Geysir Iceland
Feb, 2015Views
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Legendary Award
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People's Choice in Natural Beauty of Nature Photo Challenge
Superb Composition
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Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on a recent trip to Iceland. It was late January, and many of my family and friends were asking why I would go someplace containing the word "ice" after one of the coldest winters on record in Rochester, NY. It was amazingly WARMER in Iceland than back home, due in large part to the geothermal heat generated not far below our feet. This is what accounts for amazingly beautiful photo opportunities such as the one captured here, where the pent-up heat below the surface erupts in a spectacular display.Time
"Time of day" in Iceland is relative; because of its Northern latitude, Icelandic winter days are very short. When I was there, sunrise was at 10:30 and sunset was around 5. That's only 6 1/2 hours of daylight! This photo was taken at 1pm, but the sun was barely above the horizon.Lighting
It frankly didn't occur to me to take a backlit photo - I only did so because the geyser was erupting and that's where I happened to be! The sun was beautifully eclipsed, while still highlighting the mist. A scale figure / fellow photographer was perfectly backlit as well!Equipment
This photo was taken with my Nikon D5100 and AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 G lens, no flash, and no tripod.Inspiration
This photo was all about the excitement of the moment! A geyser eruption only lasts a few seconds, so I was definitely giddy and trying not to shake my camera while laughing at the screams of onlookers. I am constantly awed and humbled by the magnificence of the Earth, which is proudly on display in Iceland. The stark landscape is dotted with steam vents, jutting landforms, and fiery lava. What better place to watch nature at its best?Editing
I typically use Photoshop to tweak lighting, but this photo already possessed so much contrast that very minimal retouching was needed!In my camera bag
I suppose my camera bag is pretty bare-bones. Extra batteries and memory cards, a rain cover, and my other lens (55-200mm) is all that I carry. I also try to remember my Canon Power Shot A3300IS just in case (heaven forbid!) something disastrous happened to my Nikon. No photo opportunities will be missed on my watch!Feedback
As an amateur photographer, I try to capitalize on the things I can control without expensive equipment. Composition for me is huge, as well as embracing good lighting when it is naturally available. Those things, combined with a little luck and good timing (...aka taking a million photos until I got the "money shot") are what made this photo come together.
