Please meet our final judge in this year’s Wilderness Photographer of the Year, presented by Mountain Designs, Mike Edmondson.
Mike has been a backcountry guide, professional photographer & cross-country ski instructor for over 35 years. Specialising in Kosciuszko NP where he leads photography, snow camping adventures & Australia’s Ten Highest Peaks walks. Mike also has an extensive photographic online gallery.
Make takes five with Great Walks.
What are you looking for in an award-winning photo?
A photo that jumps out and instantly attracts your attention. These photos are unique with amazing composition and light.
What’s your advice for getting good photos on a wet day?
Use an Umbrella & water/weatherproof camera (I've destroyed one small camera that wasn't weather or waterproof on a wet day). Limit camera use and store in waterproof easily accessible bag like a Lowepro chest harness. Use many dry cloth wipes stored in zip lock bags. Point your camera down unless using it preferably downwind from the rain. Be patient and wait between gusts of rain to shoot. And use a lens hood to reduce water droplets on the lens.
What's the best way to capture the perfect sunset photo?
Allow an extra 30 minutes before you shoot to scout for compositions with good subjects in foreground such as flowers, water reflections etc. Scouting around beforehand will also get you familiar with the terrain, physical obstacles and lens requirements. Then be adaptable when sunset comes following the best light and getting many compositions fairly quickly until you need to use a tripod. Rather than few shots with a tripod for every shot the whole time!
What’s your favourite time of the day to shoot and why?
Low light and unusual light. Many people miss the pre-dawn light asleep snug in their tents. Or the light after sunset as they start heading back to camp early & are heading to bed too soon. In winter the light angles are lower especially in the alpine environment allowing more shadow patterns and softer non glary light to shoot in.
If you could take just one camera and one lens on an outdoor shoot, what would they be?
Currently my Nikon Z711 with my Nikon14-24mm f/2.8 S if I'm shooting closer subjects like snowgums or wildflowers with big mountain scenery in the background or astro. Or my Nikon Z711 with my Nikon 24-120mm f/4 S which has reasonable macro and is a good wide angle zoom for.