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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
4/29/2002 5:30:01 PM
Kim, Speleothem is the name given to any formation found in a cave. They are made of Calcite, which is deposited slowly over many hundreds or thousands of years. They process is fairly complex, but put basically, Calcium Carbonate is carried in solution in drops of water. As the droplets fall they leave behind small amounts of this mineral which crystalizes to form Calcite.
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| Photo By: Andy Whitney
(K:45)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
7/29/2001 6:48:06 PM
I wish it was as well, Beverly. Unfortunately I didn't have a flash with me for some fill.
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| Photo By: Andy Whitney
(K:45)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
7/19/2001 9:44:33 PM
This is actually not a cave entrance, but a passage located deep inside a cave system. The effect of an entrance is entirely due to the fact that there is absolutely no light present other than the flash help by the caver. This lights up the passage ahead, but everything behind the flash remains in darkness, thus creating the silhouette. There is some very slight lighting of the stream behind the caver due to light reflected from the walls.
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| Photo By: Andy Whitney
(K:45)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
7/19/2001 3:59:41 PM
I agree completely with everything you mentioned, Artie. It was not a planned shot, just a spur of the moment thing. It was taken early morning on the way to a cave, so the sun was still low, hence the strong areas of shadow. I will definately attempt this one again sometime.
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| Photo By: Andy Whitney
(K:45)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
7/16/2001 7:03:45 PM
Thanks for the comments Chris. To answer your question: I use a Pelican 1400 camera case to transport my equipment. This case in nearly indestructable and air tight, which is essential in the harsh cave enviroment. A picture of my case fully packed, and a list of gear I take can be found on my website by following this link:
http://homepages.enterprise.net/flash/technical.htm
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| Photo By: Andy Whitney
(K:45)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
7/15/2001 3:01:32 PM
Thanks, Vlad :-) Most people think I'm completely mad!
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| Photo By: Andy Whitney
(K:45)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
7/15/2001 2:28:06 PM
Another nice, evenly lit capture. Again, it's hard to tell how big the formation is without a point of reference. Even a close-up of a small formation can be given some scale by having a persons head in the shot, examining it. See my 'Gour Pools' picture for an example of this. Of course, this in not a strict rule by any means, and your pictures still work fine without it.
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| Photo By: Paul Groff
(K:10)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
7/15/2001 11:09:11 AM
Nice even lighting, but using an on camera flash in cave photography tends to make for a rather flat image. Much more depth can be obtained by just getting the flash of the camera (on a cable) and at arms length. Alternatively, you can cover an on-camera flash with an Infra-red filter, such as a piece of unexposed but processed slide film. This blocks out the visible light from the flash, but not the IR, and thus allows you to trigger a flash on an IR slave unit. This is especially useful on point and shoot cameras with a built in flash.
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| Photo By: Paul Groff
(K:10)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
7/15/2001 10:59:06 AM
Nice picture, Paul. It's good to see some more cave photography on this site! I find that with this type of shot it's usually best to try and include a person or some other object to give a point of reference for scale. Nice even lighting in this shot.
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| Photo By: Paul Groff
(K:10)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
7/3/2001 3:24:19 PM
The exposure was at the limit for the film speed being used. A slower film would have been useful. I did take more shots at faster speeds, and as Artie says, I think any slower would have definately reduced the 'strength' of the water, after all it was a very violent flood. Regarding the walls around the pool, the lighting is much better in the original print. A re-scan may be in order.
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| Photo By: Andy Whitney
(K:45)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
7/2/2001 7:56:31 PM
Unfortunately getting a decent sky is one of the hardest things to accomplish living in the UK. Heavy cloud or overcast is about all that's on offer!
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| Photo By: Andy Whitney
(K:45)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
6/27/2001 6:40:46 PM
Funnily enough, I was firmly stuck in this particular cave about fifteen minutes before taking this picture! It is the only time I have ever been stuck in a cave. I was wedged in a vertical squeeze so tightly I was unable to breathe properly! My feet were dangling about two feet of the ground, so I was unable to push myself out. I freed myself with a helpful push from one of my team mates. I think it was worth it for the photo, although I wouldn't do it again!
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| Photo By: Andy Whitney
(K:45)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
6/27/2001 6:28:33 PM
The most difficult aspect of this type of photography is positioning of lighting. Working with zero natural light has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are complete control over the lighting of the scene, but the downside is that you can't actually see the scene until you get the pictures back from the lab! After a while though, you do tend to be able to picture what the scene will look in your head.
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| Photo By: Andy Whitney
(K:45)
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Critique By:
Andy Whitney (K:45)
6/27/2001 6:12:12 PM
Thanks for the comments. The intensity of the highlights could possibly be reduced by using a lower guide number flash for the backlight. Losing an f-stop from using a polarizer is not really option, as in a cave it's a continuous struggle with lighting the place up!
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| Photo By: Andy Whitney
(K:45)
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