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This the first in a very long series I took during my trip to Kauai. Hanalei is a small town on the north shore of the island. It has a 3 mile wide perfect crescent of sandy shoreline with the rainiest mountians in the world right behind them. But Kauai is not all smooth water and sandy beaches, as you will see in my next upload! While it rains about 90 inches per year in Hanalei, it rains about 600 inches per year on Mt. Waialeale, about 5 miles behind the peak on the left. Even with all of the rain, days are usually sunny in Hanalei with maybe 1-2 hours of rain mostly at night. The mountains in this image range from 3,000 to 5,000 feet in height.
Temperatures were chilly, sometimes getting down to +18c at night...lol..
This shot can only be done with the tide right between low and high and this effect only lasts for a few minutes before another wave moves in. Here, I attempted to show one of the waterfalls in the reflection. It took about 15 minutes of fiddling around before I finally got it right. I have many other views of this pier including an unusual one from underneath.
If you want to see what it looks like right on the other side of these mountians looking towards this spot about 10 miles away, check out the mods section. Waimea canyon is the 'Grand Canyon' of the Pacific. Incredible.
I dedicate this one to Jeanie. I hope you are doing well!
40 second exposure @F8 with ND grad 0.9
| Title: | Hanalei Bonfire |
| Username: | 
PatrickSmith |
| Uploaded: | 28 Nov 2006 - 4:07 PM |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D |
| Lens: | Canon 24-105L @35 |
| Recording media: | RAW ISO 50 |
| Tags: | Architecture, Hanalei kauai pier, Landscape / travel |
| Votes: | 205 |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
Comments
Great comp, great color, great exposure, great reflection... great everything!
A very spectacular image, Pat! Perfect in every way!
You are the one who waits for the moment-- and it shows-- Wonderful!
Jennnnn
the bluetouch paper has been lit, let the clicks fly....
CLIX
Beautiful composition! I like especially the pastel tones!
Elisabeth
The subtle colour works well with this gorgeous light and reflections Patrick!
Beautifully captured!
gill
Being on the same continent means I get to be one of the first!
back already Patrick - how time flies!
There's a lot to enjoy here. The bonfire on the beach is a nice touch and those clouds are awesome.
How did you find the 24-105?
Mike
Brilliant shot patrick and thanks for the background info
take care victor
I've been looking forward to your shots from Kauai. This is beautiful, amazing light and reflections. I particularly like the waterfall in the background Patrick. Thanks also for the info!
Sez 
i get to be 30, what a great looking place patrick, you captured it well.
The long exposure has given the smoke and clouds a dream like quality. Beautifully composed with wonderful light. Great camera work Patrick.
Rg Tony
Brilliant composition Patrick, says it all doesn't it! This IS beautiful work and thanks for all the info.
Joe
Thanks for your comments!
Mike, the 24-105 is a great lens when you don't know beforehand if you will need a wide angle or longer lens. It is as sharp as the 17-40 pixel for pixel, even at 105, though you must focus carefully. At 24, there is a little barrel distortion and vignetting but above 35 it is fine. Out of the 40 or so images that I could put up on EPZ, about 20 of them were taken with the 24-105. I just needed more reach than the 17-40 could give on some occasions. But under 30, I'd go for the 17-40! I'm glad I had both lenses for this trip. If you have other questions, just let me know.
Patrick
Stunning composition and clarity Patrick, love the smoke trail to the left. I would appreciate your comments please on my recent autumnal shots...be brutally honest about any of them. I hold your opinion in high esteem and hopefully may learn more from you than I have already. Cheers ol' bean
Mike
Patrick, this is simply stunning. No more to say.
Derek
Thanks for looking!
Mike, they are RUBBISH.
Oops.. I haven't seen them yet. I'm just warming up - LOL!
Patrick
I like the composition and the addition of the bonfire brings the shot to life
LOOK WHO´S BACK!!
BUT did you have a break??? LOL...Or did you have a work-holiday?? LOL....
15 minutes is a lifetime to me...LOL...I´m not THAT patient....
Welcome back, Patrick!
Hope you had a nice holiday.....
Nothing NEW here, while you were Alohaing in Hawaii : )
BTW...I´m sure Jeanie is OK and she´s glad of your dedication...
Jouko
PS Think I forgot to say, that this IS wonderful first after the "Aloha" -upload...
Thats some image Patrick, love the light and movement!
Just seen your profile pic....Didn't realise you were that good looking
Very nicely captured Patrick, the large version is superb, lots of detail and of course the waterfall..
superb, the smoke lingering ,the clouds, beautiful colours, the shoreline, cracking
what more can I say....
petra
A really stunning capture Patrick, love the reflections and colours, beautifully presented.
Trish x
Welcome back Patrick, I hope you enjoyed yourself. This shot is wonderful. I like the tones on the slopes, the reflection, and the sky. How 40 seconds? was it late in the day?
Nigel
Outstanding image, Patrick. The bonfire is so subtle, but gives it added interest, as if it needed any!(lol)
Wonderful, muted tones and great reflections.
Colin
Thanks for your comments!
Yes Jouko, it seemed like a work holiday in a way. I was up 1 hour before sunrise each day and planned my sunset shots as well. I got at least one good one (with different versions of each) each morning and evening. I'll explain more later.
LOL - Dennis (Deegee) I credit genetics for my good looks. I had little to do with it!
Yes Nigel, this was just after sunset, but with still a little last light in the clouds and on part of the mountinsides.
Patrick
Superb colours and composition Patrick, terrific reflection, well worth the fiddling
Malcolm
Hello Patrick. Good to see you back. lol
Really an Excellent and Gorgeous landscape picture. The best I've seen today.
