Photographer’s Note
Where The Green Ants Dream
Yes, sure they have dreams and maybe those dreams are even our ordinary life... but...
We travel full of nostalgia
toward the South and the East,
pushed by an obscure
and thankful premonition of homeland
and we find here the heaven,
the fullness and the rich abundance
of every gift of the nature,
we find the sincere,
simple and childish men of the heaven.
But ourselves behave different;
here we are foreigneir and without citizen,
since long time we have lost the heaven.
Hermann Hesse
_____________________
West of Gunung Merapi is the Ijen volcano, which has a one-kilometer-wide turquoise-colored acid crater lake. The lake is the site of a labor-intensive sulfur mining operation, in which sulfur-laden baskets are carried by hand from the crater floor.
Sulfur Mining at Ijen
An active vent at the edge of the lake is a source of elemental sulfur, and supports a mining operation. Escaping volcanic gasses are channeled through a network of ceramic pipes, resulting in condensation of molten sulfur. The sulfur, which is deep red in color when molten, pours slowly from the ends of these pipes and pools on the ground, turning bright yellow as it cools. The cooled material is broken into large pieces and carried out in baskets by the miners. Typical loads range from 70–100 kilograms, and must be carried to the crater rim approximately 200 meters above before being carried several kilometers down the mountain. Most miners make this journey twice a day. The miners are paid by a nearby sugar refinery by the weight of sulfur transported (600Rupees per kg). The miners often use insufficient protection while working around the volcano and are susceptible to numerous respiratory complaints.
from Wikipedia
lamentforicarus, BennyV, avene, scyntilla has marked this note useful
Critiques | Translate
kiks
(6169) 2009-10-19 15:02
This sims a shot from another planet. The texture of the rocks is incredibel and my God this is real real hard living!!
Best regadrs
KIKs
lamentforicarus
(387) 2009-10-19 16:18
You have presented us with another stunningly beautiful photo, Luca!
From afar, the viewer is able to appreciate the striking landscape and rough textures of your presentation. Upon closer inspection, we see the tiny procession of figures, like marching ants, straining under the weight of their sulfur cargo. The harsh features of the land and lifeless color tones impress upon the viewer the inhospitable climate in which these poor workers toil. Your picture is made even more appealing by the clarity and definition of the foreground against the hazy, shrouded rock face in the distance. Well done and thanks for sharing!
Brian
pauloog
(7083) 2009-10-19 17:36
Hello Luca,
If not for the men wearing their load of baskets, this would be an unearthy view, sketched by a painter with strong colour strokes.
Fine work.
Regards,
Paul
BennyV
(4978) 2009-10-20 3:44
Another impressive shot, Luca. I like the way it adds to the previous image of the working man. This gives an idea of the working environment. I like the composition, which leaves room for nothing else but that working environment: not a stretch of green, not even a sky above. Great work...of you...not for the guys in the picture, I'm afraid...
Excellent post! Thanks.
Benny
avene
(11224) 2009-10-21 18:07
fantastic photo, Luca, it takes a moment to understand what I'm looking at. people do look like ants against this magnificient landscape, where the mist adds to the surreal mood, the scene could be something from the Lord of the Rings. great shot, my compliments.
best,
Kristine
Glint
(3110) 2009-10-23 2:56
hello Luca,
like something from a scifi film this has such drama. A fine composition with interst and drama.Those "green ants" add scale. I like the light and smoky atmosphere too.
regards,
Bev
scyntilla
(1325) 2009-11-10 2:19
Hi dear Luca,
Almost out of this world. Another wonderful addition to your portfolio that is one of the best in TE. TFS (and I mean it ;-))
Best,
Petek
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Luca Belis (Mistral)
(13848) - Genre: Places
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2009-08-30
- Categories: Daily Life, Transportation
- Camera: Nikon D700, Sigma 18-50 f2.8 EX DC
- Exposure: f/4, 1/200 seconds
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Date Submitted: 2009-10-19 13:12








