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Cultural Architecture - Hawera Tower
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The spectacular Hawera Water Tower was built after the devastating Central Hotel fire of 1912. Insurance underwriters demanded the construction of a water tower as a firefighting reservoir. Completed in 1914, the 54 metre Hawera Water Tower is one of Taranaki's best known landmarks and part of it’s cultural heritage. A staggering 1340 tonnes of hand-mixed concrete was required for its construction. In recent times the tower has undergone extensive restoration, making it safe for visitors to climb the 215 steps for panoramic views of Hawera and farmland.
Like other towns in South Taranaki, Hawera is a business and shopping centre serving a large farming community. Hawera means 'the burnt place' or 'breath of fire' - it takes its name from the old Maori village of Te Hawera, which was located approximately three kilometres south east of the present town. The meaning of the town's name is particularly significant because Hawera has a history of devastating fires. Huge blazes destroyed parts of the town in 1884, 1895 and 1912. Hawera was so fire-prone that insurance underwriters demanded the construction of a water tower as a fire-fighting reservoir. |
Sharpshooter, Dawn, hifimusicdai, Athila has marked this note useful
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Awesome shot Ralph, very clear and sharp. It works nicely against the grayish sky. Very nice choice for the composition, you've fit everything in well. Great addition to the theme.
Have a nice weekend,
TFS,
Scott.
- Dawn
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1139 W: 100 N: 3357]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(17508) - [2009-05-01 1:40]
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Hi Ralph, Good shot of the old tower here in Hawera.. Ive never taken a photo of this..been near there a few times though.
I hope you took the steps to the top ?
Kia Ora
Dawn
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- Janice
(32868)
- [2009-05-01 3:45]
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That is interesting Ralph. It does look very tall, and I guess it is still in use?
And it looks good centrally placed too - well, I think so :)
TFS
Janice
Nice shot of a fascinating structure - a revelation of a structure I never knew existed. I love the idea of it being an ornamental structure as well as a practical one.
I'm not sure that the POV and alignment within the frame is the best it could be, but I'm not sure what suggestions to make to correct that ... there is just a slight feeling to me that it is leaning slightly to the left.
An interesting shot though - thanks for sharing it!
Rew
Excellent shot to capture this tall building. I think the only way to ensure that the building looks upright is to take the shot straight in front which goes against some of the rules of composition but Iguess sometimes its more a question of which rule to break :-)Nice shot
warm regards
David
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- Athila
(1749)
- [2009-05-02 9:17]
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Hi Ralph,
Nice contribution to the theme. Image is sharp and well exposed. I would have like to see more detail in the lower part but you would have lost sky details (unless you work in RAW mode). The low POV amphasis the height of the building.
Nice work and TFS.
Alain
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 145 W: 5 N: 203]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}