Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape Photography Locations => Topic started by: Schewe on July 22, 2012, 04:16:43 am

Title: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: Schewe on July 22, 2012, 04:16:43 am
My daughter wants to go to New Zealand towards the end of the year...being a photographer and a willing enabler I'm interested in getting some shooting advice and perhaps advice on where to concentrate our time down under...

One thing I hope to do is a visit Weta Digital ( I may have some contacts there)...but generally spend most of the time in the South Island.

If some Kiwis down under want to hook up for a meet and greet I would be up for that...the plan is to optimize a 10-14 day trip, eat some lamb and drink some New Zealand wine, have some fun, shoot some neat stuff and maybe make some Kiwi friends...

Suggestions?
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: Tony Jay on July 22, 2012, 05:40:39 am
Wow, Jeff - almost anywhere in NZ can deliver spectacular images.

Nonetheless for a 10-14 day trip I would recommend the South Island.
The west coast, the Alps and the Fjordlands would be more than enough grist for the photographic mill.
It really is as good as what one saw in the Lord of the Rings.

If you want to do the North Island then Lake Taupo and Rotorua area is exceptionally beautiful and diverse as well.
The entire peninsula north of Auckland to the Bay of Islands and further to North Cape is definately worth a look as well.

My bet is that locals from various out of the way places scattered across NZ will also come in with their suggestions.
Good luck Jeff - you should have a great time no matter where you go.

Regards

Tony Jay
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: stingray on July 22, 2012, 03:25:57 pm
A few quick points.

10 - 14 days is not enough.  Your problem will be what to leave out. I traveled from Ireland last January, spent 15 days on South Island...needed at a min another week. I recommend quality time in 4-5 locations (ie stay at least 2/3 nights in each).

Concentrate on one island (probably South, do not even think of grabbing a few days on another island).

Most people want to visit Milford Sound. ( Stunning).  Check the road map. Milford Sound is at the end of a very long cul de sac (a very nice cul de sac).

Arrange your hotel in Milford Sound way way way in advance. 

Consider very carefully if you should fly into Christchurch or Queenstown. 

Many people fly to Christchurch, travel West across the Alps, take the coast South taking in the glaciers and then drive on to Queenstown.   From Queenstown to Te Anau is a decent drive.  Te Anua becomes basecamp for the trip to Milford Sound. (Lots of other Sounds).  This is a lot of driving and leaves out the East Coast completely.

If you get to TeAnua, catch the film in the local cinema taken by local helicopter pilots.

The roads are not motorways, but good.  Driving is not a strain, but always takes longer than you think.  If you are going to stop at the occasional view point it will take a lot longer.

Check out the Podas (Phase One) Trip and their schedule. It will give you a sense of a good plan.

I am happy to answer any questions.

Regards,

Matt O'Brien


Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: David Sutton on July 22, 2012, 07:17:01 pm
Hello Jeff. Sent you a PM
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: tom b on July 22, 2012, 07:29:40 pm
There have been two previous LuLa threads that have good info in them:

Link 1 (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=51359.0)

Link 2 (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=60940.0)

Cheers,
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: jule on July 23, 2012, 04:19:21 am
Jeff...South Island without question. Less is more. Don't try to cram too much in because some of the best places require a bit of walking.

Just as a little tip.... 'Down under' usually refers to Australia rather than New Zealand.... (And yes - I am from Australia :-) ) ... and if you say anything about being in the land of "down under" whilst in New Zealand.... I wouldn't count on you being treated very favourably. :-)


Julie
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: Schewe on July 23, 2012, 12:10:44 pm
... and if you say anything about being in the land of "down under" whilst in New Zealand....

Noted...thanks for the warning!
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: Alistair on August 06, 2012, 06:42:47 pm
My daughter wants to go to New Zealand ...the plan is to optimize a 10-14 day trip, eat some lamb and drink some New Zealand wine, have some fun, shoot some neat stuff and maybe make some Kiwi friends...

Suggestions?

You have some good suggestions already regarding locations etc. My contribution would be to point you towards the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and the Martinborough Pinot Noir.

I think Matt (is that Matt from Abruzzo and Dololmites?) has given very sound advice regarding not trying to cover too much territory and the long driving times. If you do manage to fit in a trip to Wellington, you may like to contact Karam Sahai (http://www.karimsahai.com/) - great photographer who lives in Wellington and works for Weta.

Please let us know the dates you are travelling once they are firmed up. I am in the UK but am a kiwi and will be in NZ late this year and have a house in Wellington. There is a very good photographic society in Wellington that would also welcome you and put you in touch with many people in Wellington and South Island. It is a very small population, every knows everyone else and most folk are very friendly.
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: stingray on August 06, 2012, 07:26:51 pm
Hi Alistair,

I am trying to get out to the Dolomites or Tuscany... maybe Venice.. but calendar challenged. 

Matt
(from Dublin via Abrusso and Dolomites).

PS. i
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: stingray on August 06, 2012, 07:33:03 pm
Sorry for the double post. Something funny happened when submitting.

Hi Alistair,

I am trying to get out to the Dolomites or Tuscany... maybe Venice.. but calendar challenged. 

Matt
(from Dublin via Abrusso and Dolomites).

Ps1. I did not manage to sample the wines in New Zealand... as everywhere was closed by the time I got back from the mountain after a sunset shoot.  I need to correct that next time around.
Ps2.  I suspect New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to do a camper van (or similar)  road trip.

Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: Alistair on August 07, 2012, 12:53:53 pm
Hi Matt, I am probably going to Dolomites again in Sept, might see you there!

Alistair
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: spreeg on August 07, 2012, 05:17:08 pm
I worked at Weta Digital for years, it's a little tough to "visit" just because it is spread out in a number of buildings in the area.  It's also mostly a bunch of computer geeks (like me) sitting at desks with a few props around.  If you do have contacts I would suggest trying to get a tour of Weta Workshop instead, it's a lot more interesting an tangible.  I would stick to the south island with the amount of time you have, unless you fly to Wellington, just getting to Weta is pretty far out of the way from the amazing scenery (ie down near Queenstown).
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: Dave (Isle of Skye) on August 19, 2012, 11:39:31 am
My daughter wants to go to New Zealand towards the end of the year...being a photographer and a willing enabler I'm interested in getting some shooting advice and perhaps advice on where to concentrate our time down under...

...Suggestions?

Hi Jeff,

I went down to the South Island last year on a shoot for a company called Apollo Campers, we toured for a couple of weeks taking photos of their van in various spectacularly scenic places, but to be honest, there are just too many locations to list for you really. My advice it to plan on driving all the way around the edge of the whole island. But really worthy of note (and in no particular order) Bruce Bay at sunset, Milford Sound at dawn - go out on the boat trip and look at the underwater viewing station it is amazing, Moeraki boulders at dawn, Nugget Point at dawn - you will need a head torch to do this one and a good head for heights, also there is a penguin viewing point there to the right of the car park, but well worth it, Kekerengu - which is supposed to be one of THE most scenic drives on the planet and there is a nice place for an excellent breakfast at the end of the drive, Otago Peninsula, Fox Glacier - walk right out to it in the early morning, also some very nice waterfalls to the right as you walk to the glacier face, Picton is lovely and oh so many more, it really is a photographers paradise down there, although their sausages are unusually tasteless, but everything else is fantastic and the people are really nice.

Below are just a few of the shots I made for the company - and here is the one they are using on their Apollo Camper NZ web site (http://www.apollocamper.co.nz/campervan-hire-6berth.aspx).

I was also offered to do the same for their sister companies in Canada, USA and Australia, but I just haven't had the spare time, although looking back at these images and the fond memories of the trip, who knows I might just make myself make time...

 :)

Dave
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: David Watson on August 20, 2012, 04:48:41 pm
My daughter wants to go to New Zealand towards the end of the year...being a photographer and a willing enabler I'm interested in getting some shooting advice and perhaps advice on where to concentrate our time down under...

One thing I hope to do is a visit Weta Digital ( I may have some contacts there)...but generally spend most of the time in the South Island.

If some Kiwis down under want to hook up for a meet and greet I would be up for that...the plan is to optimize a 10-14 day trip, eat some lamb and drink some New Zealand wine, have some fun, shoot some neat stuff and maybe make some Kiwi friends...

Suggestions?

Hi Jeff

I went a few years ago and agree with other posters that 14 days is not enough to do both Islands. I am a photographer and hotelier/restaurateur in the UK so I was also interested in the wine.  I have some friends who own the Trinity Hill vineyard near Napier and if you want to visit let me know with a PM.

Okay photography first.  Only two things.  One hire a Robinson (or similar) helicopter from Overthetop in Queenstown as a private charter - ask to be taken into the Alps and on to the top of glaciers.  Overthetop took me into a variety of really interesting (photographically) places.  Ask for the boss (nice lady) who is extra helpful.

Secondly hire a 4x4 and head off well before dawn to drive the Nevis Road which starts at Bannockburn.  Some info here but you will need to do more research.

http://www.baggins.co.nz/art/places/nevis.php

Best wishes

 
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: stingray on August 20, 2012, 07:28:37 pm
I did not want to mention helicopters earlier, but if you really want to give yourself a treat, save a lot of road miles, get a unique perspective of a spectacular region, etc...etc..  then consider a helicopter transit from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Lots of options open up, including stopping on a glacier. Loads of helicopter companies and services. Check the map... it cuts out a few days driving.

Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: AlexRobinson on August 26, 2012, 03:03:26 am
If coming into Christchurch check out Banks Peninsula but don't waste much time on Akaroa (the faux-French tourist trap town). Try your luck at some of the bays and the back gravel roads that connect them, much more rewarding for photographers than the main highway. A 4WD would be a good idea for these if you're not used to driving in such conditions, inaccessible via camper van. I've done lots of them in 2WD cars but would't recommend it to everyone! Also around Canterbury check out the Rakaia Gorge, drive right up the top of the gorge, a great spot for photos. I'd suggest renting a car/4WD rather than a camper van, there's accommodation available pretty much everywhere and you can access better places via a smaller vehicle.

