(Instagram by @ollygreen_)

Instagram of the Month: Lake Wanaka

ByTyler Metcalfe
September 04, 2015
4 min read

When he’s not on the clock at his day job, Oliver Green (on Instagram @ollygreen_) roams the globe with a thirst for adventure and a camera at the ready.

He’s currently exploring the South Island of New Zealand and brought himself—and his great photographic eye—to our attention by tagging his photo with #NatGeoTravelPic on Instagram.

Here’s a peek into how he got this winning shot of Lake Wanaka: 

Tell us where you’re from.

I am from the land of long sandy beaches and green mountainsides dotted with sheep known as New Zealand.

How long have you been a photographer?

I started really getting into photography about two years ago when I was working at a radio station. I began by shooting music festivals and concerts, acts like Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, and the Foo Fighters. I love the atmosphere of those events and the challenge of capturing the moment.

Now I’ve found my place documenting the beauty of the outdoors and capturing those moments in the context of adventure photography.

This image captures the grand scale of Lake Wanaka on New Zealand’s South Island. Where was it taken? Had you traveled there before?

This photo was taken on Roys Peak in Wanaka. A couple of friends and I had one more day in the area and decided to get up at sunrise and trek to the top.

It took us over three hours to reach the summit, but the view was worth every drop of sweat! This was my first time there, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

Do you have any tips for travelers looking to visit the area?

I think it would be really hard to travel to the South Island and not be overwhelmed by its beauty. The weather can be quite temperamental, so be sure to [plan for] a few days in each region to make sure you catch some sunshine.

Based on your Instagram feed, you seem to get around! How does travel fit into your life?

There’s so many places left to go to and not enough hours in a day.

I still work a 9-5 job, but make it a priority to get out and explore as much as I can, even if that means doing late nights shooting the stars and turning up to work a little dusty in the morning.

Is there any place you’re itching to explore next? 

At the moment I’m looking into doing a motorbike tour across Southeast Asia.

Tyler Metcalfe (on Instagram @TylerMetcalfe) is an associate photo producer on Nat Geo Travel’s digital team and manages the @NatGeoTravel Instagram account. 

Want to see one of your shots featured on Intelligent Travel? Tag your Instagram photos with #NatGeoTravelPic.

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