First Light at Mount Cook

[Octane]

All,

I can vividly remember the morning I made this picture. I set off from the Sir Edmond Hillary Centre several hours before civil twilight to make sure I gave myself ample time to walk the track, that includes crossing two swing bridges over the river which leads to this breathtaking view.

As it was the middle of Autumn, it was freezing cold; I can still remember my lungs howling in pain from the icy conditions, and, the touch of the tripod on the fingertips burned with that sensation that only the cold can give you.

As the first light started to ignite the tips of the mountains, I remember feeling a great sense of peace -- it was deathly silent and not a single soul was in sight -- just me, the glory of the mountains, the valley, and that magical light.

I made this image in the Hooker Valley -- Aoraki (Mount Cook) stands proud at 3,754 meters (12,316 feet) in the distance as its eastern face starts to ignite.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
0.5s f/16 at 17.0mm iso100

Click here (http://users.tpg.com.au/octane2/flamc.html) for a slightly larger version.

I love my camera.

Your comments, critique, etc., are most welcome.

Fine art archival prints available from 18x6.4" through to 36x12.7". Email me at octane2 AT optusnet DOT com DOT au if you'd like this hanging on your wall.

Thanks for looking!

H

[rcheshire]

Wonderful stuff H. Magnificent area. The morning light is beautifully captured along the ridge line. I guess you would have been glad of the sun warming the valley, eventually.

[gary]

Hi H,

The early bird routine paid dividends for what is a really nice shot and it looks
like a beautiful clear morning.

As you are well aware, once the sun comes up, it can commonly cloud up there
very quickly and that is the last you see of the peak for the rest of the day.

I can relate to how cold it can get in that park - as in early warning signs of
possible hypothermia - better do something quick to get warm type cold. :cold:

[ChrisM]

H, a pleasing pic with good detail and contrast. It certainly conveys (to me, at least) the cold temperature.

I haven't walked up the Hooker for nearly 30 years and am having a bit of trouble placing the view, as I would have thought Mt Cook would have been much further around to the right (north)? How far up the valley were you towards Hooker Hut (about a 3 hour walk from the village - if my memory is any good)?

Chris

[CometGuy]

:bowdown:

Magnificent rendition of Aoraki, as fine as your image from Lake Matheson :)

Terry

[iceman]

Stunning picture of a gorgeous location. I can imagine how cold it was down in that valley!

[spacezebra]

Hi H

Yes, stunning pic. You have so sold me on the 5D.

Cheers Petra d.

[spearo]

Awesome
and these DO look great on the wall!
frank

[RobF]

Just stunning H
Love it.

[oosh]

Cracking image H, I love the cold feel of the scene and the sun hitting the top of the mountains, particularly the one in the distant background.

Hard to critique this, the only thing that comes to mind is I find myself wanting to see a bit more of the stream or whatever it is in the mid of the frame, but this is knitpicking.

Gotta love those mornings that are so deadly still and quiet, feels like you're the only person on earth - very liberating. Love it mate, well done :)

[SkyViking]

That is just stunning H, you really nail that painted look. The plants in the foreground are almost surreal, and there are so many subtle shades and colours.
Do you have a close up of Aoraki? I'm sure it would look absolutely magnificent in your rendition.

[Octane]

Rowland,

Cheers! You bet, it was so nice to get back to the hotel and have a hot, hot shower followed by a continental breakfast. Even if it is a rip-off, the view from the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre is just stunning. Wow!

Thanks!



Gary,

Thank you, sir. I was really lucky, that the entire time I was there, it wasn't cloudy. In fact, not having any cloud at both sunrise and sunset was rather detrimental, but, I think I still came away with a few decent images.



Chris,

Thanks!

This wasn't taken from anywhere really out of the way, it was just slightly off the normal walk that people make towards the mountain. I'll see if I can drag out a map from somewhere and will private message you with the location that I took this from.



Terry,

Thanks, babez! :D


Mike,

Thanks, mate. Will reply to your email, tomorrow!



Cheers.

H

[Octane]

Petra,

Thanks! Hey, are you in Canberra, now? Come up to Stromlo for a meeting and we'll catch up! Also, get a 5D Mark II. :D



Frank,

Cheers, mate. You might find another addition to your wall, soon... :whistle:



Rob,

Thank you. :)



Jason,

Thanks, for looking and commenting!

Yep, love the glow on Mount Cook itself. Just wish it was on /my/ side!

You're absolutely right about the stream feeling a little abrupt and doesn't really add much to the composition. Perhaps if I was a bit higher, a bit more perspective would have added just that little something extra. Refer to the link below in my reply to Rolf.



Rolf,

Glad you like it, mate. You live in paradise!

I do have another image, this shot got me shortlisted for the Digital Camera Photographer of the Year competition (landscape category) for 2010.

The Cloud Piercer Rests (http://users.tpg.com.au/octane2/tcpr.html).

Thanks, mate.



Thanks, all.

H

[oosh]

Other image is great too mate! Though now I see the river more clearly I think I do infact prefer #2 - also it has some nicer warmer tones and the wider crop works great. Still, i'd be more than proud to call either one of them my own :)

[Ric]

A lovely image H.

You can feel the chill of the air just by looking at it.

Cheers

[Steve_E]

Wow what a spectacular view. Thanks for sharing.

Your dedication is admirable and your effort rewarded you with a stunning image. Great work.

Did you encounter any wildlife out there?

[Octane]

Jason,

Thanks, mate. I also prefer #2. :)



Ric,

Thanks!



Steve,

You're welcome -- and, thank you, for the kind words.

The only thing resembling wildlife that I encountered on my walk in the dark through to my location for sunrise was droppings of some kind of animal (not sure what) on the swing bridges over the river. Lucky I had my headlamp and passed by unscathed. :P



Thanks, all.

H