Benz World Blog » Wood

Lockdown Project

Jason Benz — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 00:05:32 +0000

This is Macquarie Woods near Bathurst. Although it is surrounded by monoculture pine forests the campsite itself has a variety of trees and is one of the best state forests to camp in. Due to border restrictions, my travels will be limited to New South Wales in 2020 but this still gives me enough choices now many of the sites closed from the Australian fires have started to reopen.

During the lockdown, I have been converting my van from a disintegrating pop-top to a sturdy hard-top. The new roof is designed to improve my sustainability and productivity. A second solar panel increases my photon collection from 150 to 500watts. It has a gentle slope and curve to allow for rainwater collection. The six eye-level portholes which open inwards and silently are perfect for photographing wildlife. It is a big improvement on the old zips which scared off many birds before I could snap a shot.

Mango Biscuit

Jason Benz — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 10:36:24 +0000

One morning in 2015 I woke to the sound of my neighbours’ mango tree being cut down. I asked the team cutting up the tree where the wood would go? When they said landfill, I asked for some. This is part of what they called a biscuit. It has been drying for 2 years and is ready to be shaped into a table for the van. Last weekend I used a wood router to make the outline of Australia so you can run your finger around and feel the coastline. In keeping with the egalitarian nation, I positioned the centre between three states, Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales.

Big Tree

Jason Benz — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 09:19:38 +0000

I think this is a Fig Tree or maybe a Springbrook Leatherwood as it was photographed in the temperate rainforest crossing Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. If you have a better idea please leave a comment.

This is 1 of 111 Stock Photos approved by Shutterstock since March, compared to only 16 in 2016.

Forest Rain

Jason Benz — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 00:07:07 +0000

This photograph was taken at Judd’s Lagoon just outside Yuleba in Queensland, Australia.

There is something magical about the light in a forest when the sun shines through the rain.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

New Year

Jason Benz — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 14:01:59 +0000

Happy New Year 2017. This is The Lake Broadwater Conservation Park Campsite. I was photographing the stars when the camp next to us put something combustible on their fire. After 2 weeks on the road exploring the Maranoa region of Australia we arrived back on the Gold Coast yesterday.

Judd’s Lagoon

Jason Benz — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 03:55:47 +0000

This is Judd’s Lagoon just outside Yuleba in Queensland, Australia. It has been our campsite for the last few days. It is a popular fishing spot and locals come here to cool off in the water. From here we plan to go west to Roma then Mitchell where Karen is looking forward to the Great Artesian Spa.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

Yellow Lichen

Jason Benz — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 12:49:55 +0000

I think this is lichen on the bark of a tree in Western Australia. It is easy to think of this state as all deserts and goldfields, however it has some of the worlds most majestic forests in it’s south west corner. If you recognize the type of bark or the yellow substance please leave a comment.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

Springbrook Leatherwood

Jason Benz — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 00:14:47 +0000

These are the roots of an endangered species of tree known as a Springbrook Leatherwood. It is found in a single river catchment in the temperate rainforest crossing Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

Pirate Ship

Jason Benz — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 12:53:41 +0000

This ship is the Notorious. It is a replica of a fifteenth century Portuguese caravel made from reclaimed Monterey Cypress. Caravels were favored by pirates for their speed, agility and large holds. This one was designed and built by Captain Graeme Wylie over 11 years in Victoria. He now sails around the coast of Australia with his wife Felicite. We met them both this weekend, as they stopped on the Gold Coast on their way down to Sydney.

Old Mine

Jason Benz — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 11:01:49 +0000

Earlier this year we were exploring the gold towns of New South Wales. This “Old Mine” was part of a museum in the back of the tourist information centre in Cobar.

Photoshop and Fractalius were used to process the image.