Heavens Above, a photo from Cork, South

Photographer's Note

Not sure where the exact location is on this one somewhere between the Cork and Kerry mountains on a stormy day with heavy threatning clouds over head.

I was speeding along in the car to my next destination playing not Thin Lizzy but AC/DC Highway to Hell when I turn on a bend and seen this. Had to stop and capture the moment. Because of the light here I took three exposures to cover the tonal range.

ricochet, Guenther, phwall, jean11-3, Floydian, Sistercosmo, lilimih33, Fiddlee, chpp, JCG, dino94, isabela_sor has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

wautersw (3647) 2008-06-24 14:18

Hi Stephen,

fantastic light over this beautiful landscape. Excellent work. TFS

Wolf

ben-on-net (106) 2008-06-24 14:21

I have not been to TE for a while and this is the first image that I came to, wow! Its great to be back, well done! Ben

francio64 (39888) 2008-06-24 14:23

Hi Stephen, excellent light that leaks between clouds.

Francesco

ricochet (9716) 2008-06-24 14:25

Bonjour Stephen
Une composition de tr鋊 belle qualit� avec un excellent point de vue et quelle lumi鋨e magique, wowwwwwwww!!!
Bravo � toi c'est une superbe r徼ssite!
Eric

Guenther (10915) 2008-06-24 14:36

Hi Stephen,

wow, what a view, it looks almost untrue ... incredible light spectacle, great landscape.. just wonderful!

regards
G𤦂ther

lousat (140082) 2008-06-24 14:37

Hi Steph,one of your best shots,nothing to say,the beauty of this pic talk alone,just my best best compliments for your 1st class work,thanks a lot for share,have a nice day,Luciano

dta (98848) 2008-06-24 14:38

Hello Stephen ,
What a beauty ! The landscape is very nice , and the light ... fantastic !
A master piece .
Congratulations
Denis

sacavem (18620) 2008-06-24 14:45

Ol� Stephen,

Stunning capture!It's a great moment to capture on film. I like seeing the of clouds. Very nicely captured and composed shot from a very good POV.Well done.

Best wishes,
Filipe

phwall (6787) 2008-06-24 15:13

Hello Stephen,
Brilliant shot, I've always wanted to visit Ireland this landscape takes me straight there. I've yet to master the combining of three exposures into the one shot, are you up for a quick note on the method you used.
Cheers
Peter

jean11-3 (2799) 2008-06-24 15:16

Hello Stephen,an amazing light which is the first thing we see, then we can begin to take in the landscape.
I like the contrasts between the two parts of your picture;the sharp fg in shadow, then the softer bg with the brilliant light, well seen.
There is a lot to take in.
Tfs, regards Jean.

Floydian (30970) 2008-06-24 15:36

Hi Stephen,
I can go along with the AC/DC stuff ;-)
It seems you caught some divine light here right in to the valley. Those sun rays are beautiful, but also the other details like piece of blue sky, foreground information with those rocks and the way the composition is build up from your pov is very good.
Good work...as usual.
Regards, Henk

Sistercosmo (242) 2008-06-24 16:08

Hello Stephan,
this is wonderfully surreal - especially if you have Highway to Hell blasting from the speakers! ;-) But it looks more like a Stairway to Heaven, if you know what I mean...
Simply well seen and well captured. An absolutely amazing photograph!
Thanks,
Linda

PJE (20758) 2008-06-24 16:12

Well Stephen it most certainly does not look like hell to me...not that I have ever been there. Seems more like a gateway to heaven above as your title shows. A wonderful capture of light itself. Excellent work!

lilimih33 (9918) 2008-06-24 16:13

Hello Stephen!
Fantastic atmosphere and magic light in your composition!
Excellent PP work!
Best regards!
Lili

sacimar (38173) 2008-06-24 16:46

Hi Stephen,

wonderful picture, awesome light and colours, the composition is great, congratulations!

Regards

Sergio

scalerman (26900) 2008-06-24 17:08

St: further testament to the power of Lee filters - but even more to an eye the envey of every photographer. regards, c - p.s. timing here is without flaw.

chpp (4283) 2008-06-24 18:22

Hi Steve
great timing. you where in the right place at the right moment. Amazing those rays illuminating the field
very nice compo and perfect exposure
cheers
C

gneufeld (15890) 2008-06-24 18:55

HI Stephen.
Excellent light management here with perfect control and fine colors in this complicated exposure. Very well seen and presented. TFs. Gerald

colinb (1592) 2008-06-24 19:40

Wow, this capture of the rays of light is simply amazing. The sun lighting up the valley below is such a magical scene, straight out of a fairy tale. Thanks for sharing!

npecanhuk (79329) 2008-06-24 21:56

Hello Stephen!
The effect with the clouds and the sunbeams is just FANTASTIC! The picture is a great pleasure to my eyes and soul!
The landscape is very nice and your photo has turned it into a masterpiece!
TFS - Congratulations!
Greetings from Brazil,
Neyvan Pe蓷nhuk

JCG (35153) 2008-06-25 0:30

Hi Stephen,

Simply SPLENDID and which superb control of the light. Magic moment, cheer and thank you.

