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Haleakala Crater
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Haleakala Crater



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Haleakala National Park is home to Maui's highest peak. Rising 10,023 feet above sea level, Haleakala means "house of the sun" and is where demig...
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Haleakala National Park is home to Maui's highest peak. Rising 10,023 feet above sea level, Haleakala means "house of the sun" and is where demigod Maui lassoed the sun, slowing its passage so people had more time to dry kapa (cloth) and grow food. The dormant volcano's "crater" is actually a valley carved by erosion. Sunrise at the summit of Haleakala has been a visitor attraction since the late 1800s when Samuel Clemens wrote: "It was the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed, and I think the memory of it will remain with me always." Oh...how I agree with this statement! I will never forget this experience with my family!
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locationHawaii, US

upload_dateDec, 2020

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425

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Awards

Contest Finalist in Mother Nature Photo Contest 2021
Judge Favorite
Peer Award
JamesHarmon winnerslens31 Moshik teogera sophiedv xoniuelo JessCDx213 +36
Absolute Masterpiece
holmeshooke1 nilinili rhen10 lisadeason scbenoit Noleezie sergeknoester +3
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RaffG Dacemac tonyraymondthompson cherylhealy garydaggers Seny libbycolter +2
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Superior Skill
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Virtuoso
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Genius
LIL-THANGS

Emotions

Impressed
Yellowperch Chicflat Joviaal McCasland Antoniobarrios mohammadhadiboojariloodariche daniducayag +2

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Categories

1 Comment |
RSeanC Platinum
 
RSeanC September 24, 2021
Really beautiful

Submitted to Photo Contests

Tags

#nature #outdoors #mountain #flare #light #haleakala #National PArk #united states #hawaii #maui #sunrise #colors #crater #landscape #mountain #volcano #sun #clouds #usa #travel #sky #sublime
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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in Haleakala National Park which is home to Maui's highest peak. Rising 10,023 feet above sea level, Haleakala means "house of the sun" and is where demigod Maui lassoed the sun, slowing its passage so people had more time to dry kapa (cloth) and grow food. The dormant volcano's "crater" is actually a valley carved by erosion. Sunrise at the summit of Haleakala has been a visitor attraction since the late 1800s when Samuel Clemens wrote: "It was the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed, and I think the memory of it will remain with me always."

Time

The photo was taken at 5:53 am on a July morning. This location requires a very early wakeup time regardless of where you are on the island of Maui because you will need to get up to the top of the mountain from sea level at most of the hotel locations. I believe we got started around 4 am which dropped us first to get cold weather gear because it is mega cold at the top of the mountain that time of day in any season.

Lighting

This shot is 100% about the lighting and cloud cover combined with the incredible colors of the location. The first break of light occurred around 5:53 am and lighting was changing every minute as the sun was peaking above the incredible cloud cover. It was amazing to see the magical beams of light strike the red rocks of the crater.

Equipment

Canon 5D Mark IV with 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM on tripod

Inspiration

This is such an iconic location to shoot the sunrise in Hawaii. Many people say there are no sunrises better. This experience was too awesome to not capture and the beauty of the site.

Editing

Post processing was very light on this image. I mainly opened up the shadows and dropped the highlights. The exposure was increased and I added a touch of clarity.

In my camera bag

I shoot with a Canon 5d Mark IV with Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, Canon 135 mm f/2.0, Sigma 50mm f/1.4, Canon 24-105mm f/4.0, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8, Sigma 1.4 TC and Sigma 2.0 TC

Feedback

If you travel to Maui, this is definitely an experience that you should take. Access to the National Park is limited to a certain number of people which often times fills up 6 months prior to the date you are requesting. If you visit through a tour company there are advantages as they will pick you up from your hotel, get you cold weather gear, drive you to the various overlooks, feed you breakfast, and drop you back off at your hotel. They don't require the 6 month lead time for reservations. This is a must visit opportunity in Maui!

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