Travel photographers guide to New Zealand south island
New Zealand's South Island is a photographer's paradise, offering some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. With a campervan, you can explore the island at your own pace, capturing its natural beauty through your lens. Here is a photographer's guide to the South Island, starting from the south coast and heading towards the west coast.
Nugget Point Lighthouse: Located in the Catlins, Nugget Point is a popular spot for photographers due to its picturesque lighthouse and stunning coastal views. Make sure to visit during sunrise or sunset for the best light.
Curio Bay: A little further south in the Catlins, Curio Bay is known for its resident pod of endangered Hector's dolphins. Photographers can capture the dolphins playing in the surf and the unique petrified forest on the beach.
Cathedral Caves: These natural sea caves on Waipati Beach can only be accessed at low tide, but the effort is well worth it for photographers. The caves offer dramatic lighting and composition opportunities.
Milford Sound: No trip to the South Island would be complete without a visit to Milford Sound. Photographers can capture the iconic Mitre Peak, as well as waterfalls, wildlife, and the fiord's ever-changing weather conditions.
Wanaka: This picturesque town on the shores of Lake Wanaka is a popular destination for photographers. The lake's calm waters reflect the surrounding mountains, providing endless composition possibilities. Make sure to visit the famous Wanaka Tree, which is a popular subject for photographers.
Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier: These two glaciers on the west coast are a must-visit for photographers. You can capture the glaciers from various vantage points, including helicopter rides, guided hikes, and scenic flights.
Hokitika Gorge: This stunning gorge is known for its bright turquoise water and surrounding native bush. Photographers can capture the striking color contrast between the water and the surrounding greenery.
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks: These unique limestone formations on the west coast are a popular subject for photographers. The rocks resemble stacks of pancakes, and the surrounding blowholes offer dramatic shooting opportunities.
Arthur's Pass: This mountain pass provides access to some of the South Island's most stunning alpine landscapes. Photographers can capture mountain vistas, waterfalls, and the unique flora and fauna of the area.
Kaikoura: This coastal town is known for its resident population of sperm whales, as well as other marine life such as seals and dolphins. Photographers can capture these animals in their natural habitat, as well as stunning coastal landscapes.
We also visited Mt Cook and found Tasman Glacier it was a mind blowing experience and as a photographer I couldn’t put the camera down. Check out some of the images bellow.
Castle Hill, also known as Kura Tawhiti by the indigenous Maori Tribe Ngai Tahu, is one of the most popular stops on the scenic Arthur’s Pass Drive. Visiting this geological wonder serves much more than the usual pit stop, with plenty of things to do and much to learn about New Zealand’s geology and history.
A campervan trip across the South Island is an excellent way for photographers to experience New Zealand's natural beauty. Make sure to pack your camera gear and plenty of batteries, as you'll undoubtedly be snapping photos at every turn.
Below are some inspiring images I captured while exploring New Zealand, showcasing the breathtaking beauty that awaits you. Everywhere you turn, there are photo opportunities waiting to be seized, and many of these photos were taken from the driver's seat through the side window. I encourage you to embark on your own journey to experience the magnificence of New Zealand firsthand.
My equipment for travel photography
The photography equipment you decide to bring on your trip might significantly affect the quality of your images if you're a photographer. Here are some suggestions for high-quality photographic equipment for your visit to New Zealand's South Island:
1- Bring a good camera that can operate in a variety of lighting conditions, including dimly lit areas. It is advised to use a full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera with at least 24 megapixels and good low-light capabilities. I always take a backup camera body just incase.
2- Pack a selection of lenses to accommodate various focus lengths and shooting scenarios. While a zoom lens can be helpful for capturing wildlife and activity, a wide-angle lens is best for taking pictures of landscapes and architecture. Portraits and low-light photography benefit greatly from a fast prime lens with a wide aperture.
3- Tripod: A reliable tripod is necessary for taking precise pictures, particularly in low-light conditions. For simple setup and adjustment, look for a tripod with a ball head and quick-release plate.
4- Filters: To improve your landscape photographs, think about carrying neutral density and polarising filters. A neutral density filter can cut down on the quantity of light entering the lens, enabling longer exposures, while a polarising filter can eliminate reflections and boost colour saturation.
5- Bring plenty of large-capacity memory cards and backup hard drives so you can store all of your pictures. To ensure quick write rates and reduce the amount of time spent waiting for photographs to be stored, think about utilising fast SD or CF cards. Always shoot a RAW capture and process after editing.
6- Backup storage: By guaranteeing that your photographs are secure and easily available, a backup storage option, such as an external hard drive or a cloud storage service, can provide you piece of mind.
7- Camera Bag: Select a camera bag that will hold all of your equipment, keep it organised, and keep it safe. Choose a bag that is easy to access is comfortable to carry and weather proof.
8- Bring a cleaning kit to keep the dust and debris off of your camera and lenses. To keep your equipment in good shape, include a microfiber cloth, lens cleaning solution, and a blower brush.
9- I always take my laptop and 2 hard drives and keep one at the hotel while out or backup to the cloud at night if possible. Having a way to process and see your captures really inspires you for the next days adventure.
In general, taking high-quality photographic equipment with you on your vacation to the South Island can enable you to take wonderful pictures of New Zealand's natural beauty. But keep in mind that your equipment is just one component of the puzzle. To produce photos that genuinely stand out, be sure to practise and explore. Your creativity and photographic technique are just as vital.
Check this site for inspiration before you set off NATIONAL GEO
Camera and gear I used for this trip - Canon 5d mk3, Canon 70-200mm L IS F4 zoom lens, Canon 24-70mm L F2.8, Second backup Canon body 5d mk2, 4 x 64gb cards, 2 X 1 TB hard drives, 4 Canon batteries, all captures raw and processed in Capture one Pro with some editing in Photoshop. Forgot to say do take your Iphone and grab some BTS video and stills to add to your adventure footage, it just makes so much more interesting and also each image and video has your location within the data. I did take the Insta 360 camera with me on tha Mt Everest trek and it will be part of my kit from now on, amazing capture and video.