With all my friendships and a very good day,

Jean-Charles

skerdreux (3184) 2008-06-25 0:37

just a wonderfull picture ! composition and sun effect are just amazing !
TFS
Have a nice day.
sylvain

ku-fotak-chtik (1142) 2008-06-25 1:21

Hi Stephen, this is realy amazing moment and you were really lucky that you were on this place in the right moment. The atmosphere is amazing, stuning and I just wonder how much was this picture changed and edited and how much is it real?

Kind regards

Jiri

dkeus31 (27739) 2008-06-25 3:20

Hi Stephen
a great image, the sun rays spotting on the ground are great!
regards,didier

sn00zie (2384) 2008-06-25 3:24

wow! this is a gorgeous site.. it actually comes very close to how one would look and think of heaven.

very surreal. well done

Bluejeans (64251) 2008-06-25 5:35

Ola Stephen,
Que lindo momento capturado os raios solares a iluminarem parte deste vale , maravilhoso , muito bonito este primeiro plano com estas rochas tem uma bela textura , parab幯s!!!
Um abra蔞 Gon蓷lo

dino94 (822) 2008-06-25 6:46

Hello Stephen,

a splendid light, a superb composition and the result are quite simply imposing.

Cordially, Dino.

cozy (998) 2008-06-25 8:59

Hi Stephen,
All I can say is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!! Without a doubt one of the best shots I have seen on TE!!
Very well done in capturing the moment! I wish I could give 200 points!!
Regards,
Costa.

capthaddock (28790) 2008-06-25 9:10

Interesting coincidence that music, what a stunning shot, great timing.

rgarrigus (0) 2008-06-25 11:55

Hi Steve,

AC/DC and the Bon Scott days! Now that is driving music! Wonderful moment that you had to act fast to be able to capture. This is one of your most dramatic in recent memory and a wonderful image.

Cheers!

Bob G.

isabela_sor (47748) 2008-06-25 12:00 [Comment]

Show Comment

chawax (20764) 2008-06-26 10:03

Hi Stephen,
That's what I love in Ireland : you drive, the sky is cloudy, suddenly a subeam makes a hole in the clouds and the light is fantastic. Once you have a few sun, this country is a paradise for photographers ! This scenery is outstanding. Thanks for posting.
Olivier

Jamierussell (6015) 2008-06-26 10:30

I have nothing to say apart from this is one of the best photos i have ever seen on TE, everything is 100% perfection!!!!!

anes_lc (14968) 2008-07-03 13:14

magic .....divine light ..and stunning picture
more then i can say in one simple comment
congratulation and thanks for share
anes

MadraRua (887) 2008-07-17 4:51

Great stuff Stephen! God's spotlight indeed.
I always have to stop myself and take a picture when I see God's Fingers pointing like that.
This shot is a case where a centred composition seems to work quite well.

I guess you isolated the highlighted area in PS, no? I wonder if the upper parts of the image around the bright patch are maybe a little too dark.

nesiaZ (982) 2008-12-06 13:34

Stephen you are an incredible perfect photographer. All of your photos are gorgeus!!!
This one is wonderful as well!
Take care,
Anetka

korbee (6619) 2010-09-11 4:15

You are certainly one of the better landscapists Ive seen On TE,Your gallery looks highly impressive.
this is a delight to see,the sea of light falling into the darkness of Ireland.
Highway to Hell was not in my head when seeing this,more something classsic or Irich folk,but thats a matter of taste ;]]
Cheers mate!.
jan

Photo Information

Copyright: Stephen Emerson (Signal-Womb) (13048)
Genre: 地方
Medium: 彩色
Date Taken: 2008-06-00
Categories: 自然
Camera: Canon EOS5D, Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L, Lee Filter System
Details：Tripod：Yes
Photo Version：Original Version
Theme(s)：Full Irish Breakfast, Le meilleur de l'Irlande, Ireland [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-24 14:17
Favorites：4 [view]