The Milford Umbrella Tree is one one my most iconic prints of Milford Sound. First photographed in 2006. I took great care when composing the shot. Notice the separation of the tree from the surrounding mountains, the lifting of the umbrella fill the gap between the mountain edge and the curved shaped foliage above, the umbrella is the ultimate visual hook.
I love the way the wide angle lens has distorted reality to make the tree expand high above and over the purposeful, Magritte looking man.
It is very hard to make this composition now because small bushes have grown around the edges of the track and the tree has grown too.
This image feels very Japanese to me and the man holding the umbrella is a lover of Japanese aesthetics.