There's plenty of the usual tourist photo tick-offs to see, just open a guide book but if you want good stuff then be prepared to head off the main roads and spend time exploring back roads and tracks!
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: stingray on August 30, 2012, 07:18:54 pm
I took this pano within 10-15 mins drive of Christchurch (no traffic at that hour) and a further 10 min walk (be careful...big drops within a few meters of my tripod).

http://mattobrien.zenfolio.com/p13395304/h40b425a2#h40b425a2


It is a pano of 2  x 17 mm images using a 5d2 as the scale was way to wide to include in a single frame.  This is just a rough cut... I have not got around yet to completing post processing on these images.

Lyttelton is South East approx from my camera position.  I did a prelim scout of the area the evening before, knew what path to follow and was up early enough the next morning for the lightshow. Back to the hotel in time for breakfast... still jet lagged.



Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: Schewe on October 14, 2012, 01:02:52 am
Just a quick note of thanks for all the feedback and info about New Zealand...due to a somewhat limited itinerary, the "family" decided to only go part way to New Zealand. We're stopping in Kauai, Hawaii and spending 10 days there instead of going all the way down. I still seriously want to come down to shoot in New Zealand but it'll have to wait a year or so...

Thanks!
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: stingray on October 14, 2012, 11:33:32 am
Wise choice...  You  should not rush a trip to New Zealand.
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: DaveCurtis on October 15, 2012, 03:17:47 am
On the bright Jeff, the weather down here in the South Island is crapola at the moment.

Hawaii may be a good choice  :)
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: dhachey on November 03, 2012, 12:51:08 am
Jeff, first off, thanks for the LR4 tutorial videos.  I thought I knew LR, but didn't realize how little I really knew until I started watching your tutorial. Very well done.

Let me repay the favor with some advice on NZ.  By all means find a competent guide, don't do it on your own.  Jackie Ranken in Queenstown is one, but there are others.  They know the best spots, the best times and can suggest alternatives when the weather turns foul.  By all means hire a helicopter (doors off!), but do not opt for the packaged helitours, they stuff too many passengers in to make shooting feasible.  Same suggestion for an airplane (single engine, 2/4 seat, doors off).  Flights will be expensive, but worth it.  I just did this in Namibia and got some spectacular images of the Skeleton Coast.  You must do Queenstown and Milford Sound, I suggest an overnight cruise.  Doubtful Sound wasn't all that interesting to me. I didn't hike the glaciers due to weather, but saw them by air.  I could fill a book on this topic, so if you have questions, let me know.
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: Josh-H on November 03, 2012, 04:29:16 am
+1 for chartered helicopter with the doors off if your pocket can stomach the hit. I have done this a few times over the alps in New Zealand and its spectacular. The pilots are some of the worlds best and can put the chopper literally feet from the ice. Around $1500 NZD per hour to charter with the doors off. If you can find another shooter to share the cost its defiantly worth it. Rug up though... its awfully cold with the doors off over the alps.  ;D Here was the temp last time I went up.

Thats -19 celsius with the doors off - Brrr.....but a helluva lot of fun.

The small town of Fox Glacier is a great place to charter from. I have always used 'Mountain Choppers' as their pilots are phenomenal.

I would also recommend a guide. NZ is one of those locations that has many 'secret' spots that the average visitor will never find on a single visit.
Title: Re: A visit to New Zealand...
Post by: drcommercialization on November 25, 2012, 07:42:12 pm
Jeff,

I have been fortunate to have done 4 landscape photography trips to New Zealand, 2 of those trips for 6 weeks each.  Some of my favorites:

1. Routeburn Great Walk, which traverses Fiordland and Mt. Aspiring National Parks.  A 3-day hut-to-hut backcountry hike. This is one of the most scenic tracks, mile for mile, that I have ever taken.  If you do not have 3 days, you can do the start and the finish of the trail as day hikes.  Key Summit is a short climb from the Fiordland trailhead and offers a spectacular vista.
2. Hump Ridge Track (a private track but reasonably priced).  At the southernmost end of the island.  Also a 3-day hut-to-hut hike, but you can do a portion of the first day's hike that takes you past a very wild and rugged beach. 
3. Abel Tasman Great Walk.  North end of the island.  You can do a 4-day beach hike, or a 1-day ocean kayak trip, or anything in between.
4. Nelson Lakes National Park.  Do a long day-hike to Angelus hut and back, as well as photos around the shore of Lake Rotoiti.  3000' up and down. 

I have photos of these New Zealand destinations and more at http://www.sublimelightlp.com/f365913020 (http://www.sublimelightlp.com/f365913020)
Enjoy your trip.

Regards,

J Dupuie
www.sublimelightlp.com