Kalapana Creep

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 1, 20132,807 views28 comments

Large version available for view.

The Kalapana lava flow entering the ocean on the big island of Hawaii just before sunrise. Surface flow breakouts glow red hot as they creep towards the ocean entry point. Volcanic fumes billow out of the water from the lava coming into contact with the ocean. Being here on this morning, experiencing the danger I knew was before me, is one of the most frightening feelings I ever remember having. Went out with Bruce Omori of Extreme Exposures, and his multiple tales of almost dying out here did not make it any better! I had a hard time concentrating on shooting photography! Shoes melting, smelling the rubber, feeling the heat on your feet, wearing a gas mask so you don't die from breathing toxic fumes... all make for a pretty unforgettable experience.

This is one exposure except for the stars which were captured a bit earlier and added in for a slightly surreal twilight scene. May not work for everyone, but I'm diggin it.

C&C welcome.

Comments

28 comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on July 1, 2013 at 12:29 PM

Incredible image Ted! Looks pretty scary indeed.

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on July 1, 2013 at 1:08 PM

Stars are perfect here. I might suggest a few more tweaks to rid of the bottom bright blips of lava, but this is as close to perfect as your gonna get. Awesome image.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on July 1, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Great comp and story, Ted. The stars work for me as posted.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Glenn Tunaley on July 1, 2013 at 2:06 PM

Beautiful image Ted! I really like the addition of the stars

Registered on March 1, 2013, 19 Posts, 93 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on July 1, 2013 at 2:29 PM

wow!! this is really awesome, maybe a little more light on the rocks would be better, it seems a bit dark on my screen

great job in blending

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

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on July 1, 2013 at 3:05 PM

Looks like a living thing. Reminds of the Balrog in Lord of the Rings.
Great work.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Joerg Bonner on July 1, 2013 at 3:40 PM

amazing shot, ted! just awesome...

Registered on September 5, 2011, 44 Posts, 221 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on July 1, 2013 at 4:27 PM

Great color and composition. I really like this image. I am going to have to get back to Hawaii and try some shots of the lava flow. I did not have the chance when I was there. But images like this really wet my appetite to try some shots like this.

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

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on July 1, 2013 at 5:24 PM

Very natural looking image Ted. The stars don't overwhelm the image which is often the case when they are part of the comp. The lava and cloud plume make great use of the frame. The lava is exposed for perfectly IMO, which is tricky due to its darkness. Blend looks super. I lost my nerve a while back heading out to the lava flows, never got a chance to see the good stuff. You did it the right way, if there is a right/safe way to get close to flows

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

Comment posted by Emmanuel Coupe on July 1, 2013 at 6:48 PM

Ted, maybe 20 years ago I could walked along with you to that spot, nowadays forget about it. I have to say thought that this foreground is really drawing my attention, so uninviting for humans yet haunting to look at, well captured.

Registered on March 17, 2007, 83 Posts, 341 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on July 1, 2013 at 8:40 PM

Sounds like one of those nerve-wracking shoots, but the results are extremely fabulous. It does look hot and smelly! The earth is alive here, and you have captured it with all the drama it deserves. Stars are a nice addition.

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

Comment posted by Ted Gore on July 1, 2013 at 8:41 PM

Thanks all. Bummer that some of you guys weren't able to go see this while on the island. It's like, the main attraction! Bucket list item for sure. Hope you get the chance. Look up Extreme Exposures when you go. They are the go-to guys for getting out there for photography.

Emmanuel, why forget about it? I didn't find the hike to be all that difficult. While the terrain is very uneven, at least it's flat for the most part.

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

Comment posted by Ted Gore on July 1, 2013 at 8:42 PM

Thank you Kathy! You'd think it would be smelly, but it actually isn't at all. But hot is an understatement. Only thing I can compare it to is trying to stand as close as you can to a huge raging bon-fire.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on July 1, 2013 at 10:42 PM

WOW, Double WOW. This is superb Ted. Perhaps my favorite image of yours, at least from a technical perspective. Absolutely gorgeous with loads of detail in the shadows and beautiful color elsewhere. This really brings it to life!

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

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on July 2, 2013 at 1:11 AM

Works for me! That oozing lava is fantastic! Like a fire demon emerging from the bowels of the earth!

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

Comment posted by Emmanuel Coupe on July 2, 2013 at 7:51 AM

Ted, you said this is dangerous territory, hence the “forget about it”. If my shoes are melting, I need a gas mask and there is some type of danger bathing in lava, then I’m outa there.

Registered on March 17, 2007, 83 Posts, 341 Comments

Comment posted by Ted Gore on July 2, 2013 at 11:57 AM

Bill, thank you! Glad you like it!

Emmanuel, haha, I understand! Most of the danger is actually from the possibility of shelfs breaking off and falling into the ocean. The cooled lava rock is constantly being eroded away as the lava tubes undermine their stability. Several times Bruces would tell me about a shot he took, and the place he stood to take it was gone two days later. Often times to take shots of the lava flow dumping into the water, you have to go stand at the edge of these cliffs. It's pretty frightening.

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

Comment posted by Sairam Sundaresan on July 2, 2013 at 12:29 PM

Just straight out of the Lord of the Rings for me! Fantastic image Ted, and the processing is spot on!

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on July 2, 2013 at 8:51 PM

Just have to add, I think this is the first time I have ever seen a lava star! I keep coming back to your image and just noticed it. Impressive work. I maybe going to the Big Island in January but don't think I'll be doing the hot lava walk.

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

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on July 3, 2013 at 12:38 AM

This is awesome Ted. I really like the colors and comp. The stars made by the molten lava are a nice touch. Your description of this place was intense!

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

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on July 3, 2013 at 11:20 AM

I like your choice of adding the stars and you have captured this extremely well. Soooo jealous as this is a big time dream capture! Excellent all around!!!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Ted Gore on July 3, 2013 at 11:36 AM

Thanks everyone. Yes, the stars coming off the lava were a nice surprise. I noticed them in many of my shots from here. That lava glows super bright, enough to cause significant flares. When it was darker, it was nearly impossible to shoot the lava as my lens would have flares going in every which direction from the multiple points of super bright light. Difficult to shoot!

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

Comment posted by Bill Reid on July 3, 2013 at 12:27 PM

Awesome image Ted. Wonderful processing and great comp. Beautifully done.

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

Comment posted by Pavel Cakl on July 3, 2013 at 2:11 PM

It definitely works for me Ted. It is great !

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

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on July 3, 2013 at 4:35 PM

Nice shot dude!

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

Comment posted by Tom Hilton on July 3, 2013 at 9:07 PM

Another winner Ted...
Stunning image with great processing...
Nice!!

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on July 4, 2013 at 4:56 PM

Just a superb image. Excellent work from capture to pp to presentation. I wouldn't touch the specular highlights. I think they add more icing to this sweet cake.

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

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on July 5, 2013 at 6:19 PM

Really excellent control of the exposure here! This has it all; well done!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments