The Icy Pit to Hell

If you want to see how I made this (and how you can too!), visit my HDR Tutorial. I hope it gives you some new tricks!
This is Gulfoss, the frozen waterfall in Iceland. Dark age theologians used to believe this was the entrance to hell, which was originally a cold place; the innermost circle of Dante's version was frozen. True believers would come here and cast themselves down into the chasm to try to rescue souls they were told had gone to hell.

It's hard to describe how slippery this place is. I guess I could say it's slippery as hell. The ground is already solid ice, and then there is a fine mist from the waterfall that forms tiny little perfect spheres on top that somehow take friction into a negative physics impossibility.

from my daily photo blog at www.stuckincustoms.com

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Comments

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(267 comments)

Darius G says:

Wowwww! is this earth? :D
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

. SantiMB . (inspiring) says:

Totally awesome!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

inbarit_by says:

I'm speechless. Really.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

iceman9294 says:

Beyond intense!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Alex(inyoureyes) says:

Large on Black is wonderful! it takes my breath off....
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Murtasma says:

Wow how the hell do you go to all these crazy places.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

snack happy says:

GAAAAAA!!!

that's all I can say.

Stupendous work.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

SuperKarmen says:

Oh..
Uh..
Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
Tomorrow on explore page ;)
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Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

christophe.fr says:

Amazingly beautiful!
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Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

scuba_dooba says:

Spectacular, very impressive.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

theresa.brent says:

A masterpiece !
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

-Luong- says:

Wonderful!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

hkvam says:

Amazing. Hope to catch up with you if you ever drop by here again!
Looking forward to see more.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Little Lightshow [deleted] says:

Brilliant dramatic and outstanding!
Seen in My Contacts
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Jonnyfez says:

This one is a 'Stuckincustoms' special!!! Fantastic. Out of this world!!
You get around!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

katepedley says:

Glorious!!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Athoob Abdullah says:

you're the king of HDR :)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

brien applegate says:

amazing
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

G.A.O. says:

Impresionante foto
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

nancz says:

looked at this and said out loud NO WAY................... I am always speechless after viewing your work!!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

AnnaMarie777 [deleted] says:

Stunning! This is excellent viewed on black!
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Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

overthemoon says:

wow that is absolutely mind-boggling!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

pete4ducks says:

wow that is amazing!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Tom Lee KelSo says:

Amazing!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

richietown says:

this is absolutely fantastic. what a gorgeous shot. perfect treatment. gotta love the sigma.

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Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

sosij (suffering in silence) says:

Brilliant, and a trip down memory lane for me. Spectacular.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

the-father says:

a masterpiece again.

You are my winner!
Please add this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

ohhla says:

awesome!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

biblestoryguy says:

Amazing... and a bit scary!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Dead Air says:

What to say, this is absolutely amazing.

A Big Fave
You are invited to add this image to www.flickr.com/groups/bigfave
Please tag this photo with ABigFave when you add it to the pool.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

acampm1 says:

Blimey!

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Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

tero_maaniemi says:

Instant Fave, where on earth was this photo taken, Kiev? Now I have to go there.... One amazing photo, I'm stunned.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Lastwear says:

Amazing
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Destinys Agent says:

That is just mind blowing!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

the-G-man [deleted] says:

I am gobsmackingly gobsmacked !!! :-) this is AMAZING!!
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Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

mhpace says:

Is this from one Raw shot or many shots.? Looks great!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Robin and Mhairi says:

WOW!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Kayleigh Jane says:

magnificent!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

missy-n-jsn says:

SO FRIGGIN' AWSOME!!! favorited!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

ArthurJo says:

WOW~~
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

demerson says:

You have to be kidding me. So impressive. Looks like my favorite country; iceland
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Paul74 says:

Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Mark Turnbull says:

Stunning picture of a stunning location, perfect with the sun just setting and a sky almost mimicking the ground. Feels so chilly just looking at it.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

silviaON says:

oh - woooooooow !!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

jintaoliu84 says:

amazing!!!! so powerful.. so surreal...
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Blenford says:

if i said this was rubbish would you believe me? Nah, thought not...
Classic.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

ScarletFaerie says:

Awesome!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Valpopando says:

OMG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!SIGMA GOOOOOOOOOOD
F A N T A S T I C !!!!!
One of your BEST picture thats I have seeeeeeeeeee
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

blahmni says:

wow - that's incredible!

This award serves as an invitation.
Please add your photo marvel to Splendiferous!. (Read Rules)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

McFrikki says:

Gullfoss is a crazy place.. :) Frozen in all it´s glory.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Billy Q says:

holy cow
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

columbo's dad says:

This is just fantastic. Takes your breath away !
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Jörg Dickmann says:

Incredible, awesome, outstanding, mind blowing ...
You're a master!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Flemming Gade says:

This is awesome, Trey!

Your fantastic color picture is my winner!
Please add this photo to
flickr.com/groups/colorphotoaward/
Feel free to join our weekly and/ or monthly competitions

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Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

elementalPaul says:

Stunning photo and a great title too! There's a real sense just how cold it must've been when you captured this scene.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Hari_Menon says:

Wow !

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Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

flickrChick1966 says:

Just beautiful!!! If that was for sale I would buy it and hang it on my wall!!!!! Trey your work is amazing!!!! It would be a really cool puzzle.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

marcazani says:

very beautiful!!!!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

maritimelight says:

So, that's what frozen hell looks like! Superb shot!

Congratulations to be the Winner of “Superb Masterpiece Special Seal”!
I have seen your "Awarded Superb Masterpiece Picture" in
"The Gallery of Fame" of:

Beyond Excellence: The Place Where Only Excellence Is Not Enough
Beyond Excellence: An Exclusive Masterpiece Winners Group
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Dinnovation says:

This is utterly astonishing!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Anakronik says:

Splendid !!

Congratulations!
Your pic becomes nominee of "Shield Of Excellence"
Please add this photo to
Shield Of Excellence Group
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

GreyGooseMartini says:

Insanely excellent!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Rashed Ben Sultan Al Ben Ali - AKA TaaJ! says:

Oh my god. I dont know what else to say!!

MY FAVORITE.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

midmophil says:

I've seen these falls in the summer, but they are totally awesome in the winter!! Fantastic photo!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

leakd says:

Spectacular indeed!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

dragonseye says:

One word: Stunning.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

alexbabcn says:

This is real?
icredible!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

hole-in-one says:

i hope to see this with my own eyes someday............
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

OddBall7 says:

Beautiful! It's making me jealous of your skills! : )
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

stevenarens says:

this is surely one of your most amazing shots trey. nice work. wow.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

simrosebud1961 says:

Great photo, wonderful color nice composition, simply breathtaking.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

climbotizzo says:

Fantastic location!! Ciao
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

chinaski_83 says:

wow
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Stuck in Customs says:

Holy cow you guys really like this one! I guess I didn't expect so much digging of this shot. Well I have a lot more like this coming soon! I can't take too much credit.. have to give most of the credit to Iceland!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Einar Ragnarsson says:

Dazed and confused, dig that :)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

susan_r4 says:

Love, love LOVE this Trey!! You're fantastic!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Jen's Photography says:

I'm SO COLD just looking at this beautiful thing! Brrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Autism Mom says:

Beautiful!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

kiirsti says:

wow, this is crazy! Love it :-)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

derjackrussell 4 2 says:

Wow! Amazing
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Chera25 says:

WOW - beautiful!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Dani72 says:

Wow! Wow! Wow!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

AzRedHeadedBrat says:

Stunning, gorgeous, captivating and 12,000 other adjectives
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

angelstar232 says:

Wounderful picture great shot
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

CORpicX [deleted] says:

hmmm, one of your best, i know that.

Have a great time in Iceland, it's one of my favorite places!!!

By the way, this photograph f@#$ing rocks, excuse my French... hmm,

but, it's quite a jaw dropper, don't worry i still look at your pics Trey

Have a blast,

Cheers

-Cory(corpicx)

ps. please add this photo to one of my new groups, i would really appreciate it!

Well Done!
You've X-Pressed Yourself!

Please share your wonderful photo with us!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

beluga 7 says:

fantastic............well done
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Maureen F. says:

THAT is one HELL of a shot Trey!!
(sorry)
I would say ....one of my favourites !
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

ftoomschb - busy, will catch up! says:

Surreally gorgeous!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

ana_cranberry says:

Dramatic!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

cannlvr says:

what an incredible shot ... like its not real clouds and the snow practically becoming one
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

NabiscoCookies says:

wow thats just amazing, and large on black is even more amazing, excellent X 100000
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeff Holmes Photography says:

wow. love it!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

hiibiiscus says:

Stunning...

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Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Panorama Paul says:

Wow... this one is AMAZING!!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

myfear says:

FAV!! Great !! Amazing shot! Wonderfull!

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Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Mano Finch-Weasley-Cullen-DeTamble says:

oh my! this is stunning!!! =D
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

grufti [deleted] says:

Congratulations!
Your pic becomes nominee of "Shield Of Excellence"
Please add this photo to
Shield Of Excellence Group
Great picture!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

lordscience says:

holy $#!T that is amazing!! you are an "HDR maniac" (this may be a great name for a flickr group)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

bunchadogs & susan says:

Wow! breathtaking! I'm at a loss for words.
An Awesome Shot Award
You are invited to add this image to An Awesome Shot!
Please tag the photo with "AnAwesomeShot"

Seen in my contacts.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

RINAJO.DK says:

ohh dear, thats just awesome, scary and, brilliant.... :)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

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Additional Information

Some rights reserved Anyone can see this photo

Taken in Arnessysla, IS (map)
Taken on February 11, 2007

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