Salto Angel Night

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 13, 2011457 views15 comments

Angel Falls/Salto Angel, Canaima National Park, Venezuela

A dream for a long time finally realized. First visit to the tallest waterfall in the world in my home country. I am ashamed I was not able to go there before.

I could not sleep this particular night, I don't remember being able to see a night with stars this brilliant before. At times raining, to then have the most clean sky showcasing the stars at its best. From my hammock, I just thought how can I capture this... Well, at 3am I decided to photograph, regardless whether the technical qualities of the image are enough to portrait the moment. This is how I remember it!

What to do when in a place like this for the first time in your life!

This is the first of 2 night shots portraying my feelings.

Nikon D700
50mm
30secs @ f/1.4 ISO 6400

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on January 13, 2011 at 10:49 AM

This is fantastic, Ed! And I love your characterization of your images as portraying your feelings. This is what expressive photography is all about!

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Cartamil on January 13, 2011 at 11:33 AM

I would love this even more if some of the stars had not turned into 'blobs' over the 30 second exposure. I'm not even sure how that's possible!

Registered on November 15, 2007, 50 Posts, 601 Comments

Comment posted by David Moynahan on January 13, 2011 at 12:04 PM

Wow, a very evocative image! Nice comp. I'm surprised that it wasn't overexposed at that ISO for 30 seconds. Nice work and thanks for sharing it.

Registered on December 11, 2010, 11 Posts, 77 Comments

Comment posted by Edward Nunez on January 13, 2011 at 12:09 PM

Thanks for the comments. I really appreciated.

Daniel, I agree with your comment. This image was taken with a 50mm a bit different if I had used a wide angle lens for the stars in the sky and I guess humidity may have helped to turn the big stars into blobs. Even at 30 secs with a 50mm the stars already move. I was hesitant about even posting with such technical "flaws", but as I said in my statement I wanted to portray the feeling of being there staring at such scene at 3am.

Registered on April 19, 2007, 65 Posts, 711 Comments

Comment posted by Lori Kincaid on January 13, 2011 at 1:48 PM

Reminds me of a Van Gogh. You've captured the wonderment of the moment brilliantly!

Lori

Registered on November 15, 2003, 90 Posts, 2033 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 13, 2011 at 2:16 PM

Awesome! I do feel like I'm right there. I'm enjoying this, Ed.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on January 13, 2011 at 2:40 PM

Yea...no idea how the stars turned out like that...even with movement they would be streaks not blobs...where is the light coming from on the falls?? Looks like a big spot light...very odd. sick shot though..and way not to sleep :)

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Tyson Fisher on January 13, 2011 at 2:45 PM

Dreamy and painterly. The sky and dark edge along the top of the cliff to the right of the falls may not be technically perfect but the image and concept as a whole sure stirs up an emotional response within me. This must have been quite the experience. It's amazing the light a 50 1.4 can capture. It's one of my favorite lenses.

Registered on September 17, 2008, 44 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on January 13, 2011 at 3:08 PM

May be not technically perfect, but who cares? This is very evocative - I like your take. The star "blobs" feel a bit overpowering - not sure if there is a way to reduce that

Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments

Comment posted by Luis Argerich on January 13, 2011 at 6:32 PM

I echo Guy's words, fantastic image Edward!

Registered on December 22, 2009, 91 Posts, 1349 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on January 13, 2011 at 11:09 PM

You conveyed your feellings very well! Very creative.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on January 14, 2011 at 1:05 AM

Glad you were able to finally see this, Edward! The technical flaws are'nt a problem for me. I think we get too caught up in that sometimes and deprive ourselves of the enjoyment an image can give us. Happy for you!

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Huski on January 14, 2011 at 10:18 AM

Great image!

When you have a vision and get a good image that is what counts. The camera, lens, technique, and other techincal stuff become mumbo jumbo.

You got a great one.

Registered on August 17, 2008, 61 Posts, 340 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 15, 2011 at 12:05 AM

My eyes all of a sudden feel so puny next to a D700 sensor. This really is amazing. Sort of like it was meant to happen it seems.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Michael R Reynolds on January 15, 2011 at 5:40 PM

Ed,
This image has a wonderful feel to it. Totally make me want to visit and admire the place. Best Regards.

Registered on February 26, 2008, 54 Posts, 812 Comments