Dante's Ninth

This is unbelievably eerie, and in a very good way. The crack looks like it is so deep with the varied layers of red/orange that it wouldn't surprise me if hell was literally feet below. The patterns on the cooled lava are very interesting as well, which I am sure is due to the reflected morning light. You really got some incredible stuff from this trip, definitely makes me want to visit this area now.

Great view, the texture contrast is outstanding, probably not recommended to get so close?

So cool! I remember walking on that glass like crunchy rock and stepping over such things on my trip to Hilo. This captures that essence very well.

Yo dude, where did you come from? You are really producing some nice work!

What an amazing and unusual capture, Ted. The simplistic slice provides a look into another world that's hard to imagine, especially up close as you've provided. Even with compression issues it comes out with very fine detail for viewing here at web sizing.

Thanks guys!

Peter, looking down this thing it was really hard to tell how deep it actually went. It's bizarre. I hope you get to go see it yourself one day! Glad you are liking the shots. I'm pretty happy with what I've got so far. Still several more shots to process. I was really stressed at first when I got home because I felt like I had nothing.

Mike, you can't get too close to it. It's too hot! It's literally like a forcefield, and your body reacts by immediately turning away.

Mark, it's an awesome place, huh? As for where I came from... I've been hiding in the bushes, waiting for the right moment. I haven't posted too much here. Mostly had been posting my work on 500px. I've been shooting seriously for a year now. I like the interaction here though. You don't really find it elsewhere. I've followed you since about february. Your name came up while I was on a workshop with Marc A. Another guy was on the trip, Andrew Mitchell, who I think you know... or at least he knows you. And thank you for the compliment! I respect you and your work, so I'm glad to hear that from someone like you.

OH MY! You're on a roll Ted, glad to have you here so we can see these wonderful images.

For me, I see the graphic beauty and detail here more so than I read "Danger, Will Robinson!" What I mean is that as a viewer detached from the reality of "hot that we can't understand" then we're left with taking your word for it and get to enjoy the pure beauty and awesomeness of nature through your image.

I love the myriad of color on the crusted surface and the glow from within has a depth that seems to never end.

Fantastic nature photography!

Lon

Amazing abstract Ted. Very graphic and eerie. I can't imagine standing over this crack and not being afraid.

Ted, you're belting out beauties here! Wow, I'm amazed. This actually reminds me of the famous water through the cracks shot that often taken at Zion, but that said this is molten lava! Wow! How did you not get burnt standing here?

well put Lon! Thanks for your kind words.

Thank you Sairam! This actual spot wasn't 'get burned' hot. It was hot, and I was sweating, and very uncomfortable, but you don't experience the extreme heat until you approach a surface flow, which is where the molton lave is leaking out of the lava tube below the surface. You can't really get within about 5 feet of that stuff. AT that point is when you start to feel like your skin is burning. When we went out there, we took pictures of each other poking the lava with a stick. I had a 5 foot stick, and I could only get close enough, while covering my face, for a couple seconds while someone snapped a picture.

Ted, this is spectacular.
I'd love to stick a cast iron sandwhich maker in that bad boy with some fresh mozzarella, pepperoni, and marinera on wheat ;)

If you self host the 720px version (via link) you can use max detail.
It's what I do. It's very difficult for me to post anything that has a Jpeg compression below 85 (or 9 if not using save for web)
I'm a pixel peeper, nailing it for print detail, so my files are always WAY over file size requirements. I work in the web and print media world, and I strive for the ultimate in presentation quality for my corporate work.

Out of nowhere comes this talented young guy with the outstanding comps and processing skills. Thanks for contributing to this fine site.

Love the metallic look of the solidified lave and how it contrast with the hot orange stuff.

Incredible study of line and texture. Reading how you got this image scares the daylights out of me but this is truly a remarkable image. Superb.

This is fantastic, and I really have not nits. But... I might be tempted to boost the sat in the yellow/orange/reds a little more. And, maybe dodge the brightest "hot" areas a hair more to increase the effect.

Chris

Freakin yes. Boom!

aF

Looks like a peak into the Earth's core. Great abstract.

awesome shot, ted! nothing more to add..

Matt, thanks for the tip... didn't think of that!

Richard, thank you sir! I'm glad you like my work!

Thanks everyone!

A very cool ( ) shot, Ted! Nice stuff!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Yeah I know Andrew. He's a good guy. I think he might be coming up soon too! Keep up the great work. For one year, impressive! Even if it was many.

Killer in every respect Ted!