Mystical Waterfall

Waterfall at Milford Sound, New Zealand

Waterfalls are always delightful to see. This is one of my favourite waterfall photos. Milford Sound – a must-go destination in New Zealand. This is another composition of a similar picture posted earlier.

Does this scene looks like it was taken in a cave? Not quite. It was taken in broad daylight with bright sunshine in winter. Always experimenting, I switched the setting to Night Landscape and this was the result. Ghostly and mystical that’s what I hope it conveys. For comparison, pictures in its bright natural colors are in this posting – Waterfalls Galore at Milford Sound, New Zealand.

One of fun things I learn in photography – while it is good to know some of the rules, rules are meant to be broken! Have fun shooting!

Black and White Queenstown Landscape

Lake Wakatipu in Black and White

Merry Christmas to all those celebrating! Be good and have a wonderful holiday and exciting New Year!

I am still away on holiday and today’s entry was scheduled for posting before I went away on holiday. This picture is taken on the same location as yesterday. Except this time it is done in black and white and taken at a wider angle. A contrast of silhouette and brighter hues of white snow and sky.

Through a Window

Windows are great gateways and lookout points for the natural landscapes beyond. I was going through my New Zealand pictures and found this.

Side View of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown through a window

It was taken sideways. This close, the camera could not quite capture the top frame of the window. On hindsight, I should have stand further back so the whole window can fit in. All done and said. In any case, it was a beautiful sunny day on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown – adventure capital of the world. So they claim. I will attest to that. If you really have only one day to spend here, I would highly recommend visitors to join a lake cruise with Real Journeys on the historic steam engine boat, ESS Earnslaw. Quite a sight to behold, especially during sunset.

Under the Ferns

Ferns grow plentiful in forests in many parts of the world. While hiking the Queen Charlotte Trail in New Zealand, I came across many different sizes and varieties of ferns found in the forest. They can grow very tall too. This is one of the picture when I have to shoot upwards instead of down. The green ferns are nicely framed against a backdrop of clear blue sky. Never really notice before the little black dots underneath each leaf. Very interesting.

I am planning to shoot more trees and forest landscape today. Hope there is no thunderstorm. Not a good idea to seek shelter under a tree when there is lighting. Have fun on Sunday!

Sunset and Twilight : Queenstown, Wanaka, Interlaken, Singapore

I have posted a number of sunset, sunrise and twilight pictures in the past weeks. I thought it will be more fun to post some of my favourite sunset and twilight pictures of the places travelled, not just in Singapore.

Red Sunset at Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

Twilight at Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand

Sunset at Interlaken East, Switzerland

Sunset at Lorong Halus Wetland, Singapore

Wellington Purple Sunset

Wellington, New Zealand

From one city to another city – Wellington, New Zealand.

On my first backpacking trip to New Zealand alone, I wanted to cover both North Island and South Island. This being my first trip to the North Island, I did not know what to expect. So basically the itinerary was left open and I just pinpoint a place I wanted to stay a night or two. As the ferry from Picton approached Wellington, the view painted a skyline very much like home. Big modern skyscaper buildings reaching for the sky, hustle and bustle of the city.

That evening, it was cruising time along the harbour. It wasn’t as crowded as I expected. So there was time for reflection, soaking in the view, watching people and the scenery went by.

Photo taking was leisurely done and this was one of the picture that turned out with the crescent moon in the backdrop.

Fun Facts
- Wellington is also known as the windy city
- Do you know that Wellington is New Zealand’s capital, not Auckland?

Related Post
Photo for the Day : Sunset in Wellington

Peaceful Lake Wanaka Black and White

Panorama Lake Wanaka in Black and White

I love coming to Lake Wanaka, New Zealand as I find it laid back and quieter after the adrenaline adventures in Queenstown. They have a big New Market supermarket here for groceries shopping.

Most of all, I love the lake. Take a stroll at either sides of the lake – it is so peaceful. I stood at this very pier a few times to feed the ducks. Where there is food, they will come flying from the air and zap! Hey, the bread is the gone! It was an really amazing sight watching those flocks of birds zooming at you from the air. Attack of the ducks!

It is truly spectacular in autumn with wild ranges of vibrant yellow, amber, orange and all the colours in between serenading the lake. Beautiful.

Related posts on Lake Wanaka
Chill Out at Wanaka
Lakeshore Hiking in Wanaka

Ghostly Waterfall in Black and White

Stirling Waterfall at Milford Sound

This was taken during winter on the boat trip at Milford Sound, New Zealand. I had been there twice, in October (spring) and August (winter). I must say the volume of water during spring was much higher compared to winter. Understandable since ice was melting, resulting in the higher volume of water.

It was actually bright daylight but the camera setting was switched to night mode. It came out much darker and resulted in the ghostly waterfall effect by using a much slower shutter speed.

If one look very closely, there are many odd and ghostly shapes in the boulders and rocks.

Moody Landscape in Glenorchy

Moody Glenorchy in Black and White

I want to go back to my first love – nature landscape. I will be posting a black and white nature picture till saturday. Sunday, I will be doing another write-up of another photographer’s work.

Before driving further into Glenorchy from Queenstown, we stopped at this high point to take pictures. Glenorchy is also known as Paradise (yes, there is even a signboard there!).

It was raining all morning and there was no sign it was going to stop. Converting the picture to black and white just highlights the moody landscape. Dark clouds covered the horizon and from time to time, the sun would sneak out and rays of light shone through. Some of the clouds were hanging so low, it practically touched the lake. That is why New Zealand is known as the “Land with the long white cloud”.

I saw many rainbows at different locations on that day.

Black and White Lake Matheson

Panorama Lake Matheson in Black and White

New Zealand holds a special place in my heart. This is Lake Matheson located at Fox Glacier in New Zealand’s South Island.

It was early October 1994, close to sunset. We walked all the way from Fox Glacier Village to see this lake – about one and half hour journey one way. I remembered the blissful quiet and peaceful silence while we were walking. Hardly any vehicles and such beautiful surroundings. All around farmland with cows chewing on hay. They kept staring at us!

This view was taken after a short venture in the forest at the viewing platform. And what a view! In the distance was Mt Cook, Mt Tasman and other surrounding mountain peaks.

Beautiful sight, wonderful memory.