NZPhotographer Issue 61, November 2022

Helicopter At Fox Glacier
Fuji GFX100S, Fuji GF 45-100mm F.4 zoom lens @ F10, 1/170s , ISO100, 79mm
One highlight of the trip for me was a helicopter trip to
shoot from the top of Fox Glacier in absolute perfect
conditions. It was quite simply breathtaking. I also
like a shot I captured during the earlier part of the
workshop, taken of a hut on Okarito Lagoon. Another
shot I captured prior to the workshop was of icebergs
in Tasman Lake. These were both awesome locations.
All in all, the entire trip far exceeded my expectations
– it was epic! The incredible variety of landscapes
and seascapes within such miniscule distances was
astonishing. I’m already thinking through an itinerary
for my next visit.
HOW DO YOU MAKE PHOTOGRAPHY A
PRIORITY NOW - RATHER THAN LETTING LIFE
TAKE OVER SO THAT YOU CAN’T GET OUT?
I’ve just recently decided to cut down my working life
to part-time. This will allow me to devote more time
to getting out there and doing more photography.
And probably won’t allow me to make excuses for not
learning about processing! I will definitely be looking to
combine my photography with more travel. Iceland is
certainly on the bucket-list in this respect. I’m actually
a little disappointed that I never kept up my interest
in photography and utilised it during visits to places
like the Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica, Peru, Chile,
Norway etc., but at least I still have some cool ‘snaps’.
CAN YOU SHARE SOME LANDSCAPE
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS WITH US?
One thing I’ve definitely come to learn is that planning
for your landscape shots can be very important –
such as working out sunrise/sunset angles, weather
forecasts, cloud levels/types etc. Being out there
and using your eyes is even more important – often
the best light from where you planned the shot can
actually be 180° behind you. I honestly don’t believe
anyone can know exactly what the light will be doing
at any particular sunrise or sunset – and that’s why it›s
so interesting!
Something else I’ve picked up is not to pack up and
go home when the sun sets or you think the light has
died; an extra five or ten minutes more can often
throw up something amazing. (Yes, I’ve already learnt
that the hard way!) That said, composition is still the
number one fundamental, and something I prioritise
to improve during and after every single shoot.
28 November 2022 NZPhotographer