You are based out of Hobart, Tasmania. Tell us a little bit about Hobart – what’s it like to live there?
I love living in Hobart. It’s got a chilled out, country town vibe with all the comforts of a small city and it’s a paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors. There is so much to do, from hiking and climbing, to mountain biking or surfing, all within easy reach.
I love living in Hobart. It’s got a chilled out, country town vibe with all the comforts of a small city and it’s a paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors. There is so much to do, from hiking and climbing, to mountain biking or surfing, all within easy reach.
Tink Olynick on "Remembrance" (21 /5.10d) at the Organ Pipes, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Michael Blowers
Is Hobart where you grew up? If not, when did you arrive and why? And where are you from originally?
I’m not originally from Hobart, I moved over here from Perth (Western Australia) around two years ago now. At the time I was feeling the need for a change of scenery and got lucky enough to be offered a job in Hobart and with all the brilliant climbing and hiking here I quickly packed my bags and moved over.
I’m not originally from Hobart, I moved over here from Perth (Western Australia) around two years ago now. At the time I was feeling the need for a change of scenery and got lucky enough to be offered a job in Hobart and with all the brilliant climbing and hiking here I quickly packed my bags and moved over.
Martin (lead) and Macca (IG: @reek_ie) on Icarus (20/5.10c) at the Organ Pipes near Hobart, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Michael Blowers.
Tell us your rock climbing story. When did you start and how?
I started somewhere around 8 years ago now when a friend took me to a gym and instantly fell in love with climbing. As it does with most people, climbing lifestyle well and truly took over and I’ve spent most of my free time since out on the rock. I’d say I’m predominantly a sport climber but I also do a lot of trad and wrestle the odd pebble.
I had a couple of years where I was really interested in chasing grades and climbing as hard as possible but in the last few years I find myself interested more in just climbing whatever inspires me. Sometimes that’ll be adventurous or easier climbing, and sometimes I’ll be something hard that I just can’t resist getting on.
I started somewhere around 8 years ago now when a friend took me to a gym and instantly fell in love with climbing. As it does with most people, climbing lifestyle well and truly took over and I’ve spent most of my free time since out on the rock. I’d say I’m predominantly a sport climber but I also do a lot of trad and wrestle the odd pebble.
I had a couple of years where I was really interested in chasing grades and climbing as hard as possible but in the last few years I find myself interested more in just climbing whatever inspires me. Sometimes that’ll be adventurous or easier climbing, and sometimes I’ll be something hard that I just can’t resist getting on.
Seb Fuller (IG: @sebastian.fuller.10) on Juno (27/5.12c) at Sand River, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Michael Blowers
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Tell us about the rock climbing in Tasmania.
There’s A LOT of climbing in Tassie! It’s generally quite adventurous and usually in beautiful/remote wilderness. The climbing is generally well established with 23 well developed areas that have a bit of everything for most people from hard sport or big adventurous trad missions. Even with all that there’s still an insane amount of untouched rock waiting for someone willing to put in the effort to developing the more remote areas in Tassie’s SW wilderness. Tassie has a small, close knit community but full of awesome people who are stoked on everything outdoors. A lot of the people I’ve met aren’t just climbers, they’re always up for hiking, surfing or mountain bike riding. It’s great. How is Tasmania similar to or different from the mainland of Australia?
Everything is so close! In Western Australia I used to drive at least 3-4 hours for good climbing but in Hobart I’m 30 minutes away from the Organ Pipes (my favorite crag). Not to mention the variety of climbing all within a couple of hours drive. I’d also say the climbing can feel more adventurous due to the location and Tassie’s often wild weather. As a climber from Perth I found the ratio of gym to outdoor climbers to be the complete opposite. With less easy access to quality rock in Perth there’s a large gym/competition culture and a small and dedicated outdoor community, whereas most climbers in Hobart predominantly climb outside. |
Tink Olynick is on Dark Nebula (21/5.10d), Organ Pipes, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Michael Blowers
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When did photography enter the picture (excuse the pun…), especially for climbing?
Hard to say actually, I suppose I first started photography back in school when I dabbled in surf photography. As I got more into climbing I started bringing my camera on trips, taking the odd photo of my friends climbing. But it wasn’t really until I moved to Tassie that it started to put a lot of time and effort into my photography. It’s hard not to be inspired by this beautiful place. Do you ever struggle between choosing to climb and choosing to take photos?
