NZPhotographer Issue 1, Nov 2017

ISSUE 1, November 2017 

INTERVIEW 

WITH JANA LUO 

KAIKOURA TODAY 

WITH BRENDON GILCHRIST 

10 TIPS FOR 

REDISCOVERING 

YOUR MOTIVATION 

PHOTO DESTINATION: 

THE FORGOTTEN 

WORLD HIGHWAY 

LOW LIGHT 

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS 

November 2017 

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Join the conversation! 

Taya Iv, Editor 

Facebook: 

www.facebook.com/nzphotographer 

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/nzp_magazine/ 

Questions or comments? Please send us an 

e-mail at nzp@excio.io 

From the Editor 

Dear reader, 

This issue was lovingly crafted by a team of passionate 

individuals. Photographers, designers, and writers 

all came together with one goal: to empower, inspire, 

and encourage others. 

While we keep New Zealand at the heart of our community, 

we explore other cultures to have a complete 

and eye-opening artistic experience. In honour of that, 

this issue has been filled with images from around the 

world, including gorgeous photos taken by this month's 

cover artist, Jana Luo. 

The researching process has been nothing short of 

exhilarating. We truly look forward to featuring more 

outstanding creatives. To put it simply, we want to 

give you a chance to be heard, discovered, and 

appreciated. 

4 

8 

10 

15 

18 

20 

26 

31 

46 

SPECIAL FEATURE: INSPIRING PHOTOGRAPHER JANA LUO 

By Taya Iv 

INSPIRATION: 10 TIPS FOR REDISCOVERING YOUR MOTIVATION 

By Taya Iv 

ASK THE EXPERTS: WHICH CAMERA IS GOOD FOR YOU? 

By Rajib Mukherjee 

PHOTO DESTINATION: THE DRIVE OF A LIFETIME ON THE FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAY 

By Emily Goodwin 

LOW LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY 


THE POWER OF PHOTOGRAPHY 

By Nemanja Milicevic 

PHOTO ESSAY: KAIKOURA TODAY 

By Brendon Gilchrist 

PORTFOLIO BEST READERS’ SUBMISSIONS THIS MONTH 

WILDLIFE CHALLENGE 

General Info 

NZPhotographer Issue 1 

/ November 2017 

YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION 

Cover Photo 

by Jana Luo - 

The whole world belongs to you 

Publisher: 

Excio Group 

Website: 

www.excio.io/nzphotographer 

Group Director: 

Ana Lyubich ana@excio.io 

2 NZPhotographer 

Editor: 

Taya Iv 

Graphic Design: 

Maksim Topyrkin 

Contributing Writers/Photographers: 

Emily Goodwin, Rajib 

Mukherjee, Nemanja Milicevic, 

Brendon Gilchrist 

Advertising Enquiries: 

Phone us on 04 889 29 25 or send 

us an enquiry hello@excio.io 

© 2017 NZPhotographer magazine 

All rights reserved. Reproduction 

of any material appearing in this 

magazine in any form is forbidden 

without prior consent of the 

publisher. 

About NZPhotographer 

Whether you’re an enthusiastic 

weekend snapper or a beginner 

who wants to learn more, NZ Photographer 

is the fun e-magazine for 

all Kiwi camera owners – and it’s 

free! 

Photo by Jana Luo 

The sleeping beauty 3 

November 2017

Special Feature: 

Inspiring Photographer Jana Luo 

By Taya Iv 

1. When did you start taking 

photographs and what drew 

you to it? 

My photography journey didn’t 

really start until April 2013. I had 

liked taking photos for a while, 

but only used phones and a 

couple of compact cameras. 

Early in 2013, I had a very 

strong feeling that I should get 

more involved in photography. 

Then I started to do some 

research on cameras. Eventually, 

I bought an entry level full 

frame DSLR camera, the Canon 

6D. Since then, I don't know 

how I'd live without my cameras! 

They bring a whole new 

world to my life! 

Sunrise Shining Through The Balloons 

18th Mar 2016 

Canon EOS 6D 

Speed:1/200 sec. 

ISO: 100 

Focal length: 67mm 

F-stop: 10 

I have been to the balloons over 

Waikato for 3 years, this year I decided 

to fly in a balloon. The sunrise 

coming through when all the balloons 

are floating up, brightening 

them, is incredible. 


The Clam Jetty 

22nd Jun 2016 

Canon EOS 6D 

Speed:188 sec. 

ISO: 100 


F-stop: 9 

Taken at Auckland City on a 

cold and wet day. I love the 

calmness around the jetty. 

The Dreamy Night at 

Mt Taranaki 

22nd Oct 2016 

Canon EOS 6D 

Speed: 25 sec. 

ISO:5000 


F-stop: 3.2 

This is one of my favorite 

places in NZ. It's not easy 

for me to get up there, but 

I was lucky enough to get 

a super calm and clear 

day. The sunset and the reflection 

are just perfect! I 

love the clear sky at night, 

amazing stars, it's like living 

in a wonder world. 

2. Your images thrive in the 

landscape genre. What appeals 

to you the most about 

landscape photography? 

Like many photographers, as 

a beginner, I liked to try everything. 

I went out to shoot 

people, landscapes, cityscapes, 

and also tried macro 

photography etc. About 

one year later, I started to 

find my main interest which 

is landscape photography. I 

realized that when I am going 

out shooting the beautiful 

nature, I am not just enjoying 

photography, the most 

important thing is to be part 

of the nature I love. I always 

have strong feelings towards 

what I shoot. I want to use my 

cameras to find out the connection 

between me and the 

world I live in. 


5

The Sleeping Beauty 

21st Aug 2016 

Canon EOS 6D 


ISO:100 


F-stop: 10 

The tree in Lake Wanaka, 

when the night comes, it becomes 

a sleeping beauty. 

3. How has living in New Zealand affected 

your creative journey? 

I have been living in New Zealand for more 

than a decade; the incredible beauty of 

this country obviously gives me very strong 

motivation. I like the ocean the most, and 

I can see it so easily! Every time I go to a 

beach, I am able to find some new ideas 

which I can use later on in my photo practices. 

I can certainly find the connection 

between my soul and Mother Nature in 

New Zealand. 

4. What would you tell your younger self 

about creative decisions? 

If I could turn the clock back, I would like 

to tell myself to try different angles or different 

exposures when I shoot. Don't worry 

too much about the rules. Sometimes, 

for a starter especially, the rules really limit 

creativity. 

5. Are there any artists 

who've had a significant 

impact on your work? 

There are a lot of great photographers 

who inspire me, 

among them, I think Fan Ho, 

Ansel Adams, and Michael 

Kenna have given me significant 

impact on my work. 

6. How do you deal with 

artistic self-doubt? 

Most of my friends say I am a 

confident person, but, in fact, 

I always get self-doubt. Maybe 

I just know how to hide it, 

hehe. That is part of my personality 

I believe. Boosting up 

my self-esteem is not always 

easy. Most of the time, I talk to 

myself or go out, find a place, 

most likely I will go to a beach, 

not many people around, enjoy 

the quietness and the pure 

nature. I can gain more courage 

back from that. 


Red Clouds With The Burning Heart 

11th Jan 2015 

Canon EOS 6D 


ISO: 100 

Focal length: 16 mm 

F-stop: 9 

Taken at West Coast Beach, 

Auckland. With the red colour 

from sunset, the heart shaped 

rock touched my soul. 

Charming Queenstown at Night 

20st Aug 2016 

Canon EOS 6D 


ISO: 100 

Focal length: 27 mm 

F-stop: 8 

Taken at Queenstown, it's a 

famous place and I've been 

there a few times... I can't resist 

its charm. 

7. The colours in your images are breathtaking. What's your editing 

process like? 

I use Lightroom, Photoshop and Nik Collection for photo editing. 

8. What's your favourite place in New Zealand and why? 

So far, I think my favourite places are New Plymouth, Mt Taranaki, and Wharariki 

beach. 

9. Is there any piece of advice you wish every photographer took to 

heart? 

Really understand the subjects of your photography, be prepared before you 

start to shoot, and shoot. 

10. What kind of photographer do you imagine yourself being in 10 years? 

I hope I would be a pure photographer who loves nature and photography 

itself. 


7

Inspiration: 10 Tips for 

Rediscovering Your Motivation 

By Taya Iv 

Motivation isn’t always easy to find. Like a sheet 

of paper stolen by a gust of wind, it escapes 

even the most inspiring of artists. Though phases of 

creative dullness are natural, there are times when 

you desperately want to grab a bunch of ideas 

and have a successful shoot. But how can this be 

achieved? 

There are no specific rules for finding motivation, but 

there are ways in which you can help yourself grow 

towards it. Here are 10 tips for rediscovering the creative 

strength you deserve to have. 

Go Out 

No matter where you are, go for a walk. It’s easy to 

get caught up in daily tasks. Leave your home for 

a short while and enjoy your surroundings. Even a 

10-minute walk has the power to refresh your mind 

and make you feel more grounded. 

Research Artists 

We all take things for granted sometimes. Even a 

comforting source of inspiration can lose its spark. To 

rediscover your love for art, expose yourself to every 

side of it. Research artists whose work you’re not familiar 

with. Learn more about photography genres 

you barely know. These new pieces of information will 

allow you to look at your own interests from a place 

of gratitude, giving you lots of room to fall in love with 

what you do, over and over again. 

Get Some Sleep 

If you haven’t been getting enough sleep, your 

tiredness may be contributing to a lack of inspiration. 

Fix this by getting the beauty sleep you deserve. 

To quote Seabear: ‘Human skin can be hard 

to live in. You’ll feel better in the morning.’ 

Get Better at Editing 

Adding a pop of color or contrast to your shots can 

make a world of difference. If you’re interested in 

being a better editor, find a free online course that 

teaches something you’re not familiar with. New 

ways of editing may open your eyes to refreshing 

photographic possibilities. 

Make an (In)security List 

Make a list of things you are insecure about when 

it comes to your work. Once that list is ready, make 

another list explaining how the aforementioned insecurities 

can be fixed. Though there may not be 

a clear solution to every obstacle, you’ll have the 

chance to understand what’s getting in the way of 

your work. 

Be Patient 

The creative process is endless. No matter what you 

think, you’ll always be a fantastic artist capable of 

taking meaningful photographs. So be patient. Experiment 

with these tips and approach them in different 

ways. Before you know it, you’ll feel motivated 

to work in unimaginably inspiring ways. 

Read 

Similarly to researching art, read a book. Both fiction 

and non-fiction contain awe-inspiring stories 

worth treasuring. You don’t have to read photography 

books, either. Reread your favourite book or find 

something that simply catches your eye. The characters 

in these stories will inspire you in multiple ways. 

Communicate 

Meeting new artists is important for creative growth 

and comfort. Join an online group, attend a workshop, 

or start a photography course in which you can 

interact with other students. These opportunities may 

give you a chance to make new friends. In addition 

to finding like-minded people, you’ll receive valuable 

feedback and learn how others find inspiration of 

their own. 


Experiment 

Take photos of something that’s completely unrelated 

to your genre. If you’re a portrait photographer, 

try taking photos of animals. If you’re a landscape 

artist, photograph details in your home. Challenges 

will keep you focused – in the process, you’ll 

be shaped into a better artist. Don’t be afraid to fail. 

Your goal should be experimentation, not perfection. 

Start a Project 

To ease your mind completely, start a project that has 

nothing to do with photography. Try out that hobby 

you were always too afraid to experiment with. Give 

yourself a significant but achievable goal, like painting 

a portrait within a month. Sharpening other types 

of skills will, in its own way, sharpen your ability to 

cherish photography and everything it offers. 


9

THE EXPERTS: 

Which camera is good for you? 

T 

ASK 

This question is often thrown about, the question 

about which gear to shoot with. If I specifically 

talk about cameras alone the digital world is split 

between reflex and mirrorless cameras. There was a 

time about 4 years back when SLR cameras (and if 

I can be specific, DSLRs) had a clear upper-hand in 

terms of performance and reliability. Not anymore. 

DSLRs no longer enjoy that clear supremacy. First 

time camera buyers often ask – "which camera is 

good for me?" Let's find out which one it is. 

Mirrorless Cameras 

Mirrorless systems are those which do not have a reflex 

mirror on them. The fact that the camera does 

not have a reflex mirror means there is no slapping 

movement when the image is made. That also 

means you have less vibration induced by a mirror 

moving about inside the camera. 

Mirrorless systems have been popular with landscape 

and nature photographers because these cameras 

are less prone to suffer from shake and the resulting 

blur. The result is an ultra-sharp image that can be 

printed big. If an image is less than acceptably sharp 

it can still be printed in a small size or shared online 

on social media platforms and no one will notice 

anything. But if you need to print big you need an 

absolutely sharp image otherwise the lack of sharpness 

will become apparent. 


There are some other advantages to a mirrorless 

camera. Mainly the weight factor and the faster 

frame rate. The lack of a mirror inside the camera 

means it does not have to live with the extra weight. 

Lighter cameras are better for shooting at events, 

street and other types of photography. This is because 

you have to handhold the camera for a really 

long time. 

One of the major complains initially felt about mirrorless 

systems was the lack of auto-focusing reliability. 

But these days, auto-focusing on mirrorless systems 

has become better. It is comparable with the auto-focusing 

performance of DSLRs. 

Single Lens Reflex Cameras 

Also known as DSLRs, these cameras have a reflex 

mirror in them. These mirrors are what allow you 

to see what the lens sees. The light, after passing 

through the lens, gets bounced upwards by the reflex 

mirror which is then reflected by a pentaprism 

through the viewfinder at the back of the camera. 

There are some major advantages to using DSLRs. 

First and foremost is the auto-focusing speed. DSLR 

camera systems use both contrast and phase-detection 

auto-focusing mechanism. Mirrorless systems on 

the other hand mainly use the contrast detection auto-focusing 

system. Phase detection auto-focusing is 

much faster than contrast detection. 

Another advantage of using DSLRs is the wide range 

of lenses that you can choose from. DSLRs have been 

around for a long time. Before them, SLR systems 

have been the most dominating camera systems. 

Each of the SLR camera manufacturers has a dedicated 

line of lenses. Many of these legacy lenses can 

be used with modern DSLRs. There is also a well-established 

third-party line of lenses, plus the new line of 

electronic lenses. 

Ideal Situations - When To Use Which Camera 

DSLRs are the best cameras to use when shooting 

subjects like sports, wildlife, and action. Cameras like 

the 5D Mark IV give you better control over what you 

shoot, a larger range of lenses to choose from and 

more versatility. 

On the other hand, a mirrorless system would be ideal 

when shooting an event such as a wedding, or when 

shooting street photography. These cameras are best 

when it comes to silent shooting. At an event, the last 

thing that you need is a slapping mirror making an irritating 

noise. I would even go the distance as to recommend 

a mirrorless system for shooting bird and 

wildlife photography. The fact that these cameras are 

silent means there is less chance of the animal getting 

startled. 

Another major advantage of shooting with mirrorless 

systems like the Sony a7R II is that they give you the 

exact preview of the image you are going to capture. 

You can adjust the exposure, as per your requirement 

before you press the shutter button. This 

saves you a critical amount of time. 

Image name 

Dreams from the Jovian Moons 

Author 

Tim Ashby-Peckham 

Setting/description 

Canon 70D (DSLR) 

120s x 20 

f/3.5 

ISO 400 

This is a series of long exposures 

(120s) stacked on top of each 

other. Taken from the hilltop overlooking 

Port Waikato, the cosmic 

glow from Auckland city brings 

a Sci-fi atmosphere to the image 

which makes it look like it could 

be on another planet. 

Image name 

Celestial Fire 

Author 


Setting/description 

Canon 70D (DSLR) 

30s 

f/3.5 

ISO 3200 

Puddles in the sand dunes at Port Waikato 

make the perfect mirror for the stars above. 

There is partial cloud in this shot which is 

usually a bad thing with astrophotography 

but the light from the town lit the sky up and 

gave the shot a nice warmth. It's topped 

off by the appearance of a magical 

Magellanic cloud. 

Image name 

Galaxy Cannon 

Author 


This is one of a series I took of an 

exceptionally windswept tree on 

the Awhitu peninsula. It's a long 

exposure of about 715 seconds 

which gives the planet time to 

twist and spread the light from the 

stars across the sensor. The orange 

glow is from the Glenbrook Steelmill 

which was working away in the 

distance. Also, a streak of light appears 

to be shooting from the tree 

which was a well-timed satellite 

flare which I wasn't aware was due 

to happen. 



11

Queenstown image 

Exposure Time: 20s 

f-number: 3.2 

Focal Length: 16mm 

Focal Length In 35mm Film equivalent: 

24mm 

Photographic Sensitivity (ISO): 3200 

Lens Model: NX 16mm F2.4 

Author: Chris McKeown 

Taken with my Samsung NX 1 mirrorless camera, using 

a Samsung 16mm F2.4 lens. Full manual mode setting, 

f3.2 aperture and 16mm focal length (which is 24mm in 

a full frame camera). Long exposure time of 20s, ISO: 

3200, set up on a tripod with timer to avoid camera 

shake. Image saved in Raw format and edited in 

Lightroom 5 to bring up the contrast and colour. 

Taken from the top of the cable car at 9.30pm on a 

cold September night in Queenstown, New Zealand. I 

wanted to get a good shot of the Milky way, away from 

light pollution and try to have mountains and sky in the 

same shot. I wasn’t planning to get a shot of the 

aurora Australis also, so that was an added bonus, and 

this, added to a shooting star (or a satellite…) just 

added to the shot. Worth the cold ears and toes. 

Tui image 

Exposure Time: 1/250s 

f-number: 6.3 


Focal Length In 35mm 

Film equivalent: 308mm 

Photographic Sensitivity 

(ISO): 500 

Lens Model: 

NX 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 


Taken with my Samsung NX 1 mirrorless camera, 

using a Samsung NX 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 lens. Full 

manual mode setting, f6.3 aperture and 200mm 

focal length (which is 308mm in a full frame camera). 

Exposure time of 1/250s, ISO 500. Image 

saved in Raw format and edited in Lightroom 5 to 

bring up the contrast, brightness and colour. 

Literally taken out of the window of my house in 

Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand on a warm 

December afternoon. A favourite bird getting 

stuck in to the Flax flowers in the garden. 

Mt Victoria Lookout 

Exposure Time: 25s 

f-number: 5 


Focal Length In 35mm 

Film equivalent: 27mm 

Photographic Sensitivity 

(ISO): 100 

Lens Model: 

NX 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 


Taken with my Samsung NX 1 mirrorless camera, 

using a Samsung 16mm F2.4 lens. Full manual 

mode setting, f5 aperture and 18mm focal length 

(which is 27mm in a full frame camera). Long 

exposure time of 25s, ISO: 100, set up on a tripod 

with timer to avoid camera shake and using a 

Lee Sev5n “Big Stopper” 10 step long exposure filter 

plus a Lee 0.6ND Hard Grad graduated filter. 

Image saved in Raw format and edited in Lightroom 

5 to bring up the contrast and colour. 

Taken from the top of the Mt Victoria Lookout, 

Wellington, New Zealand at 7am in early October. 

I wanted to get a nice blur on the clouds, so used 

a long exposure, which given the amount of light 

in the morning, meant I needed to use a Lee “Big 

Stopper” long exposure filter. 



13

PHOTO 

DESTINATION: 

The Drive of a Lifetime on The Forgotten World Highway 

By Emily Goodwin 

Get off the beaten path for the drive of 

a lifetime as you discover untouched 

wilderness and journey back in time 

to explore pioneering monuments deep in 

North Island. 

New Zealand's oldest heritage trail, The Forgotten 

World Highway is 148km long and links 

Stratford in Taranaki with Taumarunui in King 

Country. 

Twisting and turning over four mountain saddles 

you're going to be in photography 

heaven with stunning vistas around each 

and every corner. That's not all, this highly 

memorable road also passes through the 

breathtaking Tangarakau Gorge and the famous 

220 metre long Moki tunnel (aka Hobbit 

Hole) making this one of the most scenic 

drives not just in New Zealand, but in the 

world; Forget U.S.A Route 66, add New Zealand's 

State Highway 43 to your bucket list! 

Your journey starts with picturesque pastoral 

landscapes and lush green hills as you follow 

the Whanganui River and go past the 

Maraekowhai reserve on this twisty turny roller-coaster 

of a road with ever-changing 

landscapes. Your photography skills will be 

tested to the limit as you try to do justice to 

the stunning landscapes that you're seeing. 

From Strathmore saddle, you'll be able to 

capture shots of Mount Tongariro, Mount Ruapehu, 

Mount Ngaurahoe and Mount Taranaki. 

The rapids at Tangarakau River and 

the pioneering tunnel of Makahu along 

with the wild goats, sheep and ponga trees 

are other photos you're sure to take on the 

journey. 



15

This rugged and remote route is certainly 

not for the faint-hearted with its hairpin 

bends and sheer drops, but as a photographer, 

you already know that the best 

shots require determination and getting 

out into nature! 

Noted for being one of New Zealand's 

most secluded roads, it's also listed as being 

one of the most dangerous routes in 

the country. At Tangarakau Gorge, 15km 

of the road is unsealed gravel so careful 

driving is a must. Don't expect phone service 

all of the way and you'll also need to 

fill up with petrol as there are no gas stations 

on this road. 

Visit between late November and early 

May for the best scenery. The drive 

can be done in a minimum of 3 hours but 

to fully enjoy the experience it's recommended 

you take several hours, preferably 

overnighting in Whangamomona, 

the only significant town en-route and an 

interesting place as it formed its own republic 

back in 1989. If you have the time, 

take a few days so you can detour down 

the side roads to see even more such as 

Damper Falls, the second highest waterfall 

on North Island. 



17

LOW LIGHT 

PHOTOGRAPHY 



I 

have been a photographer all my life. When I was 

about 10 years old my father gave me his Agfa 

Click IV, which is a medium format film viewfinder 

camera, and asked me to shoot anything that 

caught my fancy. I shot a good part of what was a 

cut roll of 12 exposures and that was it. Between that 

day and the day when I bought my first DSLR, a lot has 

changed. 

The best thing to have happened to photography is 

the advent of digital technology. Just like everything 

else, it brought in a bouquet of new possibilities that 

were otherwise part of the realm of science-fiction. 

For example, the ability to change ISO after each shot 

made it possible to shoot with the same camera in 'N' 

number of situations without any issues. 

This article deals with an important lighting situation 

that every photographer has to work with almost on a 

daily basis – low light. It does not really matter whether 

you are a hobbyist / casual photographer shooting 

only with your smartphone or a professional photographer 

who shoots to pay his bills. These tips on low 

light photography will help you achieve better results in 

most cases. 

Start with the smallest ISO 

I know with digital cameras and ridiculously high ISO 

capabilities it is always the easy way out – crank up the 

ISO and shoot away. But this is a flawed concept. High 

ISO should be your last resort. The first priority should be 

to shoot at a wide open aperture and then to use a 

slow shutter speed. Finally, if nothing else works turn to 

high ISO. 

Large aperture lenses are best for low light 

A large aperture lens, something like the 85mm f/1.8 or 

the 50mm f/1.4 can give you a lot of leverage when 

shooting in low light conditions. Such a lens will easily 

capture 2 to 3 stops of additional light compared to a 

kit lens. Such a lens along with a large sensor can really 

work wonders for your low light photography. 

A large sensor has better low light capability 

A larger sensor size gives more light gathering capability. As a result, 

if you consistently shoot with a small point & shoot camera, moving 

to a 35mm full-frame camera will give you much better results. 

The same way, if you shoot with an APS-C camera, moving to a 

medium format (please be aware that medium format DSLRs can 

be prohibitively expensive) camera will yield amazingly beautiful 

results. 

Go for a BSI sensor design 

The last few years have seen the advent of a new sensor design 

that has the sensor wiring located at the back of the chip rather 

than on the same surface as the photo-diodes. This opens up a lot 

of space for light to be collected. In the previous design, because 

of the cluttered design of the sensor, a lot of light was lost. This resulted 

in a high amount of noise. With the new and much more efficient 

design, it is possible to make cleaner images even in low light 

situations. Recently, Nikon has come up with the D850, the world's 

first full-frame BSI sensor. Apart from the larger size, the BSI architecture 

promises a world of possibilities in low light photography. 

Use a tripod 

A tripod is a must-have if you are interested in shooting low light 

photography. This is especially important if you are shooting predominantly 

static subjects, such as architecture, stars, the Milky 

Way and so on. A tripod allows you to shoot with a low ISO and a 

long shutter speed and therefore avoid chances of noise. When 

shooting Milky Way photos or architecture photos, you can turn 

on the Long Exposure Noise Reduction option that will allow you to 

eliminate hot pixels (if any) on your image and therefore create a 

much cleaner image than you would normally get. 

Post-processing 

You need to learn a few tricks in post-processing. Mainly in noise 

reduction, sharpness and black and white conversion. One of the 

easiest ways to salvage an image that has a lot of unrecoverable 

noise is to convert the image to black & white. If the image has 

only a little noise, try and use the noise reduction feature in Lightroom 

to blur the noise out. We shall discuss more about noise reduction 

techniques in a future issue. 


19

THE 

“The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.” 

Andy Warhol 

POWER OF 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

By Nemanja Milicevic 

In the beginning, there was light… a flashing, blinding 

light. No, wait, at first, there was a familiar buzzing 

sound and a distinctive click and then came the 

light. We are not talking about The Book of Genesis; we 

are talking about cameras! For some people, no other 

experience is as exciting as taking photos. It is the one 

encounter that is outmatched only by the process of 

developing and unveiling your final product. 

People are surrounded by photography in both meaningful 

and trivial ways. Whether we are aware of it or not, 

one glance at a photo can make a deep impact on 

our everyday lives. Those colorful (sometimes black and 

white) pieces of paper hold a considerable influence 

over us. Sometimes we are conscious of this fact, but 

often we take it for granted. Yet, the truth is undeniable: 

ever since the use of photographic film was pioneered 

by George Eastman and the first "Kodak" was offered for 

sale in 1888, people have been fascinated by this "magical" 

device able to capture time and moment. 



21

Photos are truly the keepers of our memories and 

emotions. Family photo albums are time-traveling 

machines with our entire history carefully stored in 

them. With every turn of a page, there is another 

story that can be told and relived. Photography literally 

encapsulates time and preserves it. Birthdays, 

anniversaries, every Christmas since you were born, 

graduations, that all important first bike ride, these 

are all things we keep in our family albums, thanks 

to that "buzz and light" experience. 

Naturally, with modern times come modern ways 

of expression and today every person with a smartphone 

is, technically, a photographer. Millions of 

people daily are trying to capture perspectives of 

their lives, no matter how essential or ordinary they 

might be. By documenting and sharing your life, 

you’re encouraging the rest of the world to join 

you on your journey. Through your photos, people 

around you gradually start to perceive things with 

your eyes. Sometimes, just by looking at someone's 

photos you can know more about that person. Of 

course, not everyone has the knack for photography, 

one must possess a keen eye to spot a perfect 

balance between light and dark. Also, a taste for 

framing and composition is quintessential, otherwise, 

anybody can tap on their screen and say: "Hey, I'm 

a pro photographer!" It takes a real artist to make a 

couple of pebbles behind your TV look like a cave 

entrance covered in a spider’s web! 

Photography has become a useful tool for anyone 

kicking off a new business, especially today. 

Appealing photos placed in the right spot can attract 

more customers than any yellow pages ad 

can. People are often intrigued by beautiful scenes, 

breathtaking landscapes and sentiments they can 

relate to. Today's articles and blogs rely heavily on 

the visual approach as bait for their readers. After 

all, we are all visual beings. 



23

Source: Nick Ut, Time Magazine 

The most important thing is, without any doubt, honesty. 

When an observer looks at a photo and recognizes 

the truth within it, it can only mean that that 

particular photo is genuine. This "truth searching" is 

especially present and emphasized in the photographs 

of triumphant or tragic historical events. The 

famous photo of a naked girl who was badly burned 

and tore off her burning clothes, taken by Associated 

Press photographer Nick Ut's, will haunt us forever. 

All of the horrors and senselessness of every war is 

summed up in a single shot. On the other hand, when 

you see photos made by the Hubble telescope or images 

of Aoraki – Mount Cook, taken by New Zealand 

photographers, one can only admire the wonders of 

nature and the universe we live in. 

Much like documenting history, photography is well 

known for capturing major political protests. Photographing 

protesters and giving them context allows 

their word to forever be recorded and recognized. 

Photographers speak the language of visuality and 

they use it to send profound and powerful messages. 

When it comes to photography, there are no 

limitations. Like any other art form, photography is 

about trying to express and reflect one’s feelings. Seldom, 

the simple artistic appeal of a photo is reason 

enough not to neglect photography. If beauty is in 

the eye of the beholder then the photographer is the 

guardian and preserver of that beauty. 



25

KAIKOURA LOW TIDE SUNSET 

Nikon D810 with Nikon 

24mm 1.4g f16 ISO 64 

Shutter 8 seconds 

PHOTO 

ESSAY: 

Kaikoura Today 

By Brendon Gilchrist 


A 2 hour drive North of Christchurch, 

Kaikoura is a picturesque coastal town 

famous for its wildlife of sperm whales, fur 

seals, and dolphins. But Mother Nature 

doesn't always play kind, Kaikoura being 

prone to earthquakes. The 7.8 earthquake 

that hit in November 2016 caused 

devastation, NZ Herald reporting that a 

110km stretch of the Kaikoura Coast rose 

up out of the sea, as far as 6 metres in 

some places, changing this landscape 

forever. 

Brendon of ESB Photography has taken 

it upon himself to capture New Zeland's 

unique landscapes on camera, including 

those at Kaikoura. Photography for 

Brendon was a reason to carry on living 

after his wife passed away. Consumed 

with grief, he immersed himself into 

capturing the beauty around him. 

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, both 

man and land are forging forward after 

devastation… 


27

Kaikoura was an amazing place 

even before the earthquake, but 

now it is something else. Very well 

known for its amazing sunsets and 

sunrises, but many people would 

overlook the fact that Kaikoura is 

so far away from any city that the 

dark night sky, the milky way, is visible 

from the very edge of the town 

making this a magical place, and 

an astronomy / photography fans 

dream come true! 

The new low tide mark allows for 

some very interesting views, what 

was once always hidden underwater 

is now above water for a short 

time each day as the tide changes. 

It is almost alien like to walk 

around this coast looking at how 

powerful the earthquake was, and 

how much it has affected the reefs 

around the coast. The calmness of 

this ocean is something quite deceiving 

with the odd wave being 

bigger then what you would expect 

it to be. 

Shooting Star (before the 

earthquake) 

ISO 10000 f4 

Shutter speed 20 seconds 

Uplift Me (after the earthquake) 

Nikon D750 with Nikon 24mm 1.4g f3.2 

ISO 10000 Shutter 20 seconds 8 shot 

Panaroma shot in vertical frames. 

Kaikoura Green Rocks Seascape 

Nikon D810 with Nikon 24mm 1.4g F14 

ISO 125 shutter 1/4 second Sunrise 



29

PORTFOLIO 

Best readers' submissions this month 

Morning sunrise shot at the Sheraton Waikiki Hawaii 

Alex Moore 

Got up early to get a shot of the sunrise down at the infinity pool Sheraton Waikiki on a recent 

trip to Hawaii, the pool was spectular, there were already dudes surfing the waves as 

the sun rose over diamond head! Love this place, my new favourite destination to take photos 

of the ocean (the Sheraton Waikiki Beach). 

ISO64 30 SECONDS, 

NIKON D810 NIKON 24-70 2.8 



31

Mr 

Chris Watson 

NZ Kea - One of the locals of Milford Road. I live in Te Anau and always try and capture the 

keas on the road to Milford. This one sat quite nicely for a good 10-15min while we 

photographed it (this was shot at 24mm). 

Evening Lines 

Evening lines was a shot I had to wait for a while for the bird to fly through... Luckily after 

20min this one did and I managed to snap a shot or 3 of it. 

1/2000 @ F/8 @ 600MM ZOOM 

Chris Watson 

1/250SEC FOR THE INITIAL EXPOSURE @ F11 THEN 2 SHOTS PLUS AND MINUS 2 

STOPS AND MERGED IN PHOTOMATIX PRO 



33

The Te Anau Tree 

Wanaka has a tree - so does Te Anau! A cool spot looking up the South Fiord of Lake Te 

Anau. The Wanaka Tree is shot to Death - this is a new tree, new lake and a better spot... 

(Less people know about it!). 

1/13TH SEC, F16 @ 14MM 

Chris Watson 

A Winters Morning 

Lake Te Anau the morning after a good dusting of snow. Love this wharf and what is has to 

offer for composition. 

30SEC EXPOSURE (10 STOP ND FILTER) F16 @14MM ZOOM 

Chris Watson 



35

Chris Watson 

David MCPherson 

Aurora Australias 

The Aurora from Ivon Wilson Park near Te Anau. Perfect spot to watch the Southern Lights. 

5min drive from home sitting on a deck with a BBQ table and a view like this... stunning! 

15SEC, F2.8 @ ISO6400 

Mr 

New life on its way ... Monarch caterpillar growing well. 

1/428; F1.7 



37

Rina Sjardin-Thompson 

Almer Hut 


Chancellor Hut 

This day we were surrounded in cloud then as sunset approached the cloud dissipated to 

open up to allow us to enjoy this fabulous sunset. 

Almer hut sits at the top of the Franz Josef glacier... its stunning as you 

can see. The scale indicated by the hut on the left just overwhelms 

me whenever I look at this image... certainly puts you in your place! 

F5.6, 1/160, ISO 100 

F14, 1/250, ISO 200 



39

Mountain Mood 


Okarito Sunset 


My first venture into slow shutter speed and movement... albeit by accident! I was on the 

beach and lining up a shot (handheld) when someone called my name so I turned as I took 

the photo... I loved the effect so this was a more intentional effort ... am hooked! 

On a recent trip to Chancellor Hut as part of our Epic Photography Workshop based here on 

the West Coast we just managed to fly in under the cloud. We set up our gear and watched 

the cloud roll up the valley, swirl around the mountains to highlight the ridges of the Victoria 

Range. 

F16,1/15, ISO 160 

F5.6, 1/160, ISO 100 



41

Okarito Panorama 

This is the lagoon at my home... a small insular community of around 35 permanent 

residents. Love the isolation, the quiet and the peace. 


Golden Hour 

Victoria Stoeva 

F8,1/125, ISO 100 

The sea is always a good idea. For clearing your mind, to find peace after a long day, for 

finding inspiration. 

ISO 125 1/800 

F/2 



43

Purple 

Victoria Stoeva 

Peaceful landscape during sunset. Beautiful sunset colors and the 

moon is out. 


ISO 100 , F/2.8 1/320 


45

WILDLIFE 

CHALLENGE 

It’s time to walk on the wild side as we show you the best shots submitted 

for last months wildlife challenge. Which shot do you like best, 

and why? See more submissions on our website, and take a moment 

to vote and comment on them. 

Author: 

Eric Pollock 

Title: 

Aerial Fight 

Two Young Starlings in a fight over food.. 

2000th sec f4.5 120 mm focal length 1600 ISO 



47

Kea at Play 

Two Kea enjoying each others company in playful mood. 

Eric Pollock 

Reef Heron 

A Reef Heron losing height as it approaches a landing spot. 

Eric Pollock 

1100THSEC F 5.6 400MM 800 ISO 

2000TH SEC F 5.6 400MM 800 ISO 



49

Preening 

Glenda Rees 

This bird was on the boat harbour. I climbed onto some rocks so I could get closer to it and 

caught this moment. 

CANON 7D & 100-400MM LENS. ISO 400, F/7.1 & 1/1600TH. 

Leopard 

Gary Reid 

We arrived on the scene with only a few cars around all sitting quietly watching the leopard. 

It was about about 2 pm in the afternoon when we arrived, with the temperature at 

around about 31°C and humidity near 100%. We sat for close on 4 hours taking shots when 

the leopard decided to move, which was not very often. 


CAMERA: CANON 30D, LENSE: TAMARON 100-600 ZOOM, FSTOP: 10 @1/125 


51

Wrybill & Chick 

Glenda Rees 

Exchanging a Skink 

Glenda Rees 

Wrybills are the only bird in the world which has a bill bent to the side (the right). They are 

endemic to NZ and only breed on the braided rivers of the central South Island. 

I watched these terns which had 2 chicks. One adult flew in with a skink, the other adult 

approached it and they exchanged the skink which the other adult took back to feed 

their chicks. 

CANON 7D & 100-400MM. ISO 320, F/7.1 & 1/2000TH. 

CANON 7D & 100-400MM. ISO 320, F/7.1 & 1/2000TH. 



53

Golden Gannet 

Glenda Rees 

I visited the colony in the late evening light. I was so close to the birds so saw how the 

light caused the bird to look golden. 

Fiordland Crested Penguin 

Glenda Rees 

CANON 7D & 100-400MM. ISO 250, F/7.1, 1/2000TH. 

I lay on the beach waiting for a penguin to return to the land. I love the effect of the 

foam of the tide contrasting with the extreme contrasting colours of the penguin. 


CANON 7D & 100-400MM LENS. ISO 320, F/8, 1/3200TH. 


55

Tui 

Glenda Rees 

A Fan And A Follower 

Glenn Reddiex 

The bird was sitting on a branch very close to where I was standing. The head and torso filled the 

frame and the detail was evident because the background was dark bush on an overcast day. 

This photograph was taken in the late afternoon on Motuotaraia farmland in the Central 

Hawke’s Bay. This beautiful piwakawaka took great interest in the movements my father and 

I made as we walked across one of the farm’s fields. It kept us company for about 30 

minutes. 

CANON 7D2 WITH 100-400MM LENS. ISO 2500, F/5.6, 1/640TH. F8, EXPOSURE 1/500 SEC, ISO 800 



57

Shag 

Greg Kane 

Gull Chick 

Isaac Smart 

Shag on foreshore of Marlborough Sounds. 

Little baby gull waiting for it’s parent to come back. 

1/4000 @ F8 ISO4000 500MM NIKON D7100 LENS 50-500MM ISO 100, 1/500 SHUTTER SPEED, F/4.0 



59

Resting Seal 

Jaimee Josephs 

As we wandered around the rocks near Kaikoura, we almost missed this one. It was having a 

good old slumber in the sun. 

F/13, 1/400, ISO 1000 

Life in Africa 

Jill Lancaster 

A scene in Africa, Wildebeest resting and watching a Zebra walking away. Dust showing 

dryness and movement. 

ISO 125, SHUTTER SPEED 1,000, F6.3, 600MM 



61

Your Magesty! 

Lila Check 

Peek a Boo 

The pelican landed on the lamppost and proceeded to look down on us - 

Caption ‘What are you staring at! I converted to black & white. 

Kathy Seaward 

Stayed on Royal Mirage hotel in Dubai for 4 months and every morning the peacocks came 

around to my breakfast table to sample my food. On my last day I took this picture as this 

particular bird become my friend and always stayed a bit longer than the others around me. 

CANON 50D ISO 200,F-2.8,SS 1/125 NO FLASH 

F5, 1/2000, ISO 800 



63

Nesting Time For The Red-Billed Gull 

Nesting Time For The Red Billed Gull on Dunedin Peninsula. The red-billed gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae 

scopulinus), once also known as the mackerel gull, is a native of New Zealand, being 

found throughout the country. 

CANON EOS 600D WITH TAMRON SP 150-600MM. F/5, 1/2000SEC AND ISO-100 

Paul Robertson 

Bee 

Bee collecting pollen from flower. 

400TH SEC F/4.5 ISO 500 

Sanjay Saikia 



65

Spotted Shags 

Susan Kane 

The Tui 

Tessa Palmer 

An early morning tender ride on the Sounds to capture the birdlife. 

The colours of the feathers. Most people think Tui’s are black! So not the truth. 

1/640 @ F6.3 390MM ISO 4000 NIKON D810 LENS 200-500MM ISO400 600MM F6.3 1/500SEC 



67

Photography is the 

ONLY 

language that can be understood 

ANYWHERE 

in the world 

Bruno Barbey 

68 NZPhotographer

NZPhotographer Issue 1, Nov 2017

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