Posted by Jack Brauer on December 15, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Hello All,
I just got back to Colorado last week after almost 2 months down in New Zealand! I pretty much spent the whole time in the mountains of the South Island, hiking like crazy and taking lots of photos.
After numerous late nights this last week, I've sorted through over 3200 images and have posted my favorites on my site.
These were all taken with an Olympus E-420 w/ 12-60mm lens. I really dug this system for this trip: not only was it light and easy in these huge mountains, but I probably would have missed about half of these if I was using my 4x5 setup. Also I had fun making some huge panoramas.
Anyways, thanks for looking, and thanks for any comments and/or critiques. I'm glad to be back in snowy Colorado!
I just found the gallery a few minutes ago, Jack, and it's staggeringly awesome. The kea is my favorite of course, because almost nothing in the universe is as cool as a carnivorous, burrowing mountain parrot. But I doubt I could settle on a second favorite. MacKinnon Pass, maybe. The panos are amazing. Good to have you back!
Wild collection, Jack! Thanks to you, my eyes just exploded all over my display!
Exceptional work here ~ a few faves: Matukituki Pano, Waimakariri SR, Glenorchy, MacKinnon Pass, Te Anau Rainbow. No particular order and every image could carry the story your photographic journey.
Did you mostly stay in huts? Marla once had a mouse run across her face in a hut on the Rees-Dart Tramp. That was awesome for her!
Cheers and pass the Vegemite, mate!
Posted by Tom Kennon on December 15, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Wow, Jack, your pictures are incredible! It is really hard to pick a favorite, they are all so good.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on December 15, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Awesome, especially the panoramas.
Thanks for sharing the adventure.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on December 15, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Great work Jack. Hopefully the trip will return some good dividends. Wanaka Sunrise is a unique photo, or at least something you don't see in our neighborhood. MacKinnon Pass and Lake Matheson are also among my favorites of the selection you've presented. I'm sure that trip is one you'll remember.
Mel-
Posted by Joshua Hardin on December 15, 2008 at 5:07 PM
An awe-inspiring collection Jack. Looks like a trip of a lifetime. All are awesome, but my favs are the Te Anau Rainbow, Wanaka sunrise and panoramic as well as the Mt. Cook Mist shot posted above. Congrats on bringing home some beautiful image from your visit.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on December 15, 2008 at 5:12 PM
I was wondering why we hadn't heard from you in awhile. Jack, your portfolio is incredible! You are truly a master of mountain photography.
Posted by Grant Collier on December 15, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Oh man, these are nice. I'm heading to New Zealand in February, so this gets me even more excited. Unfortunately, I won't be there nearly as long but I will be in some of the same areas you visited.
Jack,
Gorgeous work and enjoyed your blog too. Have a good friend returning from NZ this week and I've forwarded your gallery link. too many good one's to pick out a favorite but I was immediately struck by MacKinnon Pass and Mt. Balloon. Again, great work. Your lightweight camera rig really was a great choice as it (and you) sure brought out the best.
Posted by Roger Rouch on December 15, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Jack, As usual you trip photos are just great! Interesting camera choice. Hard to pick any favorites, but one that I really like is Xenicus Reflection. Thanks for showing these to us.
Posted by Paul Martin on December 15, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Wow, Jack-- beautiful work. I can't imagine how satisfying a trip that must have been, you came away with some fantastic images and probably the memories to equal them.
Posted by Morris McClung on December 15, 2008 at 6:44 PM
We've been anticipating these, and obviously for good reason. Impossible to pick a favorite. They are all marvelous. Memories for a lifetime.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on December 15, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Welcome back, Jack! Beautiful collection! This fuels the fire to get down there someday. It's a beautiful country and you've done it justice!
Posted by Les Barstow on December 15, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Absolutely stunning, Jack. As per your exceptional standard, the lighting on the mountain scenes is masterful!
Posted by Jody Grigg on December 15, 2008 at 7:35 PM
Dude, when you going to post the good stuff on your website............just kidding, very cool stuff.
Posted by Rick Dunn on December 15, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Looks like a remarkable experience, Jack. Won't even try to pick a fav - you've got numerous stunning shots, and the portfolio as a whole is incredible. You've probably inspired half the crowd here to head to NZ at the nearest opportunity!
Posted by John Mumaw on December 15, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Excellent portfolio of images!
Reading your blog helped add some insight into much of your work, as well..
BTW, I think you folks did a terrific job with Michael Anderson's online gallery.
See this older thread for details.
Posted by Rand Herman on December 15, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Jack, as always, your images are incredible! Really nice work.
Posted by John Klotz on December 15, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Exquiste work as always Jack! Lake Matheson Reflection is excellent!
John
Posted by Jeremy Week on December 15, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Just what i need another location to add to the list!!
RichieV
Posted by Jeremy Kessler on December 15, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Really beautiful collection of photos.
Posted by Kevin Trinkner on December 16, 2008 at 7:25 AM
Fantastic work Jack, looks like an awesome adventure. I will have to read through your blog to get some more details on your journey.
Kevin
Posted by Paul Beiser on December 16, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Welcome home, Jack. I loved perusing your stunning set of photos.
Posted by Phillip Noll on December 16, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Wow! Incredible collection of images! Sounds like quite an adventure. I'm envious! A friend of mine leaves in 2 weeks for 3 weeks in NZ and I sent him to your website. He's been drooling all over his keyboard and is now even more psyched about his trip!
Posted by Nick Moore on December 16, 2008 at 9:24 AM
Awesome collection Jack!, reminds me of my 3 weeks I spent there in 2007 - and makes me very envious to go back!!. Aren't those Kea's nosey birds!!.
Posted by Peter Jalkotzy on December 16, 2008 at 9:55 AM
simply astonishing. excellent excellent in so many respects. Awe inspiring and all the other words everyone else has used. thank you for sharing this with us.
one quick question about your E-420: Did you really use that tiny VF the whole time? or the Live View LCD?
(I'm using Oly too)
Posted by Don Grall on December 16, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Just amazing imagery once again! Mount Cook Mist and Mackinnon Pass are my top two favs. It appears you spent most of your time at the higher elevations, and given your love of mountains, and the awesome views you attained,I totally understand! What kind of temperatures did you experience?
Posted by Lance Warley on December 16, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Incredible.
Great stuff, Jack.
Lake Matheson is my favorite. Incredible body of work from just one trip.
Posted by Jack Brauer on December 16, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Thank you all for the kind comments!
Dave - Yeah I mostly stayed in the huts. I brought my tent down there, but only used it on 2 trips.
Grant - Have fun in NZ in Feb! Let me know if you have any questions.
BP - Yeah I really used that tiny viewfinder. At least it's really bright. And, in a way, it allows me to see the composition in a more abstract manner (ok the glass is half full). I used the live view LCD to focus in lower light situations when the autofocus might falter.
Don - Yes, I am attracted to the summits, passes, and ridges like a fly to sh.... The temps weren't too bad - think camping in Colorado in the fall... that's about as cold as it got.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on December 16, 2008 at 1:52 PM
You really captured the essence of NZ with your portfolio. Snowy peaks, low hanging clouds, incredible greens...I like these a lot! I was sent there for work related purposes some 20 years ago and would kill to go back solely for photographic purposes. Until that happens, I'll live vicariously through your shots!
Posted by Stan Rose on December 16, 2008 at 7:37 PM
A stunning collection, Jack!! My favs are the Te Anau rainbow, waimakariri sunrise, and misty fiord--all killer shots!
Posted by Adam Schallau on December 16, 2008 at 11:27 PM
An amazing set of images, Jack. I especially like the evening shot of Queenstown.
Discussion
35 repliesI just got back to Colorado last week after almost 2 months down in New Zealand! I pretty much spent the whole time in the mountains of the South Island, hiking like crazy and taking lots of photos.
After numerous late nights this last week, I've sorted through over 3200 images and have posted my favorites on my site.
Check them out! http://www.widerange.org/gallery.php?gallery=newzealand
These were all taken with an Olympus E-420 w/ 12-60mm lens. I really dug this system for this trip: not only was it light and easy in these huge mountains, but I probably would have missed about half of these if I was using my 4x5 setup. Also I had fun making some huge panoramas.
Anyways, thanks for looking, and thanks for any comments and/or critiques. I'm glad to be back in snowy Colorado!
Exceptional work here ~ a few faves: Matukituki Pano, Waimakariri SR, Glenorchy, MacKinnon Pass, Te Anau Rainbow. No particular order and every image could carry the story your photographic journey.
Did you mostly stay in huts? Marla once had a mouse run across her face in a hut on the Rees-Dart Tramp. That was awesome for her!
Cheers and pass the Vegemite, mate!
Thanks for sharing the adventure.
Mel-
Gorgeous work and enjoyed your blog too. Have a good friend returning from NZ this week and I've forwarded your gallery link. too many good one's to pick out a favorite but I was immediately struck by MacKinnon Pass and Mt. Balloon. Again, great work. Your lightweight camera rig really was a great choice as it (and you) sure brought out the best.
Reading your blog helped add some insight into much of your work, as well..
BTW, I think you folks did a terrific job with Michael Anderson's online gallery.
See this older thread for details.
John
Just what i need another location to add to the list!!
RichieV
Kevin
one quick question about your E-420: Did you really use that tiny VF the whole time? or the Live View LCD?
(I'm using Oly too)
Great stuff, Jack.
Lake Matheson is my favorite. Incredible body of work from just one trip.
Dave - Yeah I mostly stayed in the huts. I brought my tent down there, but only used it on 2 trips.
Grant - Have fun in NZ in Feb! Let me know if you have any questions.
BP - Yeah I really used that tiny viewfinder. At least it's really bright. And, in a way, it allows me to see the composition in a more abstract manner (ok the glass is half full). I used the live view LCD to focus in lower light situations when the autofocus might falter.
Don - Yes, I am attracted to the summits, passes, and ridges like a fly to sh.... The temps weren't too bad - think camping in Colorado in the fall... that's about as cold as it got.