Volcanic sunsets

[NorthernFocus]

A few days ago things were shaping up for an unusually clear sunset and Mt.Redoubt was spewing enough steam to create it's own little cloud and the only one in the sky. So I got a camera out in anticipation of an interesting shot developing. Unfortunately the steam/cloud dissipated before the sun got low enough to be colorful. But we did have plenty of color and unusually red/orange for Alaska. Up here sunrise/sunset colors trend more towards pinks/purples.

1) The layers of color created by haze in the sky were barely perceptible to the naked eye. They were pulled out in PP with the dehaze tool in LR and dynamic contrast effect in On1. The mountain is over 100mi(170km) distant so getting a sharp image is near impossible. You can see the steam vent on the mountain just to the right of the peak.



Taking the above shot reminded me of a set of more interesting images of the same scene that I had in the files from years ago which I'd never adequately processed. The sun is at a similar angle though timing was near the fall equinox rather than spring. I used virtually identical PP as on no.1.

2) Unusual evening fog over Cook Inlet. The gas/vapor cloud from a vent on the mountain is visible.



3) Sun setting behind Mt.Spur a couple of minutes later.

[Sergio M.]

Dan,

sharpness is only one aspect of an image and isn't always necessary. For me mood and atmosphere have a lot to do with an image getting my attention. All three of these have that, with the third really hitting the mark for me.

Sergio

[bnnrcn]

Very interesting images Dan. My favs are #2 and #3 May I ask what that black area is in the FG of #1? IMO It spoils the beauty of the image.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, folks.

...May I ask what that black area is in the FG of #1? IMO It spoils the beauty of the image.

The dark strip is the Kenai Peninsula which is only 15 miles or so distant. It's so much darker than the mountain due to much less haze between it an the camera. I agree it really goofs up the scene. It's a shame that it is such a flat, boring bit of land. If it had some contour it would provide some layering. It is so flat that in the other images it's completely hidden beneath the fog.

[John 2]

Interesting set Dan. My preferences are for 1&2. I really like the colours in the first although the impenetrable blackness of the Kenai Peninsula does bother me a bit. It is impenetrable. I tried to see if there was detail to be had there and failed to lift it at all. I glad you explained that the volcano is 100miles away. For a few moments, I had you living in its shadow and that would have been fun.

[Rebel]

Beautiful images Dan! Are you above the clouds or something ?

[NorthernFocus]

...For a few moments, I had you living in its shadow and that would have been fun.

Not in the shadow, John, but still close enough to be inconvenienced from time to time. Once in a while the mountain spits enough ash to shut down air traffic and get Anchorage pretty dusty. Volcanic ash is hard on things like car engines and windscreens.

...Are you above the clouds or something ?

From time to time Our home is on the flank of the mountains about 450m above sea level. In nos.2 and 3 here there is a heavy layer of fog over Cook Inlet. This occurs a few times a year when we get unusually warm, clear air(think 25C) over the water which is perpetually between 0-5C.

[John 2]

Just out of interest Dan, I Googled "Volcanoes in Alaska". It's littered with them. I had no idea.

[NorthernFocus]

Just out of interest Dan, I Googled "Volcanoes in Alaska". It's littered with them. I had no idea.

Indeed it is. Alaska and particularly the Aleutian Islands for the northeast quadrant of the famous Pacific "ring of fire". I can see three active volcanoes out my living room windows, Mounts Spurr, Redoubt, and Illiamna. Redoubt has been the most active in recent years with one major eruption and several lesser ash releases since we moved here in 2000. It vents continuously and generates frequent tremblers.

[NorthernFocus]

Here is a map of "monitored" volcanoes in Alaska. You can see Anchorage at upper right. Northernmost three are the ones I mentioned, Spurr, Redoubt, and Illiamna. Many of the bear photos that I've posted in the past were shot in the shadow of Mt.Illiamna.

[Wavelength]

Excellent images