iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 11h

Who’s Watching Who? I thought I was the observer, but I’m not so sure I wasn’t the one being watched. #Photography #photographer #chuffedbadger #wildlife

A kāhu, or Autralasian swamp harrier stands guard over a fresh meal beside long grass on the roadside.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Caught in the rhythm. Performers from the recent Nuit Blanche event in Napier. #photographer #photography #nuitblanchenapier #chuffedbadger

A black and white image of two performers, one playing the trumpet and one playing the trombone

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Performers from the recent Nuit Blanche event in Napier. #photography #photographer

4 dancers in silver tops and high-vis orange trousers strike a pose on a wet street during the Nuit Blanche event in Napier

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Image from the recent Nuit Blanche event in Napier. #Photography #photographer

A B&W image of a dark haired, pale skinned woman in white lace and a black corset, dancing in a crowded street

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Image from the recent Nuit Blanche event in Napier. #Photography #photographer

A DJ performs from a clamshell down an alley in Napier during the Nuit Blanche festival.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Chuffed to be part of the LensLife community “Through Our Eyes” exhibition at Creative Arts Napier #photography #photographer

Steve standing proudly in front of his photos at the Through Our Eyes exhibition in Napier

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Went to the Te Puna to Omokoroa cycle trail to get some spring blossom pictures. I was looking for a clear shot, but nobody else got the memo. Every time I got a composition, somebody wandered into frame. I pivoted and made them a feature. #Photography #photographer #Tauranga #blossom #spring

Cherry blossoms line either side of a path, heralding spring.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Headed down to Te Awa river trail in Cambridge for the night light walk. Difficult conditions to photograph with so many people on foot and bicycles in both directions on a narrow path, but a remarkably fun evening. #photographer #photography

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

One petal short of perfection. Embracing the wabi sabi aesthetic of finding beauty in imperfection. #Photography #photography #Tauranga

A bright yellow flower with a pink ring at the base of the petals, with one petal missing.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Trying a spot of contrasting colours for the LensLife weekend challenge #photography #photographer

A salt lamp glows warmly on a green background

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Glad to have captured this moment between a father and his daughter at this morning’s parkrun. #parkrun #Photography #photographer #Tauranga

A daughter high-fives her father as they pass each other during parkrun at Gordon Carmichael Reserve

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Reposting this one to Celebrate World Photography Day. #worldphotographyday📷 #photography #photographer

A pollen laden bee hovers over a flax flower

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I consider myself incredibly lucky to be involved in our local parkrun event and to have the opportunity to take the photos, especially when so many of the runners make it easy to get good pictures. #parkrun #photography

A couple of parkrunners leap into the air for a photo

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

The core of the matter… Photography isn't always about capturing the action, sometimes it's about capturing the evidence. I left a slice of apple in the bird feeder, and this is all that remained. #photography

A hollowed out slice of apple, with just the skin and core left after being put in a bird feeder

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Dawn over Waikareao Estuary. I glimpsed the dawn light while driving to work recently and spent the next few days scouting a location to maximise the view. While I am very happy with the result, it doesn’t reflect the unseen effort and difficult conditions (stupidly early start and 1 degree C).

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Fantastic winter's day, almost mistook it for summer. Headed out to Kauri Point, then off to Orokawa Bay, a 3km hike from the northern end of Waihi Beach.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Spent some time in the Coromandel with some photographers from the LensLife Community. Didn’t get the Astro shots I wanted, but it was great to catch up with friends and meet some new lensies. Any day out with a camera is a good day.

Goat Island from the Coromandel Cove track

First light on the hills from Cooks Beach

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Had a great thrip to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Having a go at some high key photography. The picture does not convey the chaos in the dining room used to create the image. Sheets, lights, reflectors, tripods, flash, even a chair to support the background. The disproportionate effort that went into to creating a simple image. #photography

A ceramic badger against a plain white background

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Had a productive session this morning with a group of photography colleagues selecting images for an exhibition later in the year. It’s amazing how others view your work and how a fresh perspective can influence the images selected.

Contact sheet style image with ticks, crosses and question marks, representing the process of selecting images for an exhibition

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

The Toy Story film series taught us that toys fear being abandoned, making this discovery of Jesse in a discarded rusty trike at a lookout spot, all the more poignant. #toystory #visualstorytelling

An abandoned Jesse doll from Toy Story lies in the tray of an old rusted tricycle left behind at a lookout spot.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to capture the recent vow renewal celebration for Chris & Sam Carter at Papamoa Beach. Thank you for your permission to share these images.

Chrissie & Sam Carter with their 3 daughters and celebrant Ronnie Mead at Papamoa Beach for a vow renewal ceremony.

