‘Cloud Surf’, New Zealand, Haast Beach
This photo reminds me of Mickey Mouse in the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Standing on his pedestal, sending the water crashing upwards, he was able to create a dramatic scene of waves crashing up and swirling upwards. I didn’t have a sorcerer’s cap on, nor did I have a magic wand, but the wind patterns were on my side that day on the sunny and vibrant Haast Beach of western New Zealand. Clouds and long exposures are a great way to create movement in your photos. Share → Tweet
‘Where the Wild Things Are’, New Zealand, Okuru, Haast Beach
I arrived at Haast Beach after a full days travel. While on the road, I went from the mountains, through green pastures, over the dry highlands, through a lush rainforest and finally to New Zealand’s western coast to catch the sunset. I can’t stress the wild landscapes one encounters in New Zealand. I found Haast Beach to be particularly strange. Prehistoric plants, resembling upside-down mops, spread their leaves out in a mangled fashion all over the beach. Strange insects, ones I had never heard before , hummed peacefully as the sun set into... Read The Rest →
‘Follow the Rainbow’, New Zealand, Northern Island, Tongariro, National Park, Self Portrait & Rainbow
I’ve posted this rainbow shot before, but without me standing next to the colorful arch. When I stand next to the rainbow, it really gives you a sense of how close I really was to it. I’ve never seen one so close up. The photo posted below is a shot of the mountain I’m standing on in the rainbow picture. You can see a massive cloud hovering over the mountain, as if it were Mt. Doom. I’ve never experienced winds so strong in my entire life. 90km/hr at some points.... Read The Rest →
‘Mother Nature’s Mirror,’ New Zealand, Milford Sound, Mirror Lake
Can you imagine living in a world where mirrors or glass didn’t exist? Going to work in the morning, you encounter numerous reflective materials, such as the rear view mirror in your car and glass windows from storefronts on the street. Even staring into your phone before the screen lights up presents you with a glimpse of yourself. I can only imagine what hairdos were like in the days of cavemen. The lake pictured above is called Mirror Lake. I’m sure you can understand why. Located in New Zealand, it... Read The Rest →
‘White Blanket’, New Zealand, Milford Sound, Evening Fog
I haven’t posted many photos recently. I’ve been busy, but to be honest I’m running low on photos to post. I’ll have to dig deeper into my files or start planning my next trip. I still hold firmly to the belief that the Milford Sound on the south island of New Zealand is one of the most scenic drives in the entire world. This drive (pictured above) takes you through the dry New Zealand highlands, over the New Zealand Alps, through the temperate rainforest on New Zealand’s western fringe and... Read The Rest →
‘Waves of Rainclouds’, New Zealand, South Island, Lewis Pass
Capturing clouds in a photograph is never easy. Clouds are illuminated by the bright sky and often become blown out (or too bright for your camera’s sensor to capture the tonal range that your eye can see). HDR is able to pick this range up but it takes a bit of experience to bring it back into your photo. For those of you who know Photoshop well – Clouds are bright. So how do you bring this back into your photo while still keeping detail within the cloud? I find... Read The Rest →
‘A Ray of Light’, New Zealand, Lake Wakatipu
New Zealand is a sleepy little country with some amazing landscapes and scenery. I often wonder what type of life the people who live in the countryside of New Zealand lead. I always pictured it to be extremely relaxing with daily views like the shot taken above. Lake Wakatipu is an incredible place for photographs. I only spent one day on this lake but it was well worth it. I have to get back to New Zealand soon. Share → Tweet
‘Nature’s Bulldozer’, New Zealand, Franz Joseph Glacier
A glacier is one of the most powerful forces on the planet. Although seemingly static in nature, these monolith pieces of ice have the ability to remove mountains, carve out valleys and have created some of the most arable land known to mankind. The Franz Joseph Glacier in New Zealand is the largest glacier in New Zealand. I can’t imagine what Earth was like during the Ice Age when the most of the northern hemisphere was covered by giant glaciers such as this one. Share → Tweet
‘An Infernal Bath’, New Zealand, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Inferno Crater Lake
Waimangu Volcanic Valley is located on the North Island of New Zealand. This area of geothermal activity is the newest in the world. BBC filmed its ‘Walking with the Dinosaurs’ at this particular location. With smoke billowing from the Earth, fluorescent blue lakes and the funkiest smells you’ve ever encountered, it really feels like you’re walking through a prehistoric land. I met a nice couple on the deck behind me who had actually met 25 years earlier at this very spot. The lady was from Ireland and the man from England.... Read The Rest →
‘A Drive to Remember’, New Zealand Lake Wakatipu Drive
I’ve recently seen a few photos of this exact same shot on various photographer’s websites. It’s no coincidence that a lot photographers take an amazing photo from this exact spot. The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy along Lake Wakatipu is one of the world’s most beautiful drives. Surrounded by steep mountains, green pastures and small establishments along the water’s edge, this drive will take your breath away. The best part of it all is that there is no one else out there with you. New Zealand, with a total population... Read The Rest →