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Moods of Merapi 2


Moods of Merapi 2
Photo Information
Copyright: Djuna Ivereigh (IndonesiaWild) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 14 W: 3 N: 38] (102)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-05-12
Categories: Mountain
Camera: Fuji S2 Pro
Exposure: f/2.8, 15 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Our world at night. [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-03-26 4:54
Viewed: 5951
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Here's another Mood of Merapi. This sequence documents a single eruption sculpted by wind. Within 15 minutes a 6-kilometer-long French poodle had been stretched into a 12-kilometer-long--well, I'll leave your fertile imaginations to work on that... Erupting mountains are better fun than cumulus clouds!

This shot was taken two months on from yesterday's photo. By now the summit dome is collapsing and exploding. With this eruption, it's doing both at once.

The projectile eruption (dog's head) is less usual for Merapi. It's rocketing forth at the speed of a jet plane, 1200 degrees C as it launches off. If it fired straight down the mountain, this would be Very Bad News for Kaliurang village (beneath the dog's chin). Thankfully this doesn't happen much.

The collapsing eruption (dog's hind leg) is more typical for Merapi. In fact, it's known worldwide as a 'Merapi-type eruption'. Hot gas and ash and glowing boulders the size of minivans are tumbling down the mountainside. Where they hit a ridge they're jumping up to form the dog's feet. This is all getting very close to Kaliadem village which will, in fact, lead to tragedy.

Under the dog's rump hides some of the greater spectacles witnessed during this capture. Sadly, however, these bright flashes at the front of the eruption were quickly engulfed by ash and didn't register on the sensor. It took me a moment to realize that each pop and spark of light was a tree--exploding. I imagine the trees combusted in a superheated gas plume just in advance of particulate matter that next doomed them to quick burial. This eruption, it seemed, reached farther down this side of the mountain than any in the last hundred years. It was an omen of things to come...

* * *

Technical notes: I'm about twice as far from the mountain as I was in the last photo. Good thing too! Once again, it's a full moon. Not only is the lighting nice around that time--my hunch is that tidal forces make for heightened activity. The bottom image is a stitched panorama of 3 captures shot at 12mm. Again, this may or may not be legal, but it was my only way to deliver you this saucy beast in all its extravagant glory.
delic, SunToucher, LordPotty, SelenE, cicindela, gurupawan, shal, loot, captainsgirl, scottevers7, sranjan, Debz has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 440 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-03-26 5:07]

Those are some fine compositions, Djuna, documenting the eruption. Excellent contribution to TN. TFS. Regards,
Hakan

Hi Djuna,
Two really spectacular images that show the power of the eruption perfectly. The slow shutter speed also shows us the way the wind varies in the different layers of air. Wonderful work, where I really like the bottom one.
TFS,
Niek

beautiful compositions
bravo
aleks

Hi Djuna,
Two more stunning images and a very interesting desription to accompany them.
I love the way you write. No secret that you were a geologist ... your terminology gives you away. Never mind ... I expect you'll get better soon ;)

wow great shot and dreadful image. greeting from Turkey.

Hello Djuna!
Very nice documentary picture! I like a lot an interesting note and the composition of these two great photos.
Regards,
Radomir

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
  • [2007-03-26 7:25]

Hi Djuna,
Composition, colors and exposure handling is very good. Great work again. TFS
Selen

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 254 N: 3161] (14464)
  • [2007-03-26 7:25]

Hi Djuna,

Great compo with 2 stunning pictures,well captured with good exposure,well done and TFS

Paul

Awesome! WOW! I am really impressed but the majesty of this eruption. I'm simply going 'WOW'!

Great job.
Steph

HI Djuna,

U have really captured the right beauty of this beast.And agree we should imagine on the 2nd shot. Very well done and thx for showcasing Indonesia so wonderfully.Love this country coz of this great beauties.

Tfs

Pawan

  • Great 
  • shal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 256 W: 64 N: 481] (2140)
  • [2007-03-26 16:05]

Hi Djuna,
nice presentation and framing,
I like the way the starts also shine over the mountains,
Good work :)
Cheers :D

This is really unique shot, Djuna!
TFS
Ralf

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5524 W: 722 N: 4163] (11276)
  • [2007-03-26 18:39]
  • [2]

Hi Djuna

Both the photos and the notes are absolutely fascinating, captivating, and very educational to say the least. Great stuff and a positive contribution in true TrekNature style. I just love it.

The end result of these night-time, time exposures, shows us a wonderful starry sky as backdrop to this impressive geophysical occurrence. The colour saturation is stunning and the details are spectacular.

Very well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. A warm welcome to TN. I am sure you would find this a heck of a site and a very warm community. Keep on posting these mesmerizing images and absorbing notes. You will soon feel very much at home, if not already so.

wow very intense colors! Great photos and nice together. TFS
Donna:o)

Hi Djuna,
Outstanding shots, both of them. Great job handling the long exposure times. VERY COOL :-)
Scott

Hello Dunja,
These are so interesting and unusual picture! Texture, colors, POV, composition and this exposure are just great! I also enjoyed reading your interesting note. This is something that we don't see often. Nature could be so impressive! Well done and TFS,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • Bac Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 93 W: 3 N: 33] (486)
  • [2007-04-30 6:58]

Hello,

You did a nice composition, i look forward seeing this country too (still two weeks to wait). TFS.

Christian

Dear Djuna,
It is great to see lava within pyroclastic eruption in your second picture.Your note are excellent.
I have full complements to your talent but feel jealous about Indonesian tree which you have climbed for so many years (9+) as per your introductory note. I wish that was an Indian tree from my country. It's great to see dedicated people like you making us wise with their wisdom & sacrifices. Cheers.Keep it up.
Regards-Ranjan

Hi Djuna,
Excellent capture of the Merapi.
Well done. Congratulation.
Cheers.
Michel

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 505 W: 0 N: 847] (3307)
  • [2007-10-30 7:38]

Amazing volcanic cloud formations making wonderful and dramatic compositions. Depth of colour and contrast with the sky excellent. Excellent and thanks.
tfs
debz

  • Great 
  • ridfa Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 89 W: 0 N: 376] (4111)
  • [2008-04-10 22:14]

Fantastic... Thank !

amazing eruption, TFS Ori

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