Peninsula in pictures

Andrew Mathieson
RENOWNED landscape photographer Ken Duncan has produced several pictorial books depicting his works to international critical acclaim.
But one gave such meaningful insight that it blew an awestruck Tim Pescott away.
“I used to be so focused on rules for photography but once he said that one of the biggest rules in photography was to break the rules,” Tim recalls.
“You’ve got to have your own eye and interpretation.
“You should never have photographers taking the exact same photo.”
For the photographic artist, it forever changed perceptions of the sea and the land.
Instinct has now taken over.
Tim’s images can been found scattered throughout the Bellarine Peninsula where he has spent most of the past two decades honing his craft.
“You end up knowing when the right mood is out there – that’s how I sort of practised,” Tim explains.
“I’ve learned composition a bit more to find out how to make the photo work.
“I look at lots of photos to find out why they work and, yeah, there have been lots and lots of failures.
“It’s just about practicing and taking sheer volumes of photos to get it right.
“Now when I see it, straight away I know whether the photo is going to work or not.”
The 43-year-old admits he’s sometimes his own harshest critic.
The age of digital cameras – Tim only purchased his first in January – just makes the self-assessment easier.
“I probably delete 50 per cent of them,” he says.
“In the early days, though, I’d have about one out of every 100 shots that I would be able to frame up.”
Standing on a cliff face near his home at Clifton Springs, Tim can snap views of the bay over and over again and never grow tired.
The pier-filled beaches of Indented Head and St Leonards are other favourite shots.
The rugged coastline between Point Lonsdale and Ocean Grove is even worthy of enduring a strong southerly off the Antarctic.
“I just love the whole coast, especially around St Leonards and Indented Head,” Tim gasps with excitement.
“It’s just so quiet there and I think it’s really underrated, the view you get.
“But, then again, I also love the rugged heads on the other side of the peninsula.”
However, the tone in his voice changes when talking about the impact of growing housing developments at Portarlington.
“Some of the hills at Portarlington are going to lose that nice, rural, sweeping look,” he bemoans.
“Developers don’t seem to show any compassion for that.”
The looming loss of subject matter is made harder because his favourite image is a beach retreat with three little dinghies side by side on a Portarlington sand dune.
The image has been a popular seller.
Part of Tim’s obsession – not occupation – means he will down tools from his own, of all things, landscaping business to take off for the perfect picture.
That’s why he made the sea change from Geelong’s suburbs after enjoying many fun-filled holidays on the coast.
“To be able to spot an image is what I live for,” he says.
“But you do have to love your own company a bit to do it all the time.”
Tim wouldn’t have it any other way, either.
Not even the lure of capturing hundreds of joyous smiles at Geelong’s annual show one year could change his mind.
“It was mayhem, with people everywhere and kids that don’t stand still,” Tim remembers.
“Then you have the animals, so I took a few shots there but I just like being able to take off on my own and do my own thing.”