Half Dry Lake
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 the dry lake) and I knew I was really risking it as it was completely a new place without any signs. Later after taking sufficient number of photos I realized that 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. I made it at the end after a considerable amount of time. I processed the image fairly enough mainly the contrast,colors and levels and sharpening as I was happy with the raw image itself.
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Jun, 2015Views
4673
Likes
Awards
Contest Finalist in Night Wonders Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Moon Photo Contest
Runner Up in 500 Driftwoods Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in 500 Driftwoods Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Wood In Nature Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Nature At Night Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Love it
Genius
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Categories
CWphotos5
September 07, 2015
I remember your story and how much I loved this capture...what a zinger of a shot! Congratulations!
Nishant-101
September 07, 2015
Yes, CWphotos5, I made some changes to the photo I posted a while back. Thanks for your wonderful comment. :)
nandicmb
September 27, 2015
Congratulations on your Contest Finalist win in Nature At Night Photo Contest!
SylenaWhitaker
December 26, 2015
Quite honestly one of the best photo's I've come across on here it's absolutely stunning. And what a wonderful story of how you got it! I'm sorry you wound up lost.
Nishant-101
December 27, 2015
Thank you Sylena, I am glad you liked my work. That memory still gives me goosebumps, the words can't explain but I am glad I made back safe and sound. :)
PRO
PRO+
SettingSky
June 09, 2016
Absolutely Breathtaking! What a fantastic, edge-of-seat story behind your photo.Very Inspiring.
Platinum
Nishant-101
June 28, 2016
hey Kezza7, the photo didn't win but thanks for your kind words. Much appreciated.
naideneschneider
March 02, 2018
Thanks for referring me to look at this photo of yours :) I'm not one who likes tweeked photo's(mainly cause i don't know how to do it, let alone take great shots haha) But this is Fabulous and your story is certainly interesting, Glad you made it out safe :)
Nishant-101
July 13, 2020
thanks Naidene. that incident will always stay with me.... in a positive way :)
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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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 two shade 10 welding glass which fits my 18-105mm and 24-70mm 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.
