Dante's Hell Photo

Photographer’s Note

This picture was taken in the South-western Bolivia, a region close the the Chilean border. It is a region at almost 5000 meters above sea level, on the altopiano, where there are hot springs which mix to the cold water of one of the many lakes (lagunas) of the area. The picture was taken at 8 a.m. and the temperature outside was around 0 degrees Celsius. The average water temperature of the lake is also close to zero, but near the hot springs it reaches reasonable values (30-40 degrees) to take a bath. Here some tourists enjoy this opportunity, while waiting for breakfast being prepared by the tour crew in the back of their Toyotas.

The lake is called Laguna Calma, accordingly to what our driver told me, but I have to say that I did not find this name anywhere else in any other travel report.

This area is usually visited very early in the morning (that's why we were all waiting for breakfast) by the typical 4-days tour in this area, because some geyser and other hot water sources are mainly active very early in the morning, just at sunrise. This is, I think, due to the difference in temperature between water and the air outside, which is at its maximum very early in the morning.

This place belongs to the area which also includes Laguna Colorada, Laguna Verde, Volcan Licancabur and other magnificent sites. See many pictures related to this area here on TE, if you are interested.

The clouds of steam on the water, and the silouhettes of pepole having the bath, fit with my idea of Dante's Hell, althought here people are actually enjoying it.

Scanned from a Velvia 50 color slide

kurzan, rigoletto, savask, edytungkal, flory, vinicio, crhieatt, dospordostres, Clairedelune, pboehringer, thea0211, horatiuTT, Bruno40 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

kurzan (356) 2007-09-19 0:56

Hello Stefano,
this is perfect photo. You cought mystic atmosphere of this place. It must be perfect to be there. but it looks quite overcrowded, isn´t it? Good angle, sharpness and colours.
Regards, Petr

rigoletto (25940) 2007-09-19 1:01

"Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate"
("Abandon all hope, ye who enter here")
Dante, Inferno

But this place looks like somewhere where enjoyment begins.
Great photo inteed! So moody.
Congrats!
Deniz

triptych2003 (1396) 2007-09-19 1:04

hi stefano

it's an interesting concept you've imagined. the light and shadow work well with what you've portrayed. a well constructed composition that is most pleasing. well done!

savask (1803) 2007-09-19 1:06

I like your title, and it seems so unreal the theme. However, it is a good composition.

bantonbuju (48334) 2007-09-19 1:33

ciao stefano...
absolutely devastating photo...love it to the bits, starting with the spot-on title and ending up with the final impression that this image settled in my mind - i wish i were there with those people, bathing in the steam and water...
impressive...
best wishes, j.

tehanu_f (6874) 2007-09-19 1:54

"And to a place I come where nothing shines," says Dante. That really suits the gray tones and the soft light in the photo. The people don't look like being tormented, but then again neither do the ones in Dante's Inferno, who are lamenting in deep sorrow rather than in torture. So, I think you have a perfect title for it. I like your tight crop that heightens the composition. Well done, Stefano.
Fusun

edytungkal (4517) 2007-09-19 2:05

Ha..ha.. what an ironic title...
You have captured it so well, very interesting place. Well done, Stefano. I like it, tfs

daniel

stefanocer (10335) 2007-09-19 2:15

Titolo azzeccatissimo e grande foto stefano , complimenti veramente bella e interessante .
Stefano.

flory (4802) 2007-09-19 2:47

ciao Stefano,
perfect title;)
and not just that,these steams of water are excellent taken,a pleasant experience.hm
thanks !
Flory

testmaniac (11832) 2007-09-19 3:42

Hello Stefano,
Good and not traditional shot! Good composition and moment! In Bulgaria we also have same place and call pig bath:)

TFS

Philip

sebinho342 (18726) 2007-09-19 5:01

Hi Stefano,
ouch once again you surprise me with this clever shot !
It doesn't seem that it come from a place on earth but from another planet or yes from hell !
But seeing how cool those people are i won't opt for hell ... or if it really is, i don't fear to die and to be sent in hell
Excellent one

dilane (10212) 2007-09-19 5:04

C'est excellent et à la fois complétement irréel. Tu as bien su saisir l'ambiance qu'il y régnait - c'est du bon travail -
regards
daniel

vinicio (22260) 2007-09-19 5:15

Atmosfera fantastica e posto molto interessante, ne abbiamo anche noi ma questo a 5000 metri mi sembra molto interessante e bello, ottima la foto anche se da scanner, complimenti Stefano, deve essere stata una bella esperienza.
Ciao
Vinicio

bwiti (402) 2007-09-19 5:22

Which strange place there is many of mystery in this composition if we do not read the note.... it seems to me to be in front of a bath of revival... Plunge in old man and stand out in youth.... Congratulations and sorry for my poor english...

crhieatt (5143) 2007-09-19 5:58

Strange and powerful image; as you suggest, it really does look like Dante's Hell, with these shades merging into the rock in some boiling bubbling hell.

