Wide Angle Foregrounds
New Zealand is rich with fascinating patterns and objects that can serve as impactful foregrounds in wide angle compositions. To make the most of these, here are some suggestions: Using this simple framework will allow you to create stunning in-your-face wide angle compositions like these.
Photographing Dunes
The dunes are arguably the most challenging, fun, and satisfying location we will photograph during the tour. Because of that, we will visit the dunes at least 2-3 times (if not more). Special Precautions We highly recommend you bring a buff from your mouth and nose, and wrap-around sunglasses or safety goggles for your eyes. […]
Zabriskie Point and Other Badlands
We could have an entire workshop centered entirely on photographing badlands, and it would never get old. These locations are among the best there are for learning to see patterns, lines, shapes, light, and color. But because these areas are so complex, they can be easily overwhelming from a photographic standpoint. My advice, as always, […]
Badwater, Cottonball Basin, and Other Patterned Flats
Cottonball Basin Stream Channels
Mud Cracks / Tiles
Health, Safety, and Cancellation Policies
Travel, Health, and Camera Insurance Travel insurance is REQUIRED for this trip, which will reimburse you if you need to cancel for any reason, including COVID-19. It can also provide medical coverage, lost luggage coverage, and other benefits while abroad, and policies are generally inexpensive. IMG and Travel Guard are reliable companies. IMG Plans Travel […]
Acknowledgement of Risks and Image Use Agreement
Acknowledgement of Risks Please download and sign this form, and bring it with you to the initial meeting. You can also email us a digital signed copy. Image Use During this tour we may take behind the scenes photos and videos of the tour participants. These photos are used to share among the group, as well […]
Camera Settings You Need to Know
Don’t fight your gear. Here are settings we see people struggle with over and over on our workshops and tours. Practice changing or accessing these settings before the trip and you will have more success in the field. Know how to quickly adjust your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Even if you aren’t fully comfortable with […]
How to Make the Most of This Trip
1) Get Rid of Your Photography Expectations There is arguably nothing more important to having a satisfying photographic experience than shooting from a standpoint of zero expectations. At every location we will be on the lookout for many kinds of scenes and compositions, from grand to intimate. Therefore, not having a fixed idea of what […]
The Four Things Every Great Photo Needs
Just like your heart has four essential chambers, every successful landscape photo is built from four essential parts: This is one of the most important things I can ever teach you. In fact it’s so important I call it the Golden Rule of Landscape Photography. If you have those four things, I guarantee you will […]
Ask WHAT? and WHY? to Create Powerful Stories for Your Photos
Let’s dive into Visual Storytelling. Before we begin, you need to understand that the subject and story is THE MOST IMPORTANT part of any photograph. If you don’t have this you don’t have a photo. And yet, most landscape photographers never consciously think about the story that they want to tell when they are photographing. […]
How to Use Composition, Technique, & Light to Tell Your Story
In the previous lesson we learned to create our story of a place by asking What we like, and Why we like it. Now it’s time to turn that story into a photograph. We can do that by asking a third question: How? “How can I exaggerate the elements of my story using my camera?” […]
Important Dates
Tour Dates October 26, 2023 – First day of the tour. Please arrive in Queenstown prior to 3 pm. On October 26 we will be meeting at 4 pm in the lobby of the Novotel Lakeside. We will have an introduction and tour orientation, followed by an early welcome dinner. Then we will venture out to […]
Where and When to Meet
Please arrive in Queenstown prior to 3 pm. On October 26 we will be meeting at 4 pm in the lobby of the Novotel Lakeside. We will have an introduction and tour orientation, followed by an early welcome dinner. Then we will venture out to photograph the late evening and sunset light over Queenstown. Sunset […]
Hotel Information
By default you have your own private room in our high-end accommodations for 10 nights of the tour. If you would prefer to share a room with another participant please let us know and we will try to accommodate you. The 11th night of the trip is onboard the Fiordland Navigator ship in Doubtful Sound. […]
Food, Transportation, LNT, Group Etiquette
Food Bottomless Snacks On the minibus we will have bottomless snacks like fruit, cookies, crackers, popcorn, chocolate, chips, and other nibbles throughout the tour. If you have any dietary restrictions please let me know. BreakfastsA full, cooked breakfast is included every morning of the tour. Don’t worry, Josh is not doing the cooking. LunchMost people […]
Packing Lists
Camera Gear and Other Equipment DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. Lenses from wide to telephoto. We recommend the following four lenses or equivalent: Ultra Wide (14-24mm or 16-35mm) Mid Range (24-70mm) Short Telephoto (70-200mm) Optional – Long Telephoto (100-400 or 200-500mm) Sturdy tripod. Extra Memory Cards (we recommend at least 128-256 GB total), extra batteries and […]
Weather
At this time of year the weather is typically excellent for photography, with lots of mixed clouds and sun, which means great light. Expect temperatures between 30°F and 70°F (-1°C – 21°C). Also, don’t forget that even though a 50° morning doesn’t sound very cold, it can be downright chilly when you are standing still […]
Itinerary and Trip Overview
Day 1, October 26 The Plan: Meet in the afternoon at the Novotel Lakeside in Queenstown and have a tour orientation and introduction. We will have an early welcome dinner, followed by a mellow shoot in the Queenstown Gardens. Relax tonight and get a good night’s sleep. Accommodation: Novotel Lakeside, Queenstown Meals Provided: Welcome Dinner […]