interviewed by Graeme Hill on RadioLive for EnviroNews, about my new book Majestic New Zealand, recent adventures, life and a bit of philosphy.
Click here if you missed it live and would like a listen.

Update 22 Jan 2010: We now have signed copies of Majestic New Zealand available for supporters. If you’d like to consider a copy, have a look here.

It’s out. 

We’ve had a busy week on publicity with radio, press and TV interviews which has been great.

National book stores are stocking it. Paper Plus Group has it in most shops now, and Borders and Whitcoulls have good stocks. Also, in Wellington, you’ll find it in the Te Papa Store.

We’ve just had this great review in from Fish & Game Magazine:

Update 22 Jan 2010: We now have signed copies of Majestic New Zealand available for supporters. If you’d like to consider a copy, have a look here.

Well, printing is finished and we’re counting down until bookshop release date 9th November 2009. I couldn’t find a good reason not to share the cover with you. So here it is:

Update: Internal pages added to view below.

I’m really proud of this book – my seventh to date.  This one is key – it’s my heartfelt work and showcases favourite places and images. Click for a large view. I’ll give you a sneek at some pages shortly if you want.

I have a hope, and tiny suspicion, that it’s going to make a few Kiwis teary eyed. Actually this arrived 2 minutes ago from Kara of Herkimer Coffee in Seattle when I showed her last week:

“Thanks so much for sharing your book with me.  Ian and I were taking a look.  This is a must, your pics are ah-mazing!  We were about in tears, oh the beauty!..”

I’d love to hear your reaction if you’d care to leave a comment below… Thanks, Rob

Update 22 Jan 2010: We now have signed copies available for supporters. If you’d like to consider a copy, have a look here