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This was shot somewhere in the middle of nowhere in NZ, near Mt. Cook. I went for a long walk that evening, as it was my last day of stay there and there were s...
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This was shot somewhere in the middle of nowhere in NZ, near Mt. Cook. I went for a long walk that evening, as it was my last day of stay there and there were still places to be discovered. I kept moving forward when I came across this location. Shooting this was the biggest challenge I have ever faced until now. The mud was wet (I wasn't wearing my ggum-boots), was getting attacked by mosquitoes, flies and tiny insects from my flash light (without which I wouldn't have been able to do anything anyways), there was no one around at all, not even a single road (I WAS STANDING AT THE CENTRE OF A DRY LAKE) and I knew I was really risking it as it was completely a new place without any signs.
More bad news is, I was lost. I was somewhere I had no idea about, it got dark, that dead silence and bushes everywhere and I really thought I was not going to make it. For that moment I was worried about my life and less about the images I shot.
I, in-fact, opened up one leg of my tripod and was walking and beating through the bushes in panic. All I could hear then was quacks from far away ducks. No matter how much I try to explain it, but I think it's not possible for me to deliver what I was experiencing back there.
I can certainly give 2 quick advises before you go out to places like this
1) Its very very easy to get lost in places like these(especially in NZ), a water bottle and a mobile phone is a must(I didn't have either).
2) All the bushes looks same at night even if you have a top class torches or any light what so ever. If you are lost they will all look same.
Read less
More bad news is, I was lost. I was somewhere I had no idea about, it got dark, that dead silence and bushes everywhere and I really thought I was not going to make it. For that moment I was worried about my life and less about the images I shot.
I, in-fact, opened up one leg of my tripod and was walking and beating through the bushes in panic. All I could hear then was quacks from far away ducks. No matter how much I try to explain it, but I think it's not possible for me to deliver what I was experiencing back there.
I can certainly give 2 quick advises before you go out to places like this
1) Its very very easy to get lost in places like these(especially in NZ), a water bottle and a mobile phone is a must(I didn't have either).
2) All the bushes looks same at night even if you have a top class torches or any light what so ever. If you are lost they will all look same.
Read less
Apr, 2015Views
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Awards
Runner Up in Into The Moonlight Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Into The Moonlight Photo Contest
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
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Dizbee54
May 16, 2015
You know, lost in the woods at night, the bones of a dead animal, a light in the distance, a cabin in the woods sounds like you were in a horror movie. Fortunately the lake was dried up cause that's where the monsters always come from, you know like Nessie. In fact there in the foreground is that a sea monster.....oh never mind it just a branch. In all honesty I for one am very glad you are safe, because this photograph is superb. A beautiful work of the photographic art form.
Nishant-101
May 17, 2015
:) :) thanks Dizbee54. Honestly I thought I was never going to return back home. But yeah, the attempt was well worth for this image.
CWphotos5
May 17, 2015
Your image is outstanding, and your story had me on pins & needles! Congratulations! I have no sense of direction, so I can easily imagine your fear...I experienced something similar, but it was in broad daylight!
Nishant-101
May 17, 2015
Thanks CWphotos5. That was my first time and I have learnt one good lesson from that incident which is not to take anything for granted.
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was shot in NZ near Glentanner which is around 20 km away from Mt. Cook. This is neither a tourist area nor a well-known location (basically it’s in the middle of nowhere) which adds it to my list of favourite locations to wander. I always try to photograph untouched places which are difficult to find and even if I have no option but to photograph an already much photographed place, I make sure not to photograph it in a way it has been photographed before. (Internet helps me with that during my planning)Time
27th March 2015 I went to Mt. Cook during the day, which itself is a 4 hrs walk (both ways) and another 2 hours photographing it on the way. I made it back home at around 17:00 hrs. I was tired and happy at the same time with the photos I shot of Mt. Cook. Since it was my last day I decided to scout around. After my meal I again decided to go for a walk (irrespective of how much I wanted to crash on my bed for the rest of the day). By 19:30 hrs I charged my camera battery, packed up my gear, got my flashlight and went for another walk. I was taking photos and kept walking step by step until I reached this location. It was already a little late and I knew I was taking the risk of getting lost considering it was a new area with no one around. Now the time was around 21:30 hrs.Lighting
I initially saw a very messy image happening here. The lake was dry and I was standing at the centre of it on wet mud. A dead branch was right next to the water but beautifully lit by the moon light. I could see the mountains far away with snow on them. The reflections of the mountains over the water was visible. The view was unaffected by any kind of light pollution what so ever. There were no towns, street lamps or any major establishment to cause even a minimal light pollution under the radius of 30kms. As much as I wanted to go back home (it was already late and dark), this view was compelling.Equipment
This was shot with Nikon D810 with Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f2.8 G ED lens on, Gitzo Explorer series II tripod with Gitzo series II Magnesium off-centre ball head. I was using Giga T pro 2 remote to take photos.Inspiration
I was initially hoping to capture the Milky Way. Since the day we arrived in New Zealand the weather was always cloudy or rainy especially at nights. Before this evening I was able to photograph the Milky Way just once (on the 3rd night of my stay). I knew I was starting a little early but I wanted to explore the location before I started shooting. When I saw the moon popping out it was a bit disappointing at the start as I was already tired and had pushed myself to come this far. (I did not check the weather forecast for there was limited access to the internet). That was when I consoled myself and started looking for frames to compose with the Moon in it. While I was shooting I was already almost at the centre of the lake. The lake was dry but the mud was getting wetter step by step. I was attacked by masses of mosquitoes, flies and tiny insects that were attracted by my flash light (without which I wouldn't have been able to see anything anyways). The lake had water just a little on the other side as you can see in the image. I was able to see the branch right next to the water but approaching it was a little daunting. And then I asked myself which I usually do whenever I feel lazy “I probably will never come here again to this place for the rest of my life; shouldn't I make the most out of it?” I didn't touch the branch at all and lowered the tripod as much as I could and spent another 15 mins photographing it and captured 7 shots.Editing
Yes, the image was processed in cs6. I used two exposures for the foreground and the background. I used luminosity masking with few basic adjustment layers but with very minimal changes and concluded the image with some noise reduction.In my camera bag
I carry 2 cameras and 4 lenses which are: Nikon D810 (FX) and D7100 (DX), Nikkor AF-S 14-24 and 24-70mm f2.8 G ED lenses, Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f2.8 G ED VR II lens and the last one which I rarely use is AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm 3.5-5.6 zoom lens. I use a Gitzo Explorer series II tripod with Gitzo series II Magnesium off-centre ball head. For shutter release I use Hahnel Giga T Pro II remote control. For Filters I use Hoya circular polarizer, Hoya and Tiffen 10 stop ND filters. I also carry a shade 10 welding glass which fits my 18-105mm lens. I also carry a 3rd party remote for D7100 and last but not least 2 torches 2200 Lm zoomable CREE led and a normal flash light that fits on the head.Feedback
If I have to advise anyone wanting to capture something similar they would definitely need a DSLR with atleast 30 seconds of slower shutter speed with a fast wide angle lens and a steady tripod. If I have to give some real advice to anyone attempting to go to places like this to capture a similar view; let me mention what I haven’t mentioned above and which is the most important aspect and learning curve of my trip there. Shooting this was the biggest challenge I have ever faced until now. Apart from all the issues I have mentioned above; the greatest challenge was getting lost. It was extremely dark and even with my flashlight, the visibility was very limited. I was surrounded by dead silence (apart from quacks of faraway ducks) and bushes everywhere. No matter which path I took I seem to be going round in circles. The weather was freezing and I knew I could not survive out here over night. I really thought I was not going to make it back home. I opened one of the legs of my tripod and was walking and beating through the bushes in panic. I was worried about my life more than the images I had shot. The greatest lesson l learnt that night was that safety came first before anything else. A couple of quick tips before you head out to places like this: 1) Its very very easy to get lost. Always carry a water bottle and a mobile phone; I didn't have either one. 2) All bushes look the same at night even if you have a top class torch and if you are lost they are all going to look same. 3) Travel light weight. 4) Last but not least, be careful and don’t take anything for granted; life can be short.