Regards
colin

Anna-- (7723) 2007-09-19 12:51

Ciao Stefano,
il titolo è azzeccatissimo per questa ottima immagine.
Davvero un posto affascinante e misterioso
Anna

archimatica (13182) 2007-09-19 12:57

L'inferno di Dante... che titolo divertente... mi piace pensare che il mio inferno sarà così, con i capelli pettinati indietro e le braccia dietro la nuca a cazzeggiare.
Foto impeccabile, bellissima e ricca di ironia.
Bravo
Renzo

mhoidal (348) 2007-09-19 13:51

Extremely cool! When I saw the thumbnail I thought it was rocks and water, the surprise when I opened it was great! But the effect of likeness between people and rocks (background) remains, and makes this photo very interesting. I also love the light :)

mporta (3350) 2007-09-19 14:43

Ciao Stefano
Sono d'accordo con Renzo, questi condannati all'inferno non mi sembrano così disperati per la loro situazione.
La foto era tutt'altro che facile e non mi viene da immaginare come avrebbe potuto essere migliorata. Il fumo ed il controluce creano un azzeccato effetto di mistero.
ciao
Matteo

Clairedelune (4883) 2007-09-19 15:33

Hello Stefano,
Very peculiar and not so often seen photo. I think that the steam is the essential part here, though I would also add that it is the mix of steam and people that makes the photo. Funny title considering what is happening in fact.
One of these rare instances when Hell might looks like the place to go! :)
Claire

pboehringer (770) 2007-09-19 19:52

Stefano,
a very funny title for this etremely good capture of the people enjoying a morning bath prior to the breakfast that is being prepared in the Toyota's back. LOL!
The steam gives a quite surreal appearence to this scene completely justifying your title.
Regards, Peter

vincz (19039) 2007-09-20 0:35

Excellent title! for this quite unique picture. Very fantastic. The more we look at the picture, the more people we discover. Incredible!

anes_lc (14762) 2007-09-20 4:09

quite hard to find the words to describe such picture :)
great composition,i like the dark tones ...and to tell the truth the title made me take abetter look :D
best regards,anes
i will be back

Facsi (212) 2007-09-20 10:51

Wow! Very dramatic shot and great title! VEry good shot.
bye, Facsi

albertopiubello (2591) 2007-09-20 11:13

Ciao Stefano,
hai avuto un'ottima idea e l'hai realizzata davvero bene con tutte queste figure immerse nel vapore che danno veramente l'idea dei dannati. Certo che il loro atteggiamento non li fa sembrare proprio tali...
Buoni i colori e la luce.
Alberto

carlab (2087) 2007-09-21 6:03

fantastica! bellissima...
grazie per averla condivisa
ciao
Carla

bruce_wayne (1507) 2007-09-21 12:27

Ciao Stefano...
proprio bella...è proprio vero, sembra l'Inferno di Dante...ottima citazione, molto appropriata per questa foto molto ben fatta e pulita.
Complimenti!

Alessandro

thea0211 (1355) 2007-09-21 16:13

hi stefano,
this one does look like hell, indeed - the blueish dark mood, body parts all over - no contrasting color or other shape from the thumbnail at least - one has to take a closer look - just to check what "the hell" is happening! :) in the middle of all that steam!
luckily a closer look and the note makes justice to what is actually happening over there!
well done and thanks,
dora

Silvio1953 (40849) 2007-09-23 0:44

Ciao Stefano, per essere all'infermno se la spassano un po' troppo, scherzi a parte la tua foto è affascinante ed in effetti sembra essere scattata nelle acque dello Stige, bravo, ciao Silvio

prezntime (3945) 2007-09-24 6:39

Super mood...never thought I'd see people enjoying the flames of Hell, but they look comfy. Superb exposure, we really have to look to see the bodies through the mist and this creates a great atmosphere. The Fugi velvia looks great and the deep blues are wonderfully smooth.
Excellent photo,
Chris.

mdetay (4265) 2007-09-27 4:47

Hi Stephano,
Nice shot. Well done. Great colors and POV. Excellent idea.
Cheers from Antibes.
Michel

eleparc (24059) 2007-09-29 4:05

once again, i like this shot! the cloud of steam and the shadows of those people make a great combination. I just wonder if a tighter crop keeping out the top part and focusing more on the bunch of people would not add to the impact and intensity of the photo... Not quite sure though, just a thought!

I'l try a ws on this idea.. complimenti!
Eric

[workshop] [compare]

fayeulle (26541) 2007-10-22 0:57

Hi Stefano
What a joke ! The name of the laguna is wrong. Absolutely wrong ! This is "Termas de Polques" located near the path between "laguna salada" and "laguna verde" on the bank of "Salar de Chalviri".
Despite this mistake, this shot appear to be very mysterious due to misty atmosphere and invisible surrounding environment.
Cheers
JP

Faros (12) 2007-10-22 1:03

Hi Stefano,
What a great atmosphere!
Superb!
Phil.

matt_moi (318) 2008-01-30 0:39

Hello Stefano,

the impression given by this place early in the morning with a lot of people inside is amazing... you choose the right title !
Here it seems to me that the darkness of your picture is excellent !
Thanks

Matthieu

touristdidi (8561) 2008-03-05 21:33 [Comment]

Show Comment

miketelemark (2323) 2008-04-29 9:28

What a cool looking place!!! Graet title too!

sigur (338) 2008-07-06 15:07

Hi Stefano,

Very interesting shot. You have captured an eerie atmosphere which is what attracted me to this photo. Well done.

Regards, Simon

arturo (31) 2008-07-07 0:36

Hi Stefano,

gorgeous view of those hot springs highlighting very well this extremely unusual place, and after all "...hell ain't a bad place to be..." ;-)...cheers, arturo

batalay (20698) 2008-07-27 12:47

Ciao Stefano,

A fabulous surrealistic photograph of an eerie site. Your note describes it well, and the title is most appropriate.

Warm regards,

Bulent

huyinghui (184) 2008-11-18 4:13

Wonderful atmosphere. A "steamy" scene well captured.

Bruno40 (6440) 2009-04-29 23:43

Ciao Stefano,
You captured the hell's mood very well. It looks subreal.
Very well done, and good note as well.
tfs
Jorge

gedul56 (70) 2009-10-12 8:38

Hello Stefano. Seeing the tumbnail of this picture made me curious. When I open it and read your story its very nice! About names of places I think its the same as in Philippines. The local people give a certain place a name and that is it! For them at least. I like this picture coz its different as usual showed. TFS Gerrit.