Travel Photography

Hidden away in the rugged West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Greymouth is one of the country’s best kept secrets. With its dramatic coastline and luscious forests- this part of New Zealand offers a plethora of photographic opportunities for the keen explorer. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for capturing the best possible photographs of the Greymouth Region, as well as some general traveller’s advice.  Greymouth Greymouth is the largest town on the Western Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Founded during the Gold Rush in the 1860’s, the town became a highly sought after location for mining companies around the world. Throughout history is has also become infamously associated for some of the most tragic events in the history of New Zealand mining- including the Pike River and Strongman Mining disasters. Despite its tragic history, Greymouth continues to remain a treasured hub for landscape photographers to explore the surrounding regions.    Scenic cliffs on the way to Motukiekie Beach (taken by a drone) Motukiekie Beach Motukiekie Beach is just a short 20-minute drive from Greymouth town. It’s a must-visit location for photographers wishing to capture a truly wild and untamed landscape of New Zealand. The most iconic features of Motukiekie Beach are the towering rock stacks out at sea, as well as the vivid orange starfish, visible to the rock pools during low tide.  The clifftop drive to Motukiekie Beach is one of the most breathtaking- giving our famous ‘Great Ocean Road’ in my home state of Victoria a run for its money. There are a few scenic viewpoints worth visiting along the way, but the main access to the rocks is by parking at a pullout by an old hut (we use this as our landmark which is roughly here).  From this access point, it is about a 20 minute walk to the beginning of rock stacks, and you can even keep walking further to the next beach for different viewpoints.    Motukeikie Beach​ at Sunset Tides are Crucial One piece of advice when visiting Motukiekie is to check the tides. Motukiekie beach is only accessible at low tide. If you’re planning to visit in the early morning or evening as most photographers do, ensure the low tides roughly coincide with those of sunrise/sunset. I use the Tide Forecast website to check, as it’s got a graph which pictorially shows the tides and the sunrise/set times together, making it very user friendly.  To see the starfish, you’ll need to walk out onto a black rock platform just in front of the rock stacks. It’s even more crucial to do this at the lowest part of the tide, as you may not be able to reach it otherwise. Or if the tide is incoming and you get a bit carried away photographing the starfish (like we almost did), you may even get stuck out there!  If you can, I’d highly recommend investing in a pair of waders. These have completely changed my life when it comes to shooting seascapes. Waves can be incredibly unpredictable and while it’s important to navigate how close you choose to get the waves depending on your level of experience around them, you’ll almost always get the odd wave that catches you by surprise that completely drenches you! Waders are great for getting out onto the rock platforms because sometimes you do have to navigate some deeper water, depending on the swell and the tide. A handy side benefit of waders is that they also help protect you from New Zealand’s greatest enemy: the sandfly.   Beware the Sandflies If mosquitos are your life-long enemy, you’re going to meet a little guy you’ll hate even more. Beware: the dreaded sandfly. Sandflies are typically found on the West Coast of New Zealand, and yes- that certainly includes Greymouth.  While these little unassuming little bloodsuckers are only 1/3 the size of a mosquito, their bites pack a mightier punch. Not only are Sandfly bites far more itchy, but they can swell up to the size of a marble and can last weeks! While I am lucky to have never been bitten, this is largely due to the cautionary tales by my travel partner Kah Kit. I managed to leave Greymouth unscathed, so here is some advice on how I managed to do so:  Visit during the cooler months: We arrived in Greymouth in May, and while there were some Sandflies around, they weren’t nearly as many as Kah Kit had encountered during previous visitings during the Summer period. Like mosquitos, sandflies thrive in warm weather so if the cold doesn’t bother you, I’d opt for a visit anytime between Autumn to Early Spring.   Wear Bushman’s 40% Deet: There are plenty of options when it comes to repellent, but many of them won’t work unless they are 40% Deet. An added bonus is that this repellant also works the best for mosquitos as well. Win! Cover Up: Similar to mosquitos, sandflies will be strongly attracted to any exposed skin. Creating a barrier out of several layers of clothing can be a life saver (this is where the waders can come in handy). It’s a good idea to even wear gloves to protect your hands (even if it’s not that cold). I also wore a rain jacket with a hood to create a thick, non porous outer layer to really keep those little buggers out. Careful Opening the Car: When opening the car door, ensure that you only do it when you really need to. The last thing you want to do is be trapped inside with them. While there weren’t too many sandflies during our visit, Kit has previous stories of having to run around in circles, trying to swarm these aggressive bastards off before quickly making a break for it into the car. Sounds dramatic, but it’s true.   While sandflies may seem like the devil of New Zealand, at least unlike mosquitos, sandfly bites don’t carry diseases- they are more just a big nuisance than anything. Pancake Rocks If you venture about 20 minutes further past Motukiekie, you’ll come across one of New Zealand’s

