Mount St. Helens by Sam Rua

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15 May 2013	Sam Rua

Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument view map

What an amazing place. The enormity of the eruption that created
this scene really cannot be suitably represented in photos. I was lucky
to get this shot because the weather turned quickly and the cloud deck
lowered to completely wipe out the view (complete with snow flurries).

Kind of cool being there almost 33 years to the day after the eruption (May 18, 1980).
Plus, I was the only visitor up on the Johnston Ridge Observatory on the day I visited.

More info on Mount St. Helens: http://www.fs.usda.gov/mountsthelens

Here is this Photoshop conversion to B&W:

Click on the image below for more images from my journey to the PNW:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II ,Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
hand held, merge of two exposures for HDR hide exif

Full EXIF Info
Date/Time
Make
Model
Flash Used	No
Focal Length
Exposure Time
Aperture
ISO Equivalent
Exposure Bias
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Metering Mode
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
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other sizes: small medium original auto

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Chad Ramsey		21-Jun-2013 00:11
All I have to say is WOW, Sam!!! V

larose forest photos		19-Jun-2013 02:48
Stunning, stunning landscape. Mount St. Helens is simply breathtaking. I like both versions of the shot; the B&W is more dramatic. V+

Ann Pettigrew		13-Jun-2013 02:52
This is so cool, Sam! I can remember so well watching all the news on the eruption. I was there in 1986 before they were letting people back into the area. I was fascinated to see the Toutle River which was all over the news. An amazing place! Good job.

Bonnie Underwood		09-Jun-2013 21:36
You are right, the place must be experienced in person. I went there often from 1993-1995. It's so interesting see again. And yes, the weather can change quickly! That cloud really cooperated for you.

waterfalls man		08-Jun-2013 02:04
Excellent Shot V!!

Alain Boussac		28-May-2013 05:45
Stupendous : the view and your image. BV.

Kevin Warren		27-May-2013 12:50
Skillfully put together in great overcast light, a feast for the eyes. The presence of the blues and sparse greens enhance the feel of the chilly day, but your conversion is equally effective. Either will look fabulous printed big!

Jeff Real		25-May-2013 14:32
Both versions are quite incredible. A stirring work ~V~

Sandi Whitteker		24-May-2013 17:26
Really shows the destruction. Great capture. Remember this event very well. It was a big deal. I still have a keychain with volcanic ash somewhere.

pkocinski		22-May-2013 17:09
Stunning image.

Glenn Dean (Vatorman)		22-May-2013 01:27
28 years - amazing; photographically and the passage of time.

Range View		18-May-2013 23:11
A breathtaking scene beautifully captured Sam. V Barbara

samikosemi		18-May-2013 17:17
Very interesting pic Sami ! V

lou_rozensteins		18-May-2013 10:10
Beautiful with all of the detail,. Well done.

Guest		18-May-2013 06:49
Very interesting shot as the clouds really add that extra element, way to go Sam.

Jean D		18-May-2013 02:47
A fine capture in both mediums, Sam. I remember that historic event well.. ~V

Char		17-May-2013 22:36
This is absolutely majestic, Sam! Love both versions. \/

Chris Spracklen		17-May-2013 21:34
A splendid pair of variations, Sam. Terrific landscape work. V

davidksmith		17-May-2013 17:19
Sam, wonderful image. I climbed Mt. St. Helens back in 1974 (when it had its top).

Helen Betts		17-May-2013 16:02
Superb capture, Sam! Excellent composition and great quality of light. My boss was flying in the vicinity when it erupted. V.

Tom LeRoy		17-May-2013 14:17
Big impact Sam, in your amazing photo. As a boy, I went camping here what used to be Spirit Lake. My heart breaks to see what nature has done. ..... V

Hernan E. Enriquez		17-May-2013 13:52
Superb Sam!

Yiannis Pavlis		17-May-2013 02:14
This is very lovely Sam .Wonderful comp and well presented!

woody34		17-May-2013 01:50
What an incredible landscape.... the textures and atmosphere are amazing,, very well captured...V

janescottcumming		17-May-2013 01:28
Perfect composition and image. V

Tom Munson		17-May-2013 00:59
Wonderful composition, Sam!

Guest		17-May-2013 00:24
Powerful. Skillfully composed. Glad to hear you enjoyed the experience!

Stephanie		16-May-2013 19:58
Amazingly beautiful! V

godro		16-May-2013 19:07
Stunning composition and image!

Fong Lam		16-May-2013 16:37
Amazing captures and very well presented, Sam....V

Walter Otto Koenig		16-May-2013 14:49
This is one of those rare cases where I think a photo has string impact both in color and b&w. The view is amazing, great job with these images. How awesome you were the only one there, that must have made the experience even more unforgettable. "V"

Guest		16-May-2013 14:28
Many years ago, not long after it's eruption, I spent some time around the area and observed the total and utter destruction of the surrounding area. Having been in combat and witnessed the destructive power of bombs dropped by our B52 bombers on a landscape, they were insignificant to the awesome power of this eruption... Excellent image of this scene...

Jess. ( Lady.D.)		16-May-2013 14:02
Excellent shots Sam, When this volcano blew I was walking my dog living on the mainland and we heard it 175 miles away up in B.C., we were lucky the wind blew most of the ash away from us but the sound was stunning even at that distance.

globalgadabout		16-May-2013 13:38
the ominous sky and dead trees underscore the power of this unruly volcano...excellent images Sam...V

Marcia Rules		16-May-2013 12:48
incredible view; I like both versions here but lean B&W ~V

Jim Coffman		16-May-2013 12:29
Stunning work,Sam!

Guest		16-May-2013 12:27
Lovely comp. Best J

Guest		16-May-2013 11:50
Gorgeous presentation. Very well done Sam. V

Neil Marcus		16-May-2013 11:47
You have captured the feel for the devastation so many years after the event. The overcast day worked to your advantage and the monochrome was an excellent choice. "V"

Blandine Mangin		16-May-2013 11:24
wonderful ! v

Hank Vander Velde		16-May-2013 11:02
Terrific image Sam, both color and B&W. Great foreground.

Range View		16-May-2013 06:08
Wonderful image of this amazing scenery Sam. V. David.

goelsamuel		16-May-2013 06:03
Awesome view! Very skillfully captured! V!

Carol How		16-May-2013 06:01
Wow, that is amazing! V

Long Bach Nguyen		16-May-2013 05:45
stunning composition and image

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