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Patrick Smith Photography - Kauai, Kilauea Lighthouse to Poipu |
Maelstrom #2 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Near Kilauea Point, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 1/2-second exposure @F14 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
Story:
I feel that this image has all the main elements that can be part of a dynamic seascape image. Low warm light came through the clouds and
reflected off the water. The motion I saw here was incredible and I made many images of it. It has nice lava rock in front. The atmosphere was full of
mist. And the natural structure of the blowhole is striking.
If you wish to make the viewer feel like he or she is right next to the camera near the sea, capturing motion is very important. But that often
means getting wet and incurring a certain amount of risk to both the camera equipment and the photographer. To get to this spot at sunrise, a
slippery path had to be navigated in the dark. I studied this particularly dangerous place for about 15 minutes to determine how the water
moved. It turned out that while the water coming out of the blowhole was spectacular, the water motion going back into the hole was even
more interesting. After finding a spot in the swirling water to brace the tripod, I was able to get several 'shoot and run' images. A 1/2 second
exposure was enough to show the motion and still show detail in the water. I set up the filters and the camera settings before heading into the
water. There was no time to do that once the action was unfolding.
Location: Near Kilauea Point, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 1/2-second exposure @F14 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
Story:
I feel that this image has all the main elements that can be part of a dynamic seascape image. Low warm light came through the clouds and
reflected off the water. The motion I saw here was incredible and I made many images of it. It has nice lava rock in front. The atmosphere was full of
mist. And the natural structure of the blowhole is striking.
If you wish to make the viewer feel like he or she is right next to the camera near the sea, capturing motion is very important. But that often
means getting wet and incurring a certain amount of risk to both the camera equipment and the photographer. To get to this spot at sunrise, a
slippery path had to be navigated in the dark. I studied this particularly dangerous place for about 15 minutes to determine how the water
moved. It turned out that while the water coming out of the blowhole was spectacular, the water motion going back into the hole was even
more interesting. After finding a spot in the swirling water to brace the tripod, I was able to get several 'shoot and run' images. A 1/2 second
exposure was enough to show the motion and still show detail in the water. I set up the filters and the camera settings before heading into the
water. There was no time to do that once the action was unfolding.
Kauai, Along the Coast from the Kilauea Lighthouse Area to Poipu
This area covers a wide variety of climates and terrains. Hawaii is not all about sandy palm lined beaches you know! Kilauea in the north gets
nearly 80 inches of rain per year while some areas near Poipu in the south get below 10 inches. This results in a wide variety of beaches and
landscapes and gives landscape photographers an endless variety of subjects. The light in Hawaii as a whole is excellent year round. The trade
winds blow cumulus clouds over the islands allowing warm filtered light to reach the surface, especially at sunrise or sunset. It is usually partly
cloudy so a short wait is all that is required for conditions to change. In California, it can be clear for months at a time so the light is usually
good only in the winter.
This area covers a wide variety of climates and terrains. Hawaii is not all about sandy palm lined beaches you know! Kilauea in the north gets
nearly 80 inches of rain per year while some areas near Poipu in the south get below 10 inches. This results in a wide variety of beaches and
landscapes and gives landscape photographers an endless variety of subjects. The light in Hawaii as a whole is excellent year round. The trade
winds blow cumulus clouds over the islands allowing warm filtered light to reach the surface, especially at sunrise or sunset. It is usually partly
cloudy so a short wait is all that is required for conditions to change. In California, it can be clear for months at a time so the light is usually
good only in the winter.
Maelstrom #3 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Near Kilauea Point, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 0.6 second exposure @F14 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
This view of a blowhole on the north shore of Kauai was taken a few minutes after Maelstrom #2.' Here, I wanted to show how the large waves
impact the lava shelf and continue around and into the hole. I captured this version of this scene since some people may like the extremely
dramatic action of the ocean, as do I!
To get this image at sunrise, I had to get up at 3am and slide down a very long muddy trail on my hands and knees in the dark, wash up in a
nearby stream and run between lava shelves avoiding very large waves, in the near dark just before dawn. And I had to grab the tripod and run
to get away from this wave! I wouldn't have it any other way, it's part of the process of seeing something that few people will ever see.
Location: Near Kilauea Point, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 0.6 second exposure @F14 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
This view of a blowhole on the north shore of Kauai was taken a few minutes after Maelstrom #2.' Here, I wanted to show how the large waves
impact the lava shelf and continue around and into the hole. I captured this version of this scene since some people may like the extremely
dramatic action of the ocean, as do I!
To get this image at sunrise, I had to get up at 3am and slide down a very long muddy trail on my hands and knees in the dark, wash up in a
nearby stream and run between lava shelves avoiding very large waves, in the near dark just before dawn. And I had to grab the tripod and run
to get away from this wave! I wouldn't have it any other way, it's part of the process of seeing something that few people will ever see.
Northwest Swell Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Near Kilauea Point, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 1/6 second exposure @f6.3 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
My tripod was 50 feet above the water just to the left of the frame but I still got drenched right after I took this photo! These swells are quite large
and I was waiting for a nicely formed one to appear illuminated by the rising sun. Fortunately I was able to get the shot and run before I was hit
too hard! Even though this place is near Queen's Bath, it is pointing towards the island near the Kilauea Lighthouse, so I'm including it in this
gallery.
Location: Near Kilauea Point, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 1/6 second exposure @f6.3 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
My tripod was 50 feet above the water just to the left of the frame but I still got drenched right after I took this photo! These swells are quite large
and I was waiting for a nicely formed one to appear illuminated by the rising sun. Fortunately I was able to get the shot and run before I was hit
too hard! Even though this place is near Queen's Bath, it is pointing towards the island near the Kilauea Lighthouse, so I'm including it in this
gallery.
Kilauea Point Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Kilauea Point, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 1/13 second exposure @F8 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
This beach just west of the Kilauea lighthouse is full of lava boulders and outcrops. Large waves pound the shoreline during the winter months.
It is locally called secret beach, though many people have found it. It is an excellent beach with huge waves, lava outcroppings, and lots of shade
and cliffs. A great place to spend the day if you don't mind the somewhat steep hike from a dirt parking lot! Moku`ae`ae island straight ahead
can be seen in the distance in the image, Northwest Swell.
Location: Kilauea Point, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 1/13 second exposure @F8 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
This beach just west of the Kilauea lighthouse is full of lava boulders and outcrops. Large waves pound the shoreline during the winter months.
It is locally called secret beach, though many people have found it. It is an excellent beach with huge waves, lava outcroppings, and lots of shade
and cliffs. A great place to spend the day if you don't mind the somewhat steep hike from a dirt parking lot! Moku`ae`ae island straight ahead
can be seen in the distance in the image, Northwest Swell.
Kilauea Light Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Kilauea Point, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 1/4-second exposure @F14 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
This view from the east side of the lighthouse requires a difficult hike during periods of large surf. To get here at sunrise, I had to get up at 3am
but it was worth it. Waves can strike more than 100 feet up the cliff, as you can see by the exposed cliffs above the sea and below the vegetation
line. The small dots on the darker hillside on the left are the endangered Hawaiian Nene geese. At first, the cliffs were either in full sun or full
shadow. Finally a nice opening in the clouds appeared so that the light cast itself upon the best parts of the rocky cliffs, giving them extra depth.
The geese were not visible until the right light arrived. Sometimes, a long wait is required in order to witness the best light.
Location: Kilauea Point, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 1/4-second exposure @F14 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
This view from the east side of the lighthouse requires a difficult hike during periods of large surf. To get here at sunrise, I had to get up at 3am
but it was worth it. Waves can strike more than 100 feet up the cliff, as you can see by the exposed cliffs above the sea and below the vegetation
line. The small dots on the darker hillside on the left are the endangered Hawaiian Nene geese. At first, the cliffs were either in full sun or full
shadow. Finally a nice opening in the clouds appeared so that the light cast itself upon the best parts of the rocky cliffs, giving them extra depth.
The geese were not visible until the right light arrived. Sometimes, a long wait is required in order to witness the best light.
Poipu Coast Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 0.4 second exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
The coastline east of Poipu shows the remnants of ancient lithified sand dunes. It is a great hike after a day spend on a sandy beach. Watch out
though, for these formations are very sharp. But the superb warm light at sunset is worth any pain!
Location: Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 0.4 second exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
The coastline east of Poipu shows the remnants of ancient lithified sand dunes. It is a great hike after a day spend on a sandy beach. Watch out
though, for these formations are very sharp. But the superb warm light at sunset is worth any pain!
Ancient Dunes Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 20 second exposure @F14 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
These lithified dunes near Poipu on the south shore, are relics of ancient beaches. The sand was literally cemented and then corroded by a
geologically recent exposure ot the salty surf below. A small aperture was required to keep the foreground rock sharp. But that required a very
long exposure.
Location: Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Details: 20 second exposure @F14 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
These lithified dunes near Poipu on the south shore, are relics of ancient beaches. The sand was literally cemented and then corroded by a
geologically recent exposure ot the salty surf below. A small aperture was required to keep the foreground rock sharp. But that required a very
long exposure.
