Crystal Catacomb & Repost

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 2, 2015507 views21 comments

During my recent stop in Iceland, I had the chance to photograph an ice cave for the 1st time. I have loved all of the ice / snow cave images I have seen over the years and was hoping to come home with some interesting shots. This cave was part of of the Vatnajokull glacier. The weather conditions cooperated and sun above the cave helped illuminate the ice formations. Unfortunately, some other photographers were oblivious to FG elements that would have really added to images. Fresh snow that at had blown into the cave created some nice lines but were trampled over by the eager group entering the cave and left me frustrated to find suitable comps. With careful positioning, I was able to use some snow drifts that were not trampled.

Lighting was very even, so I feel my processing / composition lacks some depth and I'm not sure what to do to correct at this stage. Not sure a different method of processing would help things out. I would have loved some cascading water as a compositional element but no such luck. Any ideas welcome.

Canon 5DII, 16-35II, ISO 200, 2 sec., f16

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on February 2, 2015 at 8:55 PM

This is really quite a mindbender for me Harry... I like the effect. It does somewhat lack an anchor, if you will, but not sure that's a bad thing. I think a vignette or dodging/burning to emphasize the center where the cave seems to be turning might help. Awesome shot, a great place to visit

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

Comment posted by Tom Falley on February 2, 2015 at 9:00 PM

Harry:

Very nice, even without the foreground the ice has great abstract possibilities. Ice caves, especially the thinner the roof have fascinating colors and texture. Yes a problem with others around. I was once in NZ on a small viewing platform and a buss load of Japanese tourists showed up, not an issue with them in the foreground, but I was literally elbowed out of the way, tripod and all!

A fascinating spot! Cheers: Tom

Registered on November 21, 2014, 189 Posts, 454 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 2, 2015 at 10:20 PM

Harry: This image alone just put Iceland on my bucket list. In-freaking-credible scene and a wonderful capture. The larger version is a pure delight. Many kudos!!

>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on February 2, 2015 at 10:33 PM

This is fascinating... the textures, shapes and designs. The tonal range of blues also intrigue me. Amazing example of nature's art.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on February 2, 2015 at 10:34 PM

Amazing! The wall of ice on the left side appears so clear and sculpted as if molded glass. Ice is such a powerful medium and other-worldly. Glad to see this!

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on February 3, 2015 at 1:39 AM

Wow, Harry, I'm really enjoying this image. Truly crazy, every where you look. I can see your point about depth. Hard to get oriented. I think that is totally what makes it work. If it were mine, despite the wonderful blue, I would try a conversion, could be a powerful black and white to accompany this beauty.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on February 3, 2015 at 3:57 AM

It's very nice Harry and I see your dilemma with the perceived lack of depth. I might be tempted to just fore go trying to resolve the issue entirely and just simply treat it as a very appealing ice abstract with verbal clues in the title to what they are looking at and then let your audience fathom it out. You will at least command their attention for longer while they wander/wonder about it. In other words just fine as is.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Prower on February 3, 2015 at 6:40 AM

Wow, this is a difficult place to compose. Great job with the lines and proportions, they let us appreciate the variety of textures.

Registered on February 5, 2012, 24 Posts, 167 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 3, 2015 at 9:13 AM

Excellent Harry. I think you're being overly harsh on yourself re: lack of depth. You can only do so much in post processing and yours looks great to me. Beautiful image.

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

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on February 3, 2015 at 10:00 AM

Thanks for the comments.

Gary, I will try a BW conversion on a horizontal one from this cave.
Ken, the ice was so smooth as if polished. Pretty amazing to see up close, pictures do not do it justice.

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

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on February 3, 2015 at 10:54 AM

I don't think it lacks a sense of depth, the ice in the foreground is dark while the parts in the distance are lighter, and that creates a sense of depth for me anyway. A real winner Harry, well done!

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 3, 2015 at 5:18 PM

Looks beautiful to me. Viewed large, it has good depth. Sweet!

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 3, 2015 at 6:00 PM

Very intriguing and unique ice scene / abstract Harry. I like it as is.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 3, 2015 at 7:20 PM

Harry, This is very impressive! I see no need or want for anything other than what you have here. The large version is just a wonder to view. Very cool image!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on February 4, 2015 at 5:15 AM

Wow...so surreal. Great work here. For the depth issue you could just burn down the left side a bit...could help. Nice shot :)

aF

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

Comment posted by Jared Warren on February 4, 2015 at 11:11 AM

Congrats, Harry - this is fabulous. Amazing scene expertly captured.

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

Comment posted by Sairam Sundaresan on February 5, 2015 at 12:19 AM

Such an incredible image, Harry! Wow, I so wish I could be there! Some dodging and burning can direct the eye into the pool of water in the middle

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 5, 2015 at 9:28 AM

Wow, very blue and disorienting...is the darker area top left in front or behind??? Makes for a very eye catching and fascinating image, especially with all the neat textures. If you want to avoid the optical illusion effect, I wonder if brightening the lighter areas top right 1/3 (that I think are farther away,

) would help.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on February 5, 2015 at 9:41 AM

Mark - The left is closer, and portion of the right are the same distance but more overhead. I can see how some addtional tonal adjustment might make this clearer. I will incorporate in my next post. Does look very uniform. Thanks

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

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on February 5, 2015 at 10:26 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I have made subtle adjustments in color balance so less blue, a little warmer. Also subtle burn /dodge to help a viewer determine depth. May still be a little confusing, but that is the nature of the beast sometimes. Again, thanks and I think this is an improvement.

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 7, 2015 at 9:08 AM

Harry, the repost does a good job of separating the brights from the darks. I continue to be struck by (and thoroughly enjoy) the sense of an optical illusion added to the amazing scenery.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments