p.1 #1 · Wanaka Tree Fall Colors - South New Zealand
I took a three-week road trip to the South Island of New Zealand in late April this year, and I have to admit, the landscapes were absolutely stunning. I aimed to capture the fall colors, and the most anticipated stop was photographing the renowned Wanaka Tree. Its beauty in autumn was everything I'd hoped for—I was definitely not disappointed.
I got my first chance at sunset, arriving an hour early. While there were quite a few photographers, it was still manageable, though once the tripods were set, there was no room to move. It was also quite windy, so an ND filter was necessary to smooth the water, but I quickly realized sunset wasn't the best for this location.
What was shocking, however, was the immense crowd that showed up for sunrise the next morning. It's also worth noting that it was a full moon, providing quite a bit of light well before dawn. I arrived an hour early and was stunned to see so many people already set up and ready to shoot. I'd estimate there were at least 25 people standing in the water to get their shot! and another 50+ on the shoreline. This made the photography difficult, especially as I felt a group (I believe it was a photo tour from Asia) was quite disrespectful of others out there. I managed to find a small spot for my tripod but couldn't get the angle I wanted. Despite the chaos, the light was perfect: the sun rose from the far right, directly hitting the tree and the other shoreline trees, making the fall colors look absolutely amazing.
Here are a series of photos taken during my outing. Thanks for viewing and welcome all CC
Wanaka Tree - Sunrise (very first image before sunrise on a full moon dawn)
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIEF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens24mmf/16.06s100 ISO0.0 EV
Wanaka Tree - First light on Roy's peak
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIEF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens24mmf/16.06s100 ISO0.0 EV
Wanaka Tree - the ture colors really start to pop once the sun rises a bit
Canon EOS R5EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens16mmf/18.010s50 ISO0.0 EV
Wanaka Tree with its shoreline tress in amazing fall colors!
Canon EOS R5EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens23mmf/16.05s50 ISO0.0 EV
Wanaka Tree at Sunset, on a windy day!
Canon EOS R5EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens23mmf/16.020s100 ISO0.0 EV
Wanaka Tree - Full moon light
Canon EOS R5EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens21mmf/16.025s50 ISO0.0 EV
Wanaka Tree - Sunset, this is an image where I wanted to get a little to my right to get the tree between the peaks but it was impossible to move. :(
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIEF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens70mmf/11.08s100 ISO0.0 EV
Wanaka Tree - Sunset
Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIEF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens70mmf/11.03s100 ISO0.0 EV
p.1 #3 · Wanaka Tree Fall Colors - South New Zealand
Just beautiful pictures.
I'm guessing that's a timed exposure to get that.
And I bet he's got a 1000pix of this tree alone......I would.
2, 3 & 4 are my favs.
p.1 #7 · Wanaka Tree Fall Colors - South New Zealand
I really like them all Parul. My favorites are probably the first 2 though. I love the sun kissing the mountain and the smooth reflection on the water. Fantastic set! I am definitely wanting to get out to New Zealand.
p.1 #8 · Wanaka Tree Fall Colors - South New Zealand
wow! just incredible photos. I like the first image with moon lit light and 3, 4 & 5. Glad to see that you didn't push up the colors. Great location and you captured it very well. You have my vote
p.1 #9 · Wanaka Tree Fall Colors - South New Zealand
bwolfson wrote:
Really beautiful under what sounds like not ideal circumstances. What exposure time did you do to get the smooth water with the wind?
It's definitely a beautiful location and light and conditions were nice too. If folks could be a little considerate then it would really be fun to photograph. In fact, I since there were 2 tours both teams were fighting for a spot in the water. Not exactly sure were they were from but at one point there was loud arguments
Hey, i was able to add Exif information for all images. Hope that helps. Sorry for the delay as I don't get on the site as often. Thanks for your feedback.
p.1 #12 · Wanaka Tree Fall Colors - South New Zealand
Beautiful series of images here! I had the misfortune of running into a similar tour group at Upper Yellowstone Falls a few years back. I remember the falls well enough but I remember the elbows to my kidney even more.
p.1 #13 · Wanaka Tree Fall Colors - South New Zealand
Nice set Parul! Too bad about the crowds but it is becoming a common problem...Glad to see the tree is still standing; a few years ago someone chopped off the lower limbs but it is still there.
p.1 #15 · Wanaka Tree Fall Colors - South New Zealand
Bill Gass wrote:
Just beautiful pictures.
I'm guessing that's a timed exposure to get that.
And I bet he's got a 1000pix of this tree alone......I would.
2, 3 & 4 are my favs.
Thanks Bill......and yes you are right.
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douter wrote:
We all seem to have our "Muse Tree". Yours is quite picturesque, KC!
Douglas
Thanks Doug, this whole are is so picturesque that it's almost impossible to take a bad phot. It was a crowd that makes things difficult.
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junglialoh wrote:
beautifully decorated the infamous tree
Rajan Parrikar wrote:
Outstanding set! Nothing more to add.
Thanks Rajan, always appreciate your encouragement.
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J. Pow wrote:
I really like them all Parul. My favorites are probably the first 2 though. I love the sun kissing the mountain and the smooth reflection on the water. Fantastic set! I am definitely wanting to get out to New Zealand.
Joel
Thanks Joel, first image happens to be my favorite too....the full moon light really makes the image pop. NZ is definitely an amazing area and landscape is so beautiful. You will enjoy for sure but the right and driving takes a bit to get used to.
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CA_Fstop wrote:
wow! just incredible photos. I like the first image with moon lit light and 3, 4 & 5. Glad to see that you didn't push up the colors. Great location and you captured it very well. You have my vote
Thank you, glad you found my set to be worthy of your vote.
p.1 #17 · Wanaka Tree Fall Colors - South New Zealand
Ross Martin wrote:
Gorgeous set, Parul! I voted, but it looks like Gregg B. is going to have another runaway victory Thank you for sharing these, very inspiring.
Hey thanks Ross, glad you found the set worthy of your vote. Gregg B should be the rightful winner, he is a master like you. For me being able to get out and experience nature is in itself a victory. Thank you for your guidance and support.
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adventure_photo wrote:
That first shot is outstanding! Well done despite the circumstances.
Thank you, the first one happens to be my favorite too.....
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Al Trujillo wrote:
Beautiful series of images here! I had the misfortune of running into a similar tour group at Upper Yellowstone Falls a few years back. I remember the falls well enough but I remember the elbows to my kidney even more.
Thanks Al, that's sad.... in this case there were 2 photo tours and they were both fighting for a spot and they were already in the water, that leaves no chance for others who were shooting from the shore line. It was such a chaotic scene. I just stood at one small spot and didn't move until sun us up.
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jm10_former wrote:
Nice set Parul! Too bad about the crowds but it is becoming a common problem...Glad to see the tree is still standing; a few years ago someone chopped off the lower limbs but it is still there.
jacob
Thank you Jacob, you are right about someone chopping off the lower limbs, so sad I feel like crowd is OK but being respectful and courteous is what folks forget. I know everyone wants that perfect shot but still one can be considerate. It was a beautiful morning but the loud arguments between 2 tour groups was just crazy.
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morris wrote:
I love the way you are working your subject
Morris
Thank you Morris, there are so many ways to work this lone tree with the mountains. Unfortunately, I didn't have much room to get different angle.
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Gregg B. wrote:
Very nice shots, all of them Parul
Thanks Greg, always learning from amazing photos you post.
p.1 #19 · Wanaka Tree Fall Colors - South New Zealand
These are immersive for the mind, the light has so much impact to appreciate.
#1 is really strong, one of my favs for sure. Might just be me being picky to such a serene image but I might have removed the bright spot on the left about 2in in center as it just seems to pull me in an unfair way to this image ....... respectfully
#2 ha, a nice rich look, I really like seeing the added shoreline on the left, nice flow to pull me along and back
#3 can just feel the morning crispness in this one, nice how the color of leaves from shore tie into the tree in the water
#4 oddly on this one I could see it almost cut in half, more a pano? Just thinking out loud
#5 lovely
#6 nice hues and peek at the moon
#7 agree with your comments same thought I had then read your comment
#8 love it less the two floats/bouys
Awesome work with this subject and working around too many people as well as disrespectful people.
Thanks for allowing me to freely C&C, it helps me learn
...I would.
Thank you for sharing these, very inspiring.
