Popocatepetl erupts

Well if you’re looking for true natural fireworks, nothing is going to beat this year’s  eruption of Popocatepetl in Mexico.  Ever since I studied Spanish in high school I thought that Popocatepetl was such a cool word.  This picture by photographer Pablo Spencer for AP/Getty Images taken on the Fourth of July is truly spectacular.  It looks like a color plate from some nineteenth century geology book, or perhaps  a cover illustration for the latest edition of Susan Sontag’s “The Volcano Lover.

I’ve got to wonder how exactly this image was taken.  Having a dynamic range that goes from stars to lava fire is quite an accomplishment.  And note also, that there’s not a hint of star trails, well maybe just a hint.  I am thinking that perhaps this was done with high dynamic range (HDR) photography.  In any event, the effect is stunning and primordial!

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Wow.

    Also liked the blog piece about Concord.

    Best,
    Eleanor

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