The Waimakariri Valley is a striking feature of Arthur’s Pass National Park, located in the Southern Alps of New Zealand’s South Island. The 151 km long braided Waimakariri River winds through the valley, flowing from its headwaters in the Alps, across extensive shingle beds, and across the Canterbury Plain to the South Pacific Ocean.
This viewpoint, situated along Highway 73, offers an unobstructed, elevated view of the river looking northwest towards the Black Range of the Southern Alps, with Mount Harper (2,222 m / 7,290 ft) prominently dominating the landscape.
The view is particularly breathtaking during the winter months. I was fortunate to capture this image in early May, when the mountains were covered in snow. The cloudless sky featured colourful pastels, and morning mist added to the scene, making it a perfect moment to stop—especially since these mountains are often hidden by clouds.
For the composition, I prefer this particular spot, as it contains four strong compositional elements: the leading lines and S-curves of the river; the mountains in the background, which add great depth to the image; and the v-shaped slopes of the mountains on either side, which draw the viewer’s eye towards the center of the frame, directing attention to the head of the river and the peak of Mount Harper.
