Grand Caverns, a photo from Virginia, South

Photographer's Note

This is Grand Caverns near Grottoes, Virginia. This is America's oldest show cave which has been open to the public since 1806. Walking around you can see evidence of it being open so long with a lot of stalactites broken off for souvenirs over the years. Of course that's illegal now but you can't put back the ones that were stolen. It's a very large cavern with one room alone around 280 feet long (86m) and over 70 feet high (21m). During the Civil War it was popular with soldiers for a place to escape the heat. There are markings from the soldiers in many spots. I have one or two more to post from here. Taken around 3pm.

Hand-held shot at 1000 ISO.

sabyasachi1212, aloyho, ramesh_lalwani, papagolf21, feather, carper, plimrn, john_c, cunejo200, Tue, alvaraalto, Emile, alford, jhm, cam, MikiM, lu_muratori heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

Cormac (26565) 2007-01-02 20:42

Very interesting shot! The light on these strange formations gives a ghostly and beautiful appearance to the cave. It must have been incredible to see it first hand. Great work Stephen!

lxcarr7 (133) 2007-01-02 20:54

Can I come! Stalagmites? Stalagtites? INCREDIBLE SHOT. VERY COOL and makes me want to take a trip into the Caverns.
L:

aloyho (6798) 2007-01-03 1:22

Hi Stephen,
The underground world is always fascinating and being able to catch this scene in such exciting manner calls for a salute. I enjoyed how the lighting is controlled to give that atmosphere of wonderment and the excellent vantage point that you have taken to allow us to enjoy the whole place. Brilliantly taken!! I hope you enjoyed your New Year.

cessy (13647) 2007-01-03 2:14

Hallo Steve

excellent capture of the cave
ISO 1000, and no visible noise, great
exposure is well done

happy new year,
cessy

ramesh_lalwani (3213) 2007-01-03 2:42

Hi Steve
Very intersting note.Golden colors look great.TFS
Ramesh

papagolf21 (152607) 2007-01-03 3:54

Bonjour Stephen,
Nous entrons dans les entrailles de la terre et découvrons la féerie des lieux. L'éclairage savamment disposé met en valeur ces concrétions qui s'apparentent à des formes mystérieuses.
Une très belle composition (pas facile à réaliser), bravo !
Amitiés.
Meilleurs voeux 2007
Philippe

sabyasachi1212 (19779) 2007-01-03 5:02

Hi Stephen,
This is one amazing shot under difficult conditions. Beautiful light management. Well Done!
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

PixelTerror (0) 2007-01-03 7:45

Hi Steve, and happy new year to you !
I see you returned to the underworld to deliver again a spectacular view, the exposure is excellent so that we can enjoy plenty of details despite the overall dark dominant.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

feather (51130) 2007-01-03 8:30

Great shot Steve. For ISO 1000 I don't detect any noise - did you use Neat Image or similar? I'm also impressed with your hand-holding at such a slow speed. Perfectly exposed too.
Kath

carper (96) 2007-01-03 10:14

Very nice one Stephen,
good photo in this differcult situation, very nice pov and good quality, very nice job. A good 2007 for you and your family.
gr. jaap

PJE (20758) 2007-01-03 22:51

Good Evening Stephen. I did not get a chance to stop by yesterday on this one. Upon opening this image I have to commend you on the image detail with a 1/10 of a second exposure...thanks for Nikon's VR....

Very easy to get lost without any light source I am sure. Seems like an incredible place. Thanks for sharing!

plimrn (21344) 2007-01-04 0:22

Hi Steve,
Another stunning cave shot!! Your note makes me want to visit that cave. I got a chance to try out that Nikkor lens; it is really a great lens. Now I know how you get such great shots - you gotta have the right glass!!
Regards, Pat

danyy (0) 2007-01-04 6:16

Bonjour Stephen,
une grotte dont tu nous donne la profondeur grâce à cet escalier dans le fond, astucieusement éclairé.
Les couleurs ocres et rouges sont bien rendues, une belle profondeur de la netteté malgré un grande ouverture.
Excellent job.
Best regards.
Daniel.

john_c (24666) 2007-01-04 12:42

Hi Stephen,
A cave of magic and mystery...Your well chosen exposure level provides just enough golden light to discern important details, while allowing for a view deep into the cavern toward the far lights. The authorities must have a difficult time preventing theft of the stalactites. Well captured, Stephen. Have a happy and prosperous New Year.
John

capthaddock (28790) 2007-01-04 14:22

Hi Stephen - other than the concrete stairway, this exactly what those soldiers must have seen, spooky place, I'm glad it lacks the kitschy neon color illumination common in so many touristy caves.

fayeulle (27827) 2007-01-05 2:10

Hi Stephen
During the 70s and 80s, my main hobby was speleology. So I am always atracted with picture of caverns. You note is very interresting but 3pm in a cavern is not very important ! It's allways the same landscape during 24 hours of a day !
Have a nice day!
Cheers
JP

cunejo200 (7281) 2007-01-05 9:39

Hi Stephen,
I did not make it here or Luray Caverns but perhaps next year. Impressive for a hand-held shot. Lighting and colors are very appealing. Best wishes. Danilo

Tue (92272) 2007-01-05 14:17

Hej Stephen,
Great shot of this cave! I love the wonderful warm colours of the stone. The light conditions are also very nice and I find the shapes of nature here very impressive. Very well captured and thanks for sharing!
Hilsen,
Lars

alvaraalto (42804) 2007-01-05 18:06

Hi Stephen,
Really a great performance with a 1/10. One should expect some more “movement” in the picture. The view of stalactites and stalagmites is always fascinating.
Groet Rob

Emile (20352) 2007-01-05 23:16

Hola Stephen.
Very good shot, nice shadows and light contrast, impressive place captured with good POV, you did a good work with ISO 1000.
Happy New Year and best wishes for you and your family in 2007.

alford (4063) 2007-01-06 9:04

Hi Stephen! The broken stalactites is a pity, too bad people can't help to get some souvenirs. Very sharp shot despite being handheld. I can see how spacious the cave is, and I can almost feel the coolness of the place. TFS! rgds.

Didi (61589) 2007-01-06 12:01

Hello Stephen
There is many caverns in south France
Nice composition, the hot lights gives a hell ambiance.
I think you have the possibility to set the white balance of your camera if you want to compare.
Cheers.

jhm (211736) 2007-01-07 3:37

Hi Stephen,

These Grand Caverns near Grottoes are very lovely certainly the specially colours and the structure of the construction, the light on these strange formations gives a ghostly and beautiful appearance to the cave.
Took you this picture in RAW or Jpeg Stephen?
Thanks for sharing.

Have a nice day,
John.

Kenny10pin (19301) 2007-01-07 8:40

brilliant shot of this cave, very nice formations here indeeed, sharp, well done

mumek (20226) 2007-01-08 20:04

Hi Stephen!
Very well taken capture of the cave. Excellent details, nice light and superb colours. Thanks for the note
regards
ziggy

cam (9043) 2007-01-09 20:32

Hi Staphen
Something I should not miss.My theme is getting crowded,so much that I started a volume 2.
The colors and the sharpness are well presen and no noise at ISO 1000,a good camera you got there.
The perspective leading to the stairs ,that I like as it takes us somewhere,
Have a good night
Ccharles

MikiM (1924) 2007-01-12 7:23

Hi Stephen,
I agre it is incredible. The shot and its quality, with handheld. It was known the 18-200 VR's system is good, but in your hand is brilliant. I like the expo -the balanced highlights and the shadows. Perfect.
Congrats,
Miklós

coco (30439) 2007-01-13 14:31

Hi Stephen.
Handheld... sure, not easy.
But I like the photo and its composition.
An interesting place and a good work with the exposure.

Regards.

lu_muratori (618) 2007-01-17 2:38

Hi Stephen,I was so intrigued by this image when I opened my TE. So I have deceided to Open it and I really like it! Good work,
Luci