Mt. John Observatory Photo

Photographer’s Note

This photo was taken at Mount John Observatory, which is New Zealand's premier astronomical observatory. It is situated at 1,031 meters (3,382') ASL atop Mount John at the northern end of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand. The nearest population center is the resort town Lake Tekapo.

There are four telescopes on site and the one picture is one of them. Approximately 20% of nights at in this area are photometric, with a larger number available for spectroscopic work and direct imaging photometry.

University Of Canterbury operates the complex. Clear skies and low levels of local light pollution have helped astronomers put Mt John observatory on the international map with observations and discoveries of the southern sky. There is now an application to make the area a World Heritage. Recently, Mt John had played an major role in part of an international programme to detect and monitor collapsing stars. For over a month, Mt John observatory detected and announced to the astronomical community, two exploding stars approximately 11.5 billion light years away.

Miks, paura, siolaw, edytungkal, ls7902, kevinos, Clementi, cuneyt-sb, Photo65Net, ALIRIZA, Paolo, Budapestman, AiresSantos, snunney, pablominto, delic, jhm, noborders, Zelanda, jlbrthnn, dip, Charo, riclopes, feather, Cretense, bakes888, IgorDeleze, John_F_Kennedy, MLINES, Muse, Scharan, plimrn, zeca, robertosalguero, syd1946, kiks, belido, danos, josepmarin, gildasjan, papagolf21, pboehringer, ChrisJ, Greg1949, evanrizo, chrisnet, sayan, pierrefonds, ekinokswest, Truja has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Miks (1707) 2007-09-13 17:24

You do a good job of situating the edifice in the STUNNING landscape. The asymmetrical compo provides a great combination of a portrait of the dome and a great panorama. It would have been great with some light on the dome. But nothing you could do about this. But perhaps a lower angle would have been good. This way the building would have broken the horizon. Just an idea. It is really good as is.

Best,
Mikkel

dvlazar (6478) 2007-09-13 17:26

Im impressed with the level of detail in the mountain range. THe cloud patterns against the nice blue sky are pleasing.

Great work!
Dave

paura (38410) 2007-09-13 18:57

Renier,
Colors are great in your composition. The mountains, in the background are also very beautiful. well done.

Paulo

siolaw (25734) 2007-09-13 19:14

Hi Renier,
A fine POV including the observatory in the frame and mountain range in the far looks majestic under this dramatic sky. The lake looks frozen! Is it?
Greetings
Laurent

edytungkal (4519) 2007-09-13 19:15

Hello Renier,
Again you have composed a dynamic sky with very interesting mountains view. Nice colours and excellent shot. tfs

daniel

ls7902 (6194) 2007-09-13 19:52

Hello Renier,
Great notes & capture. I like the atmosphere on the ground ... almost feel like a photo from Iceland. Nice sky & clouds to contrast with the moody ground. Have a nice day. Greetings. Latiff.

kevinos (6927) 2007-09-13 21:44

Amazing new Zealand countryside, Renier, with magnificent mountains and an angry sky. It is a good presentation of an interesting scientific site in a wonderful and awe inspiring setting. The composition, with the observatory to the left, leaving the scenery to roll out beside it, is just fine. Regards kevin

UnTrained (0) 2007-09-13 22:58

Hi Renier,
marvelous view and "strange" subject included. Strange, because the artificial origin is here very clear exposed. Wonderful view to the background peaks covered with snow and a great sky above. What about some captures through a telescope? But we are on TE not on TS (TrekSpace) ;-)
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

testmaniac (12118) 2007-09-13 23:00 [Comment]

Show Comment

cuneyt-sb (6559) 2007-09-13 23:23

Hi Renier
what a nice landscape , clouds looks amazing, mounths and lagoon they all great captured,

Congrats TFS
Kind regards

Photo65Net (43084) 2007-09-14 0:39

Renier,
A magnificent landscape, seeming so rough, and this human architecture in the FG adds a lot.
Beautiful, with too an amazing sky.
Regards,
JB.

vincz (19043) 2007-09-14 0:48

Very nice view with the so many snowy mountains in the back, the lake reflecting the light and the beautiful sky. Must be great to be an satronomer!

ALIRIZA (16197) 2007-09-14 1:01

Hi Renier,
An interesting and great POV. Very well composed, cloudy sky, very interesting snowy mountains. Well done my friend...
Have a nice weekend...
Ali Rıza

GREGG (2210) 2007-09-14 1:05

Hello,
great soft light and pastel colours. Beautiful POV and composition.The excellent second plan!
Greeting from Poland
Grzegorz

Paolo (40703) 2007-09-14 1:43

Hi Renier, amazing image, and it's a pity that its a bit small, with a great view over the NZ Alps the beautiful sky and the well composed on the image oservatory.
thanks, ciao

Budapestman (41920) 2007-09-14 2:19

Hi Renier,
This is a fascinating image, atmosphere is fabled. I like the magnificent mountains and the beautiful sky. Lights are very fine, clarity and sharpnes superb. Note is interesting and informative, Very well done! Have a nice weekend
George

AiresSantos (42120) 2007-09-14 2:33

Hi Renier
Wonderful sky in this gorgeous composition. I like your POV and how you framed the picture.
Excellent depth and details
Have a nice day
Aires

snunney (34884) 2007-09-14 2:39

Hello Renier,
A magnificent landscape in this very good composition. The observatory is perfectly positioned in the frame and its rounded form contrasts beautifully with the jagged peaks of the mountains. The cloud filled sky adds much to the atmosphere. Very good tones and clarity.

pablominto (40712) 2007-09-14 3:43

Hello Renier,
A lovely mountain landscape, and like in Norway I observe the tree line is below 1000 m...!
The backlight adds this fine shimmering effect to the water, great snowcapped mountains in the back...
A well composed, well exposed image!
Greetings,
Pablo -

delic (6735) 2007-09-14 3:46

Hi Renier,
Impressive vista with the mountains and the amazing sky. The observatory serves well as a visual anchor in the foreground.
Good work! Regards,
Hakan

jhm (82545) 2007-09-14 4:54

This photo you taked these at Mount John University Observatory, which is New Zealand's premier astronomical observatory.
With a dome middle of the specially area, the dome together with the fantastic cloudy sky care for a wonderful composition.

I wish you a nice weekend,
John.

stefanocer (10404) 2007-09-14 5:12

This panorama is fantastic Renier , compliments also for composition colours and depht of field .
Stefano.

jplebrun (16978) 2007-09-14 5:41

Bon retour Renier,
magnifique panorama que tu présentes sur ce cliché, bien cadré en arrière plan par cette chaine de montagne, beau travail, ;)
Salutations
Jean-Pierre

Clementi (44091) 2007-09-14 5:57

Ciao Renier,
Colors are great in your composition.
fantastic mountain landscape also the sky are pleasing.
good job.
Giorgio

jasmis (50402) 2007-09-14 6:05

Superb severe and wild place shown in extraordinary way. Amazing panorama.
Regards.

noborders (14199) 2007-09-14 9:38

This is a very impressive view, the lake with the shades is splendid, so is the sky, and the fact that you include the observatory brings something different to the photo : congratulations !
Cath.

