New Zealand travel guides for Photographers - Queenstown...

Behind the Lens – The Pastel Peak of Aoraki/Mount Cook

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 04:57:15 +0000

Landscape Photography – The Unexpected Moment at Mount Cook Gale force winds and cloudy skies gave the indication that we might not have the best conditions to photograph sunset. Arriving to Queenstown for a short 4-day trip to photograph ice patterns, I had one location in mind and that was Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Having visited New Zealand and photographed the peaks around Queenstown, Wanaka and Milford Sound many times before, there was one trail I’d heard so much about, but never had the chance to visit. The Hooker Valley Trail. It’s ranked as one of the best day hikes you can do in New Zealand, yet despite driving past on a number of occasions, weather, time or just a different itinerary had always stopped me visiting. For this short and spontaneous trip, I made it the sole destination. Hiring a car in Queenstown, we drove north to Mount Cook Village and while the weather window looked great when I booked the flights 24hours earlier, it had changed quickly and a storm was soon on our tail. I’d researched two other short hikes that I wanted to attempt while in the area, and...

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The Best Photography Locations in Queenstown, New Zealand

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 06:02:18 +0000

Queenstown Photography Locations, New Zealand Be prepared to have your breath taken away by mountain scenery that’s simply inspiring from all angles. Flying into Queenstown is an experience in itself but the winding roads that venture through sheep filled paddocks, past river rapids and underneath snow-capped peaks are a photographer’s wonderland. This guide to Queenstown’s best photography locations is based on my experience from three visits in varying seasons. Just as the snow began to gently fall over the autumn coloured forests and harsh rocky mountain tops and twice in the middle of winter. Here are my picks for the best photography locations in and around Queenstown, New Zealand. I could easily list another 50 but if you’re visiting for a few short days or spending some time skiing on the slopes then these 18 locations will ensure you have a great range of landscape photographs to showcase the magic of real middle earth. As always, lets begin with a map so you know where you’re heading… Map: The Best Photography Locations in Queenstown #1 Wilson Bay To kick things off I’m listing my favourite spot first, Wilson Bay. A scenic cove nestled on the banks of Lake Wakatipu, it’s an...

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Behind the Lens… The Duck Photo, Queenstown

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 07 May 2018 22:23:00 +0000

The sun was shining, snow had fallen on the peaks overnight and the lake was clear and still. Driving to Wilson Bay from Queenstown I was getting so excited by the snow capped mountains lurking above Lake Wakatipu. I had with me an underwater housing with the idea of jumping in the lake and capturing split landscape shots; alpine scenery above and clear cold water below. One of the prettiest photo locations around Queenstown and my personal favourite, Wilson Bay was exactly how I wanted it to be. The sun was shining, snow had fallen on the peaks overnight and the lake was clear and still. Now to give you a little insight into my diet this trip…I lived off biscuits during the day. Not because I’m the cookie monster or on the latest fad diet (if only that existed!) but because I was out shooting from sunrise to starlight. I couldn’t bare the thought of missing a moment by stopping to get a decent meal when I could be taking photos of an amazing landscape. I’m not that much of a foodie so it’s my first compromise! So back to the lake…eating biscuits by the lake obviously attracts ducks. Usually it’s an...

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The 48hr Guide to Queenstown’s Photo Spots

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 03:48:16 +0000

Queenstown Photography Locations Queenstown, New Zealand is somewhere I’d usually recommend you spend a lifetime in preference to a weekend. It’s the kind of place you arrive and instantly realise you’re somewhere special. That said, if you’ve only got a few days to explore then don’t fear, you can still cover a lot of ground! One of the beautiful things about Queenstown is that upon arrival you’re already somewhere photogenic. The airport sits beneath the spiked peaks of The Remarkables so even the first photo you take is going to be a keeper, not to mention the shots you’ll capture from the flight! Back in October I spent 48hrs on a photography adventure with Olympus Australia and the new OM-D E-M10 Mark III camera for the #NeverStopTheJourney campaign. We set out with an itinerary to hit up as many photogenic locations as we could to showcase not only the capabilities of the camera, but the beauty of Queenstown and its surrounding photo spots all the way from Glenorchy to Wanaka…so way more than just Queenstown alone. So… if you find yourself in Queenstown with just 48hrs to capture as much as possible I wanted to share our itinerary and locations....

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Never Stop The Journey – Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 15:53:24 +0000

Travelling as a photographer is a journey like no other. There’s the moments of light peeking over mountain tops, wispy clouds of all shapes and sizes filling the sky, cities filled with culture and those dreamlike landscapes that just beg to be captured. It’s a never ending hunt for the perfect shot; an image that showcases the gentle beauty and rugged detail. The tones, the patterns and that fleeting second of movement that turns a good shot into a great shot. While on the road having a lightweight kit is something that’s become essential to me. I’m primarily using my Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II however was recently lucky enough to test out the exciting new OM-D E-M10 Mark III. I travelled with a team of photographers from Australia to take the OM-D E-M10 Mark III on a road trip around some of New Zealand’s most scenic landscapes in Queenstown and Wanaka. Now, you might be asking, what difference does an O and extra I make so let me explain… Firstly, this new camera is designed to be a portable, stylish and creative tool to help you create images to the best of your ability. You don’t want to...

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Top 10 Places to Photograph Sunset

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 00:00:49 +0000

Where are the best Places to Photograph Sunset? As the day comes to and end and the sky erupts into a palette of pinks, oranges and reds you want to be in the right spot at the right time to capture the perfect sunset that completes your travel album. While not every sunset is going to be a photographers dream, the golden hour is beautiful regardless and I’ve put together this list of my top ten favourite locations to photograph the setting sun around the world… From Iceland to Australia, this list is a collection of images I’ve personally taken in these locations, I know there are many, many more places that could be included. If you’ve got recommendation for sunset photo locations, please share your spot in the comments below, you’re more than welcome to link to your photos too! #10 Marrakech, Morocco Dusty desert sands and red ochre buildings make Marrakech an easy inclusion for this list. Combining the colours of the city with the sky at sunset blends together the perfect portrayal of magical Morocco. You’ll find most riads (traditional hotels) have private rooftop terraces from where you can photograph sunset over the city or if you’re...

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Behind the Lens: Lake Hawea, New Zealand

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 02:14:06 +0000

When visiting New Zealand I always buy a pair of gum boots upon arrival for this very location. Lake Hawea is my special spot. A landscape that never fails to wow me even though it rarely changes. It’s a constant beauty that’s as reliable as water in the ocean. It’s peaceful, silent and dazzles with mountain views. Without fail though, I’m always rushing to get here. Aiming for sunset and driving from Wanaka I always get distracted by the scenery on route. Even though I know how long the drive takes and know the exact spot I’m heading, it’s always a mad dash to capture those pastel sunset colours before they blend into a curtain of darkness. The photos may look like I’m all chill and calm but inside I’m puffing like a pug dog in summer. If there was ever anyone around they’d witness me running like a clutz across the stone shores in gum boots…you know that super ladylike sprint where you have to lift your entire leg with each movement so you don’t trip and fall face first because your shoes are so damn huge? I’m also doing this run while carrying a tripod, camera, backpack full...

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Visual Hotel Review: Hotel St Moritz, Queenstown

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 00:17:39 +0000

great rates hereArriving in darkness I knew we were in for a sunrise like no other on our first day in Queenstown. Like kids on Christmas morning, we ran straight to the window to peel open the curtains and reveal the scene that was waking behind. Rugged mountain peaks with a fresh coating of snowy goodness stood tall above the teal perfection of Lake Wakatipu. Sunshine was slowly crawling into the valleys as the snow began to glisten in it’s morning glow. It immediately confirmed our suspicions…winter in Queenstown is like being in a real world snow globe. Lets rewind though to the previous night when my sister and I checked into the luxe Hotel St Moritz, part of Accor’s MGallery collection. The entrance was reminiscent of a European ski village with stone and wood blending by a log fire where people sat sipping mulled wine. Hello winter perfection! Opening the door to our Alpine Suite we were blown away by the size and grandeur. If you can imagine two squealing adults running from room to room in disbelief, thinking so many thoughts but only managing to say ‘eeee’. This was us. Calming down enough to soak it all in, the...

