Stirling Falls

Stirling Falls is one of the most dramatic waterfalls in Fiordland, dropping 151 meters directly into the dark waters of Milford Sound from a sheer, moss-covered cliff face. The scale is extraordinary, and the surrounding peaks and mirrored water give you a lot to work with compositionally. You will need to be on the water to get the best shots, so book a cruise or kayak to get close; from a boat you can use a wide angle lens to capture the full drop with the cliff face and reflections below, or zoom in to isolate the cascading tiers against the dark rock. Overcast days actually work in your favor here, softening the contrast and bringing out the deep greens of the moss and surrounding rainforest. Morning light tends to be cleaner before mist and spray build up, and the falls run strongest after rainfall. (Milford Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand)