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oin Leica Store Miami and acclaimed landscape photographer William Patino for an immersive landscape photography workshop through the breathtaking South Island of New Zealand. Beginning in the alpine town of Queenstown, our journey will take us from ancient rain forests to glacial lakes, towering peaks, and the dramatic wilderness of Fiordland. Each day will offer carefully chosen locations at sunrise and sunset, complemented by time in the field learning composition, technique, and creative vision, as well as post-processing sessions to refine your craft.
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We’ll witness the majesty of Aoraki/Mount Cook rising over Lake Pukaki, and photograph the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and the sculpted formations of the Clay Cliffs. In Fiordland, we’ll immerse ourselves in some of the world’s most pristine wilderness, capturing misty forests, cascading waterfalls, and the otherworldly beauty of Milford Sound, both from land and by boat. Throughout the workshop, William will provide personalized guidance, helping you to not only capture the iconic views but also find your own artistic perspective within these awe-inspiring environments. Colin McKinley from Leica Store Miami will be on hand to assist Will and to help you get the most out of your Leica.
By the end of this adventure, you’ll return home with a portfolio of powerful images and the experience of photographing some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth.
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What to expect
This workshop is dedicated to landscape photography, with a strong emphasis on composition, post processing and capturing the golden light of sunrises and sunsets. That means early starts and some late evenings in the field, with downtime during the day for rest, classroom time, image review, etc. While the focus is on photography rather than luxury, the rewards are unforgettable images and the chance to immerse yourself fully in New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes.
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Education sessions with Will Patino on composition, capture techniques, post processing and more.
The tree-lined hills of Arrowtown
The tallest mountains in the country, Aoraki/Mount Cook and the surrounding
Southern Alps, are particularly good with light & atmosphere for telephoto imagery.
Rolling golden hills and mountains of central Otago
Reflection pools and ponds surrounded with trees and beech forests
Windswept waters of Lake Ohau, framed by the Southern Alps (often has waves for some fun seascape style imagery)
The ice filled glacial waters of the Tasman Lake (framed by snow-capped peaks)
Mount Sefton with its amazing ice fall and rugged textures (using telephoto for tight details and milky glacial rivers for wide angle perspectives)
The towering Thunder Creek Falls near Haast
Lake Manapouri (a picturesque lake with multiple vantage points to incorporate plant life, trees and mountains)
Lake Te Anau framed by beautiful mountains – the gateway to Fiordland
Waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls in Haast and Fiordland
A remote and rugged beach with multiple sea stacks at Haast
The legendary Milford Sound from the land and sea
Winding rivers of various greens and turquoise in Fiordland
Dense, mossy beech forest with ancient trees and vibrant ferns in Fiordland
Snow grass and tussock fields with imposing mountains in morning light (Fiordland)
For this journey through New Zealand, attendees should plan to fly in and out of Queenstown (QZN).
Our journey begins in the picturesque lakeside town of Queenstown (QZN). After hotel pickups (at about 10:00am), we’ll head to a local meeting room for introductions and a presentation from Will about the workshop and what to expect. Afterwards, we’ll make our way toward Wanaka.
*We recommend arriving at least a day early to avoid any travel delays and to adjust to the time change.
Today we head back inland toward the high country, a region of glacial lakes, winding rivers, and New Zealand’s tallest mountains. We’ll close the day with sunset at Lake Pukaki, where we’ll photograph Mount Cook in all its glory.
Accommodation:Â Alps Motel, Twizel
Our morning begins with sunrise on the tranquil shores of Lake Ohau, followed by a post-processing session. After lunch, we’ll travel to Mount Cook Village to browse the historic Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. As evening approaches, we’ll capture sunset at Tasman Lake, framed by Mount Cook and the surrounding peaks.
Accommodation:Â Alps Motel, Twizel
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We’ll greet the sunrise with stunning views of the Southern Alps from a unique vantage point on Lake Pukaki. After breakfast, we’ll photograph the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and, in the afternoon, visit the dramatic and otherworldly Clay Cliffs.
Accommodation:Â Alps Motel, Twizel
Today we journey south, returning to Queenstown. Along the way, we’ll stop at several local vantage points to capture Lake Wakatipu set against its dramatic mountain backdrop.
Accommodation:Â Crowne Plaza, Queenstown
After a local sunrise shoot, we’ll head south into the untouched beauty of Fiordland. Upon arrival in Te Anau—the gateway to the region—we’ll explore lush rainforest scenes before photographing sunset on the serene shores of Lake Manapouri.
Accommodation:Â Distinction, Te Anau
We’ll spend the day deep in Fiordland’s steep, forested valleys. From sunrise to sunset, we’ll capture pristine forests, waterfalls, and soaring mountains. The day concludes with sunset and dinner at breathtaking Milford Sound.
Accommodation:Â Distinction, Te Anau
This morning we’ll photograph sunrise over the mountain-framed waters of Lake Te Anau. After breakfast, we return to Milford Sound for a two-hour cruise along the fiord, where we’ll capture dramatic seascapes, waterfalls, and towering cliffs.
Accommodation:Â Distinction, Te Anau
On our final morning, we’ll enjoy one last sunrise shoot in the Eglinton Valley, followed by post-processing and a closing discussion. In the afternoon, we return to Queenstown, where the workshop concludes at about 1:00pm. The group will be dropped off at the airport, where you can connect to evening departures or continue your time in New Zealand.
