Geyzer-at-Te-Puia-Rotorua-NZ-2_PPW-with-blend-and-sharpen
Geyser at Te Puia in Rotorua New Zealand. Te Puia is now a Maori Cultural center but is a sacred area for the Maori. D700 with 17-35 f-2.8 zoom at 32 mm. f-14, ...
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Geyser at Te Puia in Rotorua New Zealand. Te Puia is now a Maori Cultural center but is a sacred area for the Maori. D700 with 17-35 f-2.8 zoom at 32 mm. f-14, 1-640. ISO 400. Processed in Capture NX2. Signature added in PSCS4 Extended. EDIT 8-3-14 I reworked this image in PSCS6 extended using Picture Postcard Workflow. But I liked the geyser better in the NEF I processed in CNX2, and I liked the foreground better in the PPW version even though it was less dramatic. So I blended both versions together.
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May, 2015Views
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Awards
Winner in New Zealand, North Island Photo Challenge
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
Geyser at Te Puia in Rotorua New Zealand. Te Puia is now a Maori Cultural center but is a sacred area for the Maori.Time
This was taken around 9 AM and it was overcast.Lighting
The sun was behind the geyser which adds to the drama, but also creates a challenge to properly expose the foreground without blowing out the highlightsEquipment
D700 with 17-35 f/2.8 zoom at 32 mm. f/14, 1/640. ISO 400. Shot hand heldInspiration
A number of things drew me to this image. First the geyser was very active and the variations in colors from the sulfur on the rocks added interest and leads you to the geyser itself.Editing
Processed in Capture NX2. Signature added in PSCS4 Extended.EDIT 8/3/14 I reworked this image in PSCS6 extended using Picture Postcard Workflow. But I liked the gyser better in the NEF I processed in CNX2, and I liked the foreground better in the PPW version even though it was less dramatic. So I blended both versions together.In my camera bag
Since 2009, my kit has changed dramatically. I have tried to lighten my kit as much as one can when shooting a Nikon D810. First the D810 is a little lighter than the D700 used here and has a 100% viewfinder and better ISO performance. While I took this photo with my excellent 17-35 f/2.8, lately I have been using my 24-120 f/4 more. In addition to that lens I sometimes carry either the 17-35 or my 300 mm f/4 PE. I always carry my 16 mm fisheye, because it is small and light and very versatile. Also in the bag, are ND and CP filters as well a a bulb blower, extra batteries, head lamp and other small stuff. Unless I am traveling by car I do not take a tripod, except for a small table top which is very light and will hold my camera and lens.Feedback
There are many issues here to address. I wanted to capture both the geyser and the foreground and have them both in focus thus the use of 35mm. I also wanted the water spout to be sharp, though a slower shutter speed might have given a different result-so experiment. I had to be careful not to get too close as the smell of the sulfur was bad and the water was hot, and I did not want to get the mist on the camera lens. While there was some leeway as to the position you could take to get this picture, I found this view to be the best as I was able to add drama with the geyser lit from behind and with the angry sky adding to that drama. Also I was able to capture the wonderful variations in the rocks which gave the landscape an almost otherworldly feel.
