Grant Richter - Author, Photographer, Designer and Publisher
Author - story telling and the campfire stories
As a keen story writer in his youth, Grant developed a broad writing skillset that facilitates a down to earth style of literary work. Numerous publications, newsletters, and digital mediums bring a balance between his creative flair and factual reporting promoting informative reading.
Grant has over 30 years of aquatic safety experience, keeping water safety firmly in the forefront of his river journey. Of particular focus is Grant’s attention to children’s river safety awareness fostering respect between the dangers of the river balanced with safe fun.
Grant’s inspiration to write this book is based on his firsthand experience of navigating South Australia’s section of this 650 kilometer Murray River journey. Along with the extensive research he has conducted on this impressive waterway, he has gained insight and exposure to a river system rarely seen to this degree.
Campfire Stories
Every now and again, throughout the book, a campfire story accompanies photography that sets the scene. A collection of tales of the journey, historical, and nature based facts, and specific location detail are recanted with a positive environmental tone. The adventure stories are told candidly through the expressive and passionate captain’s eyes.
Detailed Editing – Julia Elsbeth
Julia Elsbeth studied and practised Freelance Journalism, Short Story Writing, Script Writing, Writing the Documentary with Scott Hicks (AFTRS), and holds Certificate IV in Screen. She researched, wrote, and edited narration scripts for Environmental Films (West Africa, St Helena, Brazil, Journey to the Vanishing Gorillas, Africa (1-4.) and for 7/13 of Alby Mangles’ documentary series (Adventure Bound).
Julia brings flair to wordsmithing that round off Zen Time on the Murray River’s campfire stories with consistent precision and rhythmic flow. Julia considerately maintained the essence of Grant’s quirky literary style with clarity and simplicity. Her documentary background and a sharp eye for detail are also being used to edit the accompanying film’s narration.
Clever Photography - on the run
Grant Richter is a creative photographer with over 20 years of experience in the field of design. Based on his Industrial Design education, Grant expanded his portfolio of talents into captivating graphic, photographic, website design, packaging, with successful marketing, promotional and advertising activities.
He has built a visual talent in product and portraiture photography servicing his freelance business clients. His demonstrated flair to deliver alluring design has kept him in demand to supply a unique perspective to his client base. Developing his skills to encompass film and video has allowed Grant a complementary suite of professional visual tools.
As a quiet achiever, Grant has created logos, branding material and photographic records for Adelaide and South Australian businesses. His home based studio has the professional capability to undertake any production workflow from client driven concept to production prototype.
Along the Journey
The crew started from the South Australian border up at Chowilla and progressively traveled over 650 kilometers along the twists, bends and reaches all the way to the Murray Mouth. But not in one day! Over weeks at a time, about 100 kilometers each trip over several years during annual leave from work.
– Over 8,000 images – only the finest selection of photographs were chosen that supported the journey account
– Many photos have a personal story connected – the occasional campfire story is a testament to the fun, adventures and misadventures along the way
– Magnificent landscapes show the river varying from most severe drought to major flood
– Enormous dry lagoons contrast with high flood levels where shacks, caravans and leisure parks were threatened by rising water
– Similar looking sections of the river can be difficult to navigate for the unobservant traveler
– The use of the Murray River Pilot – all editions, was a guiding influence in navigating a safe and smooth journey
– Sharing the river with a myriad of watercraft allowed me to visually shoot pictorial evidence of the riverboats in all their brilliance
The River People
Thank you to the big hearted people for sharing their story – we were humbled and grateful. These stories have been included in written and video format. This journey is a genuinely inspiring photographic window into one of Australia’s great river treasures and the people who have lived on and near it for generations. Characters from the river that have shared their tales reveal a deeper personal perspective which is unique to the river.
Sharing his passion and connection about the Murray River, Grant reveals an intimate journey with his family all living in close quarters on one small boat.
Amazing Watercraft
On the river…
Many varieties of recreational watercraft were photographed meandering in moments of leisure. The Murray facilitates a playground for fishing, boating and exciting recreational activities.
– Paddle boats, barges and old fishing boats both large and small that travel along this river are like viewing a time capsule of the yesteryear
– Both commercial and private paddle steamers were caught in their glory travelling full steam ahead up and down the river with passengers perusing the scenery
– Speed boats, wake boats, high octane power boats, tinnies and jetskis were carving, racing and cruising
– A myriad of tail riders ranging from skiers, knee boarders and enthralling tube rides carved multiple wakes in the ordinarily serene waterscape and used their wakes as useful jump ramps
– Strange hydrofoils were ridden like mammoth seahorses bouncing up and down in the river
– Canoes and kayaks regularly feature as one of the Murray’s favourite water activities
– Tiny caravan sized houseboats shared the river with three-story floating mansions and everything in between
Tools of the trade - Cameras
The river’s amazing kaleidoscope of colours, textures and hues have been faithfully recorded and reproduced.
– Olympus Camedia wide-angle C8080 and Olympus DSLR e330 micro 4/3s body with Tamron & Olympus lenses
– Images and video – 1080p HD – Sony HDR-SR12 CMOS – Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* lens
– Carefully selected imagery to highlight the most captivating attributes
– Zen Time on the Murray books are full of stimulating vistas, lush greenery and barren landscapes in vibrant colour with some black and white photos
– This refined selection of high-resolution images cover the full-colour gamut with soft hues, dynamic vibrancy and subtle colour saturation
– Minimalistic adjustment to the raw image better reflects the faithful reproduction of the moment from CYMK gamut limitations
Zen Time - the little cruiser and her crew
This forgotten little river cruiser and single axel trailer was rescued from a property in Big Bend. After meticulous work, she was reincarnated as Zen Time.
– Solar electrical system added with battery bank
– 9.9HP overhauled Honda motor and a 1950’s auxiliary
– Fibreglass hull and composite cabin were prepared and painted
– Trailer re-engineered into a dual axel with hydraulic brakes
– 2 birth facility was just big enough to fit two adults and a child
– 80 litre fridge/ freezer kept all the perishable supplies chilled
– Powerful 150 watt twin spotlights enabled night trips
– Full accessory support allowed all entertainment options to work
– Café style blinds created a warm and mosquito free environment within the cabin
The Crew
Zen Time’s crew were green with inexperience but they made up for any lacking by learning from an encounter of a lifetime. The piloting of Zen Time increased in precision as each leg of the journey unfolded.
Grant – photographer & layout designer, captain, book and movie author
Julia – text editor, partner and assisting pilot
Alex – son and assisting pilot
Pop – father, grandfather, boat trailer engineer and assisting pilot
Environmental Stewardship
Caring for the River Murray
Environmental Stewardship Charter for the Murray River, South Australia
The purpose of the Environmental Stewardship Charter is to establish a framework for preserving and enhancing the ecological health, water quality, and biodiversity of the Murray River in South Australia. This charter aims to ensure sustainable management practices that balance environmental, social, and economic interests. Clich here to check out the Charter.
Everybody can take an interest in the Murray by finding some natural part of it that they see worthy of protecting and conservation. We all can play a protective role by caring and taking an interest in the long term conservation of this river system. By becoming a River Murray Environmental Steward, you can help save the Murray for generations to come, spread awareness of the beauty it beholds and support the longevity of the biodiversity that survives on it.
One of the most spectacular and breathtaking places in the world, the Murray has so much to offer, see and explore. We can all ‘share the care’ by actively taking an interest in the river, the land and its creatures.
The flora and fauna along this river seems fragile and robust at the same time. As the river came alive early in the morning and also at dusk, pure moments of nature were captured. Along its length, a rich biodiversity can be discovered…
– Various gum tree species, some with roots exposed on the bank, stunning native shrubs and delicate wildflowers lined the banks
– Abundant wildlife survive and sometimes flourish in this harsh environment yet it can look devoid of life at all
– Mammals and marsupials, reptiles and insects are just some of the easy to see and hard to find creatures of the river
– Ever-changing murky river waters hold secrets entombed in the depths of shipwrecks left to lay on the river floor
– Carp made a regular bold appearances on the surface that remind us of the introduced menace that still plagues the river
– The mesmerising hue of colours that were captured, contrasted across the sky on any given day was reflected in the many varied river water tones
– The geological significance of so many cliff faces tells a story millennia in the making
– Wetlands, lagoons and marshy swamps form the home for thousands of waterbirds
– Long winding cliff-scapes showcased in the mesmerising light of dawn, dusk and everything in between
– Rare insights into the lay of land behind the deceptively thin green belt lining the river’s edge
– Spectacular seasonal changes in vegetation, relentless forces of erosion affecting soil colour and rock formationCheck out the Charter.
Books for everyone
A series of beautifully presented photographic books printed in a several format sizes, allows everybody from children through to grandparents to enjoy.
The books are developed to interest key demographics;
– People who have previously visited the Murray
– People who live near or on the river
– People who regularly frequent the Murray for business or pleasure
– Local, interstate and international travellers
– People who want to undertake a trip of a similar nature to see the glorious sights for themselves
– Children who have an interest in animals, trees and plants, swimming and playing in and around the river
– People who have never seen the Murray River
– People who own Murray related businesses
– People who own paddle steamers, houseboats, canoes and kayaks, speed boats, tinnies, cruisers, yachts or any leisure boats or watercraft
– Anybody who enjoys frolicking in the river
– Weekend warriors & holiday makers
– Grandparents who want to interest and excite the grandies
Seven Series A4 Landscape coffee style photobooks
Seven chapters books – each book stands alone or forms the set of 7
Book 1. The Border to Renmark – OUT NOW!
Book 2. Renmark to Kingston on Murray
Book 3. Kingston on Murray to Swan Reach
Book 4. Swan Reach to Wellington
Book 5. Wellington to Milang
Book 6. Point Sturt and Clayton Bay
Book 7. Finniss River to Murray Mouth (including the Coorong)
– Vivid and dynamic colour with some black & white photography
– Printed on satin finish 150 gsm sustainable resourced paper
– Approximately 60 – 100 pages per book
– Generic for-section in each of the seven volumes includes the dedication page, acknowledgements, Journey Map and preface
– Each chapter book of the journey has a full gloss cover with an image in keeping with that section of the river
– Encapsulate the essence of boating and canoeing fun in our state’s river
– The occasional campfire story is a tribute to the adventures, misadventures and calamity along the way
Book 1 - The Border to Renmark
Documentary films
(to come)
Seven voyage chapters document the mesmerising ebb and flow of this ancient river system
– Documentary film shot in high definition with high fidelity audio
– Balanced mix of action and tranquillity enticing the audience to follow the next stage
– A historical record for children to remember and reflect upon
– Available in three formats for cross platform access
O Movie length (100 minutes)
O Individual chapters (20 minutes each approx.)
O Broadcast quality documentary film (52 minutes)
– Original soundtrack and quality atmospheric sound
– Available in DVD format and downloadable MOV or MP4 movie format
– Narrated by Grant Richter with editing overseen by Julia Elsbeth
– Also available are the ‘Slow Cinema’ versions – up to six hours of river footage for each chapter
