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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Fifty Nine: Using dramatic light at the fringes of the day > Ring of Fire, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, 2008
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15-SEP-2008

Ring of Fire, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, 2008

Crater Lake is the only National Park in Oregon. The lake rests in the remains of a destroyed volcano, once known as Mount Mazama. The 2,000 foot deep Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US, formed by the eruption and collapse of Mount Mazama more than 7,000 years ago. The rocky shore was formed from hot lava, and what could suggest the heat of this fiery eruption better than the play of the setting sun itself on the edges of the lake.

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Phil Douglis23-Nov-2009 21:44
Light can be astounding, Lorin. It took our breath away -- what better color to symbolize an extinct volcano than fiery orange?
lorin niculae23-Nov-2009 19:02
magic moment.astounding photo. chapeau bas! v
Phil Douglis03-Oct-2008 18:22
I thank you for such praise, Celia. It was simply a matter of planning our visit so that we were at Crater Lake at the moment when the setting sun was reflecting its light on the water, and then isolating one small segment of reflection, exposing properly, and relating it the landscape and framing it through the trees. All of these decisions were driven by the very thoughts you articulate so well -- we are looking into the crater of a volcano, and the fiery water creates a perfect metaphor for it.
Cecilia Lim03-Oct-2008 15:30
It's easy to point and snap when nature presents its spectacular side to us. But you've gone beyond the superficial and created a meaningful dimension by implication and association. The sun's golden orange reflection on the water is no longer just a reflection but when shown in the context of the volcanic crater, it becomes a catalyst for imagination and interpretation - fire, heat, energy, danger, power, intensity all comes to mind. You've made me feel a great sense of awe for nature, and for your talent too for being to create such expressive and meaningful landscapes.
Phil Douglis28-Sep-2008 06:02
I appreciate your kind comment, Patricia -- I give full credit for this image to nature itself. All I did was to isolate a segment of it and add a layer of branches for perspective. The linkage between hot lava and reflected sunlight was self evident.
Patricia Lay-Dorsey28-Sep-2008 04:25
My but you have THE eye, Phil. And to find the continuity of story between hot lava and golden sun-kissed water is truly inspired.
Phil Douglis27-Sep-2008 18:37
Thank you, Alina, for appreciating the beauty of the reflections. And thanks, Tim, for taking me here. To some, this lake might be just a volcanic hole with water in it. But to us, it proved to an opportunity to express the magic of nature through light, shadow, texture, and color. My heart was leaping along with yours.
Tim May27-Sep-2008 17:56
We have been lucky enough to have nature present us with moments of magic. This was one of those times. At times like these my heart leaps with joy at the beauty we are surrounded by.
Alina27-Sep-2008 13:28
Lovely lava reflections on the water. Beautiful imagine!
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