This is an otherworldly image! I really like the cool/warm contrast that you created with the foreground and background (as well as the depth of field). Well planned and executed. I'm not sure if I admire your photography skills more or your willingness and courage to travel alone for 2 weeks in such a remote place! Thanks for sharing a part of the world I'm not sure I will ever see.
Also...how big is that opening? 2 feet? 20 feet? Not that it really matters, but knowing it's big enough to walk into (and not crawl) will ease my sense of claustrophobia as I stare in amazement at this vista.
Thanks a lot to all of you. I'm really surprised by all the feedback. Here are couple clarifications as they arose from the thread:
1. I updated EXIF details under the image above.
2. For DOF I blended 6 images: 5 images for the foreground and the cave @f/11 and 1 image for the landscape outside the cave @f/5.6. Dynamic range was easily covered within one shot.
3. In terms of wildlife, in the valley below the snow line I've seen a lot of birds, small mammals like Arctic foxes. I haven't seen any polar bears except one during the boat ride on my way back from the park.
4. I carried everything I needed for 2 weeks on my back as there is now ay of flying into the park. I was dropped off by the local outfitter at the end of the fjord and trekked from there to Mt. Asgard/Penny Ice Cap and back. As far as my camera gear, I had 1 camera, tripod, 10 batteries in total and 3 lenses with me.
My backpack with all food and gear weighted way over 80 pounds.
5. I am not sure why somebody claimed that it wasn't clear if this cave/photo was realistic, but I can vouch that this place is real. The opening of the cave under the icicles was about 16 feet wide and 8feet high. I am attaching here the photo of this same cave from the outside(right upper side of the photo).
An 80lb pack?!? I was suffering at 60lbs in the Yukon... 80lbs sounds positively painful.
Would you mind sharing your provisioning? How many cameras/lenses, and what cameras? What sleeping bag and tent, and how cold is it up there right now? What kind of food? Did you need to carry bear-proof containment? What about the polar bear risk?
Thanks one more time.
More answers to questions :-)
1. @ Mjollnir: Yes, of course, I have photos of Mt. Asgard and Mt. Thor, too. There are 2 already posted elsewhere. Guess I will post them here at some point soon. Also I forgot to comment in my previous answer about the horizon that is a bit off-you mentioned 2-3 degrees? You must be better than the level in my camera that I used while taking this photo. I think horizon should be OK, unless Nikon's level lied to me in which case it is going to bed without dinner!
2. @ Arka: No fence, or nothing against polar bears (except bear spray but it is not entirely sure if using bear spray won't make polar bear even more angry). Before you enter the park you have pretty extensive tutorial regarding polar bears and behaviour when you meet one (done by park rangers). Generally humanity tries to save polar bears so you are not allowed to carry hard weapons and such. In terms of equipment: I said above that I had 1 camera, 3 lenses, tripod and 10 batteries. In terms of food- I had dry food only-ready meals (high caloric content and light), protein bars etc. I carried one person tent and a proper sleeping bag(light but warm). I don't want to be a face of any company here (unless they pay for that) so I will skip brands.
Exceptional image!
I was curious about the size of the cave, and how you could get inside without disturbing these delicate icicles, but looks like at 8x12, an adult could get inside without problem.
Some pictures need a story, this one does not. The image says it all. While the story was not necessary, I am glad you shared it... The photo speaks to your skill as both a photographer and outdoorsman!