Zelanda (5692) 2007-09-14 10:39

Hola Renier,
Precioso lugar al que el observatorio en primer plano le da gran profundidad. magníficos colores y gran POV.
Saludos cordiales
Ros

efi (4349) 2007-09-14 11:00

hi renier;
very beautiful sky and snowy mountains and lake.soft light and pastel lovely colors.tfs..

jlbrthnn (37959) 2007-09-14 11:46

Good evening Renier,
Your image is agreeably composed. The view is broad and open on the distance. It is strange to see this telescope making the same thing as you, even if it is a completely different scale. Cheer, beautiful and interesting photo. Good night and good weekend
Cordially
Joel

dip (12584) 2007-09-14 13:52

Hi Renier,
great image,amazing sky and colors,very good POV and interesting note,
very well done!!!
Greetings,
Dimitris.

claire526 (1261) 2007-09-15 20:35

Hi Renier,
Beautiful landscape and what an amazing sky! Well composed image, very sharp and clear.
Cheers,
Clairee

Gerrit (35707) 2007-09-16 2:23

Hi renier,
fantastic landscape and colours.
regards< gerrit

tomorrow

riclopes (33001) 2007-09-16 8:41

Olá Renier, interesting photo and post, showing us this observatory and its importance to the astronomy. The place is amazing and the sky adds a lot of drama. I wonder about a b&w option. A pitty the small format that gives less impact on this view. Well done.
Cheers,
ricardo

devimeuxbe (55865) 2007-09-16 9:10

Hi Renier
it's nice to frame with a large place for the sky.
It give a convergeance with the observatory.
What a wild landscape
HAve a nice day
Bertrand

feather (49860) 2007-09-16 9:30

This is a very interesting and informative post. The observatory is situated in your country's stunning scenery and well composed by you in the bottom left corner. The sky is gorgeous and the light reflected in the lake adds another dimension. Well done
Kath

Cretense (56136) 2007-09-16 13:33

Hi Renier!

A very original, unique post! The place is fantastic and the way you captured it is beyond any "critique". Perfect composition, great light managment, amazing sky! Congratulations!

Hercules

gunbud (27879) 2007-09-16 19:55

Hi Renier,
Great shot of this wilderness lake with many layers of beautiful sky and wonderful depth view of the lake leaving towards the distant mountains.
Regards, Tom

bracasha75 (22117) 2007-09-16 22:44

Hello Renier
Well this is really good place for a observatory and maybe not"today "because cloudy sky but still very good view from there
Cheers,Braca

Stepan (27175) 2007-09-16 23:04

Excellent pov and frame to have a complete view on this gorgeous landscape. It was interesting to have the observatory to produce scale and even mood, but I wish I knew why you cut the building. Except that, the place is amazing.
Stéphane

bakes888 (18207) 2007-09-17 1:15

Hi Renier. Great photo. You have captured the rugged beauty of the McKenzie country well. Great sky and a dusting of snow on the tops adds to the beauty of this shot. Nice work and thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

Charo (31671) 2007-09-17 1:41

Hola Renier,
Fantástico lugar con gran profundidad. Un encuadre magnífico y bonitos colores.
Gran POV.
Cordialmente
Charo

IgorDeleze (9247) 2007-09-17 2:52

Hello Renier,
You catch here a great landscape under a fantastic light, wich makes the lake directly catch the eyes.
I like your composition adding the observatory in the frame.
The sky is also fantastic.
A great shot.
Greetings.
Igor

John_F_Kennedy (31427) 2007-09-17 3:25

Great landscape, fantastic sky and clouds. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

MLINES (10884) 2007-09-17 15:01

Hi Renier. I like the scenery and your crop enhances this well. Good clarity and notes. This NZ alpine scenery is wonderful to see through your lens. TFS. Murray.

Graal (57941) 2007-09-17 22:57

Hi Renier,
interesting place and view. Friends all told You. I like it also. Good work.
Gr., Aleksander

hay_kes (28562) 2007-09-18 0:15

Hi Reinier,
Very good panoramic view.Great POV and perspective.Nice sky.TFS.
Regards.

hAyAti

brevbrev14 (372) 2007-09-18 0:32

Hi Renier, this place seems out of this world..
good to see the detail of the observatory..
well done!
ciao!
Valeria

Muse (31007) 2007-09-18 2:17

Bonjour Renier,
Vraiment impressionnant. Superbe photo et ciel magnifiques. Le pov est très bien choisi et donne une grande profondeur à ce superbe panorama.
Excellente journée
Denise

barrufeto_77 (25809) 2007-09-18 3:26

Hi Renier.

