Getting Lost September

This month’s Getting Lost adventure had been quietly waiting in the wings for a while, but the right moment finally came last weekend. I was off to Whanganui for a crafting retreat with friends - a whole weekend of creativity, conversation, and catching up. While everyone else set up their scrapbooking pages and cardmaking supplies, I unpacked my quilting and settled in.

Whanganui felt like a trip back in time for me. The last time I’d been there I was just a girl, visiting Uncle Merv and Auntie Flo, and Uncle Bob, my Nana’s brother. Driving back into town all these years later, I couldn’t help but think of those visits and how different the city feels now that I’m exploring it as an adult.

The retreat itself was everything I’d hoped for: long chats, plenty of laughter, a gorgeous venue, and food so good it deserves its own mention. By Saturday afternoon, though, I felt the pull to head out with my camera. After lunch I slipped away, following that little spark of curiosity that always comes with these prompts.

Two hours later - and 110 photos heavier - I wandered back with the kind of quiet satisfaction that only comes from chasing light, colour, and texture until you know you’ve captured something special.

So here we are - this month’s prompts, shaped by a weekend of friendship, memories, and a little wandering in Whanganui.

Prompt #1: Early birds head east, night owls head west

I’m very much an early bird, so when it came time to choose a direction, I turned out of the driveway and headed east. Not long after, I found myself down by the Whanganui River, and the moment I saw it I knew I’d found the shot I was after - the wide stretch of water framed perfectly by the railway bridge.

The sky was heavy with clouds, soft and overcast, and it turned out to be the perfect backdrop. Those moody skies gave the whole scene such atmosphere - exactly the kind of detail that makes a photo come alive.

Prompt #2: Take 3 photos of the same thing with shadows or light changing how it looks

When I’d driven into town on Friday for a look around the shops, I couldn’t miss the massive pencil sculpture - it instantly caught my eye, and I knew I wanted to work it into the prompts somehow. This challenge turned out to be the perfect excuse.

There’s something wonderful about its sheer scale, these oversized pencils towering playfully above everything else. I loved how the bright red of the pencils popped against the greens and blues of their surroundings, shifting in mood as the light and shadows moved across them. It felt whimsical, a little unexpected, and so much fun to photograph from different angles.

 

Prompt #3: Use camera blur to make something appear different to what your eye can see

Just across the road from the pencils stood a beautiful old building. In fact, one of the things that struck me about Whanganui was the architecture - so many character homes and historic buildings that give the city such charm. It’s one of the reasons I’m already planning another trip back.

I’d snapped a few shots before I even pulled out the prompt cards, but this one felt like the perfect chance to experiment. I played around with camera blur, curious to see how it might transform what I was looking at. The result surprised me - in the best way. The final image didn’t really highlight the architecture itself, but it captured something softer, more abstract, that I never would have seen with the naked eye.

Prompt #4: Camera in manual – head north, in automatic, head south

Back in the car, I carried on south - or at least I’m fairly sure it was south! My wandering eventually brought me back into town, where something unexpected caught my eye: an old telephone box.

You don’t often see these around anymore, and spotting one felt like stumbling across a little piece of history. A reminder of how quickly things change, and how objects that were once part of everyday life have quietly slipped into the past.

Prompt #5: Head in the same direction as a car the same colour as your last photo

Red seemed to be the colour of the day. After a quick wander through a few shops, I hopped back in my car and waited for a red one to pass. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long - though I couldn’t help but think how tricky it might’ve been if my last colour had been purple!

The red car only made it about five blocks before turning a corner, so I pulled over nearby (without feeling too much like a stalker). That’s when I noticed the sweetest little park tucked right in the middle of the buildings. It felt like a hidden gem - such a perfect spot for a picnic lunch in the middle of the workday. And, as if that wasn’t lovely enough, there was even a coffee cart nearby.

Prompt #6: Find a building. Zoom your lens to the widest angle. Move in close to make dramatic angles

I’ve tried this prompt a few times earlier in 2025, usually focusing on more modern buildings. But Whanganui offered the perfect chance to capture something with a bit more history.

I was drawn to the lines and curves of this particular building - the way its architecture seemed to stretch and twist when viewed up close. Even the small bits of vegetation pushing their way out of the concrete and brick added an unexpected layer of texture and drama, making the image feel alive in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

Prompt #7: Find a busy spot. Set a 10-second timer and see what wandered into your shot

Not far from the last building, I stumbled upon the perfect spot - an historic roundabout, complete with stunning lighting that made the place feel almost cinematic. Across the road, another old building hosted people enjoying drinks and snacks in the afternoon sun.

