Lake Alta

Lake Alta sits at around 1,800 meters inside The Remarkables ski area, a high-alpine glacial lake ringed by jagged schist peaks that drop sharply into the water. The reflection shots here are exceptional on calm mornings, with the craggy ridgeline mirrored cleanly across the surface. In late spring and early summer you can catch the lake partially frozen, with broken ice sheets drifting near the shoreline adding strong foreground interest. Shoot from the northern bank to frame the peaks behind, or work around the water's edge to find angles where the rock formations frame the scene. A wide-angle lens suits the expansive mountain setting well, though a short telephoto helps compress the ridgeline. Midday light is harsh but workable given the elevation and drama of the surroundings; golden hour in summer, when light rakes across the peaks, is hard to beat. Access is via a roughly 2km trail from the ski area car park. (Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand)