Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => Landscape Showcase => Topic started by: shadowblade on June 21, 2020, 10:20:12 pm

Title: Danakil Depression and Erta Ale, Ethiopia
Post by: shadowblade on June 21, 2020, 10:20:12 pm

A few more old shots I've reprocessed, given the lack of ability to travel and shoot at the moment. This time, from a trip in 2012 to Ethiopia's Danakil Depression and the active volcano Erta Ale.

One thing I noticed there - don't bother trying to take close-up details of lava. Atmospheric distortions due to the heat turn any sort of fine detail into mush. It's bad enough shooting wildlife on a hot day - try 1200-degree lava.

1. Long caravans of camels gather in the early morning at Lake Assale, a salt lake in Ethiopia's Danakil Depression, to pick up their cargo of salt. They then transport it to markets in the highlands, as they have done for 3000 years. Travelling in the opposite direction, we walked in front of a similar train of camels, carrying equipment and supplies, to get to the volcano.

Canon 5D2 and TS-E 24mm f/3.5L. 24mm, f/8, 1/400s, ISO 100.

2. Sunrise over the crater at Erta Ale, one of the world's only permanent lava lakes.

This was taken standing almost on the edge of the crater.

5D2 and TS-E 17mm f/4L. 3-shot shifted panorama at 17mm, f/8, 8s, ISO 100.

3. Moonlight and clouds of water vapour combine with volcanic ash and gases to light the landscape with a red glow.

5D2 and Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM. 70mm, f/8, 30s, ISO 400.

4. A full moon rises during twilight at Erta Ale, as the volcano belches out yet another gout of red-hot gas and ash.

5D2 and Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. Three blended exposures - 59mm, f/8, 2-8-30s, ISO 100.

Title: Re: Danakil Depression and Erta Ale, Ethiopia
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 21, 2020, 10:23:41 pm

That is a stunning set of images.

Title: Re: Danakil Depression and Erta Ale, Ethiopia
Post by: kers on June 22, 2020, 01:13:36 am

indeed, spectacular... !

Title: Re: Danakil Depression and Erta Ale, Ethiopia
Post by: Paulo Bizarro on June 22, 2020, 04:20:57 am

What a great set.

Title: Re: Danakil Depression and Erta Ale, Ethiopia
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on June 22, 2020, 05:06:00 am

+1

Title: Re: Danakil Depression and Erta Ale, Ethiopia
Post by: armand on June 22, 2020, 10:46:18 am

Very nice, with an edge to the first and the last. I’m particularly drawn to the last, I love the contrast between the yellow-red and blue.

Title: Re: Danakil Depression and Erta Ale, Ethiopia
Post by: Dave (Isle of Skye) on June 22, 2020, 12:09:44 pm

Quote from: armand on June 22, 2020, 10:46:18 am

Very nice, with an edge to the first and the last. I’m particularly drawn to the last, I love the contrast between the yellow-red and blue.

Agreed, this is a cracking set of images, well done Armand  ;)

Dave

Title: Re: Danakil Depression and Erta Ale, Ethiopia
Post by: francois on June 23, 2020, 08:31:35 am

I like them all but the first one with the camels and wide angle lens is stunning. I also like the volcano shots with the last one being my favorite…
What a trip.