I set up my camera, hit the 10-second timer, and waited - ten seconds feels like an eternity when you’re trying not to look obvious! But it was worth it. The final shot captured a little slice of life, the movement and energy of the place weaving naturally into the frame. I was really pleased with how it turned out.

 

Prompt #8: Leading lines or rule of thirds?

I’ve done this prompt before, but I wanted something a little different this time. As I started walking back toward my car, the movie theatre was just letting out, and a stream of people poured onto the pavement. I stepped aside, and that’s when I noticed a little alleyway tucked nearby.

I waited until the crowd had moved on and then took my shot. I love how it turned out - the lights strung overhead, the textured brickwork, and the iron gate all came together beautifully. I can already imagine how magical it would look at night, the lights glimmering against the dark sky.

Prompt #9: Take as many steps as you have battery percentage left and frame your shot

With 73% battery left, I took 73 steps - which brought me to a bustling little stretch of the street. At first, nothing really jumped out at me as photo-worthy. But then I turned around.

It’s amazing how a simple change in perspective can transform a scene. Suddenly, the view before me felt entirely new, full of angles and light that weren’t obvious from where I’d started.

Prompt #10: Drive until you see water and then stop and take a photo of the reflections

Not far from my last shot, I found myself back at the Whanganui River. At first, I wasn’t too sure about getting reflections - the water looked a little murky - but then I spotted the Wairua River Boat floating at her dock.

It made for the most lovely reflections on the water, and I couldn’t help but pause for a moment to take it all in. Sometimes the simplest scenes, with a touch of luck, end up being the most rewarding to photograph.

Prompt #11: Stop, look behind you and take a shot

Honestly, I hadn’t even noticed this big building at first. But when I turned around, I was so pleased with what I saw - the stark blackboards set against the old brickwork.

It’s clearly a fruit and vegetable market, though I’m guessing the boards had been wiped clean, ready for the new week. That unexpected combination of textures and shapes made for a simple yet striking shot, one of those moments that reminds me to always keep my eyes open.

Prompt #12: Get macro and portray the season you are in with just a leaf or flower

As I walked around the other side of the fruit and vegetable market, a stunning kōwhai tree in full bloom caught my eye. The bright yellow flowers were absolutely gorgeous!

Instead of crouching down on the ground like I usually do for macro shots, I was able to get right in close while standing. I love how going macro blurs the background completely, making the kōwhai flowers the undisputed focus of the shot. It felt like the perfect way to capture the season in a single frame.

Prompt #13: Take the number of photos you’ve taken today, head north that many kms

If I’d followed this prompt literally, I would have ended up all the way in Taihape! Instead, I took a more flexible approach and headed to Kōwhai Family Park - how perfect, given the focus on kōwhai flowers in the last prompt.

Apart from memories of visiting my aunt and uncle’s houses in Whanganui, this park is one of the few other spots I remember from childhood. Some areas are brand new, while others have clearly been around for decades. When I spotted good old Humpty Dumpty, I couldn’t resist - sometimes a little nostalgia is exactly what a photo prompt needs.

Prompt #14: Take the hour of the day your last photo was taken. Head south that many kms

I couldn’t help but laugh when I pulled this prompt card - it basically sent me right back to where I’d started! I parked a little further up the street and soon heard something familiar in the distance.

A short wander later, and I stumbled across a kapa haka group performing in one of the parks. A crowd was gathering, and it was wonderful to be part of the audience while still remaining anonymous. I love listening to kapa haka, so I stayed for a while. With so many people snapping photos and videos, it didn’t feel intrusive to take a few of my own. It was one of those moments where being in the right place at the right time just feels perfect.

Prompt #15: Last photo an action shot – head east, if not head west

By this point, I wasn’t entirely sure where east, west, north, or south even were, so I just set off in the general direction of the retreat. I even considered calling it a day and turning off the camera.

And then I came across this - the Whanganui River and the very same railway bridge I’d photographed for my first prompt, but from a completely different angle. The clouds had darkened, and I loved the stark contrast of the pavement and fencing against the natural environment. It felt like the perfect way to wrap up my photography session - a full circle, yet entirely new.

 

As always, I like to choose one of my photos to serve as the title image, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished photo book at the end of the year! While I was down near the riverfront, I also spotted a massive sculpture called Bearing. I took quite a few shots of it—not for a prompt, just because it caught my eye and I thought it might make a striking image. I had plenty of photos to choose from, but this one ended up being my favourite.

 

All in all, it was a wonderful day of wandering, photographing, and rediscovering Whanganui. From nostalgic memories of family visits to unexpected discoveries around every corner, the city offered so many little moments of beauty and inspiration. I’m always amazed at how a series of simple prompts can lead to such a rich, creative adventure - and I can’t wait to see how these images all come together in my photo book at the end of the year.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet.
Until next time,
Shelley