Taylor a hit in theBig Apple

Paremata resident and photographer Zechariah Taylor has struck it big in the United States.

Last year Taylor had three of his creative landscape shots – in which he uses computer effects to achieve a surreal look – included in an international show in New York.

Now one of the photographs, of the Pauatahanui Inlet, has been chosen to be exhibited in one of the biggest visual displays ever – in New York’s Times Square.

‘‘It’s humbling to be chosen among hundreds of artists across all genres,’’ he said.

‘‘You feel it’s the pinnacle and it’s a fantastic chance to show off the landscapes and the light that we have here in New Zealand.’’

Taylor said that while he had changed the way people might see Pauatahanui Inlet because of the effects he has added, the essence would always remain.

‘‘ There’s a raw, natural beauty we have in this country that you cannot beat and that’s inspiring to me as a photographer.

‘‘The light and colours we have around here [the Inlet] are as dramatic as anything you’ll get in the world.

‘‘At the end of the day, anyone can take a photograph, and then manipulate it, but it’s what you capture with that base photograph that really counts.’’

Taylor studied photography and graphics at Massey University.

His early inspiration came from a workshop he did with acclaimed photographer Len Lye when he was a child.

As well as the international exhibition in New York, Taylor’s work was included in a show in Paris last year.

He pays the bills by photographing weddings, but said he hoped the Times Square display would open more doors.

‘‘Something like this steps things up a level and helps you value yourself as an artist. It’s exciting.’’

Taylor also has a side project designing iPhone cases that have photographs from around the Wellington region on them.