In this Focus Blog interview, Focus Member and Treasurer, Mark Godfrey shares his experience on the Autumn Photography tour of the Iconic South Island of New Zealand with Ray Jennings and John Armytage.
John Armytage, award winning landscape photographer has teamed up with Ray Jennings, winner of the Epson Pano Awards for 2017, to provide photography tours and education workshops. John and Ray provide photography tours to locations in Australia and New Zealand including Norfolk Island, Tasmania, Port Stephens NSW and the South Island of New Zealand.
Mark’s image of Glenorchy.
What inspired you to attend the trip?
I’d been many times to the Queenstown – Tekapo – Mt Cook – Wanaka areas in New Zealand on fly-fishing trips but these were always in the summer months and I had never photographed seriously in those areas. Fishing and photography don’t mix well, and John and Ray’s trip covered that area (and more) during autumn. Also, the trip was set up to visit locations that were easily accessible.
Can you tell us a bit about the trip?
The trip was from 20 to 28th April 2019 but it was recommended to arrive in Christchurch on the 19th for an evening shoot, also it was an early start on the 20th. The shooting locations were well planned but with plenty of time in between to stop along the road, just about anywhere you stop in NZ will give you a shot if the light is right.
After the Banks Peninsula near Christchurch in the evening of the 19th we started the trip proper with a sunrise shoot at New Brighton Pier in Christchurch and then set of for Tekapo for the Church of the Good Shepard and Lake Tekapo, stopping often along the way. Then Queenstown for a few nights to take in Queenstown gardens, an evening shoot over Queenstown from the skyline gondola and of course ‘that tree’ at Lake Wanaka.
From Queenstown we did early morning shoots at Glenorchy and Moke Lake and a trip to Arrowtown. Then off to Te Anau and Milford Sound and finally back to Queenstown to fly home. The accommodation that Ray and John selected was excellent (Tekapo, Queenstown, Te Anau) as were the restaurants that were selected for dinners and breakfasts.
What was the highlight of the trip?
The best locations for me were Glenorchy and Moke Lake. Mainly because we were the only people (photographers) at those locations. Of course, the iconic locations such as the Wanaka Tree and the Church of the Good Shepheard were good too but as you’d expect there were a lot of other photographers there, and that was an interesting experience! As we drove along stopping to photograph the light and, in the case of the Milford Highway, the mist, on the mountains was also wonderful.
On the Milford Highway
Can you tell us one thing you learnt on the trip?
One thing? No. Several things: Plan but expect change. If it is cold batteries don’t last long – take several, make sure they are charged. For panoramas make sure the tripod head is level but if you muck it up photoshop/lightroom MAY (or not) be able to help. Make sure you know your camera; you can’t expect others to know the intimate functions of all camera brands, but they can often help, so ask. Don’t nod off in the car, you’ll miss something. Take plenty of cards, don’t format them till you are home and have downloaded them all and made backups of your images. Ask the tour leaders for help with exposure and compositions all the time.
Do you have any recommendations for any other Focus members considering this trip in the future?
Autumn (mid-April) is the best time of year to go but realise the weather (and the time for the best Autumn colour) is fickle. Arrive in Christchurch the day before as recommended by John and Ray. It would be good to stay on in Queenstown after the trip and re-visit some of the locations.
What is your favourite photo from the trip?
One photo is hard to pick. A selection of 35! Is here.
If I must pick one, it’s Moke Lake:
Mark’s image of Moke Lake, Queenstown
Mark Godfrey is a long time and forever student of photography for, coming up to, about 40 years!
See Mark’s images at:
For further information on Ray Jennings and John Armytage photography tours visit https://www.johnarmytagephotography.com.au/.
Focus Plus members receive a discount on selected tours.