Feng Lu, Matheson Lake Morning Serenade (SINGLE SHOT 2025)

The photo was taken in October 2024, capturing the most serene and enchanting scenery I encountered on New Zealand’s South Island. That morning, I arrived alone at Lake Matheson, where a faint mist floated gently over the calm lake surface. After setting up my equipment and taking a few shots, I quietly waited for sunrise. As the dawn light gradually illuminated the sky, the glowing mist was occasionally pierced by the calls of wild birds. Pairs of wild birds leaped into the lake from all directions, swimming and singing freely in the water. Wanting to capture the beautiful scene from a broader perspective, I switched to a medium focal length lens and took this panoramic photo, which I am particularly fond of.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.