Peters Pool

Peters Pool is a small glacially-formed kettle lake sitting just off the road between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef, offering some of the finest mountain reflections in New Zealand's South Island. The still water mirrors the surrounding peaks and valley walls, making symmetrical compositions your best option; position yourself low at the water's edge to maximise the reflection and include interesting foreground details like tussock grass or reeds. Early morning is the prime window, when calm air keeps the surface glassy and soft light wraps the mountains without harsh shadows. Wind picks up as the day progresses and quickly kills the reflection, so arriving at first light gives you the best chance of a clean shot. A wide-angle lens works well to capture the full sweep of peaks and their mirror image, and the short, flat walk from the roadside makes this spot easily accessible for any fitness level. (Westland, South Island, New Zealand)