The Wanaka Tree, often tagged as ‘#thatwanakatree’ is undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s most iconic sights. Nestled upon the shores of Lake Wanaka, this tree is a symbol of natural beauty and tranquility. Many photographers travel the world to capture this icon against the remarkable mountain backdrop. If you’re planning to photograph Lake Wanaka, here are a few of my top tips for capturing the Wanaka tree in all its glory.  The Seasons Throughout the year, the Wanaka Tree transforms along with the seasons, offering an entirely different mood each time you visit. Autumn in one of my favourite seasons for photographing the tree, as well as the Otago region of New Zealand in general. The tree and its surrounds transform into shades of amber and gold, offering a warm contrast against the cool mountain backdrop. This year I aimed to arrive at the tree to capture the Autumn colours on the Wanaka tree at the start of May, but unfortunately arrived a little too late as the tree had already lost its leaves. The tree has a great form in its skeletal phase anyway, so I wouldn’t worry too much if you get a late Autumn or Winter shot.  Wanaka tree in early Autumn (photo by Magichour Travel) Composition Most people gravitate towards the closest viewpoint to the tree for their shots, however this isn’t my preferred location for shooting. You actually want to walk along the shores back towards the town foreshore, until the tree becomes nestled between the foreshore on the left and the island on the right. This offers a much more compositionally balanced shot. This is also important if you’re shooting in Autumn, as the vibrant colours of the trees on the left foreshore won’t be seen in the ‘classic’ location. You can see in the photographs below. These were taken on the same day, mere moments apart but the photograph on the right has much more of those beautiful autumn colours. Of course, photography is all about creativity and it’s great to find new and unique ways to photograph a well known location. Classic location closest to the shore Same day at the second location Focal Length The lens of choice for the Wanaka tree depends on where you decide to shoot it and how much of the background you decide to include in your shot. The photo above on the left was shot at the closer location to the tree at a focal length of 70mm while the photo on the right was photographed at 140mm due to it being a much further location. Generally, you’ll be shooting at a minimum on 70mm, so you can leave you wide angle in the car!  Timing As with most popular tourist locations, the best time to visit the Wanaka tree will be for sunrise as it won’t be as crowded. In saying that, there is plenty of space along the shoreline, and as mentioned above- the most popular place for tourists to take photos isn’t necessarily the best for landscape photography. It’s quite easy to block the crowd out of the photo as well. As you can see with the photo on the left, there was certainly a crowd but with the right zoom lens, you can very easily block them out by compressing the background.  The more important reason that sunrise is the best time for photographing the Wanaka tree is to capture the right light. Using a longer exposure will help smooth out the ripples in the lake which can create a distraction otherwise. The morning lighting will also cause a lovely glow on the mountain in the background and softly light up the tree, giving it some dimension. If you’re lucky, you will also get some mist or low lying cloud over the lake which can add to the tranquility of the atmosphere surrounding the tree.  Photographing the Wanaka tree is essential bucket-list item for all photographers travelling to New Zealand. Remember that photography isn’t just about the final image, but the journey along the way. Take your time to savour some of natures most picturesque scenes and capture not just a photo- but a memory, to treasure for years to come.  More Posts How to Photograph the Wanaka Tree admin • May 13, 2024 • Travel Photography • No Comments The Wanaka Tree, often tagged as ‘#thatwanakatree’ is undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s most iconic sights. Nestled upon the shores of Lake … Best Photography Locations in Torquay admin • February 28, 2024 • Travel Photography • No Comments Torquay is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Whether you love action packed snapping of surfers gliding down … About Me I am a photographer based in Torquay, an hour south of Melbourne. I have wide range of experience in landscape, portrait, aerial and construction photography.  I have spent extensive time overseas, attending workshops with world renowned photographers, refining my photography style and knowledge. Feel free to check out my other blogs, or browse my photography galleries. .   Instagram Facebook

Australia’s Red Centre is a breathtaking region in the heart of our land, encompassing vast desert plains, weathered mountain ranges, and awe-inspiring natural wonders. It’s a place where ancient Aboriginal culture combines with some of our most treasured landscapes. The Red Centre is home to several national parks, including Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and  Watarrka National Park– offering some of Australia’s best landscape photography opportunities. About Uluru At 348m high, Uluru is one of the world’s largest monoliths, towering over the surrounding landscape. It is over 500 million years old and constructed of sandstone, carved away by the changing structure of the land and waters over time. It’s often referred to as the heart of the ‘Red Centre’ and is one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks. It’s no surprise people come from all over the world to visit one of nature’s finest masterpiece’s.  The main town near Uluru is Yulara, which is about a half hour drive from Uluru. There is a resort hub with ample accomodation, but due to the popularity of this region- it’s still important to book ahead.  General Photography Advice An important note when visiting Uluru for sunrise or sunset, is that the best light is actually 20-30 minutes before the sun comes above the horizon (or after for sunset). I notice a majority of tourists who come to watch the sunset at this magical location, leave almost immediately after the sun goes down. But as any professional photographer knows- the best light is always after sunset. The play of light on the rich sandstone surface as the sunlight bends around the Earth’s curvature, results in a breathtaking transformation of colours.  The orange sandstone of Uluru transforms into this incredible rich, red glow against the cool, night sky. The contrast is quite remarkable. Keep in mind that Uluru closes at a time depending on the time of year, so there will be only limited amount of time you’ll be able to stay back for night photography.  We were incredibly lucky to be able to capture these soft pink clouds drifting in the sky, as well as a red moon rise! We did not expect a moon rise on this particular night, so nature was treating us with quite a spectacle!  Moonrise over Uluru Best Photography Viewpoints Moon setting over Uluru in the morning Dawn at Uluru There are two main photographic points, one for sunrise which is behind the rock and the other is the sunset location which captures the more iconic front side of the rock.   If you’re after some more unique photography opportunities than the standard viewpoints, there is also a 10km track that runs around the base of Uluru and this can be great for scouting more unique abstract shots up close. We managed to find some beautiful, intimate compositions on the right hand side of Uluru, if you continue driving beyond after the sunset viewing point.  The photos above were taken well before sunrise, I would actually recommend arriving at least an hour prior to capture the dawn stars setting beyond Uluru. There is nothing quite like the serenity of the Australian Outback in the morning- it really is one of the most magical experiences I’ve had. We also managed to catch the moon setting over Uluru. If you are lucky enough to get a moon rise/set over Uluru, make sure to use a narrower aperture in order to get the diffraction effect. The photo below was captured at the sunrise location. Unfortunately we didn’t get the best sunrise- it was very overcast but it did allow for us to challenge ourselves with finding some more intricate compositions. One of the skills of landscape photography is being able to work with the light, not against it. Since the light wasn’t going to work for the typical wider scale photos, I decided to play around with abstract photos using this band of cloud that was sitting above Uluru.  Fog Over Uluru Unique Photography of Uluru The southern side of Uluru features sharp gorges scattered with large dips. The large holes are due to erosion on the rock, with continuous rainfall filling up the shallow holes until they become deeper. However, on the north-western side you can see parallel ridges which outline the sedimentary layers of rock. Wind, as well as rainfall, has caused these parallel crests.  These features create fantastic abstract photography opportunities. These photos were taken with some scattered cloud during the day which created some interesting lighting and shading, giving creature dimension and scale to this incredible rock. Using a telephoto lens of at least 70mm is ideal for shooting images like the ones below.  Most of these images were taken on the right hand side of the rock, as you’re driving towards it from Yulara, but you can really get quite creative as you walk or drive around the base of the rock.  Abstract Photo of Uluru Abstract Photography of Uluru Uluru was as magical in real life than I expected and is definitely a must-do for every landscape photographer. As you can see, there are many more photo opportunities than just the standard viewpoints, so I encourage you to be creative and play with the wonderful colours and shading to create awe-inspiring images of this Australian outback treasure.  Read More Weird Things That Totally Make Sense In Italy • February 10, 2024 • Travel Photography I first visited Italy exactly four years ago and one thing I was not prepared for is Italian culture and how different … Best Photography Locations In Melbourne • February 9, 2024 • Uncategorized Melbourne, renowned for its vibrant culture and contemporary charm, stands as a global hub for artistic expression. The city’s captivating blend of … Best Towns for Street Photography In Italy • February 6, 2024 • Travel Photography Italy is renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and picturesque landscapes, providing a captivating backdrop for street photography. 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Western Australia is Australia’s most unique destinations that every landscape photographer should include on their bucket list. So many photographers never get to experience this remarkable place, due to its daunting size and distance from the rest of Australia, but that is also part of its appeal. The variety of landscapes in Western Australia is astounding and creates such a diverse range of shots for a landscape portfolio. From the arid deserts that fall into the turquoise waters of Shark bay to the awe-inspiring rock formations of Karijini- it truly is one of the most interesting and unique places in the world. In this blog, I will list about my favourite destinations in Western Australia. The Bungle Bungles The Bungle Bungle ranges is where the creativity of nature’s artistry is on full display. It is located within the Purnululu National Park, within the Kimberley region of Western Australia. You do require a 4WD to reach the National Park, as the road is very rough and full of creek crossings, even in the dry season. Alternatively, you can fly here from Kununurra. To get there does require some effort, but the uniqueness of this place is unmatched by anywhere else in the world and it’s absolutely worth the trip.  The most distinctive feature of the Bungle Bungles are the beehive-like sandstone formations. The bands of orange and black are cause by layers of sandstone that have formed over millions of years, with the darker caused by cyanobacteria and the orange bands richly stained with iron and manganese deposits.   Bungle Bungles- Piccaninny Creek There are a few great locations for capturing the best compositions of the beehive domes. The photo above was taken at the start of Piccaninny creek, which is only a short walk from the main carpark toward the Piccaninny creek lookout. We were incredibly lucky that the previous night had brought storms, and the creeks had filled up with all this beautiful fresh water which made for some great reflection shots. The water was so fresh and transparent that you could see the coloured pebbles laying underneath the creek bed, creating a wonderful foreground.  The shot below was taken by a telephoto lens at the Piccaninny Creek Lookout. The photographic compositions of these domes are incredible, and you can really get very creative using different lenses and focal lengths. It’s especially great if you can catch some clouds  overhead to create light and shadow on the domes, to really bring out the scale and dimension of these remarkable formations. You can see just how enormous these structures are by comparing them against the full sized gum tree beneath them. Panorama of Beehive Domes, Bungle Bungles Telephoto of the Bungle Bungles from Piccaninny lookout An aerial flight over the Bungle Bungle range is a must-do. You can’t quite fully understand the scale of this national park until you see it from the air. The part that is accessible via the ground is only the ‘tip of the iceberg’ so to speak. The Bungle Bungle Range formation occupies an area of about 450 square kilometres, and you can only begin to fathom how grand this size is from above. I used a 24-70mm lens for all my aerial photography, but a telephoto lens could be interesting to capture some slightly different compositions from above.  The other excellent photography opportunity within the Bungle Bungles is the Echidna Chasm. It’s very important to get the timing right, as there is only a limited time of the day that the light flows through then roof of the chasm, creating a beautiful orange glow, as it reflects though the rock walls. This time will depend on the time of the year. We arrived at around 11am and the light has already started to fill the crevices, we only had about half an hour of photo shooting time before the sun had moved too far and the whole chasm was in shadow.  Aerial Photography of Bungle Bungles Echidna Chasm Photographer inside Echidna Chasm Shark Bay Shark Bay is easily my favourite location for aerial photography. Shark bay is known for its rich red dunes, turquoise waters and its abundance in marine life- including the famous dolphins of Monkey Mia. As a world heritage site, Shark Bay covers  2.2 million hectares on the coast of Western Australia. Its colourful and diverse landscapes are home to a profusion of animals and plants found only in this region. The landscapes of Shark Bay are some of the most spectacular I have come across- very unlike anywhere else on Earth.  When visiting Shark Bay, an aerial flight is a must do! Whether you’re a photographer or not, the only way to truly capture the essence of this region is from above. When I visited, I flew with a company called Shark Bay Aviation. They have a number of scenic flights that routes that cover various parts of region, and will also create custom routes for photographers.   Shark Bay, Aerial Photography We began our flight by exploring the western side of the island, up toward Cape Peron where you come across these stark red dunes. It is best to start flying as early as possible to catch the morning light on the sand dunes before the shadows become too harsh. I used a combination of a 24-70mm and a 100-400mm lens to capture both the wider landscapes, as well as the abstract telephoto shots. I only had one body and was constantly changing between lenses, so I highly recommend bringing a second camera body if you have one. Alternatively, if you could only bring one lens, I would recommend bringing only the 24-70mm or a lens up to 200mm, as this was where I captured most of my shots. After we visited the red dunes, we continued onto these awe-inspiring red cliffs. I still can’t fathom how captivatingly unique these landscapes are- and so untouched. The stillness of the land is part of the allure of the Shark Bay experience.  Shark