? for New Zealanders

[nma]

I plan to be in NZ (South Island) Jan 25- Feb 21. I have done lots of web-searches for advice about photography on the South Island. I have seen many fine photo examples and lists of places to visit, but there is little useful advice about exact locations and time of day for photographing.

Do any of our New Zealand members know of any references in print or on the web that would be helpful?

Thanks for your help.

[Kenneth Sky]

My last visit was built around visiting Milford Sound - you know the one pictured in beautiful sunshine and flat water to make that perfect postcard. It poured and was so foggy you couldn't see both sides of the sound at the same time! I was told by the locals that rainy weather is the norm. Don't get me wrong. The south island is the most photogenic place in the world. Just be prepared for four seasons - every day. No matter how you plan, the weather is unpredictable but that adds to the interest in your pictures. Just alot a few days whereever you go and enjoy.

[mtselman]

I spent 6 weeks in New Zealand two years ago and it is indeed a beautiful place. Green hills and mountains with waterfalls above you,  rainbows below you and you in the middle of the clouds.
Milford Sound was already mentioned above.
If you are into hiking - Kepler tramp has some nice vistas into inner "fiords".
Some beautiful mountain scenery in mt. Aspiring park.
Also, if you happen to make it to the North Island, a very dramatic volcanic scenery in the Tongariro park.

I was not as obsessed with photography back then, so carried only a small camera, but you can look at the photos here and feel free to ask questions about any of those locations:
http://public.fotki.com/mtselman/the-trip/new-zealand/


  --Misha

PS. The remark about weather from the previous poster is correct. We spent 5 days with my climbing partner in a mountain hut waiting for a single-day weather window to climb mt. Aspiring.

[howiesmith]

My last visit was built around visiting Milford Sound - you know the one pictured in beautiful sunshine and flat water to make that perfect postcard. It poured and was so foggy you couldn't see both sides of the sound at the same time! I was told by the locals that rainy weather is the norm. Don't get me wrong. The south island is the most photogenic place in the world. Just be prepared for four seasons - every day. No matter how you plan, the weather is unpredictable but that adds to the interest in your pictures. Just alot a few days whereever you go and enjoy.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=94578\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I visited the New Zealand about 20 years ago for a November.  I had planned on splitting my time between the North and South Islands.  Started in the south and spend all but 4 days there.  Just couldn't bring myself to leave.

The weather was good but variable.  No real rain but fog and drizzle.  The people were as friendly as could be except for Invercargle.  The penguins near there were fun though.  

I hiked for 4 days in Milford and it was beautiful.  I tried to tip the guide but instead of cash, he really wanted my Pategonia fleece shirt.  So I literally gave him the shirt off my back.  

Mostly just drove around.  The scenery was varied and all just beautiful.  For shear beauty, only Alaska is a rival.  Lots of farms, sheep and mountains.

I do recall I thought the food was so-so at best.  Something called "pasties" - little meat pies.  Dreadful.  And fish bait or white bait, or something like, were considered a treat but weren't.  Thanksgiving, I stayed in a fishing lodge and the owner prepared a feast for the 10ish Americans there.  She really didn't know anything about US Thanksgiving and couldn't find a turkey, so it was roast chicken and just plain wonderful.  Trout fishing and dinners were great too.

I spent two nights at an inn near Christchurch built from a converted horse stable.  The owner treated me like I were a king of something.

I seem to recall that most things were relatively cheap.  Except transportation (anything associated with oil).  And clothes.  I priced a pair of Levi's and they were $85, a bit pricey.

[Lisa Nikodym]

Milford was lovely when I was there, but the mountains leading to it were equally wonderful, and most people rush through it on their way to Milford.  Great hiking, especially the Routeburn track (both ends of it).  Just be prepared for some rain, as others above have suggested...

Lisa

[BernardLanguillier]

Steward island is said to be great, but I didn't have the time to get there during my last visit unfortunately.

Cheers,
Bernard

[DaveCurtis]

Well, it was a nice day in the South Island, NZ today! However weather has been rather unseasonal lately. Great for photography but not for holidaying.

You can checkout some of my images and image locations at www.magiclight.co.nz. I must add some photography location info for the overseas visitors !

From a landscape lighting point of view (eg early morning and late evening):

The West Coast is great in the evening as the sun sets in the ocean directly behind you and can light up the mountains rather well. Lake Matheson is a good location here. The Alps are only 20miles from the sea.

From the East Coast both early morning and late evening photography is possible.

Once you get into the Southern Alps the early and late light doesn't penetrate into the  narrow steep valleys where the main alpine road passes are. You need to get up on the mountain tops or catch a plane.

The inland basins image very well. The Maniototo in Otago and the Mackenzie country in Canterbury.

There is plenty of options: wet rain forest in the west. Dry tussock grass landscapes in Otago and Canterbury.

Dave
down in Dunedin NZ

[Davidlu]

You can take nice landscape pictures at Mount Cook Nationalparc. Also not too bad:
Kaikoura for whale watching, Otago, ... Another Tip: If you like birds, maybe you could
visit a boring Island, called Steward Island :-)

[djgarcia]

I went out there in '02 and totally loved it. I took a 3-day bus tour that was excellent, in spite of the concept of a bus tour normally turning me off. Here's my image collection ... the dropdown selects different sections.

South New Zealand - Dec 2002

DJ

Oops! I just realized the date - it's a little late! Hope you had a great time!

[David Anderson]

UnZud is stunning !

I visit the the Tongariro river (North island) every winter to trout fish (awesome) and have also done a few day trips in the surrounding area to have a look around, two of the best spots are Lake Taupo and Mt. Tongariro NP.

The drive around Mt. Tongariro NP is a grast trip..

When you're there you might hear a lot of talk about the All Blacks, the UnZud national rugby team, the locals will carry on without pause about how good they are, to stop the conversation ( and maybe get killed ) remind them that they tend to choke at World Cups..      

Also, Baaa means no..  

Have a great trip.