Heaven and Earth

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 10, 2010784 views34 comments

The ancient Greeks considered a rainbow to be a path linking the heavens and earth. Scientists consider a rainbow to be a meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the sun shines onto droplets of moisture in the atmosphere. I just think they're pretty.

This is a double rainbow that formed at sunrise over a forest of dwarf lenga trees near Laguna Torre, Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina. To read more about my Patagonia adventures, check out Chapter One and Chapter Two of my Patagonia Photo Journal. Chapter Three will be coming soon!

Also, check out my newest online tutorial: How to Photograph Rainbows.

Next NPN online class Creating Wow! Images - Six Steps to Making Great Nature Photographs starts June 1st.

Comments

34 comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Glatt on May 10, 2010 at 5:15 PM

Spectacular light. Phenomenal work, Ian.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 171 Posts, 3566 Comments

Comment posted by Anish Desai on May 10, 2010 at 5:27 PM

That has got to be one of the most vivid rainbows I've seen photographed. The lovely warm light and interesting composition don't hurt at all. Really enjoying your Patagonia work so far. Look forward to seeing more...

Registered on May 23, 2009, 49 Posts, 410 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on May 10, 2010 at 5:45 PM

Awesome lighting. I like that the rainbow is a powerful and integral element in the composition.

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

Comment posted by Nick Diggins on May 10, 2010 at 5:48 PM

That's something you don't see very often. Great shot !!!

Registered on May 8, 2010, 4 Posts, 83 Comments

Comment posted by Paulo A.Lopes on May 10, 2010 at 6:08 PM

Great moment Mr Ian! Love it

Registered on October 14, 2008, 122 Posts, 836 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on May 10, 2010 at 6:33 PM

Just incredible!
Are those two crazy llama eyes at the bottom edge of the frame?

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

Comment posted by Rick Gomez on May 10, 2010 at 6:35 PM

Geez! Now that's intense! Love it!

Registered on March 3, 2007, 206 Posts, 1853 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Gomez on May 10, 2010 at 6:45 PM

Great tutorial BTW. I have always been reluctant to use a polarizer while shooting rainbows. Now I'm anxious to try it.

Registered on March 3, 2007, 206 Posts, 1853 Comments

Comment posted by Reed Bowman on May 10, 2010 at 6:56 PM

The bright mist behind the rainbow adds to the impact here...makes the whole image jump right off the screen. The rainbow is one of the brightest I recall seeing..beautiful

Registered on March 2, 2009, 166 Posts, 1058 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Haskell on May 10, 2010 at 7:10 PM

Ive already seen this on your blog and a lovely shot it is too...right place right time?

Ian

Registered on October 30, 2008, 24 Posts, 673 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on May 10, 2010 at 8:33 PM

This is magnificient Ian; not just the rainbow, but the great light and glow of the trees too.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on May 10, 2010 at 9:07 PM

Wow, what a jaw dropping killer photo!

In some ways I wish the second "double" was not cut into, yet the image is still spectacular!

Mark

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

Comment posted by Gary Regner on May 10, 2010 at 10:47 PM

Great image, but to me the primary rainbow looks overly saturated and unnatural. Maybe a result of the polarizer?

Registered on February 10, 2008, 17 Posts, 169 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on May 11, 2010 at 12:08 AM

Fantastic shot! Excuse me while I put my eyes back in. The bar is very high. Thanks for sharing Ian.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on May 11, 2010 at 12:38 AM

This is gorgeous Ian! That light is to die for. Beautiful capture!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on May 11, 2010 at 1:24 AM

Has to be one of the most spectacular rainbow images I've ever seen. Incredible.

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

Comment posted by Rui Vieira on May 11, 2010 at 6:01 AM

Awesome as always

Registered on September 11, 2008, 39 Posts, 246 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Bernabe on May 11, 2010 at 6:06 AM

Where's the tap dancing polar bear?

Registered on November 24, 2004, 180 Posts, 1545 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on May 11, 2010 at 8:10 AM

Another amazing moment captured Ian, great work.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on May 11, 2010 at 10:31 AM

Nice double rainbow Ian. I really like this comp with the trees, mountains and sky and the rainbow bringing everything together. Thanks for the rainbow tutorial.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on May 11, 2010 at 10:38 AM

Truly magnificent, Ian! Love your stories. Can't wait for the next chapter.

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on May 11, 2010 at 10:57 AM

Fantastic light Ian. This would be a great shot without the rainbow but with it, it is superb.

Gary.

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

Comment posted by Luis Argerich on May 11, 2010 at 1:20 PM

You are in the zone Ian!
Best rainbow shot of 2010 for me, it really rocks how it leads the eye from the lengas to the mountains!
Now... where is my jaw?

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

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on May 11, 2010 at 3:45 PM

Cool! The light on the trees is a nice addition to the rainbow. Awesome image.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Cory O'Neill on May 11, 2010 at 10:28 PM

Wow. Perfect!

Registered on October 4, 2008, 28 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on May 11, 2010 at 11:33 PM

i saw it on your site - simply stunning. lucky you!

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

Comment posted by Joel Hazelton on May 12, 2010 at 1:09 AM

Stunning image, Ian. Your Patagonia Photo Journal has been a great read, too!

Registered on August 6, 2008, 194 Posts, 1315 Comments

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on May 12, 2010 at 2:27 PM

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Capurso on May 12, 2010 at 4:50 PM

Damn Ian, how do you do it??? Yet another knock out image. Your work inspires me.

Mark Capurso
Phoenix, AZ

Registered on January 4, 2008, 47 Posts, 321 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Plant on May 12, 2010 at 9:19 PM

thanks everyone

Registered on July 7, 2008, 271 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Schwarz on May 12, 2010 at 10:57 PM

Beautiful capture.

Registered on November 29, 2006, 236 Posts, 1210 Comments

Comment posted by Adrian Klein on May 12, 2010 at 11:10 PM

Not sure what wow wording I can come up with that has not already been said so I will just leave it with .... wow!

Registered on June 10, 2007, 112 Posts, 1506 Comments

Comment posted by Wick Smith on May 14, 2010 at 6:08 PM

Killer rainbow!

Along with the Greeks & scientists, rainbows are also God's covenent after Noah's flood not to go through that again...

Registered on June 12, 2009, 91 Posts, 379 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on May 16, 2010 at 1:24 AM

What Adrian said... Wow!

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments