The Flame

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 16, 2013743 views27 comments

I had hiked into one of Patagonia's most photogenic lakes the day before in order to have easy access to the lake at sunrise the next morning. Unusual stillness allowed for a shot of the iconic Cerro Torre at the head of Laguna Torre while ice bergs floated into and then out of the frame. An unusually peaceful moment in a place known for extremely harsh and violent weather. The challenge here was to find a composition in anticipation of the moving bergs during the small window of intense sunrise light, and hope the winds remained calm. Despite the calmness of the scene, I was frantic finding a suitable composition while the lighting and berg locations changed quickly. I had a bout 4 minutes of intense lighting on Cerro Torre before clouds snuffed out the flame.

5D II, 24-105L, ISO 100, f16, 2 sec.

Comments

27 comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on May 16, 2013 at 9:16 PM

Stunning Harry, must have been an amazing site to see in person.

Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on May 16, 2013 at 10:08 PM

Absolutely gorgeous Harry.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on May 16, 2013 at 10:19 PM

Special momnet, Harry. Hope you weren't disappointed by not having 50mph winds and slashing rain. This is down right peaceful looking. I think your comp came out well. Nice colors and your DOF has everything you need sharp.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 16, 2013 at 11:33 PM

That one awesome reflection of a very dramatic scene. I really like the floating ice and especially those two chunks of ice at the bottom. Spectacular image!

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on May 17, 2013 at 12:29 AM

Looks like all your quick maneuvering in the end paid off big time, Harry. I think one would be hard pressed to pick only one out of this Patagonia batch as the best of the group, but this certainly would be high on that list IMO. Between the geological formations, the glacial backdrop, and the floating ice here we truly get a sense of what this amazing area is all about. Excellent work all the way around.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on May 17, 2013 at 1:34 AM

That's quite the peak and nice alpenglow. I do wish the reflected peak wasn't obscured by the ice chunk. Also, the reflected alpenglow looks more saturated than the actual, which I don't think is usually the case in reality. But, still it's a nice image -- looks like it was an awesome spot to be at for sunrise.

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Sairam Sundaresan on May 17, 2013 at 1:46 AM

Just brilliant Harry! Love this shot

Registered on March 14, 2013, 100 Posts, 643 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on May 17, 2013 at 5:32 AM

And...BOOM!!! Sick.

aF

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

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on May 17, 2013 at 7:00 AM

Thanks folks - Kory, I completely agree on both counts. I de-sat. the reflection just a hair after checking the RAW file. I do have some captures without the reflection kissing the berg, but the right corner was pretty empty as the bergs were more in the left corner. The light faded so quickly that by the time the berg had slid to the right, the intensity had faded considerably. If I could have raised the tripod any higher, I would have to create more separation but I was at the top of my tripod.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by John Fan on May 17, 2013 at 8:06 AM

Fantastic image, great light and color contrast. The framing might be a tad too tight for my personal preference.

Registered on August 24, 2010, 135 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on May 17, 2013 at 9:06 AM

Stunning capture Harry. There could be a bit more room at the top, and you explained about the reflection touching the ice. Other than that, no nits from me!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on May 17, 2013 at 9:20 AM

Now that's a sight worth waking up early for! One of your best Patagonia pictures so far!

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on May 17, 2013 at 9:41 AM

Wow! What a fantastic scene! Beautifully captured, Harry!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on May 17, 2013 at 9:50 AM

Roel - Hard to believe, but I was the only one at the lake for sunrise. There were many others camping nearby, I still shake my head and wonder why

I figured it might be the highlight of doing an overnight in this part of the park.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on May 17, 2013 at 10:23 AM

Beautiful, Harry! Wonderful light and reflection. The warm and cold tones are excellent.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Fernandez on May 17, 2013 at 11:38 AM

Amazing light and composition Harry

Registered on July 25, 2011, 77 Posts, 172 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on May 17, 2013 at 3:46 PM

Really great shot Harry, the light hitting the peaks is beautiful.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on May 18, 2013 at 11:25 AM

Superb my favourite mix of colours and the scenery could hardly be more dramatic.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on May 18, 2013 at 12:30 PM

super image

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on May 18, 2013 at 12:45 PM

Awesome shot!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on May 18, 2013 at 4:41 PM

Beautiful mix of colors and awesome reflection Harry. Like the comp with icebergs posed beautifully. Just great.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on May 18, 2013 at 8:42 PM

Stunning image Harry. Wonderful red glow and reflection.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on May 18, 2013 at 9:00 PM

Great color, light, and subject. This is a very fine capture from there.

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on May 18, 2013 at 11:18 PM

Spectacular image. Can't beat that light and reflection and the mountains and.... Incredible.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on May 19, 2013 at 10:00 PM

I love the drama here, and the light, the color, the crazy jagged peaks. But, it's the iceburgs that really make this extra special for me. An exceptional image!

Chris

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

Comment posted by Anil Rao on May 20, 2013 at 3:26 AM

Love the color palette here and the superb composition. One of the best images I have seen from this location.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on May 20, 2013 at 10:05 AM

Almost perfect compositionally as noted already. I really like how those warm tones are so striking among the overall cool cast.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments