Rodney Campbell's Blog

With sunset on the way I headed back out to the road which leads into Lake Argyle to shoot it in wonderful late afternoon light

I chose this valley where the road comes in with the small gap where the lake peeks through

Peeking Lake

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/60 sec at f/5, ISO 100

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

Many people probably have an expectation that the remote outback of the Kimberley and the Pilbara is deserted, bland, colourless and somewhat lifeless

Nothing could be further from the truth

As can be seen in these images the area is filled with natural colour. From the deep red earth to the bright yellows of the grasses to the varied greens of the trees

Locked

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/20 sec at f/5, ISO 400

The above is actually a look down on the gap between the lake and the valley in the previous image

Low Light

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/60 sec at f/5, ISO 100

Having the drone has been very liberating for the photography on this trip. I’ve been able to get compositions and views I could only have dreamed of on my previous trip four years ago

We’d crossed the border from the Northern Territory into Western Australia. Next stop was a stay at nearby Lake Argyle

Argyle Angles

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 70 mm, 1/100 sec at f/8, ISO 64

I’d intended on staying two nights (and doing some photography here in this photogenic location). However the only park here was very full and we were only able to snag some unpowered sites. As such we’d only be here the one night

Ord Dam

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/400 sec at f/5, ISO 100

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

Ord River

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/240 sec at f/5, ISO 100

Above the Dam

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/320 sec at f/5, ISO 100

The Track

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/240 sec at f/5, ISO 100

and of course a little selfie with the lake

Lake Argyle

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/320 sec at f/5, ISO 100

With sunset approaching it was time to head to the skies again and photograph this lovely spot from the sky in golden light

Wrapping the Saddle

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/100 sec at f/5, ISO 100

Our rest area for the night is nestled under the cliffs on the left side of the range above

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/50 sec at f/5, ISO 100

Vertical Garden

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/40 sec at f/5, ISO 100

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/30 sec at f/5, ISO 100

We decided to pass by the rest area we were originally intending to stay at and drive a little further to this lovely spot

Called Saddle Creek Rest Area it sits amongst these lovely trees under the nearby range

At The Saddle

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 27.5 mm, 1/80 sec at f/8, ISO 64

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

Time to fire up the drone to show the lovely colored cliffs which back on to the rest area

Layer Cake

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/240 sec at f/5, ISO 100

Leaving Katherine we were finally heading West towards Western Australia

Heading West

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/500 sec at f/4, ISO 100 x 3 Frames

First real place we get to is the Victoria River Crossing and the Victoria River Roadhouse. It’s about 200km west of Katherine

This is the first place heading west where those magical high red cliffs sticking up out of the land start appearing

Last time I was here (four years ago) I’d done a few nice panorama’s from the bridge. This time with the drone I could do one better with some high aerial panoramas and a nice flight down the river

Victoria River Crossing

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/320 sec at f/5, ISO 100 x 21 Frames

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

Victoria River

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/240 sec at f/4.5, ISO 100 x 3 Frames

The River Bends

DJI Mavic 2 Pro L1D-20c + 28.0 mm f/2.8 @ 10.26 mm, 1/240 sec at f/5, ISO 100