The 3 angels at their parents vow renewal

Chrissie and Sam Carter at their vow renewal on Papamoa Beach

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

It was. The kid was really enjoying the day. His parents were with him, but didn’t want me to post his face. I think this works just as well. Sometimes we have to work within boundaries that might change the photo we want.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

All good. Practice is how we learn. Personally I don’t use Photoshop or Lightroom. It’s a personal choice, not a criticism.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Fair enough, but my philosophy is to capture reality not to misrepresent it it. I was at the place with a group of students. had I presented something different they all would have said that those weren’t the conditions we experienced. To be fair, landscapes are not really my thing.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

The Australian won. There is frequently a strong rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, so it was disappointing to see an Aussie win.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Day off work today, so I headed to the Main Beach at Mount Maunganui with my camera. A bad day at the beach beats a good day at work. #Surfer #MountMaunganui #Photography

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Getting lost in the weeds The latest blog from The space between the frames: Stories and lessons from a photographer Free Subscription. Read the latest instalment and get full access to previous posts. chuffedbadger.substack.com/p/getting-lo... #photography #photographer

chuffedbadger.substack.com

Getting lost in the weeds.

Focusing on the details that no one will likely notice.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

While out chasing Autumnal colours, I was distracted by this Pied Shag. I struggled against fading light and a subject seemingly unwilling to strike a pose, but I am reasonably happy with the outcome. #photographer #photography

A pied shag rests on a branch in fading light

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Strangely, more fun than it sounds, watching grown adults torture themselves at the league of fire Chilli Eating Contest in Wharf St, Tauranga. After 3 punishing hours, it all came down to a knock out round between a Kiwi and an Aussie. #photographer #photography

15 different types of chilli in order of heat, before the contest

6 competitors approach the 4th chilli with trepidation

The final 2 prepare for the knock out speed eating round

The winner after a gruelling 3 hour contest

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

It was a stunning day for a helicopter flight around the region. Great to see things from a new perspective. #photography #photographer

Helicopter landed on a thin strip of sand

Approaching the Tauranga Road bridge from the air.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Why did the mushroom always get invited to parties? Because he was a fun guy! Ok, technically not mushrooms, but they are fungi. #photography #fungi

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Holi Colour Splash The latest blog from The space between the frames: Stories and lessons from a photographer. Free Subscription. Read the latest instalment and get full access to previous posts. chuffedbadger.substack.com/p/holi-colou... #Photography

chuffedbadger.substack.com

Holi Colour Splash.

A messy event, but one worth celebrating.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Caught this rainbow blessing the Bayview rest home.

A rainbow touches the roof of a retirement rest home

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

parkrun The latest blog from The space between the frames: Stories and lessons from a photographer Free Subscription. Read the latest instalment and get full access to previous posts. chuffedbadger.substack.com/p/parkrun

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

From the Tauranga Jazz Festival. Great to see the streets of Tauranga packed with people enjoying the entertainment. #taurangajazzfestival #photography

Dancers at the Tauranga Jazz festival. A woman smiles at the camera over her partners shoulder as the dance to the music.

A band performing at the Tauranga Jazz Festival

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Needed to get out of the house to rebalance a bit and reconnect with nature. A quick trip to Te Puna Quarry Park did the trick. #photography

A Yellow Admiral Butterfly on a swan plant

a flowing waterfall, taken with a slower shutter speed to give the water a silky effect.

A large monarch caterpillar eats the leaves of a swon plant.

A rusted metal sculpture of a tree sits atop a rock, with metal leaves scattered on the rock surface

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Hope you recover quickly and can enjoy the comforts of home.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

I wasn’t aware that you couldn’t…. Am pleased you now can.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Caught this from our accommodation in Cambridge (NZ) last evening. The sunset illuminating an isolated column of rain. #photography

In an isolated column of rain is illuminated by the last light of the day

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

A great (but early) morning at Balloons over Waikato. #photography

Hot air ballon inflates in the dark, set aglow by the propane flame

A group of hot air balloons ascending, viewed from across a lake

a cluster of 6 hot air balloons adrift in a clear sky

A drift of 10 hot air balloons over Hamilton Lake

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Had a blast taking photos at the Tauranga Multicultural Festival. Thanks to all the performers for making it a memorable event. #photography

Three dancers in bright pink belly-dance style costumes perform on an outdoor stage. In the foreground, one dancer spins with a large flowing veil lifted above her head, creating a dramatic swirl of pink and purple fabric that partially obscures her face. Two other dancers stand behind her with arms extended in choreographed poses. The scene captures the movement and colour of the dancer mid-spin.

Four women in bright green, red, and yellow ruffled dresses lift and swirl their skirts in unison while smiling toward the audience.

Three dancers in blue grass skirts and tall blue feathered headdresses move in unison with raised hands and lifted knees, while another dancer in white with a large feathered headdress dances beside them.

A group of about 9 young Pacifica dancers in purple costumes with green leaf waistbands wave their arms in rhythm to the music.

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Steve Cockram @chuffedbadger.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

New from Old. Submitted this as an entry for this month’s LensLife competition. The theme is Juxtaposition. Desaturated the background a little just to make the subject stand out. #photography

New growth bursts from a stem as an adjacent leaf decays

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