Breakout

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 12, 2013469 views18 comments

View the Large version here!

Well, here it is, my last hawaii photo. I think. For now at least. For this shot, I was in a full gas mask, perched precariously close to the edge of a crumbly cliff looking over this flow dumping into the ocean. Most likely, this cliff is not there anymore. The soles of my shoes and the feet of my tripod were melting, and my entire body was trembling in fear. HAHA! That large surface flow broke out while we were standing here. At first, it wasn't there, it was just the little spouts pouring out of the side. Then this surface flow broke out and Bruce started freaking out in excitement. I started shooting away, trying to compose myself in addition to composing a photo. Not easy to try and remain calm doing this. Unfortunately there weren't very many options for comps. I couldn't really go anywhere. After a short time shooting, the shelf down below you are looking at started breaking off into the ocean, and Bruce(of Extreme Exposures, who guided me out here) told me it was time to go... NOW! It was exciting, to say the least.

Your most scrutinizing C&C is appreciated.

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on July 12, 2013 at 3:15 PM

Amazing sight, Ted. Love the FG texture and the glow of lava. The comp is good, but leaves me wanting more to the left -- both because the smoke is cut off vertically (versus leading out to the corner, for example) and because it seems the light action is right behind it. This is a scrutinizing critique, you should know! It's still a great shot for me.

Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments

Comment posted by Grant Collier on July 12, 2013 at 4:46 PM

Stunning shot. Glad you survived! Maybe consider a very slight crop off the top to draw the eyes more quickly down to the lava.

Registered on July 29, 2005, 73 Posts, 430 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on July 12, 2013 at 5:11 PM

I know that feeling out there...terrifying. Great shot. And way to not get dead :P

aF

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

Comment posted by Sairam Sundaresan on July 12, 2013 at 5:56 PM

First, I'm really glad you're back here alive Ted!

Now, I love the way you've processed this shot, and I don't have things to pick on there at all (Not that I've ever had to

).

The comp is really nice, but it seems a tad Right heavy, simply because the smoke is blocking a lot of the frame on the left. But I understand how crazy it must have been to shoot something like this, especially given the falling rocks! Great job, and well seen.. Makes me wanna go to Hawaii!

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

Comment posted by Jared Warren on July 12, 2013 at 6:02 PM

Oh yeah, I have lots of these...

Seriously, though, this is really impressive. My "most scrutinizing" comment is that my eye keeps getting drawn to the empty space framed by the steam and clouds, but dang, this is really cool.

Registered on May 11, 2012, 84 Posts, 931 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on July 12, 2013 at 6:44 PM

That's amazing, Ted. Wonderful color and composition. Nothing to critique here - just exquisite.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on July 12, 2013 at 7:42 PM

Excellent image and scary story Ted. Ah to be young again. The lava flow is just great and beautiful sky also. Very nice.

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

Comment posted by Chris Stenger on July 13, 2013 at 3:34 AM

Great shot!

Registered on May 9, 2013, 27 Posts, 163 Comments

Comment posted by Abdullaziz Bin Ali on July 13, 2013 at 4:04 AM

Oh,

Registered on May 31, 2009, 112 Posts, 1590 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Hilton on July 13, 2013 at 7:49 AM

The dynamic range is amazing...
outstanding image on a website loaded with great images.

Registered on September 19, 2011, 68 Posts, 668 Comments

Comment posted by Ted Gore on July 13, 2013 at 12:31 PM

thanks for the feedback everyone. I know the comp leaves a little to be desired, but Im not sure I could have done any better given the circumstance. I couldn't turn more to the left because then the lava wass out of frame, and regardless, to the left was just a heck of a lot more steam. I went back and looked at some of my horizontals of this same scene, and the entire left half of the frame is filled with the plume. The sun was completely blocked. Ideally, if I could have moved to the right and then angled back left, that would have worked better. But another step to the right meant death... so yeah, I don't like death

. This photo would be perfect to me had the sun been rising over in the right, open area. But I do quite like the back lighting on the steam plumes, and the subtle rays coming from the sun.

Thanks again!

Registered on April 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 149 Comments

Comment posted by Pavel Cakl on July 13, 2013 at 3:07 PM

Wow Ted this is amazing !

Registered on April 8, 2010, 7 Posts, 178 Comments

Comment posted by Ant on July 13, 2013 at 5:53 PM

Excellent image! The light from the lava and that of the Sun, the smoke, and the material dark foreground all make a splendid picture. And I am sure it must have been exciting to take it!

Registered on April 13, 2009, 27 Posts, 474 Comments

Comment posted by Natalie Mikaels on July 14, 2013 at 1:06 PM

Wow! Good for you. You must have nerves of steel. Well worth the effort, as this is an amazing capture!!

Registered on November 3, 2011, 45 Posts, 181 Comments

Comment posted by Barry Ashenhurst on July 14, 2013 at 7:10 PM

Hmmm, the Kraken wakes! Love the mood and colour here Ted. Whatever you had to do, it was worth it. A fine shot.

Registered on August 4, 2009, 253 Posts, 455 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 15, 2013 at 11:03 AM

I've 'scrutinized' fully, enjoyed immensely.
And I enjoyed reading your narrative almost as much as viewing this fine image..
It seems to me a shot you will always cherish.
Very nice, an exciting image Ted!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on July 16, 2013 at 9:52 PM

Amazing image Ted! Don't think I would do anything this daring. Glad you survived to tell he tale. Obviously you don't have kids. Stay safe.

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

Comment posted by Marc Ward on July 17, 2013 at 4:49 PM

Stunning image, Ted! Well done

Registered on February 26, 2009, 304 Posts, 1365 Comments