We got up early and went to go in search of a restaurant for breakfast and ended up about 15 minutes down the road at Onetahuti. It was Mother’s Day, and we were the only ones there without a mother… I mean, we have mothers, but you know what I mean. Afterwards, we took a little stroll on this beautiful beach!

Breakfast in Abel Tasman

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2022-05-08 17:36:07
• CameraILCE-7RM3
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/3200
• Aperture4
• ISO100
• Focal Length24.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

Do you think this lake full of glacial water is cold? Yes? Well, you’re right. I am not a fan of cold water and all my friends that love cold water tell me I am a crazy for not liking cold water as then dive into it naked. I’m like no. I like hot water. I like jacuzzis and stuff. It’s not that complicated but I just can’t get it through their heads.

Skinny Dipping on the way to Mount Cook/Aoraki

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2020-11-09 14:45:27
• CameraILCE-7RM3
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/1600
• Aperture8
• ISO500
• Focal Length63.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

I’ve lived here in NZ for quite a while and I’ve never even been to Abel Tasman until just a few weeks ago. I did a mega road trip up there and stopped to pick up my bestie Rene in Nelson. We had a great time up there, but we didn’t spend nearly enough time. Every evening had a lovely sunset and the light was amazing. I got the drone up a few times and here is one of my faves!

Over Abel Tasman

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2022-05-07 21:41:36
• CameraFC2204
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/80
• Aperture2.8
• ISO100
• Focal Length4.4 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias+0.3

Well this was a pretty good set of choices I had! I saw this really cool gap in this seaside structure on the West Coast of the South Island as we were approaching with the helicopter. We ended up landing on the beach, and I was thinking about launching my quad to get a photo. But then I thought, why would I use my quad? I have a helicopter for the day! So after we took off, I told my pilot friend exactly where to go. Decisions, decisions, I know.

Drone or Helicopter?

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2021-03-04 10:17:54
• CameraILCE-7RM3
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/1250
• Aperture5
• ISO200
• Focal Length32.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

This image is from my last trip to the US, or maybe it was the 2nd last… either way it’s been a while since I was there. I’m now in the process of booking the flights so it’s all systems go prep wise. Given that I am heading back to see the family in Texas in July, I expect the conditions to be a touch warmer than they were in this image!

More Trip Planning

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2019-01-13 15:38:58
• CameraPixel 3 XL
• Camera MakeGoogle
• Exposure Time1/490
• Aperture1.8
• ISO55
• Focal Length4.4 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias

When I turned 50, I had quite the party. And my friend Luke from Luma came out to decorate the whole thing with lights. How cool is this? I asked him if he could just leave it. Please leave it! Anyway, the party got a little loose. I knew there were two groups of people. The drinkers and the drug-takers. I was in the latter. Overall it split about 50/50. All the drunk people stayed at the main house and the most awesome people ended up out in the cabin. Twas epic!

50th party blowout bash!

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2021-04-10 20:28:01
• CameraILCE-7RM3
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time10
• Aperture4
• ISO2000
• Focal Length24.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

I shared a work in progress of this not long ago. Now here is the final version! I recently did a road trip down to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi for a few nights to see what I could capture. I usually just stay for one night, but I thought I might as well take a few more chances. It was so beautiful down there. One day was sunny and one day was rain. It’s almost better with the rain because you see thousands – literally thousands of waterfalls. It’s like Jurassic Park or something. This is a panorama made out of about 10 photos or so and this version is 15k pixels across.

A Moody Panorama in Milford Sound (Piopiotahi)

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2022-04-06 20:19:55
• CameraILCE-7RM3
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/2000
• Aperture4
• ISO80
• Focal Length31.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

Here’s an image from a fun little shoot I did at The Vessel with a couple of friends.

