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Floris van Breugel's Image
It was pitch black in the cave, but the darkness hid a multitude of colours trapped within a layer of ice.
Determined to photograph them, Floris crawled across the ice with his flashlight, illuminating the scene at different angles over a threeminute exposure. ‘It took countless attempts to get it right,’ he explains. After eight hours he achieved this single exposure. These intriguing caves formed around 30,000 to 40,000 years ago due to lava spewing from nearby volcanoes. As the lava moved, the top of some flows cooled and crusted over, creating tube-shaped caves, while movement continued beneath. When the eruption ceased, the lava drained out, leaving behind a hollow.
Behind the lens
Floris van Breugel
USA
Floris has a PhD in neuroscience-inspired engineering. When he’s not out photographing, Floris can be found in his lab working out how insect brains work. This scientific mindset has had a strong influence on his photography, and he is interested in discovering and sharing interesting natural phenomenon through unique and curiosity-inspiring imagery.
Image details
- Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- 24-105mm f4 lens at 45mm
- 176 sec at f16 • ISO 400 • Gitzo tripod + Markins ballhead
- Lava Beds National Monument, California, USA
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
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