New Zealand In November

[Redford01]

My wife and I will be spending November in New Zealand, beginning on the North Island and continuing on to the South Island. I will be shooting 8 x 10 chromes and am looking for any advice on locations, best times of the day, etc. Mainly interested in landscapes. Thanks in advance for all the suggestions. PS. I did find the former thread on South Island.

Randy

 

[Sean]

I still don't know the good spots yet but John McCallum should be able to help. We are both close to Auckland so if you are interested we could plan a few shoots. John seems to know many incredible secret spots so I just tag along with him.

 

[roteague]

My wife and I will be spending November in New Zealand, beginning on the North Island and continuing on to the South Island. I will be shooting 8 x 10 chromes and am looking for any advice on locations, best times of the day, etc. Mainly interested in landscapes. Thanks in advance for all the suggestions. PS. I did find the former thread on South Island.

Randy

Hi Randy,

I was on the South Island last October. Feel free to PM me with any questions you might have. I'm not sure what your interests are, so I don't know what kind of suggestions to make, other than bring your film from home - I don't know if you can get anything bigger than 4x5 outside of Christchurch. You can see some of the images I took last year at: http://www.visionlandscapes.com/Gallery.aspx?Gallery=New%20Zealand

 

[ian leeden]

Hi Randy,
both North and South Islands offer a vast range of landscape photo opportunities ... I photograph a lot in both Islands and South has the greatest range of things to see.
Let me know your favourite types of subject and I`ll give you a list some good locations to visit.
The main limitation will of course be lack of time . November is quite a good choice of time of the year though a little earlier would be better if you like snowy mountains in your photos.
ian

 

[John McCallum]

Hi Randy. Helpful people answered already, but happy to throw my hat in, as it were. If you have specific ideas in mind of the kind of landscape you'd like to photograph, then can offer suggestions of places and times to get the best results.

OTOH if you just want good representations of New Zealand landscape, then there is a whole bunch if good spots I'd be happy to tell you about.

Few points worth noting:

Robert's suggestion of bringing film with you is a good one. As I'm sure you're aware, 8x10 transp is not stocked everywhere. It will save you time if you don't have to go looking for it.

If you are a by-the-boot-of-the-car-shooter, there are about a million opportunities.

If you can hoof it 10 mins walk from the car, there are about a zillion opportunities.

If you can hoof it 1/2-1 hr each way, there are about a kazillion zillion opportunities.

Well you get the idea ... opportunities can* go up exponentially, relative to the distance from the car. But we cater to suit .

* (but not necessarily).

As Robert and Ian mentioned, the South Island is great photography particularly. I really enjoy photographing there. But there are many excellent places in the North also. Specifically, white/black sand dunes, old beech forests, lakes, 'desert' tussock, volcanic plateaus, wild woolly coastline ... or sheep ... or people.

What are you interested in?

 

[ian leeden]

Hi John,
whereabouts are you ? Auckland ?
I travel up and down the country quite often would you like to meet up sometime ?
Cheers, ian

 

[roteague]

John is in Auckland.

 

[John McCallum]

Hi Ian, yep JAFA. Would be pleased to meet up.

Robert knows. We had the pleasure of meeting when he was over here recently. Had a whale of a time with Sean, up at a current favourite photo haunt.
Cheers, John.

 

[ian leeden]

Hi Robert,
When I last contacted you I was in coastal Otago..... I have moved to Central Otago so I`m now closer to my favourite photographic locations, I beleive you have visited this area a few times ?
Are you planning to come to NZ again
ian

 

[roteague]

Hi Robert,
When I last contacted you I was in coastal Otago..... I have moved to Central Otago so I`m now closer to my favourite photographic locations, I beleive you have visited this area a few times ?
Are you planning to come to NZ again
ian

Hi Ian,

Where in Central Otago are you living?

Coming back to Central Otago is always on the top of my mind. I have a long time friend that lives near Alexandria (and works for CODC). I also know a photographer living near Wanaka, Gilbert van Reenen, but I think he gone mostly digital these days. When I saw him last year he was showing me his Canon 5D.

I've got it in my mind to walk the Central Otago Rail Trail someday, but I don't know when. But, I'll keep you in mind the next time I come down. Perhaps, I can talk John and Sean from Auckland to come down as well.

Robert

 

[dario]

Hi Randy - I'm in Wellington. The weather cleared today, as it usually does, with a dying southerly. So the air was crisp and clear, and the light from the low, almost-winter sun was fantastic. Most of the time the weather is from the northwest and the air is less clear - dust from Australia - so be ready for it when the weather is from the south. If you've not been here before, you'll notice the wind - all the time virtually, especially in Wellington, and especially in October, November. Bring your best tripod. The most dramatic landscapes are in the South. Regards.

 

[ian leeden]

Hi Robert,
I`m just outside Roxburgh, it`s about 30 km from Alexandra. You may have driven through it ....it`s on the main state highway from Dunedin to Queenstown and before you reach Alex.

I`ve walked bits of the rail trail.... I should do some more as it`s very easy walking to get into some great bits of country.

Ian

 

[P C Headland]

Randy,

As others have said, there are a huge number of photographic opportunities, ranging from deserted coastlines, volcanoes, bush (forest), mountains, lakes, etc. During November, expect all kinds of weather, even on the same day!

Apart from the locations you will have already read about in this and other threads, there are some great locations around the east coast (Tauranga to Gisborne), the central volcanic plateau, plus the southern coasts of the North Island round the Wairarapa and also around Wellington if you want something a little wilder. In the South Island, the North West offers Nelson Lakes, Abel Tasman and the Marlborough Sounds. Some good wine & beer too

What sort of route do you plan on taking? Are you planning on flying between the two islands, or are you going to take the ferry?

Enjoy your trip.

 

[roteague]

Hi Robert,
I`m just outside Roxburgh, it`s about 30 km from Alexandra. You may have driven through it ....it`s on the main state highway from Dunedin to Queenstown and before you reach Alex.

I`ve walked bits of the rail trail.... I should do some more as it`s very easy walking to get into some great bits of country.

Ian

Hi Ian,

I've driven through that area, but not on my most recent trip. I saw some really beautiful country along the Clutha river, so I hope to go back through there someday, preferably in the fall.