inspired photography with just enough perspective
Two children playing under a well known tree along the shore of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, New Zealand. Actually, I don’t know if the tree is well known, but its my story so I’m sticking with it. I also imagine the tree is quite happy having children play under it and climb its branches. One of those things I can only imagine but never really know for sure.
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I just found this image on my iPhone. While touring the south island of New Zealand by helicopter I must have taken my iPhone out at some point to capture the moment. As I recall this was on top of a Glacier that sloped down and that the ice was quite slippery. I took this and then walked a little beyond where my friend was standing and then realized that if I slipped there was no way to self arrest. That’s when I began taking baby steps backwards until I felt I was no longer in danger. As long ago as this was, I remember it like it just happened.
One of the last mornings in New Zealand we drove up into the hills above Queenstown to watch the sunrise and then went for a walk down Skippers Canyon. We sat on the side of this mountain taking pictures and waited for the sun to rise which takes a little longer due to the surrounding mountains.
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This is the top of Mount Creighton in New Zealand’s southern alps. I used a wide-angle lens, which has the side effect of making the slopes seem less steep. In fact the slopes are more severe and once out of the helicopter, I was careful to watch my step. It is a long way down and I had the feeling it would be a very fast one-way trip. That’s Lake Wakatipu off on the right and Queenstown, our final destination would be left of that. This is one of the last stops as we flew from one mountain to the next checking out the amazing landscape of New Zealand.
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Over the weekend I went to see the final installment of the Hobbit movie. Having been to New Zealand this year I was interested in looking close at the scenery and indeed I did recognize a couple of shots. Of course much in the movie was rendered to look like no place on earth, but this shot I took hanging out of a helicopter comes close. I think I may have a Lord of the Rings Marathon this coming holiday week so that I can see more of the landscape of Middle Earth, otherwise known as New Zealand.
This is from Bendemeer which is a residential community just outside Queenstown New Zealand. I was just thinking how this looks just like my backyard, …not! Well, in my dreams this is my backyard and so I go here from time to time in daydreams throughout the day when I should be doing something more productive. But what are we if not for our dreams. So here is a glimpse into my dreamscape, straight from the southern island of New Zealand. Good night and sweet dreams.
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This is another shot of New Zealand’s southern alps I captured earlier this year from a helicopter. There’s no question this was one of the more spectacular things I have experienced. Not sure I can adequately describe what it’s like but I do remember that the adrenalin had me pretty much wired for about two days after. Since I can’t describe it, just imagine yourself thousands of feet up with no doors and looking out at this scene. And if you can come up with the right words you’re way better than me.
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This is Lake Hayes in southern New Zealand. I was here about six months ago and I already miss it. I think the thing I miss the most is the amount of wide-open space with amazing landscapes. Certainly we have beauty in North America, it’s there, waiting, not going anywhere. My ambition is changing a little bit and I’m craving more and more landscapes. I guess it’s one of those things that once you get hooked on you keep looking for new vistas wherever you go. That’s probably not a bad thing.
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In between Queenstown and Arrowtown in New Zealand is Lake Hayes. This cottage sits right on the lake and can be rented. I was staying at a hotel but I have my eyes on this for the next time. When I go on vacation I like to wake up in places that are spectacular and take me far away from normal life. This is one of those places so it’s high on the list. The little hill reminds me of a cottage my grandmother used to have. When I was four or five I used to ride a red wagon down the hill full speed, quite often crashing at the bottom. It was so much fun that I’d get right up and do it again. Isn’t that a kick in the pants. 😉
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While in New Zealand I was with a group that hiked down Skippers Canyon road not far from Queenstown. When we started in the morning it was chilly but by the time we hiked back the layers were peeled off as the sun rose above the mountains. This ridgeline was opposite the road we traveled and from this vantage I could begin to get a sense of the scale. Just behind this ridge was an extreme mountain bike trail and while I didn’t see anyone on it, I could tell that on a scale of one to ten it was an eleven. The only thing more exhilarating might be bungee jumping which by the way was available at the bottom of the trail. And if that wasn’t enough you could finish the day with a raft ride down some class three rapids. Lets just say Kiwis know how to have a good time.
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