Leica M9 + Sulfuric Acid = terrifying experience

[Paul Luscher]

Very nice work. Glad to see the M9 can do killer B&W. (Oh yeah, how'd the camera make out after all that smoke, sulfur, etc.?)

 

[HoodedOne]

Amazing images, and great story.
Seems like one of those experiences you never forget.

 

[Leica All Day]

Cool story and cool photos.....thanks for sharing

 

[leicashot]

Almost thought it was my image for a sec...

You have some really nice shots there. Its a tough walk up Kawah Ijen and I was lugging a couple of Mamiya 7s and a full size tripod :bang:

Nice shot. Ah, the M7, very nice. Used one a few times years ago but never took the plunge. Tripod? What's that? 🙄

 

[kdemas]

Very well done. I rarely feel compelled by online series to "see more" but this group of photos had me pretty enthralled.

Viewing this thread was a good way to start a busy day, thanks for sharing!

 

[kzphoto]

These are beautiful photographs. Really stunning actually. Thanks for sharing.

 

[umcelinho]

very nice work!! for some it might be hard to imagine how it feels to be caught in a sulfur steam cloud... the closest I've had to it was when I was in Hawaii, I was visiting the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park and cam across a huge sulfur bank. I was fine at first, but as I walked past a couple hundred meters breathing became REALLY hard... I just couldn't. Had to rush back to the parking lot to get some air. I imagine how frightening it must have been what you went through!!

 

[RayPA]

Some nice shots in this group. What an experience! Thanks for sharing.




/

 

[Mudman]

excellent work. I could see this as reportage in Time or Life

 

[mfogiel]

Very nice photographs, and congratulations for your stamina...

 

[robert blu]

A superb reprtage, both photo and words giving an idea of the "terrific" experience you had. Thank for posting
robert

 

[PatrickONeill]

astonishing work, what floors me is that it was all with a 28mm lens.

 

[leicashot]

astonishing work, what floors me is that it was all with a 28mm lens.

Nothing to be astonished by really. This is the way I like to work, which is perfectly suited to rangefinder photography. One lens forces one to not only think about field of view but of perspective too. I have to work harder with a 28mm lens than a 35mm, not just because it's wider but because the perspective is stretched and things become further away - therefor I need to get closer. When I feel my 35mm images are lacking lustre, I pull out the 28mm and force myself to work harder to ensure all elements in the image are right, from corner to corner, and with the right timing - no easy task and the best I've ever seen at this is Alex Webb and Trent Parke, both Magnum shooters.

There is also a lot missing from this story, if only I wasn't injured. I was wanting to get even closer to my subjects, both physically and emotionally.

Its also a refreshing way to work

 

[dof]

This is a truly excellent set of images, Kristian. Your story accompanies them perfectly. The mix of beauty and terror, and the recognition that this is daily life for many, makes them all the more powerful.

Well done!

 

[NickTrop]

These photos are absolutely outstanding... Great work. I learned something too, so thank you!

 

[Gid]

Great photos and narrative. More please.

 

[robklurfield]

gorgeous images of a rather unforgiving landscape. glad you and the M9 didn't fall in. keep sharing.

 

[Renzsu]

Man what a day that must've been, all the hard work was worth it I think, amazing photos!

 

[Wouter]

Outstanding, makes me want to do more documentary photography.

 

[leicashot]

Thanks again for all your comments. I'm thrilled people are enjoying them, but it makes me even more sad I didn't get more imagery...but happy to be breathing 😉