• Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D850 Bird Photography

    In this video I compare the Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D850 for bird photography and I was surprised with some of the results. The Z7 and D850 share the same 45MP sensor, but both have differing focus ability. Which Nikon is better for bird photography? I show comparative images and I let you decide when it comes to the Z7 vs D850.

    IF YOU ENJOY MY VIDEOS YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT MY CHANNEL VERY EASILY. Simply purchase my images from around the world on many different products, including canvas prints, photographic prints, framed prints, clothing, phone cases, throw pillows, greeting cards and more. Delivery is worldwide and every purchase helps my YouTube channel to keep going. So any purchase, even very small like a sticker, is greatly appreciated. Please visit my Prints (Delivery Worldwide) link in the menu.

    The Z7 vs D850 for bird photography
    Click the thumbnail for the YouTube video.
  • The TWO lenses you’ll ever need for LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

    These are the only two lenses you’ll ever need for landscape photography. I have travelled extensively and I always found I ended up using these two lenses after carrying four or five in my camera bag. While I am a Nikon user, I will also give my opinion on the equivalent two lenses for both Canon and Sony mirrorless range of landscape photography cameras. I know there are a lot of photographers who have their favourite lenses and if you’re getting great results, that’s fantastic. But these are the two I use and I always come back home with good images.

    The Only Two Lenses You'll Need For Landscape Photography.
    Click on the thumbnail for the YouTube video.

  • Why I Still LOVE My Nikon D850 in 2022

    In this video I talk about the many reasons why I still love my Nikon D850 in 2022. Since being released in 2017, the D850 has been described as one of the best DSLR cameras ever made. I agree with that. To me the Nikon D850 is still amazing to this day when it comes to the different types of photography I like to do. That includes landscape photography, bird photography, wildlife photography and more. If you look more on my YouTube channel you’ll see there is a lot of videos on the D850, not just this one. So if you’re a fan of the camera, please feel free to watch as many videos as you like as I put it through its paces.

    Nikon D850
    Click on the thumbnail for the YouTube video.
  • Photographing Iceland – The Adventure Begins …

    And so the adventure begins!

     

    My YouTube channel is up and running and my new series Photographing Iceland has been completed and ready to share!

     

    In this video I will travel from Brisbane Australia to London United Kingdom on the first leg of my journey to Iceland. It also gives you a little background on myself and what I do. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for many more videos to come.

     

    Click the pic below to go straight to the video 🙂

     

    Iceland

  • Hooker Valley Track – New Zealand

    For so many years I have wanted to hike along the Hooker Valley Track in New Zealand.  I was fortunate enough recently to make my dream come true.  In April this year, on a perfect Autumn day, my wife and I set out to do the 8 km (5 mile) 4 hour round trek to the base of Mount Cook and Hooker Lake via the Hooker Valley Track and let me tell you … it was SPECTACULAR!

     

    Hooker Valley Track
    Mount Cook Road heading towards the Hooker Valley Track past Lake Pukaki.

     

    It was everything I dreamt it would be.  Besides the jaw dropping alpine scenery, I was also witness to avalanches (from a distance),  flowing streams, suspension bridges, wildlife, icebergs (yes, icebergs!) and of course seeing Mount Cook up close is something else.

     

    Hooker Valley Track
    You’ll find the trails on the Hooker Valley Track are well maintained. Just love that view!

     

    I chose to travel light in terms of camera equipment.  I took my Nikon D800 and Sony RX100 Mark 3 and a smaller lighter tripod.  This paid off in the end because I have gone on much longer hikes with a full camera kit and lenses.  At the end of those hikes my legs felt like jelly, on this hike I felt really good and still energetic at the end.

     

    Hooker-Valley-Track
    From every angle, every view point, the landscape is just stunning.

     

    Hooker Valley
    Beautiful suspension bridges along the Hooker Valley Track. They’re bouncy and fun!

     

     

    Hooker Valley Track
    The Stocking Stream Shelter is at about the three quarter way mark into the Hooker Valley Track.

     

     

    Hooker Valley Track
    Mount Cook and the surrounding mountains reflect into the Alpine Tarn. Taken with my Nikon D800 and 14-24mm lens.

     

    Here are some tips regarding the Hooker Valley Track.  Firstly, make sure you take some food and water.  Just snacks would be enough to get you by.  I took a large Gatorade, a pre made sandwich, nut bar and packet of chips.  I found that more than enough to keep me rolling along.  Secondly, make sure you have sunscreen and a good quality brand insect repellent, especially in the early morning or late evening.  Thirdly, DON’T RUSH, I was moving along at a pretty fast pace going in on the track and I wish I would have walked slower because you come to the end soon enough at Hooker Lake.

     

    Hooker-Valley-Track
    Nice place to stop for a rest and bite to eat don’t you think?

     

     

    Hooker Valley Track
    Icebergs float in Hooker Lake at the base of Mount Cook on the Hooker Valley Track.

     

    I would describe the hike somewhere between easy to moderate.  Let me put it this way, I saw 70 something year old people with walking canes passing me going back towards the main campsite, so my immediate thoughts of what lay before me fitness wise were instantly relieved.  I had trained for months beforehand, but in the end I didn’t really need it.  What you will notice is the hike in is a bit harder than the hike out due to the ever so slight upwards grade to the base of Mount Cook and Hooker Lake.

     

     

    Hooker Valley Track
    Long exposure shot with 10 stop ND filter, a stream flows off Hooker Lake. Mount Cook in the distance.

     

    Have you been to the Hooker Valley Track?  Perhaps you’re thinking of doing it soon?  If so, I’d love to hear from you and your experience in the comments below.  Please feel free to say hello.

     

    For more photos and adventures please follow my Instagram account @adrianalfordphotography or check out my Facebook page – Adrian Alford Photography.  Thanks for reading 🙂

     

    Hooker Valley Track – dream accomplished.

     

    Hooker Valley Track

     

  • New Zealand images now available to view

    Friends, it’s been a while since I’ve posted on my blog, but I am happy to announce I have now

    uploaded my New Zealand images under the Travel tab above or you can click here.  For the beautiful panoramas click here.

    I had so much fun while capturing these and also fine tuning in the post production process.  I hope you enjoy and please leave feedback if you wish.

    I have more adventures planned for the future so stay tuned.

    Your friend behind the lens

    Adrian

  • Day 10 Queenstown

    Today, very sadly is my last day here in beautiful Queenstown.  What a memorable trip!  I have some of the most incredible shots from around the south island.  I can’t wait to get home and do a bit of post producing on them and load them to this website.

     

    This morning began early for me.  I was up before dawn and headed to Coronet Peak (a mountain 15 mins from Queenstown).  From here I shot some amazing star shots with the glow of Queenstown below.  I used the magic Nikon 14-24mm lens and to say I’m happy with the shots I got is an understatement.  I then shot sunrise shots including panoramas with The Remarkables in them.

     

    I then had breakfast at a cute little café in Arrowtown.  I love Arrowtown, if you’re ever visiting here in Queenstown it’s worth the drive out to experience it, make sure you visit the bakery 😉

     

    It was then back to Queenstown where I did some experimenting with my GoPro (photos and timelapse videos) and threw on the monster Nikon 80–400mm lens on the D800 and got some wildlife shots.

     

    This trip will go down as one of the best I’ve ever had.  I’ve seen mother nature in all her glory, easily some of the most spectacular mountain scenery ever and of course I was engaged to my beautiful soul mate Kristy.  Life is so good!  Get out there and make the most it.  As Ferris Bueller said, “blink and you might just miss it.”

     

    Take care, and until next time.

     

    Coronet

     

     

  • Day 9 Queenstown

    Glorious sunrise this morning.  Incredible colours of pink and purple as the sun came up over The Remarkables.

     

    Well after getting engaged yesterday and a long night of celebrating I took it easy today and just cruised around the Queenstown area itself with the camera.

     

    I mostly took shots over in the botanic gardens area and did a lot with the GoPro today in terms of time lapse videos.  Look forward to putting them together when I get home.

     

    Finished the day off with casual cruise on the TSS Earnslaw (a 100 year old steam ship) across Lake Wakatipu with my new fiancé.  Perfect end to another wonderful day here.

     

    Last day tomorrow.  So sad to be leaving but will make the absolute most of my last day shooting.

     

    Sunrise

     

     

  • Day 8 Queenstown

    Today I asked the most beautiful person in the world if she would marry me.  And she said, YES!

     

    It all happened in my favourite and what I would describe as the most magical place in the world.  At Paradise not too far from Queenstown on a picture perfect day.

     

    Words escape me in describing the love of my life.  All I can say is I have well and truly found my

    soul mate.  I am the happiest and luckiest man in the world.

     

    Kristy & Adrian