AtomicZen: Landscape pixels

I'd confess that I fall in love Lake Tekapo, NZ since my first trip in 2010. Last two weeks I had another chance to visit this lake again. Everything is so beautiful as it was. Wishes to revisit in 2014 : )

Heaven@Tekapo

In december 2011, one month before my birthday, I had a photography trip with my friends in New Zealand. As a photographer, I want to be here, one of the most beautiful places in the world, in order to take the best photo as I could. Then, I'd like to send this photo to my best, beloved mom. I waited until midnight. It was so cold and windy night that made me chill. Unfortunately, one essential factor was out of my control. It was almost full moon night. However, the show must go on : )

This photo was taken with the natural light with about 30 seconds exposure. I setup the camera (Nikon D700 + Carl Zeiss ZF 35mm.) on tripod, then I used Nikon SB-900 speedlight for manually shooting the foreground. Taking Long exposure photo allowed me to walk and fill light with the flash for several times. If my memory served, I set up the flash about 1/16 or 1/32 power then fired 5-6 times from foreground to the church--the Church of the Good Shepherd. The favourite shot looked like a scene from childhood fairy tales. And, I hope this will be the greatest gift to my mom.

On my birthday, 16 January 2012, I sent this photo to my mom and wrote this message to her:

"Dear Mom, I cannot thank you enough for all your always supporting and believing in me. I would not be the person I am today without your constant patience, guidance and love. Thank Mom!! For giving me birth : ) Love you so much."

<u>Note</u>
If you are interested in buying one of my photos, you could visit ===> <u><a target="_blank" title="My online gallery" href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/atomiczen">
my online gallery</a></u>

A photographer' s gift for his mom

Never too late to fall in love, especially, for this location--Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. I was impressed with lake Tekapo and its surroundings since my first NZ trip in 2010. At that time, we only spent one night at this area that make me so sad. Why I didn't spend several nights here? This location is totally a heaven on the earth!! Russell lupine is an amazing, exotic plant blooming from Nov. to Jan. every year. It is so beautiful.

Hence, this year I planned to stay at lake Tekapo for two nights. After spending almost 4 hours taking star trails last night and having only 2 hours on bed, I was deadly sleepy but I had to wake up early in the morning, 0430AM. Finally, it was my best luck of that day as it was very beautiful morning. The sky turned pink and magenta for only 5 minutes that was enough time to me to capture this great moment.

“Good morning, lake Tekapo. You never let me down. This morning was so beautiful,” I though.

Sunrise@Lake Tekapo

Let's have a campfire party to celebrate incoming new year 2012 : )

*Taken this photo at Kinloch beside Lake Wakatipu, south island, New Zealand on December 2011

***Thank you for all of your support and vote for this photo

Let's campfire party : )

Never too late to fall in love, especially, for this location--Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. Last two year, December 2010, we visit Lake Tekapo for only one night that make me so sad that why I didn't spend several night here. Heaven on the earth!! Russell lupine is an amazing, exotic plant blooming from Nov. to Jan. at this place every year. In this picture, Church of the Good Shepherd is located in the background framing with blooming Russell lupines. My best luck of that day was that I work up early in the morning, 0430AM, and had a great opportunity to take photo of the moment.

<u>Note</u>
If you are interested in buying one of my photos, you could visit ===> <u><a target="_blank" title="My online gallery" href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/atomiczen">
my online gallery</a></u>

Tranquil lake

Taking this photo at Tutoko valley, Milford sound, New zealand. Light and shadow in this scene are amazing performance of the nature. ***Happy new year 2012

Light dance

After storm, the sky is always beautiful. Half an hour ago we experienced totally grey sky over Banks penninsula, New Zealand. We hoped the sky would turn to be colourful at the end. Who knows? Finally, we were rewarded by the nature, the most beautiful, colourful sky in my life. I took this photo about 180s by using big stopper, 10 stops reduction.

Yummy candy sky : )

This photo was taken on Hooker Valley track, Mt. Cook. After 30 minutes walking, I experienced a stunning view of Mt. Cook and a river. It is incredibly beautiful.

