This photo was shot in the lava tubes (http://www.mauicave.com/) on the outskirts of Hana, a small town on the south eastern shores of Maui. If you ever have a chance to visit Hana, make sure you stay for a couple days. After a few days the town will make an impression on you that will last a lifetime.
Lighting Diagram
What else are you supposed to do when you have a few willing participants on your Lava Tube tour? After a quick organizational meeting, the team was ready to execute the plan. It only took one botched exposure to get it right.
Here is a break down of how I shot this image. I drew the diagram using a cool app I’ve discovered for the iPad. It’s called Paper. The basic version is free, you can get it here.
- Me – I was shooting a Sigma Fish Eye, on my D700, setup on a Really Right Stuff Versa 24. I think the exposure was around 30 seconds. I forgot a cable release, so that was as good as it got.
- Natural Light – I positioned my subject (BubbaBroChill – you can find him on Instagr.am) in front of the natural light that was pouring in from a vent in the lava tube.
- F1 (flashlight 1) light painted the backside of the rock pile for the entire exposure to create a nice edge an contrast between the cave ceiling.
- F2 (flashlight 2) – light painted the ceiling of the cave for for about 10 seconds. Note: I only used the spill light, not the direct centered light from the flashlight.
- F3 (flashlight 3) – I had BubbaBroChill hold really still and turn on the light for 2 seconds durning the exposure.
Very cool image Justin and very nice write-up on the lighting. Well done.
Thanks Len, glad it helped.
Great shot, Justin. The diagram is fun too. Wondering what kind of flashlights you use?
Thanks Richard! Hmm…they were just rechargeable flashlights we were loaned for the tour.
Cool light painting – just enough to know it’s a tunnel without blowing out perspective. It just leads your eye to BubbaBroChill!
Thanks much Rick, that was the plan!
Love the diagram! That’s awesome. The pic is pretty sweet too.
Isn’t it traditional to replace “me” with “numnuts”? :-) This looks like a fun shot – I’ll have to give something like this a try when we’re there next month (assuming I can find some V.A.Ls to help out).
(PS: If you find this offensive, that’s not intentional but you’re obviously not a reader of Joe McNally’s blog.)
Not offensive at all…I didn’t want people thinking Joe was in the cave with us! If you need any info on the island, let me know. I have been there a few times. Safe travels!