The view is...amazing! Excellent cloudy sky!

My compliments!

Rgs, Oscar

jaywalker (12190) 2007-09-18 11:46

Hi Renier, This area looks very barren, the Observatory looks lonely although the backdrop of mountains are wonderful, you have captured the light very well & a great sky, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

Scharan (13951) 2007-09-18 18:03

Olá Renier

Um cenário magnífico muito bem registrado em uma bela composição.
Lindo e atraente céu...cores excelentes.
GA
Vera

zeca (20026) 2007-09-18 20:19

Very nice shot, Renier! The foreground show us this interesting dome of the observatory and the background is just stunning. What a beautiful landscape! Excellent composition! Well done!
Regards,
Zeca

plimrn (19656) 2007-09-18 20:59

Hi Renier,
The observatory adds to the exellent DOF. It's cool that it is the only man-made thing in the vast mountain landscape. Those clouds demand the big sky. HLJ, Pat

robertosalguero (110) 2007-09-19 2:30

Spectacular setting for this observatory. The view here is rugged and desolation seem to be good for this building. Nice cloud formations and light. The colours are soft but is an effective image with good balance overall. Thanks Renier.

Roberto

syd1946 (17901) 2007-09-19 5:56

Hello Renier,
It looks like a place from other planet!
The field of depth and perspective to the far mountains is amazing and the light conditions adding much more to the atmosphere.Splendid work!

wishes,
Thomas

Gustaw (21670) 2007-09-20 1:48

Hi, my friend!
It is very interesting photo with good composition. I like your colours and light. Nice composition. Well done. Beautiful view.
Marek

Nicou (44829) 2007-09-20 2:24

hello l'ami,

que de merveilles en nouvelle Zélande, la mer, les montagnes, les paysage, vous avez tout vous êtres bien gâtés.
mangifique compo.

Merci et amitiés

Nicou

kiks (6073) 2007-09-20 5:06

Hi Renier, thank you for showing us this place that i've never eard of! Very intersting note also. About the image i found it beautiful composed showing us well the location. At my opinion the light is not perfectly balanced. The sky seems to me a bit overexposed and the fg a bit to dark. What is your opinion?
TFS and Kind regards
Kiks

adores (15527) 2007-09-20 15:31

Hi Renier!
This must be a great place. Very good composition! I like the space you gave to these wonderful clouds and the mountains seem to small comparing to them.Sharp and with a very good light!

belido (16493) 2007-09-21 7:50

Hi Renier,

happy is the guy who works in a place where you have a view like this. Very nice capture showing a little of this amazing place. I also like the clouds formation and the effective light mamagement/sharpness (meaning dof). Great work!
Regards,
Carlos

danos (32468) 2007-09-21 11:02

Hello Renier,
nice the view of this astronomical observatory.I like the placement in the capture as the splendid blue sky.The lake on the right complete and balance your shot.Excellent the colours and the light.Informative your note too.Well done Renier.

Have a nice weekend,Danos

tabora (13638) 2007-09-21 14:23

Bonsoir Renier,
les tons sont magnifiques et la vue impressionnante,le paysage a une grande profondeur,et l'observatoire semble si petit.
A+
Joseph

josepmarin (33785) 2007-09-21 14:51

Hi Renier,
A great landscape in a very deep composition and with great quality of image. The observatory in foreground is outlined on a splendid background, with the beautiful mountains and the lake, that they compete in beauty with a very nice sky.
Well done.
Best regards,
Josep

gildasjan (23779) 2007-09-22 2:06

Bonjour Renier
Très belles tonalités de bleu pour cette réalisation de l'observatoire.Cette dominante se marie bien avec la couleur du sol.
Bel ouvrage.
Bonne journée.
Amicalement
Gildas

jurek1951 (25996) 2007-09-22 11:26

Hi Renier,
Very interesting perspective and lovely colours.Nice light and contrast.
Georg

pboehringer (770) 2007-09-22 18:18

Renier,
a very good place for interesting photograpy. Distant from any civilization, air pollution and nocturnal light pollution. The landscape is awsome and shows exactly this seclusion. It certainly would be an interesting place to have some blue hour shots with the observatorium open, the telescope coming out and the sky showing some stars spotted or moving.
Regards, Peter

papagolf21 (56367) 2007-09-23 0:39

Bonsoir, cher Renier,
Les louanges données à travers les diverses critiques sont tout à fait méritées.
Comme les autres amis de TE, j'admire la beauté des lieux. Un endroit où l'on peut voir le ciel étoilé dans de très bonnes conditions.
Amitiés.
Philippe

toto (18709) 2007-09-23 6:26

Belle photo de cet observatoire,belle prise de ce poste,les herbes, ou tourbe a l' avant, ces montagnes ou glaciers a l' arrière plan donne une très bonne profondeur de champ. Grande netteté sur toute cette profondeur, ce qui laisse apercevoir pas mal de détails. Amitiés Thomas
je reviens

ChrisJ (70231) 2007-09-24 4:57

Hi Renier

A marvellous tonal range in the sky with nice repetition of the fluffy white clouds. I like the low horizon in the bottom of the frame & the 1/2 dome of the observatory at left. Tfs!

Angshu (33645) 2007-09-24 21:00

Hello Renier
This picture looks 3D. What a lovely place for the observatory! The shimmering lake, the snowcapped mountains in the BG & the amazing rolling clouds..great backdrop for the observatory. Great shot!
Regards
Angshu

Greg1949 (8507) 2007-09-25 20:18

Renier, what amazing landscape, color and detail are fantastic but the pov is otherworldly. The snow on the distant mountains give them a dimension they wouldn't otherwise have. Great shot.

Greg

evanrizo (456) 2007-09-27 3:34

Hi Renier, a photo with very atmospheric lightness and very good placed the building.
A very nice place with strong impress for an observatory.
Cheers
Evan

leonorkuhn (13561) 2007-09-28 12:19

Hi Renier,

The Observatory is located in a very nice place. Splendid panorama with the mountains in the background, nice lakes and a superb cloudy sky. Excellent composition.

Well done!
Leonor

chrisnet (20374) 2007-09-29 4:01

Hello Renier,
A nice mountain landscape and a amazing sky, the observatory is well placed at the left foreground, well done.
Regards
Christian

jmcl (13809) 2007-09-29 16:19

Hi Renier,

This is one of those images that the sunset does not do justice to .. The mountains are tremendous . the layers work well .. as does the way dark moves to bright .. I think I might crop the bottom off to the white dome though .. very nice.

take care,

John

sayan (2609) 2007-10-01 5:54

hi renier,

What a wonderful landscape. Superb! The clouds are also awesome. The light is a bit harsh, but you managed it well. Also, you did a great job in keeping the observatory.

Regards

Sayan

danyy (68778) 2007-10-02 3:45

Bonjour Renier,
le ciel est magnifique et c'est ce qui m'a fait m'arrêter sur cette photo.
Il occupe une place de choix dans le composition.
La photo est bien cadrée et la sous-exposition bienvenue.
Regards.
Daniel

marietom (31944) 2007-10-04 0:50 [Comment]

Show Comment

pierrefonds (26289) 2007-10-12 4:10

Hi Renier,

A good POV of Mont John observatory and of the mountains, the photo has a good composition, DOF and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

Truja (4948) 2007-11-03 5:05

Hi Renier,
I like your POV and excellent depth and details.
The sky is fantastic, superbe, amazing, is excelent!!
A well composed, well exposed image!

Salut, Jordi