The Balleny Islands sit at one of the most extraordinary geographic boundaries on Earth — the Antarctic Circle runs directly through the archipelago. On the way south, they were barely visible through cloud. On the return, two weeks later, they gave me everything: fierce light, sculptural icebergs, and a moment of golden revelation I could not have predicted or planned for.

Wild light. Monolithic ice. And an arch worn through the body of an iceberg that remains one of the most astonishing things I have encountered in a lifetime behind a camera.

In the Subantarctic, the landscape is never still. Wind, water, and shifting light reshape the islands from moment to moment, blurring the boundaries between land, sea, and life.

This article explores a different way of seeing—where the landscape is not a fixed scene, but a living system in motion.

In 2025, my photography captured New Zealand’s landscapes, from misty forests to rugged coastlines and mountains. Balancing travel with familiar local scenes, these images reflect both place and personal experience, telling a quiet, honest story of the year in photographs.

A visual story of a photography trip to Cape Farewell including a sunrise and sunset at Wharariki Beach, a hike on top of the cliffs, and an exploration of Farewell Spit.

Over several mist‑filled mornings below Te Mata Peak, I set out to capture more than just the view — I wanted to express the quiet mood and shifting light of the Tukituki Valley. This series presents images with a more interpretive approach, revealing the beauty, atmosphere, and subtle rhythms of Hawke’s Bay in golden light.

An itinerary with photos, gear tips, and a personal account of a 3-day hike of the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s most scenic Great Walks.

This visual journey follows Northland’s Twin Coast Discovery Highway, taking you through the Kauri Coast to the Far North, before returning via the Bay of Islands to Whangārei. Travelling in our motorhome, we dedicated two weeks to thoroughly revisit familiar spots and uncover new ones.

Step into the serene beauty of Lake Tūtira, where a foggy morning and tranquil waters set the stage for magical reflections and unexpected inspiration. Discover how this 36-hour retreat turned into a photographer’s dream!

A visual story about a group of recurring trees in the rural fields of Hawke’s Bay that are a recurring photography subject for Jos Buurmans. View his images and learn why revisiting the same location could help your photography.

A story about how locals experience the daily sunrise from Te Mata Peak, Havelock North.

A visual journey through the enchanting landscapes of Iceland with landscape photographer Jos Buurmans, as he recounts his September 2023 expedition following Iceland’s Ring Road to capture distinctly shaped mountains, moss-covered lava, iconic waterfalls, accessible glaciers and iceberg-occupied lagoons.

Local photographer Jos Buurmans shares his top 8 easily accessible landscape photography spots in the Hawke’s Bay.

A visual story about landscape photography in Hawke’s Bay during the recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle.

A visual story about travelling the Hawke’s Bay region in a mobile home.

A visual story about a photography trip to New Zealand’s South Island in the winter of 2022 featuring Fiordland and the Southern Alps.

A visual story about walking the Milford Track in December 2021 in the Fiordland National Park, featuring rainforest, rivers, mountains, and the MacKinnon Pass.

A visual story about autumn in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. It includes images of Waimarama Road, Te Mata Peak, Pekapeka Wetlands and Lake Tutiri.

This is part 3 of a visual story about a 20-day journey following the Southern Scenic Route from Dunedin to Queenstown in early December 2020. This third part covers our trip through Fiordland, including Lake Hauroko, Manapouri, Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound, to Queenstown.

This is part 2 of a visual story about a 20-day journey following the Southern Scenic Route from Dunedin to Queenstown in early December 2020. This second part covers the trip through the Catlins from Kaka Point to Waipapa Point.

This is part 1 of a visual story about our 20-day journey following the Southern Scenic Route from Dunedin to Queenstown in early December 2020. This first part covers the routed from Christchurch along coastal Otago to Dunedin.