Sunrise on the Church of the Good Shepherd . . . by Neil Creek
Built in 1935 on the bank of Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, the Church of the Good Shepherd is a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie region. Constructed from the lakeside stone, the small church is a centre of worship for the local people. The church is set against the spectacular backdrop of massive mountain ranges and the naturally vivid blue glacial Lake Tekapo. It has become a popular international tourist attraction and is the most photographed church in New Zealand.
The morning I took this photo, I rose before sunrise, looking for the best light by which to capture this gorgeous little church. After an hour or so photographing it from various angles, I headed back to our hotel and happened to glance over my shoulder to see this view. As seen from across the river exiting the lake, the church is framed by trees and backed by the Southern Alps. This photo is a five shot panorama, stitched into a huge seamless vista with incredible detail and subtle colour.
