aTITlan Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

This is a view of the Atitlan lake and caldera from a paragliding launch spot. There were no gliders that day, few months after the infamous terrorist attacks, a robbery of an entire tourist bus on the road to the famous Chichicastenango market AND a strike by Guatemalan air traffic controllers that stopped all flights, meant very few visitors. What we see here are the voluptuous volcanoes of Atitlan (left) and Toliman (right). There is a 3rd volcano (San Pedro) out of view, would have been to the right of this 28mm lens view, hopefully one day I will learn how to stitch photos and post a wide panorama. I posted one of San Pedro months ago when I first joined TE. The lake is definitely swimmable, the water temperature I can only describe as "mediterrenean in May". This is the fartherst I have ever travelled for a weekend. ( a long 4 day holiday weekend). Sky was darkened and neatimage(default) filtered. Warning: this view may be too suggestive to some american viewers, especially those millions traumatized by what Janet Jackson did last year. (hence the silly sexist title)

for volcano info and a cool map check out:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/south_america/guat/atitlan.html

Volcanic activity began in the Lake Atitlan area about 11-12 million years ago. The present-day stratovolcanoes and caldera represent the most recent of four periods of volcano growth and caldera collapse. This recent period of activity began about 1.8 million years ago. A large explosive eruption about 84,000 years ago formed the most recent Atitlan caldera. Lake Atitlan fills part of the caldera.

Kolyamour, richtersl, Fredrik77, hispic, Guenther, jjbach, Emile, alainh, jrj, krakowiak, chappy77, peter1892, Buin, MLINES, siolaw, evanrizo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Kolyamour (1760) 2005-05-19 7:24

Beautiful scenery! The size of the caldera is impressive. Beautiful colours and composition but the sky close to the sun is overexposed.
Thanks for share.
Nikolay

Fredrik77 (1279) 2005-05-19 7:48

Beautiful scenery! Maybe the photo could be even better with a more defined foreground.
I enjoyed the volcano note, thanks for sharing.
/Fredrik

richtersl (3544) 2005-05-19 7:49

Thank you for the interesting note!

The size of this lake is impressive and your photo does a fine job of showing the scale.

gulliver (1636) 2005-05-19 8:37

Can't understand why shot did not get more smileys...but keep waiting they'll come ;-)
Shot is good and well framed. I like the light variations on the lake. Sharpness is nice too for such a huge landscape. Well inspired!

RGatward (19751) 2005-05-19 9:00

Anotehr stunning landscape. Excellent framing and exposure.

Haymotion (1793) 2005-05-19 10:05

Belle photo que cette belle étendu d'eau !!
Donne un sentiment de grands espaces et d'air pur...
J'aime beaucoup
Bravo
Vince

jjbach (9111) 2005-05-19 10:22

Hi Tan,
Another spectacular landscape you captured. The clarity is absolutely stunning. Wondeful colours and excellent lighting. The texture of the water is fantastic. Splendid work !!

Regards John

HalloweenHJB (152) 2005-05-19 12:36

Really great photo. Just exactly what a I think of when I think of Guatemala...

CliffW (2310) 2005-05-19 12:42

Awesome landscape shot, I really like the mystical quality of the water. I hadn't realized the scale until looking at the signs of human existance over on the left bank. Great photo.

danyy (69929) 2005-05-19 14:20

Bonjour Tan,
merveilleuse série de photos de lacs vu en altitude, avec chaque fois de superbes couleurs.
Ici, un excellent cadrage.
Compliments.
Daniel.

Emile (20177) 2005-05-19 16:23

Wow,,this is an impressive picture Tan.
I think we are not going to see another photo from this place so well captured from a glider.
A beautiful place, excellent colors and sharpness.
A number one.
Congratulation.

PixelTerror (87195) 2005-05-20 8:41

Hi Tan,
Beautiful overlooking PoV and spectacular deep view, the water looks so calm here it could be frozen, though in Guatemala...
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

lukie (0) 2005-05-20 13:34

Very nice scene, Tan. It must be wonderful to make so much travels. Are you doing a trip around the world ?

greetings,

Luc.

alainh (35391) 2005-05-20 16:04

Hello Tan.
really splendid. sharpness, coloured, well composed and an excelent note.
congrats
regards
alain

jrj (34779) 2005-05-21 8:15

Very good capture of this most special landscape. Of course in the max weather which is good for presenting such a crisp and clear photo. Interesting, well made compo Tan

Kenny10pin (19301) 2005-05-21 11:52

great shot of the mountains, I like the really hazy reflections too, well done

mumek (17530) 2005-05-21 19:26

Good evening Tan!
Another fine picture from you.Fantastic view at the lake and the mountains.Beautiful colours of the lake's water.Excellent note.
Thanks for sharing
regards
ziggy

maphoto (8076) 2005-05-23 0:44

Very nice landscape Tan, totally freedom, very beautiful composition, excellent framing, high quality, well seen.

karina (1084) 2005-05-23 7:04

What a beautiful, amazing place. The water is so still and serene. Good composition, all the elements are perfectly placed. Lovely natural colours too.

Joaquin (420) 2005-06-11 21:19

Hola Tan, sigues haciendo maravillas con tu cámara. Esta toma es fantástica, los colores del lago en contraste con la vegetación y la tierra hacen una excelente composición que lo deja a uno boca abierta. Muy buen trabajo en la nitidez y el manejo de la luz. Felicidades. Saludos, Joaquin

krakowiak (4704) 2005-09-13 12:50 [Comment]

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peter1892 (1681) 2006-01-13 10:28

Great viewpoint, colours & sharpness (as usual!) but I must say that the title of this photo is certainly appropriate ;)

Well it appealed to my rather juvenile sense of humour!

tigernate2 (244) 2006-01-13 10:58 [Comment]

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MLINES (11064) 2006-03-14 15:53

Good composition of this caldera with excellent note about it. Colour of the water very realistic. Well achieved.

Pjulin (400) 2006-03-26 11:59

Great landscape and interesting note. This photo really makes one want to visit the lake. Thanks for sharing.

Peter

bend1k (910) 2006-04-29 2:33

nice landscape. If you get a 17mm lens, you would be able to see San Pedro