michellemckoy
FollowA very chilly sunrise in Wanaka. 3 degrees. I sat with the many other photographers shooting before sunrise. Once they left I took off my shoes and rolled up my...
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A very chilly sunrise in Wanaka. 3 degrees. I sat with the many other photographers shooting before sunrise. Once they left I took off my shoes and rolled up my jeans and braved the cold water. With my tripod and camera in hand, stepped slowly out towards the tree for a different perspective of this famous tree.
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Awards
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Contest Finalist in Lakes And Reflections Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 3
Contest Finalist in My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 2
Contest Finalist in In the Center Photo Contest
Featured
Honorable Mention in Beautiful Trees Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Beautiful Trees Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Image of the Year Photo Contest by Snapfish
Contest Finalist in One Is Enough Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Still Waters Photo Contest
Runner Up in Playing With Reflections Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Playing With Reflections Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Water World Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Full Focus Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Virtuoso
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michellemckoy
August 21, 2015
It was fun thanks Maureen. Funnily enough the 2 other male photographers who were still there got in to the water too after I got out and told them to lol. Don't think they wanted to be outdone by a girl
kiwidragonfly
September 15, 2015
Such a gorgeous capture Michelle. Well done you for getting wet. I certainly didn't consider it and I was there in November.
CWphotos5
September 24, 2015
Gorgeous scene, captured to perfection! ( I would not have been so brave...I'd have been the one with 'cold feet', but not from the water! )
Clickety-click
October 14, 2015
this tree, with its reflection, reminds me of a dancer. every time i look at it, i see a dancer! lovely.
jcalland
October 18, 2015
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
Izzy1000
November 29, 2015
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
praxedesricablancacarruthers
June 24, 2016
I was wondering how you got that composition myself, had I brought my rain boots with me, I would have done the same thing got into the water. I was there taking pics just 2 weeks ago first week of winter. Love this one.
HelenRea
January 13, 2017
Michelle, a big congratulations on your Finalist Award for this splendid image. You deserve all of the praise you get for this outstanding work! Cheers Helen Rea.
bradfordhhuntsman
September 05, 2017
This photo speaks to my soul. I just love it! Thank you for capturing it!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken at Lake Wanaka in the South Island of New ZealandTime
I was shooting before sunrise, as the Lake was covered with mist and low cloud, looking quite magical. As the sun began to rise and the other photographers began leaving that's when I ventured out into the freezing lake with my shoes off and jeans rolled up to get a closer angleLighting
Most landscape photography works best with the soft light before the sunrises. In this case though as the sun started to rise it lit up the trunk a little and help to create some amazing shadows and reflections, almost looking like the famous Wanaka Tree is dancingEquipment
I was shooting with my Canon 6D, Canon 16-35 mm lens, Manfrotto Tripod and using a Lee Soft Grad Filter with a Circular PolariserInspiration
I have seen this famous tree photographed many times before and so it's always been on my photography bucket list! We traveled to New Zealand for a 3 week camper holiday and landscape photography trip. I tried the previous evening at sunset but the conditions weren't good, windy with waves in the lake and no reflections. The location didn't look impressive like that. Feeling disappointed I kept my fingers crossed and asked the photography gods for perfect conditions for sunrise. Arrived back early the next morning along with the many other photographs! I couldn't believe the beauty before my eyes, magical and mysterious with low cloud, soft light and mist. A photographers dream and quite unlike anything I had seen before. I had been encouraged by two other NZ lady photographers to get out into the lake to shoot the tree. It was 3 degrees out of the water and 7 in. I waited for most of the photographers to leave. I couldn't hire waders form the shop to fit me, which left me no alternative but to take off my shoes and socks, roll up my jeans and brave the cold. One photographer was fairly objective to me going out but I begged him to let me get a couple of quick shots and I would then be out of his way. Fortunately he lost a filter which distracted him long enough. I was careful carrying my gear out into the lake. I knew it was now or never. My husband filmed me on his phone for proof for my photographer friends who said this was my initiation as a true landscape photographer! I was trying to create something different with my images which is very hard with such an over done location. The funniest part was I told the other 2 male photographers that they should brave the cold water too as it's definitely the better angle to shoot the tree. They both were so happy they didEditing
Not much besides a few minor adjustments in LR to the raw file. I increased the clarity and contrast. I added a vignette to the image. Using an adjustment brush I bought out a little more detail to the trunk of the tree.In my camera bag
When shooting landscapes my Canon 16-35 mm is my preferred lens. Usually I have my 70-200mm for closer shots. I have a variety of Lee Filters but my favourite lately is the 0.9 soft grad and little stopper. For water photography I pack a circular polariser. As well as the usual memory cards, spare batteries, water bottle, umbrella, torch, head lamp etc for the trip to NZ in the freezing conditions I also had a few hand warmers incase the lens was fogging up. Definitely a lens cloth to keep in my pocket whilst shooting especially in freezing conditions like NZ to remove any moistureFeedback
Always arrive early especially if shooting the Wanaka Tree which is incredibly popular with other photographers. That way you can find the best place to shoot fom. Waders would be a luxury for walking in the freezing water! A sturdy tripod is a must, especially with all of your expensive gear so close to the water. Check the conditions before arriving as it snows a lot at this time of the year. You need calm conditions with no wind to get these beautiful reflections in the lake. You will need to be considerate of your fellow photographers and make sure they don't mind you out in the lake. Unless of course you are lucky enough to have this stunning location all to yourself which is highly unlikely.