Lake Taupo is defined by its horizon, wide, exposed, and constantly shifting. From the start, my attention was fixed on Mt. Ruapehu, but winter made it difficult to pin down. Low cloud, heavy wind, and snow cut visibility again and again. I returned to this spot four times, chasing both sunrise and sunset, never quite getting what I came for.

On the final evening, ready to pack up, the clouds briefly lifted. Just enough. The setting sun slipped beneath the cloud layer and washed the peaks in a soft purple light, reflected faintly across the lake below. Blues, mauves, and pinks settled into the scene, flattening the foreground into silhouette and letting the mountain hold the frame.

Everything came together in that fleeting moment, a perfect blend of atmosphere, patience, and timing. 'Purple Haze' felt less like a photograph and more like a painting revealed by nature herself.

Photo by: Bradley Basten