Previously I shared some Black & White images from a visit to Milford Sound/piopiotahi in November 2021. We had stayed for a few days prior to this visit and I had had a few chances to make some other images but didn’t get any that really pleased me. The above image made in 2017 had really excited me when I found this location in the late afternoon. I had returned in the dark the following morning in the hope of some hanging clouds and was pleased to get them with the top of Mitre Peak also visible.

On our latest visit I again went to this spot in the hope of exploring other options using the beech trees as framing. Time had damaged the trees leaving some broken branches and some dead and denuded of leaves. This was what I got.

Obviously a wider angle image adding in the Bowen Falls on the right but pushing the Stirling Falls further back. The flowing clouds are quite nice but what ruins it for me are the skeletal fingers of the dead branches. They intrude into the frame and draw attention to themselves and alter the whole feel of the image. Instead of being a balancing framing element they draw the eye and distract from the other elements. I think it is safe to say that even if I used the exact same shooting position and angle of view, the original image is no longer achievable because of the alteration to the trees. An important reminder to work a scene when you find it. Don’t save it for another day.

Top photo with Nikon D810 and Nikkor 18-35mm f3.5-4.5, bottom photo with Nikon Z7 and Nikkor Z 14-30mm f4S