All the time to be honest. I’m a weekend warrior so it can be pretty difficult to fit it all in especially outside of summer when there’s not enough daylight hours to head out after work. I’m slowly starting to find a decent balance but it really depends on what kind climbing we’re doing. |
Ryan Brunton (IG: @ryan_brunton) on "Rhythm Rude Girl" (22/5.11a) at Sisters Beach, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Michael Blowers
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For the techies in the audience, what type of camera do you have and how do you approach editing your photos?
At the moment I’m using a Canon 6D mk II, it’s a little on the heavy side but I love it and I’ve been generally sticking with my 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses. I’m a big fan of the 24-70mm, it’s wide enough to capture the wider scene but tight enough you can still clearly see the climber and any emotion they’re showing.
As for editing I feel like I have a general style but it changes all the time as my taste changes or I learn new things. I tend to lean towards fairly high contrast images with somewhat muted colours but usually I don’t need to do a whole lot to my shots outside standard processing.
At the moment I’m using a Canon 6D mk II, it’s a little on the heavy side but I love it and I’ve been generally sticking with my 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses. I’m a big fan of the 24-70mm, it’s wide enough to capture the wider scene but tight enough you can still clearly see the climber and any emotion they’re showing.
As for editing I feel like I have a general style but it changes all the time as my taste changes or I learn new things. I tend to lean towards fairly high contrast images with somewhat muted colours but usually I don’t need to do a whole lot to my shots outside standard processing.
Michael Bortoluzzi (IG: @michaelbortoluzzi) on "Slap Dancer" (27 /5.12c) at the Organ Pipes, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Michael Blowers
What do you do to pay the bills?
I work in IT full time nowadays, originally specialising in security. I would love photography to become a full time or part time venture but we’ll have to see how it goes, I’m still fairly new to the scene.
I work in IT full time nowadays, originally specialising in security. I would love photography to become a full time or part time venture but we’ll have to see how it goes, I’m still fairly new to the scene.
Do you have any goals – personal, with climbing, and with photography?
A climbing goal I’ve had for a long time is to climb an 8a (5.13b/30) and I may have found the route that has me psyched enough to put in the required work. It’s called Pleasant Screams Direct, it’s a 50m pitch of mind-blowing climbing at the Organ Pipes. I’m not someone who chases grades too hard so it’s great to find a route that gets me excited to train for it.
For photography, I’d love to reach a point where I can at least work with photography part time. I couldn’t think of anything better than doing what I love for work.
A climbing goal I’ve had for a long time is to climb an 8a (5.13b/30) and I may have found the route that has me psyched enough to put in the required work. It’s called Pleasant Screams Direct, it’s a 50m pitch of mind-blowing climbing at the Organ Pipes. I’m not someone who chases grades too hard so it’s great to find a route that gets me excited to train for it.
For photography, I’d love to reach a point where I can at least work with photography part time. I couldn’t think of anything better than doing what I love for work.
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If I were coming to visit you in Tasmania for the first time for a week, where would you take me and why?
I’d definitely spend a couple of days around the Tasman Peninsula to climb the classic sea stacks like The Moai and Pole Dancer. They’re such memorable adventures and quite unique to Tassie. Then stop through Hobart to eat at the nice restaurants in Salamanca and a climb at the Organ Pipes. The Pipes have a bit of something for everyone, close to Hobart with incredible views. After that if you’re into big trad climbs and you have a weather window, Frenchman’s Cap hosts some incredible (albeit serious) adventure climbing. Or head to Ben Lomond for big splitter cracks in an alpine setting. If you’re looking to go hiking Cradle Mountain National Park has many incredible trails from full-day's walks to 6-day epics and is one of my favourite places in the world. Any last words for our readers?
Stay safe out there and if you’re ever in Tassie just bear in mind quite a lot of the climbing is in a fragile environment so be sure to treat it well. Also if you see me kicking about Tassie be sure to say hi! |
Scott Roberts (IG: @scotty_a_roberts) on "The Dog's Coif" (27/5.12c) at Sisters Beach, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Michael Blowers
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Elinor Fleming (IG: @elinor.rose) on "Thunderbirds Are Go" (24/5.11c) at Mt. Brown, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Michael Blowers.
Check out more of Michael Blower's photos at:
Instagram: @blowersm
Instagram: @blowersm