Darkness descends, a photo from Fiordland, South Island

Photographer's Note

A return to an amazing place. Milford Sound, despite being a bit touristy, is still a breathtaking location to visit. I have now been there 6 times and am yet to see it rain - and this is one of the rainest parts of the country. My first visit to Milford Sound was in 1997, I took a shot with my first camera, a little compact. I was always very proud of my shot, and was even more proud of the shots I got there in 2000 with another compact camera. But ever since I have been taking photography seriously I have always wanted to return and give it another go. So it was a bit of a mini ambition fulfilled when I stood at the fiords edge a couple of weeks back and took some shots as the darkness descended. Even the nasty horrible sandflies couldnt put me off!!

This is a dark shot, so this will really highlight whose monitor is calibrated properly and whose isnt.

vikous, robiuk, andante, belido, chicken, cozy, eza1701 ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

mammad (3572) 2007-05-14 16:32

Dear adam,
Excellent by all means ,Bravo and Tfs.
Regards Mammad.

robiuk (10807) 2007-05-14 16:33

Absolutely beautiful, Adam!
Don't know about others, but my
monitor still shows a great deal
of details in spite of darkness and
high contrast across the middle of
the frame.
Very tasty, very palpable.
Congratulations!
Robi

belido (19934) 2007-05-14 16:39

Hi Adam,

I wonder how do you get so much sharpness in your pictures. This one is one more classic work. Perfect!
Regards,
Carlos

SchwebagMike (1490) 2007-05-14 16:39

Hi Adam,
A truely great shot! Very well managed lightening. Thanks god I own a calibrating devce ;-))

avene (12675) 2007-05-14 16:52

love this shot, looks like a scene from a fantasy movie.

vikous (2217) 2007-05-14 17:09

Hello Adam!
This is awesome photograph of one of the most spectacualr places i have ever seen!!! Great low angle view, longer shutter to make water look like it was ice, dark but still colorful photograph. Congratulations, well done!
best regards,
viktor

ps: i have to make some corrections in my critique...my monitor is ok, i mean, the whole scenery is monochromatic with most of dark colors but there is still a loads of details visible in foreground! Great photo

iwool (904) 2007-05-14 17:21

Very moody and atmospheric Adam. I was contemplating a trip to New Zealand or a return to Australia over Christmas this year and your recent shots have certainly convinced that New Zealand is the way to go.

prospere (701) 2007-05-14 18:03

Tout simplement beau ...

Les reflets sur l'eau, la couleur bleu nacré, le ciel violacé et orangé ...

Les silhouettes des galets ressortant de l'eau.

Bravo !

Ludovic Toinel

Wahclellaspirit (4125) 2007-05-14 21:55

Hello Adam,
without knowing the temperature dof the location I would think that it would be, or was cold. I like the atmosphere that the clouds offered you while you were visiting, and as usual, excellent D/F and exposqure...
Steve

umbrellaphotos (1901) 2007-05-14 23:12

Great shot Adam. This composition is great, but it's the exposure and the mood it creates that really jumps out at me. Great colors and an interesting subject matter.

So Adam, are you a professional? Do you make your living from doing just photography? I'm very curious because I saw that you won some awards and even a trip to Antarctica! Congrats,

Brian

chicken (1557) 2007-05-15 4:02

Wow, I guess you've just made another 100+ photographers wanting to get there, myself included. In this image I really like the cold light reflected between the dark stones. The moving clouds add an element of mistery.

Matthew-Watt (5934) 2007-05-15 4:55

Hello Adam,
My visit to Milford was on a stunning summer day, few clouds or sandflies. I saw al the sights: thr underwater observatory, the trip out to the ocean mouth, and visited the seal colony. I was not lucky enough to spend a sunrise or sunset in the area however, which obviously seen here is a moment to remember. Awesome composition is seen here with the inclusion of the rocky FG, separated well by the silky smooth waters. The central focus of this image is not Mitre Peak, but the vivid reflection in the centre, which in turn quarters the image into beautiful portions. I like the mirror effect of the two rocky peninsulars, the fine ration of water and sky and the looming quality of the well shrouded peaks. The movement of the clouds is a sublime photographic skill. Lighting, colour sharpness and clarity are all at a perfect level. A very good photo Adam, well done!
Matt

Cormac (26565) 2007-05-15 10:51

Great shot Adam! I like these dark but luminous photos, which have more impact in my opinion. The colours are rich and saturated, and the rocks stand out as being incredibly sharp. I've never yet made it to New Zealand, but I'll be looking at your new series from this trip with a lot of interest, because I'd like to go one day.

cozy (998) 2007-05-15 13:32

Hi Adam,
I really like the mood you have created here with the slow shutter. The effect on the water and particularly the clouds is really great! Awesome lighting and composition too!
Perfect photo!
Regards,
Costa.

newtintin (1876) 2007-05-15 13:53

Hello,
splendid point of view and superb light,
it is really imposing great art.
thank you.
greeting.
R.A.F

kabe (2011) 2007-05-15 16:40 [Comment]

Show Comment

eza1701 (3345) 2007-05-16 3:26

Hi Adam,

You have captured a terrific atmosphere with this shot, the darkness and soft blue tones are excellent.

Best regards,
Paul.

jongibbs (363) 2007-05-16 4:00

Thought you'd stayed!!!This really is the tops,clouds above the middle peaks have a wonderful sense of movement and there's no one who likes a blue toned exposure more than me,look forward to more of the same.
jon

Silverkey (1435) 2007-05-16 5:18

Very nice composition, very nice colors ( black is also a color! ) and in fact very nice atmosphere. I'm lacking of superlatives but good job

jdomingues (686) 2007-05-16 10:06