I’m a kayaker who has fallen in love with photography. What I love about paddling and photography is that it provides me with an incredibly calm head space. “It’s my meditation”
I began paddling on the lake as a way to rebuild both my body and mind after enduring an intensive three month bout of chemotherapy due to testicular cancer. I had never paddled a kayak prior to this and very quickly discovered how stunning it is to be on the water looking out – rather than looking in.
You will find me paddling on Lake Burley Griffin most mornings and evenings, quietly snapping away at the unique seasonal and light changes that take place around me.
After leaving Newcastle 23 years ago, I missed the ocean and yearned to be around water. For years I spent weekends traveling back to Newcastle or to the South Coast, but paddling on LBG has re-united with the water.
The beauty about living in Canberra and paddling on LBG is that most mornings it is calm. The sunrises and sunsets are a kaleidoscope of colours and feature the best backdrops anyone could ever ask for. Why would you not want to experience it!
No two days are the same, and each day provides me with a natural light show that sometimes leaves me gasping in wonder. It’s such a privilege to be able to witness and photograph the kaleidoscope of colours and seasonal features that Lake Burley Griffin offers me each day as a backdrop.
No two days are the same, and each day provides me with a natural light show that sometimes leaves me gasping in wonder.
A friend of mine summed it up perfectly: “It’s a gift, the start of a new day and a great big thank you at the end. The universe is truly an elegant place”.
I regularly upload my daily photos on my kayakcameraman facebook, twitter and Instagram social media sites and I have a regular column called ‘Lake View’ with The Canberra Times online paper.
I hope that you click on the links below to the ABC Video stories below, it will give you an insight into why I love photography and paddling. Paddling and photography are opposite ends of the spectrum but have so much in common. I hope that you like stories.
ABC730ACT Report Feature Story – Kayak Cam
666 ABC Canberra Feature story – How art changed my life.
ABC730ACT Feature Story – Lake Burley Griffin 50 year celebration
I hope that you enjoy the photos as much as I have enjoyed capturing them.
Paul Jurak, Kayakcameraman.
kayakcameraman 
Can I buy one of your photos?
Hi Cate,
Yes my photos can be purchased. Please don’t hesitate to contact me and we will sort out a few more details.
Cheers
Paul
we just brought a kayak yesterday and cant wait to get out and use it. how great is your story today to now motivate us and get us going. we retire in 24 days. (Not counting) G&P
Hey G&P, you will love the kayaking! So many beautiful places to see and experience, it will take you to places that you never even thought existed and often they are on our door step. I’m so glad you like the article and that you enjoyed the photos. Thanks for clicking onto the site. Enjoy your paddling!
Your photos are magnificent and I thank my Canberra friend for forwarding your link to me in Washington, DC, USA.
Hi Anne, It’s so nice to hear that you like the photos. Through the blog you will be able to come out for a morning paddle (virtual anyway) with me each day. We seem to experience some amazing sunrises and sunsets here. I also tour to a few different places here as well, so you hopefully you will be able to see a few other beautiful places along the way as well. Thanks for clicking onto the site and commenting. Take care…Paul
Hi , great photos. Im wondering what sort of camera or camera set up you use to achieve these photos. I have a waterproof camera myself but dont get this quality of shot.
Hey Brian, I am using a Canon D20 PowerShot. Its a underwater camera. Very robust and takes a pounding. Well I have certainly put it through its paces (also note that I am note sponsored by Canon either). Tried but they were not interested. For a point and shoot camera it seems to take a nice shot.
Lovely to meet you at Crescent Head out walking early on Christmas eve. My son took your advice and has set up a webiste to display his photos. He would love your feedback. http://kiernanjmoore.businesscatalyst.com/index.html
Hey Nicola,
It was great to meet up with you the other at the point. I hope you son snapped a few nice shots from the morning. I’ll definitely click on and have look at the site. I look forward to catching up again.
All the best
Paul