Untitled

Untitled

By Cliff Samson

Motuariki Island, Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand.

Olympus EM1 II; 12-40mm f2.8 lens; 1/3200s; f/6.3; ISO 200, 40mm

The weather this day was atrocious. I persevered however and was rewarded with this sight. The sheer drama of the overall image, enhanced by the cloud hanging ominously over the small island, made battling the weather conditions well worth it.

Don’s response

Nothing like a bit of proper weather to get things going photographically. This is an exceptional conjunction of elements.

First, there is that extraordinary cloud, seemingly hovering over the inky black forest of the island, then there is the windblown surface of the lake, looking like a sheet of hammered silver, and finally there are the jagged, cloud-wreathed peaks which are putting on their own show.

On a clear-sky day, the scene would have a pleasant, postcard prettiness, but these conditions elevate it into another realm.

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