Tuesday 22 February 2011

Adding to my rock collection

Don't worry, I'll get through this phase in my life soon!

Seriously, I'm actually being a good scientist and just experimenting with the new toy. For pictures like this, a 0.3 to 0.4-sec exposure seems to be perfect for capturing the movement of the water but not always enough to capture the dark lava rocks. Anyway, think I have something to work on now!

Both pictures were taken at one of my favourite places on the planet, the Puna coast between Kalapana and Kapoho. It was sunset but since this is on the east side of the island I wasn't going to capture a glorious sunset from here (sigh, I miss the summit of Mauna Kea!) but when the light starts to dip at least it allows for some longer exposures which gives one an impression of movement in the water.

Not sure what to move onto next. Someone suggested historic Hilo buildings. That's an idea I'll look at but am not sure what's historic or not and in any case I'll still be pining for my sunsets!

3 comments:

Rose said...

Breathtaking photos - your captures all appear so surreal - like dreamscapes!

Anonymous said...

How about beaches around the island? How has the famous Black Sand Beach been affected by the lava flow? Is it covered with new lava now?

How about Devastation Trail? Is this, too, covered by new lava?

The last time I visited the Big Island was 1989.

Tom said...

Rose - thank you again! I always try and capture a scene either as my eye sees it, or if that looks boring, just enhance it a little. In this case a long exposure (0.4 secs) means the movement of the water is captured which is not something you capture in a normal snapshot.

Gigi - the best beaches are on the other side of the island especially if you want to catch them at sunset. It's why on these east side beaches I concentrated on the rocks and water rather than the sky.

Kalapana black sand beach is gone if that's the one you mean, destroyed by lava, and Devastation Trail is certainly still there, just not that photogenic!

Tom