I walked around in order to find the best spot to take photo. Sometimes the peak of Mt. Cook was covered by those clouds. I need to wait for the next chance. Finally, I found the best location. I would like to capture the movement of the water in low angle view. Water was so cool. I stood in the water as limited space there. Numbness gradually appeared on both of my feet.

I waited almost 20 minutes until those clouds scattered and discovered the peak of Mt. Cook. I finished this photo using 10-stop reduction, Big stopper in order to slow my speed shutter from 1/30s. to 30s. Unfortunately, later, strong wind came and the peak was totally disappear for hours.

Thanks God. I was so lucky : )

<u>Note</u>
If you are interested in buying one of my photos, you could visit ===> <u><a target="_blank" title="My online gallery" href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/atomiczen">
my online gallery</a></u>

Flowing paradise

In December 2011, I spent two night at Milford Sound for my vacation. At night, we planned to hunt the stars at Mitre peak. Unfortunately, one essential factor was out of my control. It was almost full moon night. However, the show must go on : ) This photo was taken with the natural light with about 12 minute exposure x 3 shots. After the last shot, it was too bright to take long exposure because the moon was large and got higher position by the night. I wish to have next chance to revisit and take star trail photo at this awesome place again in next two year. I really look forward to it.

<u>Note</u>
If you are interested in buying one of my photos, you could visit ===> <u><a target="_blank" title="My online gallery" href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/atomiczen">
my online gallery</a></u>

Full moon star trail

I witnessed one of very beautiful sky happening above lake Wakatipu in December 2010 during my trip to Glenorchy. I used 35mm. to take this photo with 5-6 vertical format, then stitching these shots in Photoshop.

<u>Note</u>
If you are interested in buying one of my photos, you could visit ===> <u><a target="_blank" title="My online gallery" href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/atomiczen">
my online gallery</a></u>

Heavenly reflection

The way to Milford Sound is recognised as one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Not only in winter, but also in summer, this path always presents its beauty. Over half million people visit Milford Sound every year and this destination never disappoint us. Driving thru this road is really enjoyable to me. Several gorgeous locations (e.g., Monkey creek, Lake mirror, and the Summit) are along this way. If you have chance to visit this place, only one day and night visit is not enough to taste its beauty. : )

***Note1: This photo was taken from the look-out, west portal of Homer Tunnel.

<u>Note2</u>
If you are interested in buying one of my photos, you could visit ===> <u><a target="_blank" title="My online gallery" href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/atomiczen">
my online gallery</a></u>

Enjoy the Drive

After taking photos at Hooker valley for several hours, I totally forgot the another destination of that day, Tasman glacier. I, then, suddenly, quickly walked back to campground and fast drove directly to the glacier. On my way, I noticed the sky colour was turning to yellow-orange. This change made me feel very anxious. I would like to be there in time of the last light presence, I though!!. After about 20-minute driving and 20-minute rushing and climbing to Tasman glacier lookout, I totally exhausted, but I couldn't rest at all because the last light of the day was going to finish. Luckily, I could capture it for several shots. One of them, presented here, was taken with 370s., f11.0 by employing Lee Bigstopper (10 stops reduction).

<u>Note</u>
If you are interested in buying one of my photos, you could visit ===> <u><a target="_blank" title="My online gallery" href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/atomiczen">
my online gallery</a></u>

Last light

In that windy morning--about 40 km/hr, I took this photo of the Church of the Good Sheperd, located at lake Tekapo, NZ, with two alternatives. Because of the strong wind, Russel rupines strongly flew all the time. The first alternative was taking photo with low shutter speed in order to illustrate the power of the wind. The another alternative was taking photo with higher shutter speed in order to freeze these rupines and made everything in the image stand still. I choose the first one!! I would like to present the beauty of this church while keeping the movement from strong wind.

<u>Note</u>
If you are interested in buying one of my photos, you could visit ===> <u><a target="_blank" title="My online gallery" href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/atomiczen">
my online gallery</a></u>

Windy beauty

$This photo was taken in December 2011 at Monkey creek, located on the way to Milford Sound, New Zealand. In summer, it was totally hot and the sun light was extreme. I wanted to capture the movement of the water, but with the aperture of 11.0 and CPL my lowest speed shutter was only 1/30s. Hence, Lee Big-stopper that can reduce the light about 10 stops was applied in this scene. As a result, I could capture the silky smooth water at speed shutter about 30 seconds. This photo was not applied HDR technique. When applying appropriate filters, we could get a successful shot. Additionally, to control overall sharpness, the maximum f-stop that I usually use in landscape/seascape photo is f11.0 as to avoid the diffraction. In this photo, I focused about 1.2-1.5 m. from camera that was usually the hyper-focus of the lens, 16-35mm. Finally, I set up my camera on tripod in quite low angle that about 4-5 inches above the water level. I needed to clean the filters several times before getting a satisfied shot from this scene. My camera was partly watered, but everything seemed alright.$ @Monkey creek

This photo was taken on Hooker Valley track, Mt. Cook. Although I fear of heights, I am very happy every time I walk in this walking track.

Bridge of Heaven

Bloom

The Show begins!!

Lindis Pass, a beautiful scenic drive view, always drives me crazy. This location is in between Queenstown and Christchurch.

Note: Lee Filter Soft GND 0.6 was used in this shot

<u>Note</u>
If you are interested in buying one of my photos, you could visit ===> <u><a target="_blank" title="My online gallery" href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/atomiczen">
my online gallery</a></u>

Drive me crazy!!!

Taken beside lake Wakatipu@ Kinloch, Queenstown (December 2011)

Note: Singh-Ray Rev. GND 0.9 filter was used in this shot

<u>Note</u>
If you are interested in buying one of my photos, you could visit ===> <u><a target="_blank" title="My online gallery" href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/atomiczen">
my online gallery</a></u>

Indian summer sky

One of my friends suggested that if I have a seat on right-hand side of an airplane heading to Christchurch, New Zealand, I could take scenic aerial photos of Southern Alps and Mt. Cook. Hence, in December 2010, I booked a ticket following his advice. Unfortunately, everyone knew this fact!! All right-side window seats of the airplane were booked : ( However, at that day, I noticed that one window seat was available at the back. I suddenly carried my camera bag and headed to that seat.

This shot of Mt. Cook was taken with 85mm. on Canon 5D. Photos taken from the airplane’ window were terrible. Their colors weren’t quite right as well as sharpness decreased. I try to fixed these issues in Photoshop by adjusting white balance and enhancing some sharpness.

<u>Note:</u> I found that this following link is very useful Photoshop technique for editing a color cast: <a target="_blank" title="Clearing color cast" href="http://blog.vrindawebb.com/2010/03/03/clearing-a-colour-cast/">Clearing color cast: Step-by-step (Created by Vrinda)</a>

Aerial shot of Southern Alps

A beautiful creek near Milford Sound, New Zealand. I took this slow shutter shot by using Lee Big Stopper (10 stops reduction)

A creek near Milford Sound

My first attempt of star trail photography at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. I took each shot at 15minutes (x 5 or 6 shots).

A great mistake of this shot is that I did not take it in VERTICAL format : (

PS: Each photo was imported to Photoshop with the menu: File/scripts/statistics.... After choosing all photos, we need to change stack mode to "Maximum"

Church by night star trail

Taken @ Monkey Creek, Milford Sound, New Zealand on December 2011.

<u>Note1:</u> Lee Big Stopper (10 Stops reduction) and CPL were used in this shot.

<u>Note2:</u> The camera was set on a tripod about 4-5 inches above water level. Most difficult part in taking this shot was cleaning my CPL filter from small splashing water drops. Hence, 2-3 small dry clothes are usually kept in my bag. They are very useful.

<u>Note3:</u> In post processing, I normally employ a lot of curve, level, and Nik software - Color Efex Pro 3.0. In this plugin set, some of them are very helpful, especially (1) tonal contrast, (2) Brilliance/Warmth, (3) Skylight filter**, (4) Polarisation, and (5) Pro contrast. Just play around with this plugins and, may be, you will get an amazing result : )

<u>Note4**:</u> When applying Skylight filter in Nik software, you should aware of Magenta colour cast in the photo. This filter enhance red, yellow, and orange in the shot, but it also adds some magenta. Hence, after applying, we need to delete or mask or desaturate the magenta colour in the photo.

Dreamy creek @ Milford Sound