Skip Town Travel Photography with Jess Lillico - A Lesson in Light in New Zealand

Written
by
Jenny Butler
Writer
Jenny Butler
29th of June 2011

Today Jess gives us a lesson in light while traveling through one of the most beautiful parts of the world, New Zealand. Remember that you can buy the brilliant and comprehensive Skip Town Travel Photography Field Guide here - it's a must for any creative traveler! - Jenny x

One spring afternoon in the New Zealand Alps, as the afternoon sun gave way to evening, we wandered along the lake-side, cameras in hand, and captured the landscape in the changing light.

We started early in the afternoon when the sun was still strong and high, and even though this type of light is generally not very good for landscapes, it sure did emphasise the amazing bright blue colour of Lake Tekapo.

A few hours later, the lower sun illuminated the lupins (they grow everywhere up there!) and we were able to take advantage of some lovely backlighting.

The golden light of early morning and late afternoon can improve just about any photo. Of course, the problem with travel is that you can’t always be at the right place at the right time. But, if you are out and about during the ‘golden hours’, make sure you look around you and see if anything could make a great photo, because sometimes light can be as important as the subject.

Later still, we caught the last remaining pink in the sky.

And finally, flying home, we were treated to rainbow mountains (not natural, sadly!)

- Jess x

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