Fashion at the Vessel

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2019-06-22 20:09:00
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/80
• Aperture4
• ISO200
• Focal Length43.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

A little chunk of NYC for your viewing pleasure…

A Slice of NYC

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2019-06-20 00:23:21
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1.6
• Aperture4
• ISO250
• Focal Length42.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

Here’s another of those images I stumbled across yesterday. This one is maybe from China. I don’t actually remember taking it, so maybe it’s somewhere completely different! If you recognize it, you know where the comments are.

Unknown China

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2010-10-01 03:37:14
• CameraNIKON D3X
• Camera MakeNikon
• Exposure Time10
• Aperture6.7
• ISO200
• Focal Length14.0 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias+2

I just stumbled across a few images from Asia that I don’t think I’ve shared before. It’s quite awesome when that happens, although not quite as awesome as finding some money in that jacket you haven’t worn in a while. That’s always a good excuse to go spend your newfound wealth on something super unhealthy. Mmmm… donuts…

Found Kyoto

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2022-06-20 00:04:19
• CameraNIKON D3X
• Camera MakeNikon
• Exposure Time30
• Aperture8
• ISO200
• Focal Length19.0 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias+2

Finally time to start looking at international flights… woo hoo!!! This is the runway at Milford Sound (Piopiotahi), they don’t do international though.

Booking

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2020-03-06 00:24:37
• CameraILCE-7RM3
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/800
• Aperture4.5
• ISO160
• Focal Length28.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

No, not the K-pop band but a behind the scenes shot from my promo video for the Sotheby’s auction…

BTS from Coronet

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2022-04-24 17:20:02
• CameraILCE-7RM3
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/60
• Aperture4
• ISO100
• Focal Length96.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

I shared an image from one of the Ritz-Carltons in Bali the other day. Here’s one from the resort I mentioned in the Sphere article, Mandapa – A Ritz-Carlton Reserve. My favorite hotel.

Bali 2.0

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2015-11-13 18:36:37
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time25
• Aperture8
• ISO250
• Focal Length34.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias

This library holds more secrets than I am willing to share. The secrets are so good, in fact, they would absolutely ruin the photo if you knew them. This is the dangerous nature of secrets, right? I suggest you don’t try to discover them to save yourself the disappointment. – Tianjin, China

From Series 2 of my fine art prints. Available in a limited edition at 1.5 meters by 0.85 meters. More info at TreyRatcliff.com.

The Impossible Library

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2018-06-13 13:53:19
• CameraPixel 2 XL
• Camera MakeGoogle
• Exposure Time1/60
• Aperture1.8
• ISO158
• Focal Length4.5 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias

Antarctica – an epic place without scale or relativity. Somewhere on this terrible volcano are the remains of a jetliner, which crashed after taking off from New Zealand on a sight-seeing tour. I was on another plane, a CL-130, when I took this. The “”L”” means it lands on skis. It has no proper windows to speak of, but I managed to befriend the loadmaster who got me into the cockpit for take-off. Quite by chance, there was a polar sunbow that appeared over this most dreadful and awesome of volcanos. There is nothing that erupts new earth as close to the Antarctic pole, so to soar over it in peace was surreal. The white sun seemed to welcome everyone below and above.

From Series 1 of my fine art prints. Available in a limited edition at 2.5meters by 1.9meters. More info at TreyRatcliff.com.

a polar sunbow erupts over an iced volcano

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2015-01-21 08:30:51
• CameraILCE-7M2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/2000
• Aperture5.6
• ISO100
• Focal Length18.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias-2.7

I’ve just bought myself a new drone, the Mavic Mini 3 Pro… in some ways it’s not as good as my existing drone however through an absolutely mad bit of engineering DJI have managed to keep the weight down to 249grams and its tiny size wise too. Still got 4k video, still got decent stills resolution and good range. So a really nice balance and something I can travel with far more easily! Looking forward to sharing content created with it. For now here’s a shot from the good old Phantom 3 Pro when I was in Venice.

New Toy

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2016-02-05 07:44:13
• CameraFC300X
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/400
• Aperture2.8
• ISO100
• Focal Length3.6 mm
• FlashNo flash function
• Exposure ProgramUnknown (58655)
• Exposure Bias