Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a dramatic fiord carved by glaciers, where sheer cliffs rise hundreds of metres straight out of dark, mirror-calm water and permanent waterfalls like Stirling and Lady Bowen plunge from the peaks above. The most iconic composition frames Mitre Peak, the sharp pyramid rising 1,692 metres from the waterfront, reflected in the still water below, best captured from the wharf area early in the morning before wind disturbs the surface. Overcast and rainy days are genuinely some of the best shooting conditions here, as low cloud wraps around the cliffs and dozens of temporary waterfalls appear across the valley walls. A wide angle lens handles the scale well, though a telephoto lets you isolate individual waterfalls and cliff textures. You can access different perspectives on foot along the Foreshore Walk, by kayak close to the cliff bases, or from a boat tour that takes you toward the Tasman Sea. (Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand)