Cascade River with moody sunset over Red Hills in distance, West Coast, South Westland, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

…and so here I am, looking into the distance on the overcast evening, thinking to myself, what can I pull out of these conditions. With the weather like this though, you never know what can happen. Unfortunately, there was no drama in the clouds I hoped for, instead, very bleak, overcast skies. These overcast skies often block any colouring on the sky and the sunset just fade away without any colour at all. Sometimes, however, when there is a bit of a gap on the horizon, or weaker clouds, the sun rays may get through and paint some parts of the sky with a bit of a colour. And that’s exactly what happened to me here. The sun, for a brief moment, cast a soft orange hues to the sky but being diffused by the weaker clouds’ coverage, the orange hues spilled all over the scene as well, reflecting beautifully on the river below.

Suddenly, my blood rushed into my head and I thought I might actually have something…

When I started to process my files, I started to see the wonderful results in both, in colour, as well as in Black and White rendition of the image.

Cascade River with moody sunset over Red Hills in distance, West Coast, South Westland, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

Staring at the B&W version of the image, suddenly, it dawned on me, that it reminded me principally one of the Ansel Adams photographs, Snake River he made 75 years ago.

Ansel Adams - Snake River

Please, don’t get me wrong here, I’m not comparing my image with Ansel Adams, instead, I’m trying to demonstrate how learning from masters we admire in our lives, can inspire and subconsciously help us to squeeze a better bits from ourselves.

Enjoy!

For more images from this part of West Coast please visit my stock gallery Cascades, South Westland.

Thank you.

Farmland with native totara trees with sunset on winter mountains, Butler Ranges of Southern Alps near Whataroa, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

I know, it can be hard to leave warm parts of the world, especially northern hemisphere, to make a holiday trip to the opposite side of the globe to New Zealand, where winter is in a full swing. Of course, those skiing enthusiasts are always looking forward to this part of the year, anywhere, but apart of those snow lovers, it may take rather not so ordinary holiday folk, to visit New Zealand in winter.
And I have to say, these guys know what they’re doing. The accommodation rates are much more budget friendly, roads are empty, in a cafe you get your coffee right away without queuing but most importantly, for us, photographers, the scenery doesn’t get any better than in winter time…on the West Coast in particular. All with comfortable hours for our sunrises and sunsets, as an extra bonus.
The long spine of the Southern Alps has a beautiful snow cover reaching into much lower altitudes then in summer and on the West Coast, these mountains are so close to you, that they’re in your viewfinder almost from everywhere.
And that’s one of the reasons, why one of my photography tours is scheduled for this time of the year. Photographing on the West Coast in winter is spectacular with opportunities behind every corner, since those white mountains enhance the landscapes everywhere around us.

This image was made just a few meters from my gallery in Whataroa during sunset and shows the farmland with native totara trees and white Southern Alps glowing in background. For more images from this part of West Coast please visit my stock gallery Westland Tai Poutini National Park.

Thank you.

Alpen glow of twilight over Southern Alps with Mt. Tasman and Aoraki, Mt. Cook from Three Mile beach near Okarito, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

Can’t help myself not to make another post on wetlands in New Zealand. Our wetlands, on the West Coast of the South Island in particular, are very special not only for their support of hugely diverse range of birds species, many other animals and plants but simply because they’re just incredibly photogenic.
This photograph demonstrates how important it is to know your location, to know what’s possible to occur.
One of those occurrences in the case of this lagoon is, that it can get blocked after some severe storms. It stops it’s usual cycle of draining and filling up in accordance with the tide, and forms wonderful lake creating an opportunity for some beautiful reflections of the surrounding environment and nearby Southern Alps.
Of course, one has to be patient or lucky to be at the spot on a calm evening like in this image and be aiming for the winter when the mountains put up its best display.
I’ve been at this lagoon so many times but can only remember being there twice or three times over the years, when the lagoon was full and blocked like this.
Remarkable fact is, that from lagoons in this area to the foothills of the Southern Alps, it can be as little as 10-15 km.

These lagoons are also part of Westland Tai Poutini National Park – UNESCO World Heritage, and you can find more images from this location under the following link Westland Tai Poutini National Park.

Thank you.

Views of Southern Alps across coastal native forest and lagoon near Okarito, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

It’s strange, but for some reason, wetlands are rather forgotten places of a general interest, yet, they are the home to probably more creatures then any other environment. Sadly, over the centuries, the vast majority of these essential habitats in New Zealand have been drained in the sake of “human’s development”.
Fortunately, a few of these wetlands manage to survive under protection of national park status, such as this, in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park.

Photographing in these places is hugely rewarding, since wetlands offer endless opportunities for wonderful photographs to be made.
This image has been photographed on an early morning, just when the sun appeared over the Southern Alps.
There was a morning mist over the lagoon of the wetland near Franz Josef Glacier, and as the sun climbed higher and higher on the sky, its morning light was defused by the mist and illuminated the scene with beautiful warm tones, lending the image wonderful airy mood.

What a wonderful morning it was, with the Tasman Sea crashing behind my back and Mount Tasman, 3,497m, the second highest mountain of New Zealand on the horizon.

For more images with similar theme, please visit COASTAL IMAGES.

Thank you.

Alpine sunset viewed from Mt. Fox with Cook River and Tasman Sea in distance, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

Continuing with the theme of “my golden 20 minutes”, this image was made not too far from Fox Glacier, high up in the alpine environment, when the end of the day light was dressing up the scene with a wonderful golden glow.

This is one of my favourite locations where I love spending my time; exploring and amalgamating with the environment, looking and planning for new photographs.
What’s remarkable about this alpine place is that the Tasman Sea, visible on horizon, is barely 10km away and you’re already around 1600m asl.

I’ve been in this spot many times before, observing angles of the light, compositions, simply chasing photography opportunities. Among other images, I have always been attracted to the rock stacks scattered all around this alpine terrain, with these rocks in particular. They offer wonderful angle toward the sea on horizon, while incorporating the Cook River draining the Fox Glacier into the sea. All I needed was to be there in right time, when the setting sun was at the right angle and a suitable amount of clouds, or, rather lack of it, enabled the light to cast its wonderful warm hues across the landscape.

For more images with alpine theme, please visit ALPINE IMAGES.

Thank you.

Golden hour of dawn on Aoraki Mount Cook 3,724m with Tasman River, Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Area, Mackenzie Country, New Zealand, NZ

There is a good reason we call some particular times of the day “the golden hour”.
Well, for me, it’s more like “the golden 20minutes” – before sunset or after sunrise, like in this image, when the light can dress up the landscape into a wonderful golden glow. Depending on the atmospheric conditions, this glow can range from very subtle hues to quite strong golden colour cast, lending the landscape a regal quality.
Just like in this photograph of the highest New Zealand mountain Aoraki Mount Cook 3,724m.

In this image, I wanted to show the beautiful golden light on the east face of Aoraki, which was making the mountain stand out in the landscape. However, that wouldn’t be possible with wide angle lens therefore a longer lens was needed to be used to capture this panorama. One frame wouldn’t be enough either so the only option was to take 3 horizontal frames and composite them together to make this final frame. To give this image the depth, I used the Tasman River with its colourful reflections as a foreground anchor.

This is also one of the locations on my premium 15 days tour – 6 National Parks Sojourn, where we photograph.
For more info on these tours and workshops, please visit our website page PHOTO TOURS.

Thank you.

Soft colours of twilight over Southern Alps with two highest peaks in New Zealand, Aoraki, Mt. Cook 3724m (right) and Mt. Tasman 3497m (left) and Franz Josef Glacier, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

In a pursue of my images, I try to find new places, locations unknown and not photographed by others to create a new, fresh and appealing frame. It’s not only for the sake of novelty though, rather, to make me happy and excited with new vistas, new discoveries.
Sometimes, however, there are places which demand our high respect, making us to ditch our egos, because of just what they are. One of those spots is a popular lookout from the Okarito Trig, offering spectacular views toward the majestic Southern Alps. And sometimes, all it takes to create a wonderful photograph is to be there in the right time of the day and play it simple. Like in this example, when I took advantage of those gorgeous, soft pastel hues cast over the landscape by the ending of the day. And of course, when pretty, lenticular clouds hung around for a minute, that’s when the image speaks up.
These would be, arguably the most expansive vistas over the Southern Alps, encompassing a few hundreds of km of rangers laid out right in front of you in 180 degree span.
2 highest peaks of New Zealand’s Southern Alps with leafy shaped Mount Tasman on right 3,497m with highest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook 3,724m right next to it on right. Franz Josef Glacier is just visible below them.
Thank you.

Petr Hlavacek Gallery in Whataroa, West Coast, NZ

Twilight at Gillespies Beach with moon rising over Fox Glacier and next to Mt. Tasman (left) 3497m and Mt. Cook (right) 3724m, two highest New Zealand mountains, Westland National Park, West Coast, World Heritage Area, New Zealand

New Zealand is a small country in the furthest corner of the Planet but it’s strength and beauty lies exactly in this reality, being tucked away from the rest of the world, being this exclusive location. And it is this fact, which I think is in today’s globalised world highly appreciated and desired.
One of the channels distinguished visitors wanting to experience New Zealand is via private agencies, which are able to custom tailor, deliver and satisfy any exclusive wishes their clients may have.

I’m thrilled to announce that Petr Hlavacek Gallery fitted with its format, high quality and uniqueness to “Black Label Experience”.
“Black Label” is New Zealand’s premier luxury travel agency, enabling a discerning visitor an exclusive, luxury experience in visiting New Zealand; and we’re delighted to embark with Black Label on a very exciting journey ahead.
With our gallery’s unique, secluded setting, we provide Black Label’s distinguished clientele privacy and exclusive experience in intimate gallery viewing, along with private, custom tailored itineraries of exclusive photography tours or workshops.

Petr Hlavacek Gallery in Whataroa, West Coast, NZ

The secret behind Black Label Experience is “The Secret Black Book”. This is a valued compilation of trusted individuals and providers of unique and exclusive experiences, and with whom Black Label can collaborate with to exceed their valued, high end, VIP clients’ expectations.

As excited as we are, so pleased was Black Label with our connections, that its managing director Tania Stoyanof wrote a blog about it.

This is the BLOG about our link with Black Label.

Smoothwater River near Jackson Bay at dawn, South Westland, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand

One can only imagine our delight to be included in this exclusive list of “The Secret Black Book”.

For more information about Black Label and Petr Hlavacek Gallery, please email us at: info@nzicescapes.com

Vast area of Geikie Snowfield of upper parts of Franz Josef Glacier during setting sun with Mt. Tasman and Aoraki, Mount Cook dominating skyline, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

Perhaps everyone knows how glaciers work…a lot of snow (and I mean a lot of it, up to 50m to gain a compressing weight of its own) compacting into the ice with gravity pulling this mass down the hill. It may however be a bit harder for everyone to imagine the scale of the area where all this compacting happens.
Franz Josef Glacier is one of the smaller glaciers by world standards but quite a sizeable chunk of ice in New Zealand landscape.
On this photograph I’ve been hoping to show the vastness of the upper parts of this currently about 10km long glacier. With 2 highest peaks of the New Zealand’s Southern Alps dominating the background – Mount Tasman on far top left 3,497m and highest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook 3,724m next to it on right, the vastness of the Geikie and Davis Snowfields of the Franz Josef Glacier is quite apparent.
This wonderful scene has been photographed just as the sun was dipping over the horizon of the Tasman Sea on right and I love the beautiful light bouncing over about 30 square km large NEVE in wonderful hues of purple, pink and orange. Hope you enjoy this image, too. Thank you.

Sunset over Main Divide with Centennial Hut perched on ridge in centre atop of Franz Josef Glacier, Westland National Park, West Coast, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, World Heritage Area, New Zealand

Throughout the year, we have several itineraries of our photo workshops and tours but we were thinking about adding one more special winter version to our selection.
This new itinerary is almost identical with our 15 day South Island tour but we added a new, super location to it – one night will be spent in the high altitude mountaineering hut in The Southern Alps of the South Island in New Zealand.

The hut sits atop of the Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers, (depending on weather conditions we chose the best option), and we will have our private, professional mountaineering guide to guide us in this spectacular environment.
This combination will enable us to fully concentrate on photography, capturing images from areas usually accessible only to the skilled mountaineers. The scenery is going to be utterly breathtaking with 360 views and vistas reaching far into the Tasman Sea on horizon. We’ll be photographing spectacular West Coast sunset over the Tasman Sea from around 2800m above sea level, right under the Main Alpine Divide, as well as the sun rising from behind the following morning.

This adventure is scheduled for the 4 August until 18 August 2016 and I can’t wait to taking you into some of the most spectacular location on our planet.

For the full itinerary, please visit our website – nzicescapes.com

Beautiful pastel colours of sunset above Franz Josef Glacier photographed from Centennial Hut with Tasman Sea visible on horizon. Tusk Rocks in foreground, Chamberlin Snowfield right, Agassiz Glacier left, Westland National Park, West Coast, World Heritage Area, New Zealand

Deep crevasses in upper parts of Franz Josef Glacier, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ

Views down Franz Josef Glacier from above Centenial Hut with Tasman Sea in distance, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand, NZ