ThomasRotte

Mud Pool Steam

Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand

Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand
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Canon EOS 600D

settings

Aperture f/11 ISO 200 Shutter 1/500 Focal Length 18/1

upload_date

Apr, 2016

Views

506

Likes

+134

Awards

Member Selection Award

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Peer Award

+57

Superb Composition

Outstanding Creativity

Absolute Masterpiece

Magnificent Capture

Top Choice

All Star

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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken at the volcanic Northern island of New Zealand, at the Wai-O-Tapu mud pools to be more precise. The mud from these pools releases gasses and steam, which is quite smelly. Occasionally, the sun would shine right through the steam inbetween the trees and create this very nice effect. However, this only held for a fraction of a second. This was the main challenge while shooting this photo.

Time

It was taken mid-morning, at 9.54 am. The sun was still low enough to be right above the trees, while still providing enough light to show off its rays through the steam.

Lighting

I achieved this specific effect seen in the photo only after numerous tries. I had to get the steam and sun to work together so the rays would show, while not being blocked by other clouds of steam. The image is underexposed so the trees provide a black background for the white steam.

Equipment

I am just a hobby photographer and was travelling several countries, so I only packed my Canon 600D with kit lens. I didn't use a tripod, this allowed me to try several different standpoints to reframe my image.

Inspiration

The steam released from the pools and the sun created this very cool effect from time to time. Once I had taken one trial shot, in which hardly any of this coolness was visible though, I knew it could turn out great. I made about a dozen clicks until I finally captured it as desired.

Editing

As this image originally was already quite under-exposed, it was almost black and white already. I applied a B&W filter in photoshop, to extract all color from it, and increased the contrast to bring out the white steam more. Finally, I slightly cropped it to get the composition just right.

In my camera bag

As I am only a hobby photographer, I don't own high-end equipment. I shoot with a Canon 600D, which I recently fitted with a Sigma 17-50mm F2.8. Whenever my trip allows I also like to take a pocket-sized tripod or full-sized tripod (both generic and unbranded). Using such limited resources really requires me to be creative with whatever the environment provides me. I have used all sorts of items to help me out. Objects such as tree trunks, posts or pebbles are sometimes ideal to support my camera. A blank piece of paper does quite a good job as a reflector.

Feedback

Try many different compositions, exposure settings, etc. In the end, it was all about capturing the exact right moment, where the steam is not too thin, not too thick, the sun hits the right spots and your camera is set perfectly.

See more amazing photos, follow ThomasRotte

ThomasRotte

ThomasRotte

Mud Pool Steam

Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow ThomasRotte

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