Luray Caverns, VA
Jun 28, 2015 20:42:27 #
A week ago a co-worker new to the area asked where one might take his new bride for a day trip. I suggested Luray Caverns, and then realized I hadn't been there in quite a while myself. It was a beautiful summer day today, so off I went.
I really wanted to try my hand at long exposure photography, perhaps stacking shots and applying a little HDR. I wanted to avoid flash. I really enjoyed the 1.5 mile walk, but I kept getting shoo'ed by the tour guide behind me ("keep up with your group" -- not knowing that three groups had already passed me by!).
Discovered in 1878, Luray Caverns are said to be the largest and most attractive caverns on the U.S. East Coast. My pictures don't do them justice. Yet.
I really wanted to try my hand at long exposure photography, perhaps stacking shots and applying a little HDR. I wanted to avoid flash. I really enjoyed the 1.5 mile walk, but I kept getting shoo'ed by the tour guide behind me ("keep up with your group" -- not knowing that three groups had already passed me by!).
Discovered in 1878, Luray Caverns are said to be the largest and most attractive caverns on the U.S. East Coast. My pictures don't do them justice. Yet.
Dream Lake (only 20" deep, but reflects the ceiling)
(Download)
Stalactites
(Download)
Pluto's Ghost
(Download)
In the Hallway
(Download)
The Famous "Fried Egg" Formation
(Download)
Jun 28, 2015 20:52:53 #
Very different and interesting series. Looks like you got the hang of cavern photography!
Jun 28, 2015 21:07:17 #
Jun 28, 2015 21:50:36 #
Really nice set. The only thing bad about these places is you have to keep up with your group instead of wandering on your own.
Jun 28, 2015 22:01:48 #
Jun 29, 2015 03:40:18 #
Jun 29, 2015 06:15:48 #
Fabulous series. Thanks for sharing.
Do you know what "color" the lighting is? Did you have to pp the white balance much?
Do you know what "color" the lighting is? Did you have to pp the white balance much?
Jun 29, 2015 06:30:00 #
Very nicely done!
I visited there years ago. I remember the time the guide turned off the lights so we could learn what true absolute darkness was :)
I visited there years ago. I remember the time the guide turned off the lights so we could learn what true absolute darkness was :)
Jun 29, 2015 07:10:54 #
davefales wrote:
Hi Dave,Fabulous series. Thanks for sharing.
Do you know what "color" the lighting is? Did you have to pp the white balance much?
Do you know what "color" the lighting is? Did you have to pp the white balance much?
As I recall, my reading on the light was about 2279K. Of course, it varies from place to place, so I pretty much left my camera on AUTO WB and had very little PP on the exposure setting.
Jun 29, 2015 07:12:10 #
Beautiful. Can kick myself in the arse for all the times I drove by those caverns, without ever a stop. Dang.
Jun 29, 2015 11:43:05 #
Just Fred wrote:
A week ago a co-worker new to the area asked where... (show quote)
You photographed the caverns with professionalism. Excellent.
Jun 29, 2015 16:05:35 #
The "Wishing Well" is another optical illusion in the caverns. While Dream Lake is only about 20" deep, but looks deeper due to the reflections of the stalactites above, the wishing well (which has accumulated over $1,000,000 since its "founding" ), is actually deeper than it looks, going down almost seven feet in some places, although it looks only about three feet deep.
Jun 30, 2015 01:30:09 #
Very good shots, Fred! It's not always easy to get good shots inside caverns.
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