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New Zealand: The Red Jacket Journal

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 08:06:13 +0000

New Zealand is a country fit for outdoor adventures. As the snow covered landscapes unfolded before our eyes and the mountain peaks appeared one after another, we let out the usual ‘eeek’ of excitement about the days of exploring we had ahead. Wandering through rivers, lakes and fields filled with sheep we spent every waking minute outside with gum boots on our feet and a red jacket on to keep warm. Wind proof, water proof and of course picture ready, the red jacket will be a fixture in my photos as I explore colder climates around the world. For now, take a peek into the first red jacket journal amongst the landscapes of Queenstown and Wanaka, New Zealand… Want your own red jacket? Mountain Designs is where the goods are at! For the exact jacket pictured, take a peek here – Lipstick Red GORE-TEX Jacket Don’t forget to use the hashtag #thewanderinglens to share your adventures on Instagram! Thanks to Mountain Designs for providing the perfect jacket for my project…where to next!? Finnish Lapland perhaps…

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Behind the Lens: The White Horse Photo, New Zealand

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 20:52:44 +0000

It was one of those days… The previous night I had been out photographing the Aurora Australis in Lake Wanaka and thought no moment could possibly top that. Completely content with my photographs from the previous day of adventures, I awoke to find freshly powered mountain tops glistening white in the sunshine. Wanaka had been transformed from autumn to winter in a few short hours and I was so excited to see an unexpected sprinkle of snow. I had planned to drive to Queenstown in the morning and jumped in my car to head south and see what locations I could find to photograph. On the drive down I saw ahead of me a giant storm cloud…being from North Queensland in Australia I’m a bit of a weather geek and love storm watching but something about this one was different. It was a snow storm. Picture me in my little Toyota Getz rental driving towards this beast without snow chains just hoping for the best. As cars drove past in the opposite direction I began to notice they weren’t all just white by coincidence, they were covered in snow and ice with only their windscreens visible. Jumping up and down in...

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The Best Queenstown Road Trip Photo Stops

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 01 May 2015 05:50:36 +0000

Queenstown Photo Locations – Where to take beautiful photos in Queenstown! Panoramic views aren’t that hard to find around Queenstown. The mighty Remarkables and Cecil Peak are visible from most corners of town and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu the scenery almost shows off it’s so obviously stunning. A visit to New Zealand’s South Island isn’t complete unless you can drive around at your own pace and stop wherever you wish. The landscapes are so inviting you’ll be stopping every few minutes regardless of which road you take…all roads lead to an amazing photo. Hiring yourself a car expands your location bucket list and you’ll be free to roam as far and wide as you wish! Within thirty minutes of Queenstown you can visit snowcapped mountains, sheep filled paddocks and chilly forest fringed rivers. If you’re looking to capture a collection of landscape photos be prepared to be inspired and spend all day out and about exploring. Pack lots of snacks! I’ve put together a list of the top photo stops within a thirty minute drive of Queenstown. Road side stops are more often than not the best finds and below are a few locations marked on a map...

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Shooting stars and Aurora Australis in Wanaka, New Zealand

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 04:00:04 +0000

After a day exploring Wanaka with a helicopter ride to Roy’s Peak, panoramic views over the majestic Aspiring National Park and a sunset gathering with some of the world’s best photographers at the infamous ‘That Wanaka Tree’, we heard whispers the Aurora Australis was on its way. Seriously!? Could Wanaka get any more amazing? Apparently so. The Aurora Australis (aka Southern Lights) are best viewed when facing south so Wanaka’s Eely Point Recreational Reserve was our pick for the evening’s vantage point. Aurora’s occur when highly charged particles enter the atmosphere resulting in a natural light show across the sky typically near the North or South Poles. I’ll confess straight up, despite being a professional photographer I had never perfected astrophotography, heck I hadn’t even attempted to do so as I love the sunshine and water so much that I preferred to let the experts capture the stars. This all changed once astro genius’ Brent Purcell and Shaun Jeffers showed me the settings before the Aurora Australis began. Down by Lake Wanaka with no lights and only our phones to shine on the camera, the settings were put in place and I tested my infinity focus to be sure it...

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