this weeks competition....

amoringello,
LOVE that shot.
could you tell me more about where, when and how?
I'm dying to know if that was natural light or some flash/painting effects added during the exposure.....

Thanks.

The location is called "Skyline Caverns" in Virgina (USA). It is of course along or near "SkyLine Drive". It is one of the prettier caves and has one large set of very rare formations found in only about two or three other places in the world.


Unfortunately I really had nothing to do with the lighting. They have simply hidden away all those lights that make it look really cool. The rock formations themselves had very little natural color.

Although I did like the green moss behind the purple-lit stalagmites in the middle.

I guess the hard part was getting it all to show up without parts burning out or not showing up at all. The automatic metering didn't do so well in all cases. But it worked out without having to do HDR or photoshop work, etc...


The poor tour guide had to wait for me to take 10 to 30+ second exposures throughout the entire tour. But it was the off-season and I was the only one there that day, so I took advantage of the ability to set up where I wanted.

very cool. you nailed it....
I'm gonna have to put that on my "must see" list next time I'm travelling that way on my motorcycle.
I was certain there was some artificial light in use. I was thinking it must've taken hours to set up. I was also wondering if you did some creative color balance shots and combined several takes in photoshop.

Unfortunately not. Because of that I may replace my entry with something new if I get the time to pick up my camera this weekend. I have some ideas, but don't know if I'll be here before Sunday. So I posted something I thought was cool looking anyway.
(Maybe I should not have replied at all until after judging. )

Skyline drive through the Shenandoah mountains would be a GREAT ride on a motor cycle! I don't ride, but I took a day off a couple of months ago just to drive for the day in the car. Still, very relaxing to get away.
If you're in the general area, it would be worth the detour to ride through.

don't change it!
You picked a fantastic subject, composed and exposed it very well...It will certianly be a contender on it's own merit.
I wasn't trying to imply anything else... I really like it, and would not be embarrassed to lose to that image.

(mine was a test shot that was supposed to have a lop-eared rabbit, but my model called in sick....don't tell the kids....the Easter Bunny nearly didn't make it this year!).

...and because the rules are slightly stricter now in that you can't change a photo once you've entered it.

Dan