I had on two layers, which kept out most of the cold. Actually, now that I think about it, the weather was perfect. My body was quite warm and bordering on too-warm, but my face was open to the ice-cold air, which kept everything perfect.

This spot is about a four-hour drive from my home. The edge of New Zealand is filled with fjords and drama, carved by the quirky Slartibartfast. Not only is it surreal here, but it feels like the edge of the earth and that humans are not supposed to be walking along its shore. There is every kind of earth and water here.

Milford Sound, New Zealand
TreyRatcliff.com

Water in Four Forms

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2013-02-09 22:15:47
• CameraNIKON D800
• Camera MakeNikon
• Exposure Time1/10
• Aperture11
• ISO160
• Focal Length24.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias-1

I shared a work in progress of this not long ago. Now here is the final version! I recently did a road trip down to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi for a few nights to see what I could capture. I usually just stay for one night, but I thought I might as well take a few more chances. It was so beautiful down there. One day was sunny and one day was rain. It’s almost better with the rain because you see thousands – literally thousands of waterfalls. It’s like Jurassic Park or something. This is a panorama made out of about 10 photos or so and this version is 15k pixels across.

A Moody Panorama in Milford Sound (Piopiotahi)

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2022-04-06 20:19:55
• CameraILCE-7RM3
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/2000
• Aperture4
• ISO80
• Focal Length31.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

In Milford, when it rains, the mountains pour. I tell most people when they go that rain is probably one of the best weather situations down there which isn’t often the case for photography… literally THOUSANDS of waterfalls. I believe I took this one right by the tunnel that leads from one side of these massive mountains to the other. The waterfalls are crazy on both sides… mind-blowing, really. Whoever built that tunnel and road to Milford Sound, THANK YOU!
From the new NFT drop on Foundation

Slow Rain. New Zealand.

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2015-12-21 09:13:11
• CameraH5D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1/15
• Aperture5.6
• ISO400
• Focal Length60.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias

The mist from the waterfalls make everything seem like a still from Lord of the Rings…

Misty Milford

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2012-10-27 05:49:37
• CameraNIKON D3S
• Camera MakeNikon
• Exposure Time1/2000
• Aperture2.8
• ISO200
• Focal Length98.0 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias

Here’s a nice stop that a lot of people miss along the way to Milford Sound. I got up early one morning and went between those two bridges just before you get to the sound and hiked along the river to find this spot. That’s Mitre Peak (Rahotu) there in the background.

On the Road to Milford Sound

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2012-10-27 15:30:35
• CameraNEX-7
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/60
• Aperture7.1
• ISO100
• Focal Length45.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias-0.7

Man, Milford Sound is one of those epic places where almost every hour of every day presents you with a different scene. Here’s one of the more bleak views I’ve had over my many visits…

The Many Moods of Milford

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2016-07-04 04:56:48
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/20
• Aperture9
• ISO125
• Focal Length28.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias-0.3

The far southern tip of the South Island of New Zealand has an endless network of beautiful fjords. For some reason, this area is called Milford Sound, even though it’s technically a fjord. It’s beautiful any time of the year, but every now and then, if you are patient, you can see an amazing sunset.

Mitre Peak in the Fjords

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2012-08-08 03:02:26
• CameraNIKON D800
• Camera MakeNikon
• Exposure Time1/8
• Aperture5.6
• ISO50
• Focal Length18.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias

I feel like seeing a dolphin is a bit like seeing a unicorn. They are so rarely seen, but these two came up to ride the wave in front of our boat. I get excited like a little kid when I see dolphins. Also, I think it kinda looks like they are holding hands.

Milford Sound Dolphins

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2013-02-10 00:11:30
• CameraNIKON D800
• Camera MakeNikon
• Exposure Time1/200
• Aperture6.3
• ISO640
• Focal Length14.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias-1