• This is the normal lava scattered all over this island. It is new and sharp.
  • I waited for the light to shine on the dark but coral-encrusted rick. Straight black lava is very difficult to photograph!
  • This is the rain squall that hit right after I finished shooting here.
  • A hole on the clouds to the left of the frame allowed the last light of the day to shine on the incoming rain shower. It is not a rainbow but just light on the raindrops.
  • I moved around to get the Ironwood tree into position to block the bright light for a more evenly-lit exposure.
  • I liked the way that the waves would pass through the rocks, wearing them down. So this is where I focused my attention and timing.
  • Every once in a while, a warm glow would reflect off the water, so I made sure to include that in this picture.
  • Fantastic light! - DavidFrutos
  • Thank you for all your informatory notes. You just rock Mate! :) - 2k Photography

Laupahoehoe Cove

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The sun sets on a remote cove near Laupahoehoe on the Hamakua coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. No HDR.

Free wallpaper for over 100 of my images in 6 different screen sizes is now available!

See the 1200 pixel version!
www.flickr.com/photos/patrick-smith-photography/502059432...

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Settings etc.:
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Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 17-40L @19
1/5th-second exposure @F11
LEE soft ND grad (100x150mm - 4x6in) 0.9 + 0.9
Lee foundation kit filter holder with Lee 77mm adapter ring
No polarizer.
ISO 125
RAW file processed with Capture One by Phase One
TIFF file processed with Photoshop
Small Slik Sprint mini II tripod
Manfrotto 322RC2 pistol-grip ball head

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The Story
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Laupahoehoe (lowpa-hoy-hoy) is a small and incredibly beautiful penninsula on the east side of the Big Island, about 15 miles north of Hilo. There once was a town here until a tragic tsunami swept through in 1946 killing many people including students and teachers at a school. They moved the town up the hill about 400 feet to avoid this in the future. Today, you would never know that repeated tsunamis strike on a regular basis (big ones every 50 years or so, warnings every year). It is lush and green with a spectacular picnic area with party facilities. The name means "leaf-lava" and is named for the chunky leaf-shaped lava that lines many of its beaches.

This place is overlooked by most tourists because it is off the beaten path, but it is possibly my favorite place on the island aside from the two big valleys. It is a tough place for landscape photography though. The coast is sharp and rugged with black lava everywhere. Without perfect light, the lava does not show up on a photograph against the white very large surf. The beach is exposed with no coral reef so the waves are big and dangerous.

So, I hiked south of the point until I came to this cove with an angle that allowed me to see the sunset light. Although this view is at sunset, this is a sunrise beach except during May-August, and even then it is setting way to the left. Also, this is one of the few spots in the area with rounded rocks and encrusted lava that is not jet-black. This helps the photographic potential a lot!

This is yet another place that you MUST see if you visit the Big Island of Hawaii!

The map shows the exact location.

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Other stuff
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My pictures are featured on the front page of the newly redesigned
The state Gov. of California website. Have a look! It is Flash with my pics cut into layers for a 3-d slideshow. If you are into building apps, the State has opened up lots of data to the public, so check it out!

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Resources:
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Google Earth
earth.google.com/

Simply the best way to scout out locations that there is. You can see sun angles and pre-visualize light under lots of different conditions. Sometimes you can actually pre-compose your shots! This has saved me many thousands of vertical feet of climbing by avoiding spots with blocked views etc.

Satellite imagery (choose 'National' for a local US region or use your fave website)
www.wrh.noaa.gov/satellite/?wfo=mtr

Tide charting and preditions: (chose your area in US, other countries have similar websites)
tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions.shtml?gid=235

Wave Heights (I choose 'North Pacific from Global')
polar.ncep.noaa.gov/waves/main_int.html
Or Here:
www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/shtml/RP1bw.gif

Photos of every inch of the California coastline from a small plane. Excellent for close in detailed views.

www.californiacoastline.org/

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Mathew Roberts, phamtuongminh, mattisj, Sator Arepo, and 567 other people added this photo to their favorites.

View 20 more comments

  1. smilestowin 31 months ago | reply

    great shot !

  2. Adam Randell 31 months ago | reply

    Amazing water flow over those rounded foreground rocks mate!!
    Love your attention to detail & comentry!!
    Stunning image!!

  3. Jim Patterson Photography 31 months ago | reply

    Those cobble stone like rocks remind me of Garrapata. Ah...Garrapata. It could be a good season for Big Sur! Oh yeah, like the intimate feel of this small cove. Like I'm sipping a cool tropical drink in my lawn chair listening to the waves lap onshore.

  4. pat weghorn 31 months ago | reply

    Awesome Patrick! Rather than comment on each of the photos I've missed until now, I'll just leave a small drool puddle right here. :) Congratulations on the California gov page, the 3D effect is cool. Keep up the fantastic work, I always enjoy it!

  5. 4:01a.m Productions 31 months ago | reply

    This is breathtaking! Nice work my friend!

  6. 15 Seconds Of Fame 31 months ago | reply

    Great shot! We'd be honored if you joined our new group.

    You deserve 15 Seconds Of Fame!


    15 Seconds Of Fame - LEVEL 1

    You are invited to post this photo to our group and join the 15 Seconds Of Fame community!

  7. stephen staples 30 months ago | reply

    Stunning seascape great light the colours are spot on well thought out shot
    Regards
    Steve

  8. Joe'Boy 30 months ago | reply

    Amazing absolutely breathtaking.

  9. Mr.Raj19 30 months ago | reply

    Very good,gorgeous,fabulous,fantastic and 10/10 for me.Keep it up!!

  10. gaizka.liza 28 months ago | reply

    www.flickr.com/photos/52673820@N04/
    www.flickr.com/photos/52673820@N04/
    www.flickr.com/photos/52673820@N04/

  11. Lua '-' 28 months ago | reply

    FANTASTIC *o*

  12. bazilicom 28 months ago | reply

    Brilliant as always

  13. lilwreck57 28 months ago | reply

    amazing

  14. janetfo747 28 months ago | reply

    You are cordially invited to join us in Above and Beyond
    Level 1, Post 1 Award 5. For images with 500+ awards.
    Above and Beyond
    6+ Awards post here: Post Here

  15. un grande occhio 27 months ago | reply

    great pic! well done!

  16. Riley Grace 27 months ago | reply

    awesome :)

  17. Jerimias Quadil 25 months ago | reply

    Gorgeous capture indeed! The cloud formation amazes me every time I visit Hawaii. Stunning work!!

  18. B℮n 24 months ago | reply

    I saw this in the 500+ Faves group and Faved it.

  19. piratefan308 23 months ago | reply

    Your shots are amazing! I cannot believe this is real! How much post processing was required?

  20. Photo--Graphy [deleted] 23 months ago | reply

    Nice catch


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