Repost + Wormhole

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 1, 2017203 views10 comments

This image is actually inspired by John Mumaw's stunning image from the southwest a couple of years back. While I didn't have the clear weather he had to really show the lovely contrast between the sandstone and the blue sky, I tried my hand at this instead. This was also my first time inside and Ice Cave, and it's one of the hardest things I've shot maybe barring lava. The dynamic range inside and outside differs so much that it's near impossible to get everything well exposed. This is a single shot handheld at about 1/60th of a second @ f/11

Appreciate any thoughts you have on this one

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on April 1, 2017 at 7:45 PM

The larger version is a must see Sairam. It appears to have more detail and contrast. Have you considered a B&W version? Only nit from me is the foreground is a little fuzzy. Maybe a 4X5 crop?

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on April 2, 2017 at 11:12 AM

Cool image, Sairam, no pun intended. You did well for a single image in these light conditions. I like the way the bottom ice looks a lot like rushing water.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Andrew Waddington on April 2, 2017 at 3:44 PM

Sairam, I like this a lot, I actually uploaded my own image tonight which I too call the 'Wormhole', I hope you don't think I copied the name, this was nothing more than a coincidence. And then I read in your description that you were inspired by John Mumaw's image from the Southwest. I have a feeling your talking about the same location as my shot - a double coincidence!
Regarding your image, it's certainly different to the numerous ice cave shots that we see coming from Iceland, it looks like a vertical ice chimney. I wouldn't worry about the blown out sky, I think in these kind of shots it's pretty much expected.

Registered on February 11, 2014, 44 Posts, 183 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on April 2, 2017 at 5:23 PM

The sculpted ice is really well defined here. The bottom ice seems a bit dirty and less pristine than the rest of the image, so I think the 4x5 crop might be a good idea. I like the uniformity of the rest of the image.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on April 2, 2017 at 11:23 PM

I personally really like this as shot. I think the bright light source draws the eye right through the image. Very fine image.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Basil Greber on April 3, 2017 at 1:03 AM

Love the blue hues and the soft shapes on the tunnel walls. I'm not totally sold on the foreground though. I distracts me a little from the nicer shapes and colors of the wall and "roof".

Registered on November 8, 2005, 219 Posts, 1340 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on April 3, 2017 at 3:44 PM

Very interesting image to me, Sairam. I love the blue, and the textures in the ice. I agree with the crop suggestions. The foreground hummock is too dark, and looks soft. The rest of the image is excellent.!
--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on April 3, 2017 at 6:41 PM

Love the way this looks like a beautiful blue flower at the top part of the image. I agree with suggestions to crop the bottom dirty snow out about one third of the way up.

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Sairam Sundaresan on April 4, 2017 at 11:30 AM

Thanks all, here is a repost with a 4x5 crop like a lot of you have suggested. Better? Andrew, what a coincidence indeed, and yes your image is the one I was referring to. :)

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

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on April 7, 2017 at 8:58 AM

Like the repost much better, the lower area was a little distracting but this really nails it.

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