John Collins - Photographer

I drive through Kutarere often and see this church. I always think to myself “I need to photograph that one day”. The light on this day was incredible and I couldn’t help myself 😊

Wharariki beach is a place that holds a lot a great memories for me and is definitely one of my happy places. Where is your happy place

Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.

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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40mm f4
Lee filters Big Stopper

He who climbs upon the highest mountains laughs at all tragedies, real or imaginary

A big storm system rolling in to Aoraki the day that I left. I think I might have got out of there just in time 😂
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Canon 6D
Canon 70-200 f4 L
7 shot pano stitched in photoshop

I have been absolutely loving these end of summer sunrises and sunsets. Clear skies, still wind and gorgeous colors

I woke up at 3am with sore neck from using my skateboard as a pillow. I jumped out of my tent and into the car, destination - the Moeraki boulders. I quickly made my way through dunedin and over the hill, heading north. I reach the car park and make my way down the beach just before sunrise to see 30 or so photographers all photographing the same composition. I had to laugh but each to their own I guess. It left the rest of the beach for myself which I was very happy about and I was able to find some beautiful spots for a few shots of the sunrise

Life doesn't flow backwards!

We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, wheather it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came

Milford sound is one of those places you go to and are completely awestruck by how beautiful the the scenery is with waterfalls and snowy peaks at every turn. I spent a few days in the fiordland national park and was lucky enough to catch mitre peak on a gorgeous still evening to capture that stunning reflection
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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40 f4 L

I would just like to wish all my fantastic followers an amazing holiday season! Thank you all for your support over the last year and I hope we have another adventurous filled year a head next year. I have some pretty awesome things planned for 2019 so stick around and check those out!! Christmas trees are a pretty iconic tree for this time of the year but a photo of a plain old Douglas fur would be boring so here is a tree we all know and love 😂😂

We are so lucky in New Zealand to have such dynamic landscapes like the Franz Josef area. Extending past the present coastline in the last ice age, the Fraz Josef has now retreated up the valley. Echoes of its past can be seen in this glacial carved valley

I had such an incredible time exploring the area of lake tekapo. The unfortunately I was a little early for the bloom of lupins but with stunning views like this, who cares right??
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Canon 6D
Canon 70-200 f4L
7 shot panorama

There is no place like home...especially at sunset 🤣
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Canon 6D
Canon 70-200 f4L

I'm sorry I haven't been uploading so much lately. I have been struggling for reception and haven't really had time to get through too many of the images I have taken. I'm sure there will be time for that when I get home. I spent a full day exploring the catlins a week or so ago and it was incredible. Rolling hills, lush native forest and so many amazing waterfalls. This is probably one of the more photographed ones but here is my take on it for your waterfall Wednesday
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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40 f4L

The hike up to ho**er lake is such a picturesque walk with photo opportunities at every turn. The first time I did it, it took me twice as long as it normally would because I had to keep stopping to photograph the amazing scenery. This was shot on my second hike up to the lake which I did on a extremely cold morning which, I think, suits this image well.

Mt Cook standing tall behind ho**er lake
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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40 f4L

I shot this on a quick visit to lake Tekapo. It is such a beautiful lake but there was storm clouds rolling in which meant I couldn't stay long and they kinda ruined the shot, but I thought I would post it anyway as I kinda liked it
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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40 f4L

Kaikoura has been a phenomenal place to stop by. Its seaside town charm hit me right away. I can't wait to come back here!! I was lucky to see this beautiful sunset and snapping a quick 30 image panorama before finding somewhere to put my tent up for the night ⛺😂
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Canon 6D
Canon 70-200 f4L

What a year this has been for me. I have been on an incredible journey of learning who I am and getting in touch with my soul. I have also worked hard on my health, fitness and physical well being and it has all been the biggest positive shift in my life to date. This journey is in no way over but I just wanted to celebrate how far I have come because I am damn proud of myself. In a year I have dropped multiple clothing sizes and a shoe size. I have a resting heart rate of 49 bpm and have dropped close to 50 kilograms in weight. I dont want to show a before and after photo or a "look at how skinny I am now" mirror selfie because that isint what it is about for me Instead I want to share with you a goal which I have looked to every day to help me achieve what I have because without this goal (and many others I am ticking off on this trip) I dont know where I would be and that is a scary concept. This is lake Rotoiti in the Nelson lakes area on a beautiful sunset. Most of the snow has melted away on the distant mountains but it is still so awesome and such a great way to see out my birthday for this year
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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40 f4L
Lee Filters Big Stopper

I'm having such an amazing time here in the south island. I have been on the road a week and I dont feel like I have gotten very far, everywhere I go just seems like a 'wow' or 'holy s**t' moment and I am constantly blown away by the scenery and people. I am going to try and make it to the nelson lakes tomorrow and I'll also try and get a skate in as it's my birthday 😂. This is a winding road that the screamed at me to capture in the abel tasman national park
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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40 f4L

I recently discovered just how beautiful this country really is. I woke up the night after a pretty rough ferry ride to picton, looking out over the queen Charlotte sounds as the sun was rising over the rolling green hills. I really should upload a photograph of that, instead here is the archway islands at wharariki beach. This spot is absolutely phenomenal!!
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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40 f4L

In two days time I am embarking on an adventure of a life time, backpacking my way around the south island. The trip will be all about enjoying immersing myself in the things that I love - hiking, photography and skateboarding. This has put me into extreme holiday mode way too early but that ain't a bad thing. I have driving past this spot multiple times but the weather or light hasn't been on my side. Last night I decided to stop and catch the sunset here and it didn't disappoint
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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40 f4L
Lee Filters Big Stopper

I recently visited a spot I have photographed a few times before but have just never really come away with a good shot. For me it was a combination of struggling with composition and trying to capture the scale of this waterfall. Using myself, I think I nailed the latter. Wairere falls in whakatane for waterfall Wednesday
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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40 f4L

You won't catch me far from the sun, surf and sand
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Canon 6D
Canon 70-200 f4L

Sunset at the Whakatane heads on a still spring evening. For once I was able to get a shot with a seagull sitting on top of the statue 😂
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Canon 6D
Canon 70-200 f4L

I think I have a thing for jettys 😂. Lake Tarawera with the sunkissed Mt Tarawera looking absolutely mighty
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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40 f4L

Some absolute phenomenal colors came through as this sunset faded away. Its seeing how gorgeous nature can really be, like this, that grounds me and replenishes my soul

This is HOME. Lady on the rock at the Whakatane heads. 6 images stitched together
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Canon 6D
Canon 70-200 f4L

I am so grateful to call this place home! Spring sunsets at coastlands beach are phenomenal
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Canon 6D
Canon 17-40 f4L

Waves are the voices of tides. Tides are life, they bring new food for shore creatures, and take ships out to sea. They are the ocean's pulse, and our own heartbeat

The swell rolling in at the whakatane heads
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Canon 6D
Canon 70-200 f4L

The mighty mount Putauaki looking magnificent at sunset and getting photobombed by mount Tarawera
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Canon 6D
Canon 70-200 f4L
Edited with Lightroom and Photoshop

I know an island sitting;
Far beneath the starry navy.
Here I will stay, forever maybe,
Here, blanketed by the restless sea.
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Canon 6D
17-40 f4L
Edited with Lightroom and Photoshop

This is one mighty mountain!!! Sunset at lake Tarawera
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Canon 6D
17-40 f4L
Edited with Lightroom and Photoshop

Footprints. In the sand they show where we have come from but not where we are going. Sunset at the Ohiwa harbor in Ohope
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Canon 6D
17-40 f4L
Edited with Lightroom and Photoshop

I was glad I decided to take my camera with me this morning as I took a walk along the beach. This sunrise was incredible. What do you think?
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Canon 6D
17-40 f4L
Edited with Lightroom and Photoshop

East coast swell. Waves breaking on Ohope beach. I'm loving the different perspective a drone gives to the beach
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Dji Spark drone
Polar Pro polarizer
Edited with Adobe lightroom

So I recently got my hands on a Spark drone from DJI. I've never flown a drone before so after learning the ropes, this was my first shot. Looking forward to playing around with this a bit more!!
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Dji Spark drone
Polar Pro polarizer
Edited with Lightroom

Storms ruining my sunset. The first time I have been able to get out and shoot since getting over a nasty flu, and a storm comes and puts a hold on tonight's sunset
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Canon 6D
17-40 f4L
Edited with Lightroom and photoshop