Winter @ New Zealand South Island

[DMajor]

How did you managed to get that shot out of the church - I thot they ban photography in the church!??!?! I remember reading something like that when I was there....

I'm not sure about the ban, but I entered quite easily. I heard the church close at 4pm for cleaning, maybe you went after 4pm. The cleaner smiled at me when I stepped in and didn't stop me from taking any photos.

Do put some money into the donation box after you're done though. It goes into maintaining the church.

haha.. how many lens did u bring along wif u?

Being lazy, I had a 18-200 and a 10-22 with me.

Loving #3, #6, #13 & #18. Really nice shots you have there! What lens are you using?

Thanks calenerd. I am using mostly the 18-200, and on occasions 10-22.

 

[DMajor]

Wonderful pictures!!! brings back great memories of the Land of the Long White Cloud

Thanks audiorook. When were you there? I hope to visit again during autumn season some time in the future. Jetstar flies next year march for S$900+ direct to Christchurch.

Wonderful series. Txs for sharing.

Thanks Treetrunk.

Excellent photos. I am sure your honeymoon is also an excellent time of being together in a beautiful place. Starts off really well. Heartiest congratulations!

Thanks for your congrats VanGogh53. It really is a beautiful place which I will definitely revisit.

 

[DMajor]

Yes, Milford Sound is my photographic dream. In fact, the entire New Zealand is. I love the scapes you have captured, however i don't like the oversharpening followed by smoothening of the photos. it look unpleasant, was it intentional?

Thanks velasco for pointing it out. I used sharpening in some earlier processing and quite mechanically added them. In any case, I'm still learning. I did some comparisons and have to admit that you're right.

Kindly comment if the below few are better after removing the sharpening action.

 

[DMajor]

Congrats and I am sure u had a great time during ur honeymoon trip!
How was driving in winter ?

Very nice. I always wanted to try having the church as the foreground, but after the stargazing atop Mt John, it was way too late and i had to drive back to Hermitage. How did you light up the church ? or was there some ambient lighting

Apparently not anymore :bsmilie:

And like what bro velasco mentioned, would go a little easier on sharpening.

Enjoy looking thru them, evokes much memories

Ryan

Thanks Ryan. I actually read your thread while I was planning my trip, and I took some recommendations where to go. Driving in winter is quite ok without it actually snowing on me. Mountainous terrains like the road from Lake Wanaka to Queenstown and the road to Milford Sound was more challenging. With a 2WD sedan car, I really had to be very careful negotiating the hairpins.

Oh you stayed at the Hermitage? I learned a lesson this trip. Since the weather is quite unpredictable, stay at Lake Tekapo instead and drive up Mount Cook only when you see good weather. Its a better bet and there are more things to do at Lake Tekapo. I had a whole stormy day at Mount Cook.

Weather changes fast at Lake Tekapo. On one of the nights, I was setting up my camera in front of the church and suddenly the clouds came over and we had to pack up. There wasn't any ambient light. There were 2 american girls trying to take star trails at the church, and we had to switch on both our cars headlights so that we can compose the church in our viewfinder. Thereafter, we switch off the headlights and just snap.

Thanks for the advise on the sharpening, I will take care in future.

 

[DMajor]

Although I must admit that the landscapes that New Zealand offers is something beyong imagination. The sharpening here, spoils almost everything.

Thanks for the reminder nigel84.

 

[Alpc]

I'm not sure about the ban, but I entered quite easily. I heard the church close at 4pm for cleaning, maybe you went after 4pm. The cleaner smiled at me when I stepped in and didn't stop me from taking any photos.

Ah, so you went after the volunteers have left... No wonder! Hmmm... Well, I was not staying in Lake Tekapo, so could not stay till after that - especially when I was there like at around 12 pm, and was to head back to Christchurch. Had balloon ride the next early morning at Christchurch, so cannot stay longer there.

 

[DMajor]

Ah, so you went after the volunteers have left... No wonder! Hmmm... Well, I was not staying in Lake Tekapo, so could not stay till after that - especially when I was there like at around 12 pm, and was to head back to Christchurch. Had balloon ride the next early morning at Christchurch, so cannot stay longer there.

There wasn't any volunteers. Just go in before it close at 4pm.

 

[audiorook]

Thanks audiorook. When were you there? I hope to visit again during autumn season some time in the future. Jetstar flies next year march for S$900+ direct to Christchurch.

Studied in Christchurch, years ago. Just been back there in June. Beautiful country!! and the people there are so friendly and easy!

WOW!!! $900++ direct to Christchuch is good price!! :thumbsup:

A pity you missed the Glaciers!! The scenery there is out of the world. Better visit there, before they disappear. It would take at least 3 weeks to go slowly on every point of interest, to soak in the landscape and weather....

 

[Rheo]

fantastic collection! the photographs show the grand scope of things.
I wanna gooooooo!!!!!!! Lol

im waiting for the Jetstar flights to Nz next year. Planning to go there..