Whether you are an seasoned hiker looking to tick off one of the greatest hikes in Australia, or someone looking for a challenge while experiencing the best nature has to offer, the Overland Track is for you.
With a bit of hiking experience under my belt and a passion for photography, the Overland Track has always been on my hit list. It presented a challenge considering the number of nights but also an opportunity for me to satisfy my photography and nature craving. After a few years of thinking about it, I set off from Cradle Mountain in April of 2019.
Below are some of my favourite photos I captured along the way and some of the challenges I faced as a hiking photographer. If you have any questions about the Overland Track, I would be more than happy to answer them. I really enjoyed the experience and the photos I captured. I hope you enjoy them too.
Standing atop Cradle Mountain is as good a place as any to take a photo. Shot Notes: f6.3 | 1/100 sec | ISO 100 | 43mm
Camping under a starry night at the foot of Barn Bluff.
Shot Notes: f2.8 | 30 sec | ISO 4000 | 24mm + f2.8 | 242 sec | ISO 4000 | 24mm
From one peak to another. Looking over at Barn Bluff from the summit of Cradle Mountain. Shot Notes: f8 | 1/60 sec | ISO 200 | 34mm
Halfway point. Descending into a valley between Cradle Mountain and Lake St. Clair. Shot Notes: iPhone 8
Challenge 1 - Weight vs. Versatility
Hiking as a photographer can be really satisfying and rewarding, but it also poses a number of its own unique challenges.
You can explore some remote and incredible locations and come away with some great photos that not may people are willing to take. On the flip side however, camera gear is heavy and accessing these locations is not often easy. When you decide to go on a combined hiking/photography trip, the first compromise you have to make is which gear you are willing to sacrifice to save weight. Carrying a DSLR or mirrorless camera body and a number of lenses from wide to telephoto, and macro to astro, the kilos quickly start adding up. Knowing exactly what types of photos you would like to capture will help you decide on what gear to bring.
Along with my Sony a7iii camera body, I decided to take a Sony 24-105mm f4 which covered my wide angle and telephoto needs, and a Samyang 24mm f1.4 for astrophotography. This was the lightest kit I was willing to take, offering enough versatility to capture the photos I had planned and anything that I might stumble across. However, if I was to go back and walk the track again, I would also take a 16-35mm f4 to capture some of the amazing vistas along the way.
Walking through the fairy tale forests of Tasmania.
Shot Notes (Left): f4 | 1/50 sec | ISO 3200 | 28mm (Right): f4 | 1/40 sec | ISO 6400 | 24mm
Challenge 2 - Planned vs. Unplanned Locations
The most unexpected challenge I faced was my reluctance to stop, put down my hiking bag and take out my Sony camera to take a photo. It sounds strange, but when you get into the rhythm of walking with a heavy pack it's often easier to keep on walking. Because of this, I found that the only time I was taking out my a7iii was when I had pre-planned to take a photo at that location.
When I stumbled upon a location that I hadn't planned for (which happens quite often on the Overland Track!), I would just take out my phone and take a snapshot. Although the quality of a phone's camera is not equal to that of a mirrorless or DSLR camera, it is much easier to take out and have within reach to capture some of these more unexpected moments. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each will enable you to take more photos on the track and come away with a variety of different images.
Chasing Waterfalls. Shot Notes: f14 | 2 sec | ISO 50 | 24mm
