Riders on the Storm, a photo from Canterbury, South Island

Photographer's Note

The gorgeously blue lake Pukaki looking decidely off colour. After visiting the Canadian Rockies in October and seeing the lovely turquoise lakes I was so looking forward to returning to NZ for their very own bright blue lakes. Unfortunately when we were in the Mount Cook area the weather was very overcast and the lakes therefore didnt display their famous colour. However, despite the less than favourable conditions I was determined to capture something of this area, so I got to the edge of Lake Pukaki before sunrise one morning to capture a long exposure at the lakes edge. Even though the turquoise colour isnt there the lake still displays a different but still appealing shade of blueness. The rocks were all covered in the powdery rock flour.

As for the title, I dpont know why but it seemed to fit. Probably because Im listening to the Doors on iTunes right now!!!

chicken, dospordostres, Matthew-Watt, Jimst, kiwi_explorer, VeeJayCee, sabyasachi_d, lucinka has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pasta (457) 2007-05-24 15:04

Excellent work!
regards

miumiu (6117) 2007-05-24 15:05

Hi Adam!

This is wonderful!!! Very nice done!
Best wishes

Agnes

mfonda (891) 2007-05-24 15:08

Hi Adam,

Another wonderful shot! Great job with the exposure. I love the simplicity to this composition. The foreground with not much in it, and the straight on POV works very well. Nice job, thanks for sharing!

-Matt

ML1905 (0) 2007-05-24 15:10

Hi there,
impressive picture. A photographer would usually pay attantion only to the clouds and maybe to some water reflection, but you focused on foreground - on stones. With some longer exposure you really captured the landscape that makes me look at your photo with a wish that I would make something like that too :)
Regards,
Matej.

Royaldevon (85638) 2007-05-24 15:11

Hello Adam,
Thank you for your interesting notes. The lake is totally tranquil. It appears like a mirror with rocks floating in it! Very surreal! I like all the elements you have drawn together ... it could be the beginning of an unusual story!
Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Scott23 (93) 2007-05-24 15:32

Hi !

Very good quality and disposal of photographed objescts

Pozdrawiam

chicken (1557) 2007-05-24 16:14

Unusually "plain" photo for you, but I kind of like it. It emits a deep calmness, a bit in conflict with the title. I really like how the brighter clouds reflect on the water. Also interesting composition of the rocks.

Matthew-Watt (5934) 2007-05-24 18:49

Hello Adam,

Your images are becoming quite the craze in the Oceania Gallery. Your form and style of photography is highly unique. You focus on the delicate features and smooth tones possible only in low lit situations, something that takes a high degree of precision and I would guess a certain element of luck! Lake Pukaki is a wonderful lake; I do not think I have seen water anywhere else that is so vividly blue. The water here is so silken in your image and allows us to observe the submerged rocks in exceptional detail. Your lighting is perfect, and just enough to focus on the ‘long white cloud’ for which Aotearoa is so famous for. It would have been nice if we could have seen Mt. Cook or Mt. Sefton peeping out from behind some cloud in the distance, but like you, when I visited the area the cloud hung low and such a shot was not possible. The randomly scattered rock formations are so well placed, composed to intrigue and mystify. An awesome image, one of the best I have seen from the area. Exceptional work, Adam.

Matt

Jimst (205) 2007-05-24 23:10

Hi Adam,

Your work is certainly inspirational, again photo info would be most useful for reference. Awesome colour and depth. Well done.

Regards,

jim.

Angelillo (9374) 2007-05-25 3:10

Hi Adam,

This water seem a gel, the texture is stunning but breathtaking fir its beauty. The stones in the foreground are a great idea, and the subtle background is very useful for "close" the shot. The compo is extraordinay because the most interesting thing here is the light, color, texture of the water. Thanks,

Angel.

kiwi_explorer (12209) 2007-05-25 6:45

Hi Adam,
Another excellent composition from you. I pass this lake often and I'm never bored looking at it because the ever changing weather makes the landscape very dynamic ... as if it is a painting in process. Well captured and composed. Excellent work! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

VeeJayCee (2410) 2007-05-25 15:48

The smoothness of the water surface provides a super base for diffusing the sky's reflection. It also enhances the sharpness and clarity of the rocks. A nice mix of hues too. Excellent work Adam.

sabyasachi_d (415) 2007-05-28 16:39

how on earth do get clear waters all the time??!! and also find rocks just under it. i think u r a specialist in this rock-under-water series. this is great. i just love it
:o)
sabya

lucinka (9976) 2007-05-30 2:07

Hello Adam,

Last couple of days I've noticed that you stopped posting and I was bit sad as your new NZ shots are fantastic (not only those). Later I have noticed discussion about you not commenting much on other member photos. I understand your decision to deal with it your way as everyone on TE has the right to chose his/her approach. Your photos are always pleasure to look at, and especially when I am really busy and have time to only view my favorite photographers I always like to see your latest work.

This is really wonderful photo, so typical for you. Taken with very low light, great detail and composition.

Just share with us what you've done and let people decide if they want to comment on it or not, however be sure, that you inspire huge amount of people here one way or the other, and that is also what TE is about in my opinion.

Lucie

christor (271) 2007-06-06 19:00

WICKED! Cool colors, atmosphere in abundance, timeless image. It could have been made 5,000 years ago.

Maddog (4503) 2007-06-21 13:27

Hi Adam,

What a great picture!! one word: wonderfull!!

Mad

Raphtrumpet (150) 2007-08-10 3:54

Gary,

Stunning photo !!!

I'm adding you to my favorites list. I'm going to keep watching !!!!

drfl (1167) 2007-08-23 6:29

Adam, it is always refreshing when you depart from your norm and capture something beautiful. This is one such successful example of that. These are sometimes the most rewarding images.