New Zealand Through The Lenses

New Zealand Through The Lenses

- Sonja Piontek

“If locations were awarded Oscars, New Zealand would scoop the lot... the strength and power of Otago’s untouched countryside is Lord of the Rings’ real star.” Albeit a few years old, I couldn’t agree more with the UK Sunday Express, as there is something rather special about this part of the world. Something that already deeply touched my heart when I first came to the Queenstown area almost twenty years ago. I would say it is the sheer beauty of the countryside, the amazing outdoor activities combined with the genuine warmth of the people that make this part of New Zealand so unique.

Over the years I’ve jumped out of planes over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables, ridden off-road bikes across the vast mountain ranges of Central Otago called Leaning Rock, Mount Pisa or Old Man Range and played golf with New Zealand’s number one Golf Pro…but this time I came to Otago on a different quest. I’m here with number one Golf Pro…but this time I came to Otago on a different quest. I’m here with ten fellow photography aficionados from Vietnam and it’s all about taking million-dollar-shots. And boy, were we able to get some amazing pics!

We are in the South Island for an entire week and could not have chosen a better place nor a better time for this unforgettable photography tour. Central Otago in autumn is nothing short of overwhelmingly beautiful. The vibrant colours make for a proper Indian Summer down in the Southern Hemisphere and combined with the stunning scenery this is quite the photographer’s dream.