Mt. Pinatubo

Carolina_BlueCarolina_Blue Registered Users Posts: 19 Big grins
edited March 21, 2013 in Landscapes
A month ago, I had a rare opportunity to be invited to fly over Mt. Pinatubo. The conditions were perfect for flying, mild wind, no rain, cloudless sky. It is amazing how something so beautiful was so destructive. It's eruption in 1991 was the second largest in 20th century history, second only to the 1912 eruption of Novarupta in the Alaskan Peninsula. The effects of the eruption was felt worldwide, with large amounts of aerosol released into the atmosphere, exceeding that of Krakatoa in 1883. This catapulted Mt. Pinatubo to worldwide fame.

The white areas near the crater is lahar (lava hardened by rain) that formed after the eruption. Off frame to the left is a river that has been filled with the same lahar.

I shot in shutter priority as I was afraid that turbulence and a rogue cloud that forms over the crater was going to ruin my shots. And it's not like I could ask to pilot to park in mid-air so I can get a second pass at a better shot. Plus, I only had my camera for 2 weeks before the trip. I was terrified of hunting for the dials! Anything else I could have done better?

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Pinatubo HR_0198 by The Looking Glass Girl, on Flickr

I also had a little Oly with me. I applied the special effects in camera and got a different view of the mountain. It was handy to have just in case I messed up all my shots. That rogue cloud had just passed as we circled the crater.

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Pinatubo HR_0627 by The Looking Glass Girl, on Flickr

Comments

  • FlyNavyFlyNavy Registered Users Posts: 1,350 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2013
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited March 13, 2013
    Welcome to the Landscapes forum, Carolina_Blue. clap.gif

    Congrats on getting the chance to fly over Pinatubo, or what's left of it. You got a really great shot there, and your processing looks just right. Second shot with the Oly looks great too. You done well! Looking forward to seeing more of your work. thumb.gif
  • Carolina_BlueCarolina_Blue Registered Users Posts: 19 Big grins
    edited March 13, 2013
    Thank you for your warm welcome and comments, Joel! I was lucky in so many ways that day. I don't get to travel much, but I'm looking forward to shooting some in Charleston, SC next month.
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited March 15, 2013
    Very nice view into the crater - I too am envious!
    #1 - great photo!
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • Carolina_BlueCarolina_Blue Registered Users Posts: 19 Big grins
    edited March 15, 2013
    Earache wrote: »
    Very nice view into the crater - I too am envious!
    #1 - great photo!

    Thank you! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! It was worth going through a couple of minutes of tension and anxiety before this was shot, looking for a rogue plane flying at the same altitude we were with a pilot unable to exactly relay his location to control tower.:cry
  • bristleconebristlecone Registered Users Posts: 451 Major grins
    edited March 15, 2013
    Wow, great images. What a treat to see.
  • Alpha_PlusAlpha_Plus Registered Users Posts: 253 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2013
    Fantastic. Love the processing of the first one. It really pops out!
    Karl Lindsay
    Nikon D600
    Samyang 14mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 | Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
    Induro CT-014 Tripod
    karllindsayphotography.com | Photos on Facebook | 500px
  • Carolina_BlueCarolina_Blue Registered Users Posts: 19 Big grins
    edited March 21, 2013
    Thank you Alpha!wings.gif
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