Trapping Light Photo

Photographer’s Note

For those knowing that I have been last weekend at the Mojave National Preserve this image must be a real surprise and yet it was taken there. Mojave isn’t just a plain desert. It has its own particularities and one of them is a region called the Cinder Cones. As the name already suggests it has something to do with volcanic activity. The last activity was somewhat 10,000 years ago and left behind what we call a Lava Tube. A very hot and highly liquid lava flow created a subterranean channel and once the lava receded it left the vault behind. Many many years later wind and water eroded several holes into the ceiling creating a comfortable entrance for adventurous humans and some smaller holes for the sunlight.

I spend the weekend at the Mojave with Steve and he was actually the one that discovered the tube. There we went with our cameras, tripods, flashlights, and high spirits. The team effort was perfect by combining our flashlights. This shot has the build-in flashlight of my camera to light up the foreground, Steve’s slave sensed flashlights behind the rock in the background, the regular light in my hand illuminating part of the rocks above us and finally the fading daylight shining through the hole in the ceiling.

This place was so fascinating that we spent more than 2 hours in the tube. We missed the sunset out there and we even returned next day to catch the sunbeam coming through the ceiling and leaving a trace of sunray through the dust enriched air. This will be something for a next post.

Technical Data:
Nikon D200
2007/11/17 16:43:05.0
RAW (12-bit)
Image Size: Large (3872 x 2592)
Color
Lens: 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 G
Focal Length: 18mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
10 sec - F/3.5
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Optimize Image: Custom
White Balance: Preset d-0
AF Mode: AF-S
Flash Sync Mode: Rear Curtain
Auto Flash Mode: Built-in TTL
Auto Flash Comp: +1.0 EV
Color Mode: Mode II (Adobe RGB)
Tone Comp.: Normal
Hue Adjustment: 0°
Saturation: Normal
Sharpening: None
Image Comment: 2007 © P. Böhringer
Long Exposure NR: Off
High ISO NR: Off

robertosalguero, Emile, leonorkuhn, trekks, ViktorVaughn, Dyerco, Docarmo, sayeed_rahman, gracious, MarcT, ribeiroantonio, Bruno40, Floydian, belido, wishlist, paura, Angelillo, gunbud, lucasgalodoido, jwmunro, stego, rigoletto, Henryk_Bilor, PixelTerror, plimrn, edytungkal, zeca trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

ViktorVaughn (1517) 2007-11-21 20:26

It looks like a very interesting place, and I'm glad you have shown us here on TE. You have captured the lighting well here, looking forward to some future photos.

Regards

[2]

Dyerco (9212) 2007-11-21 20:55

An interesting place for sure. The fact that you guys are in this image gives us a sense of scale. Excellent job of catching the light.
Phil

[3]

Docarmo (8844) 2007-11-21 21:05

Fantastic, Peter! BOMBÁSTICO!
It is a great work here, we have the scene, producers and actors! And we've got the light!
Excellent composition and good feeling of 3D.
CONGRATULATIONS and thanks for sharing,
MC

sayeed_rahman (2299) 2007-11-21 22:28

Hello Peter..good narrative and a perfect event based shot..the colours have out well too in low light..what was the ISO setting ? you didnt use the flash i guess.

Well done and a good post

Cheers
Sayeed

gracious (20017) 2007-11-21 22:47

Hello Peter,
Excellent in exposure and focus with perfect sharpness, vivid colour and details
thanks for the wonderful notes
well done
Tony

[2]

MarcT (21103) 2007-11-21 23:25

Hi Peter,
Wonderful picture, excellent light, nice dynamics with those looking up to the light. Great combination and skills behind your picture! A favorite to me.
Well done
Marc

[2]

Bruno40 (6442) 2007-11-22 0:41

Hi Peter,
Really good quality "self portrait"!
The exposure management, including the flash and flash lights is impressive.
Interesting note as well
Good work
TFS
Jorge

[3]

Floydian (30970) 2007-11-22 0:52

Hi Peter,
Interesting, very interesting. Not only the picture, but also the location and the way you captured this in low light but using some very creative things to enlighten the whole area. The play with light and shadow is well done, deep darker parts mixed up with very light parts which gives really that cave feeling...very good work.
Regards, Henk

[3]

ribeiroantonio (21957) 2007-11-22 1:06

First, I can not wait for the next posting.
Second, you all got a very good imagination and you are full of bright ideas. Doing what you have done to get light enough for a good photo is simply mazing. I really like your team work. Well done.
Antonio

[2]

belido (16691) 2007-11-22 2:58

Olá Peter,

trabalho de mestre esse manejo de luz nessa situação. Difícil conseguir uma boa exposição, mas seu dedo indidcador fez um bom trabalho :) Muito bem apresentada!
Abraço,
Carlos

[2]

wishlist (4133) 2007-11-22 4:36

Hi Peter,
congrats for the terrific team effort and the result delivered! The game between light and shadows is nice to see and gives a nice mood to the whole lot. Compo works well with you guys in the frame.
Well done Peter!!
Cheers
Igor

[2]

wolf38 (13011) 2007-11-22 5:36

Hello Peter. Now you go with your camera into the mountains. A completely new operating field. But with somewhat artificial light also photos here worth seeing succeed. Exemplary. Best regards, Wolfgang.

[2]

cfreire (11647) 2007-11-22 6:10

Oi, Paulo
Que foto! Esta captura de luz ficou simplesmente extradordinária; quando vi o thumbnail meus olhos ficaram presos na luz, e um outro detalhe, está como se fosse uma cena de um filme, lembrando aqueles de caça a tesouros. Muito Bom. Um abraço, Consuelo

[2]

paura (38906) 2007-11-22 6:29

Peter,
Tá bonita sua fotografia, com uma composição de primeira. Se fosse preto e branco, pareceria uma daquelas fotos de exploradores de antigamente.

Abração

Paulo

[2]

crckt (7090) 2007-11-22 12:46

Hey Peter,
How have you been? Sorry I missed a whole lot of your shots. I was away in India. I came back yesterday, still jet lagged! TE beckoned me, so here I am. Lovely shot this one, your perspective is wonderful. I will find time to look through the other shots as well.
Regards,
Shaeri

Angelillo (9065) 2007-11-22 15:12

Hi Peter,

Interesting and informative note, thanks! The shot is too very beautiful, the light across the hole is fantastic, and it creates a good shadows, enhancing the deep in the tube! The people add interest, measure and perspective!

Greetings,
Angel.

gunbud (28069) 2007-11-22 18:09

Hello Peter,
It appears that you ran into a wonderful adventure on this old volcanic tube. Lovely sharp details in this challenging light with very nice moss growing in the porus rock. Nice depth from the light coming from the far end ot the rock.
Regards, Tom

[3]

agbonavita (0) 2007-11-23 2:58

Isso é algo que quero muito fazer fotografar dentro de grutas e cavernas. Aqui no Brasil há várias, só mefalta tempo para ir conhece-las.
Bonita foto, com boa luz. A inclusão dos homens apontando suas lanternas para a parede deu um ar científico a cena.
Abraço
andre

lucasgalodoido (16673) 2007-11-23 10:28

Olá Peter!
Ficou bem interessante essa foto da caverna, ainda bem que tinha um pouco de luz la dentro, mas memso assim acho dificil fotografar nesses ambientes, mas o resultado aqui ficou ótimo!
Parabéns e Abraço!

[2]

maximage (13530) 2007-11-23 12:53

Salut Peter,
Jolie compo avec une lumière intéressante.
Image bien nette et bien équilibrée
Amitiés.
max

jwmunro (6369) 2007-11-23 14:08

Hello Peter -

Nice self portrait. You and Steve have done an excellent job in documenting the inside of the lava tube without the harsh light of a strobe. Using the flash light to paint details on the long exposure worked very well. I am surprised that both of you are not blurs in an 8 sec exposure. Well done.

I tried some light painting in an abbey this fall but my small flash was just not powerful enough to do the trick.

I had to the atlas to figure out where you and Steve were exploring. Just south of Baker and west of Cima Dome. I got my VW stuck in the sand near the tubes on a Sunday afternoon excursion while I was working on a job north of Baker.

Thank you for sharing.

John

stego (22376) 2007-11-23 18:53

Olá Peter,
Não parece um local particularmente fotogénico, mesmo sendo fascinante, mas o facto é que conseguiu uma foto excelente, pela compo e ainda mais pelo uso e domínio da luz. As pessoas estão muito bem colocadas e há aquele pormenor intrigante do objecto longo (pau? lanterna?) na mão da pessoa à direita. Além de fotógrafo talentoso, parece estar a revelar-se um excelente director de fotografia e técnico de iluminação! :-)
Um abraço, José.

rigoletto (26566) 2007-11-24 2:23

Hi Peter,
As you already know, this kind of "difficult light" photography is what i am mostly fond of for the time being. "Figures in Space" concept, and that natural "mother's womb" place is delicious as honey for my taste :))
Cheers,
Deniz

Flavia (10202) 2007-11-24 2:42

Oi Peter,

Que aventura! O esforco conjunto valeu a pena, o resultado é otimo. Voces conseguiram uma luz interessante com a combiacao das lanternas.

Abracos,

Flavia

cunejo200 (7201) 2007-11-24 8:37

It's good to see another cave image here lately. The man holding the flashlight helps emphasize how difficult lighting is under this situation. A good composition, and I'm glad you stood (or you set your tripod) far back enough to show the cave's expanse. My best compliment. Danilo

Wahclellaspirit (3017) 2007-11-24 15:55

Hello Peter,
Excellent use of the flashlight to show the ruggedness of the lava tube's structure. An interesting look into another world beneath our own, yet from those beginnings we now stand...
Steve

Henryk_Bilor (20367) 2007-11-25 2:52

Hi Peter
Fascinating place. Great use of this light from the ceiling.
Regards

baba_flies (8035) 2007-11-25 8:26

Tolle Installation, Peter, und ich bewundere Euren Mut unter Tag zu sein und in diesen Tubes rumzuturnen. Das ist nun definitiv gar nichts fuer mich. Da kriege ich rasch mal Platzangst, und ich bekomme das Gefuehl, dass alles zusammenfaellt :) Exzellente Idee, dass Ihr Euch selber in Szene gesetzt habt, so bekommt man eine vage Idee von der Groesse dieser Tubes. Faszinierend und wieder "so ein Bild", wo man sich etwas Zeit nehmen muss, um die Dimension zu erkennen. Wirklich cool. Barbara.

PixelTerror (86528) 2007-11-25 11:09

Hi Peter,
Yep I'd have imagined this place to look differently... somehow I miss Clint Eastwood there but you captured well the light in this underworld cave.
Have a nice day JY

anes_lc (14768) 2007-11-25 13:04

fascinating and scary in same time.....amazing place and great picture to present it
thanks sharing
best regards,anes

jaywalker (12242) 2007-11-25 14:35

Hi Peter, A wonderful photo & you have used your flash superbly, it is well composed & taken from a great view point, although I don't know how cramped it was in there, the perfect position for the two men &, catching the torches beam is a wonderful bonus, great shot & TFS, kind regards Wilson.

plimrn (19688) 2007-11-25 15:07

Hi Peter,
I love it!! It looks like two explorers have just discovered a huge fossilized kangaroo!! Which of you is Indiana Jones? Very creative!!
HLJ, Pat

edytungkal (4519) 2007-11-25 19:45

Amazing exposure for this shot, Peter. I see this place is very interesting and with minimum light your have composed it very well. Original and unsual post...
Thanks

daniel

trekks (14332) 2007-11-26 9:29

Hi Peter

Great shot of shadows underground. Interesting ray of light from above to give this contrast. Great Note.

TFS, cheers
bill

leonorkuhn (13877) 2007-11-26 10:47

Olá Peter,

Sem luz, nada feito - sem cores, sem contrastes, sem profundidade, sem texturas. Excelente aproveitamento da luz natural que entra obliquamente pelo túnel, como um spot, criando todo o ambiente da gruta. Quando eu crescer quero ser como você.

Abraços
Leonor

clic (4063) 2007-11-26 12:26

Hello Peter
I understand you practiced and created your own setup of light sources and that is called....Painting with light!
You and your friend appear as explorers emulating Indiana Jones in a cavern and looking for the Holy Graal!!
Quite a spectacular result. Congratulations.
Cheers.
Robert

Scharan (13955) 2007-11-26 14:35

Olá Peter

Muito interessante esta foto. Boa luz, cores e textura. Bonita composição Peter. Parabéns!
GA
Vera

robertosalguero (110) 2007-11-27 21:37

Hello Peter,

The light filtering from above look great in this dark place. I have been in ice caves but not as big as this one. I think the inclusion of people give an excellent scale of the place. Good work with the sharpness and colours as well. Thanks.

Roberto

Angshu (33963) 2007-11-28 19:53

Hello Peter
Loved going through your note. This is what I call creativity or ingenuity, intelligently managing to light up the dark cave, for us viewers to get a flavour of the FG, the BG as well as the rocks above. The play of the dark parts with the lit up zones really creates the environment of a cave. Very well done..can't wait for your next post of the sunray through the ceiling.
Regards
Angshu

zeca (20026) 2007-11-29 8:03

Luzes muito bem captadas, Peter. Os detalhes, mesmo à sombra, são bastante visíveis e bem expostos, e ao mesmo tempo nada superexpostos na parte iluminada. Equilíbrio perfeito numa foto muito interessante e bem executada.
Abraço,
Zeca

Emile (20047) 2007-11-30 20:24

Hola Peter.
Muy buena foto, me gusta la manera como la captaste provocando rayos de luz en la oscura cueva, buen trabajo en conjunto. Es muy bueno estar con personas que tienen el mismo entusiasmo por la fotografia como tu la tienes. Felicitaciones.
Un fuerte abrazo.

Bluejeans (32793) 2008-01-06 8:19

Oi Peter ,
Que lugar interessante esta gruta , conseguiste uma boa luz e bons detalhes durante os 10 s de abertura , os dois homens tiveram parados esse tempo todo ?
Parabens!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo