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Northstar Ski Resort from the 10000 Year Old Martis Cave

See my Website:
www.sagephotographystudio.com

Location: Martis Valley, Truckee, California
Created: 02/03/2014 3:39:16 pm
Camera:...
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See my Website:
www.sagephotographystudio.com

Location: Martis Valley, Truckee, California
Created: 02/03/2014 3:39:16 pm
Camera: EOS Canon 7D
Lens: EF24-105 f/4.0L IS @ 24mm
Aperture: f/10; HDR 3 x 5 x 3 Bracketed Pano; ISO 100 45 images
Paper: Fuji Flex Crystal Archive Supergloss Paper

I was led to this cave by my good friend’s wife, on a perfectly timed day after a petite February snow storm. The unpretentious hike was fulfilled with a modest two hour trek down from their home, with their dog romping ahead of us, scouting and hunting for predators. The best opportunity for optimum light was about ½ hour before sunset. Hence there, we respectfully composed the shot, with my elbows relaxing on the dirt floor. My camera tripod’s legs were totally extended outwards, to allow the camera to rest less than two inches from the ground, directly above the thick white mound of bat guano shrouding the floor of the cave. The air felt electric. Using triple focus stacking for the contrasting distant and middle shots, and for the closer cave walls, I combined the images as a bracketed HDR, with 5 shots horizontally, and 3 shots vertically, for a total of over 45 shots stitched together in Photoshop. The entire surreal panorama was captured with only the natural light, even the beam of light on the right wall streaming downwards, into the cave, was natural. My favorite parts of this image, besides the obvious aura, are if you look carefully at the ceiling of this subterranean cave, notice the 3 red "X's" marked on the upper roof section. They were placed there by the U.S. Geological Survey; these are location markers for the adjacent mysterious 10,000+ year old Indian petroglyhs, made by an ancient tribe of original Native American Martis Indians. It remains unclear as to why these Indians initially migrated to the region and where they went after leaving the area. Some speculate they may have migrated south to Yosemite. Today, only a few locals know of this cave, but apparently, all in ordinary view from the distant Truckee Tahoe Northstar Ski Resort, and the majestic Lookout Mountain Ski Trails. Also, in the foreground, is the empty Martis Valley Reservoir, and a meandering road, adding the sweet curve, that tops off this superlative masterpiece. The intense energy that I felt while in the cave was beyond words, humbling, and in awe, it was truly timeless.
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2 Comments | Report
tadulia
 
tadulia August 04, 2016
Great... I am amazed
ronaldwebb
 
ronaldwebb July 15, 2017
Fabulous image… Thanks for sharing the backstory on this image.
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