Saturday, October 23, 2010

Aerial landscape photography, or what a lot of mountains in New Zealand

The end of this work week has been a little significant, and Friday will be a day to remember: I had two back teeth removed, after struggling for nearly a year to overcome a pocket of infection.

A few hours afterwards I was really chuffed to find myself flying around parts of Fiordland National Park.

Mitre Peak in Milford Sound once again evoked strong reactions in me, and is probably the most photographed mountain in New Zealand, so maybe I'm not alone in these feelings...
mitre-peak-milford-sound.jpg

I once had a 17 day tramping / climbing trip in this locality, and it was memorable for two facts: we were fortunate to climb one of the remote mountains near this photo, and we only had 10 days food...andy-glacier-olivines.jpg
Landscape photography takes on a whole other perspective, with accompanying issues, when done from a plane or helicopter. Things like struts, rotor blades, and perspex windows make for challenges and reflections, so one answer is to take lots of images, then modify a select few in PhotoShop.

Cruise boats on Milford Sound...
milford-sound.jpg
This wonderful journey took me back, as I've walked a few of the valleys, passes and peaks we flew around and over. But that's another story.

And to finish on a note of just how diverse our New Zealand landscape is, this is the more unseen backside of Roys Peak, Wanaka...
roys-peak-lake-wanaka.jpg

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6 Comments:

Blogger Gregor Ronald said...

Oh boy, can you line up a mates rates trip some time over summer?

October 23, 2010 at 9:36 PM  
Blogger Marg said...

Cruise boats on Milford is a wonderful photo. Really like the shapes and even the details of the water.

October 24, 2010 at 9:42 PM  
Blogger Donald said...

Hi Marg

It's been a bit modified to overcome reflection from the window, but the shapes made it worthwhile.

Yes, the details on the water are interesting. Not sure if I like them or not. Still better perhaps than having no detail there!

Cheers

Donald

October 25, 2010 at 8:42 AM  
Blogger Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Wow Donald, what amazing photos. Do you have more? Display them all because few of us have the chance to fly so high.

Well done mate ! Bob

October 26, 2010 at 3:11 AM  
Blogger Donald said...

Hi Bob,

I don't get much chance to fly high either! But sometimes life presents serendipitous gifts and the trick is to make the most of them.

I did end up with a lot of images as you can imagine, but few made the selection ...three out of four above were modified somewhat to eliminate window reflections for example.

Looking forward to a perceived lift in energy here now, so will be in touch when I can.

Cheers

Donald

October 26, 2010 at 9:34 AM  
Blogger Ruahines said...

Kia ora Donald,
Superb photos! What an awesome flight over just amazing terrain. So glad to read you are feeling better after lingering health issues. I know the feeling. Kia kaha.
Cheers,
Robb

October 26, 2010 at 10:47 AM  

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