Have a good sleep. lol
Jan
your usual stunning work
- your patience in waiting for the perfect moment always pays off
Wow, what a beautiful scene Patrick, those reflections are magical, impressive shot, Adrian
. . its been another long day . . it looks like I missed all the fuss here . . .
Looking forward to the series Patrick!
Mike.W
Thanks for looking!
LOL - Jan, I got in to the SFO airport at 5am local time and took the subway home. Yes, I am a bit tired! But now I'm at work.... Oh well.. And so many pictures to process now! Good thing too, as there is not a cloud in the sky here in San Francisco.
Patrick
The long exposure gives this a slightly surreal look, but like it lots!
Love the bonfire. And no steam trains in sight. Smoke with a different twist from Mr Henson! 
Dave
Beautiful capture Patrick, love the long exposure effect on the sky - superb work.
Mark.
Wow! What beautiful image,excellent composition and wonderful reflections,great sky and exposure,great shot.
Mo.
Superb image Patrick.
Ian.
PS
I like the shot and description in the mod section also.
Not a bad way to start I suppose Patrick!!
Great colours and the effect the exposure has on the sky is wonderful. Super reflections too.
Welcome back.
Martin
Edit:ND grads on a lens like the 70-200mm f2.8 L IS. You must be joking!! Weighs a ton as it is!LOL
Looks as though another wonderful series is coming our way,lovely work Patrick.
hayley
Hi Patrick, nice to see you again, this is stunning... can't wait for the rest. Well deserved heaaving voting too.... helen
Quite took my breath away. That waterfall reflection is something else. Inspirational, and look forward to the joys to come.
Allie
Fabulous image,love the colour tones and reflections. Look forward to the next upload.
Dot
Patrick really beautiful and love the softness plus perfect reflection!
stay well
tonymarq
Welcome back from your happy holiday Patrick - you obviously made great use of your time!
Susie :o)
i saw the thumbnail for this shot and thought uh oh this is a dud, then i opened the big version....oh my word...the colours are just fabulous and the amount of detail is stunning, this is excellent work Pat.
Beautiful dreamy looking scene, and a wonderful start to your series from here.
Ali
Nice image Patrick, the smoke trail from the fire is the icing on a very attractive cake, more power to your trigger finger.
All the very best,
Dougie
A beautiful image, Patrick. The movement in the clouds, the pier, and the bonfire smoke lift this image way above yer typical mountain reflection shot. I like it .... lots!
Pete
Hi Patrick,jawdropping and i'm so speechless.Wish i was as clever.Take care.Ann
An awesome and very special image .... i love this very very much Well taken Patrick ... looking forward to the others from this lovely place!Click*
Karen
Ps .... Thank you so much for your comment on my water baby Karl .... I consider that to be the highest compliment I have ever had .... thank you!
Superb subtle colouring, you have captured this so well even on the upload. Love the effect of the long exposure on the sky and a wonderful reflection to boot. Really looking forward to the rest of the series Patrick.....
Mark
Lovely capture patrick,you put so much hard work & thought into your photography & it sure pays off.
Janet
This is a truly beautiful image. The detail is amazing. One really nice touch is the fire and the smoke from the left
Cheers, Sean
Thank you for all of your comments! Sorry I haven't gotten back to anybody yet. It has been a busy week but I'll be browsing through the galleries soon.
LOL Martin(l), now I know what the 'L' stands for, as in 2.8L - LOL!
Yes Susie, up before dawn every day!
Terry, I was wondering what people would think when they saw the thumbnail. Would they pass right by it?
LOL Ade, I'll do better next time!
Thanks Karen, it is the first of about 20 of this quality. I don't think I'll have time to put them all up, as I have some California shots to show too. But I'll put them up on the website.
Sean, at first I wasn't sure about the fire. But when I compared the shot just before this one without the fire, I liked this one better. And the wind carried it in just the right direction. That was pure luck, other than the trade winds nearly always blow that way.
Patrick
I like your semi silhouetted mountains Patrick reflecting in the still waters, very Scottish...the pier adds an interesting facet to your scene. Beautiful.
Doug.
Fantastic shot, Patrick -- incredible lighting. -=Walter
What a super picture good light , comp ect has it all well done that man.
Doug
Welcome back, Patrick.....
What an Excellent Hawaiian shot to start your pf with...Beautiful!
Luv the trail of smoke you captured as well....What a gorgeous sight this must have been.
A Wonderful dedication for Jeanie....Sending her wishes for a speedy recovery...
Suzan
Excellent shot, you really nailed the reflections and the mood, nice camera work Patrick! Spot on! Click!!!
Greg
fabulous shot,,
hold it, hark! what do I see in red on the dock? Why, it is the Babes of Baywatch!!!
And they are wavinging and posing for the Grand Poobah, himself!!!
I swear you are the man! The chicks flock around you like seagulls to the popcorn guy! You are the photo Grand Poobah and they all know it and follow you like groupies!!!
I heard even "The Guv" mentions you in his speeches... he was at a Greenpeace convention and told them, "Ah want to cleeeen dings up and make Coli-fore-neeah loook like da paradise I know it eezz, zo every-booody vill zee Coli-fore-neeah the vay it looooks in Patrick's Peectures! Dey are Vonderful!"
Soon Jay Leno will be taking a shot at you in his monlog, saying
"Ye know this Patrick Guy, he takes these really hot photos and says they are from California, yeah... yeah. But after a little reasearch, I found out, ***pauses and leans toward camera as to reveal a secret*** he is actually taking those pictures in Pigsknuckle, Arkansas and then photoshops them up and says they are from California...yeah"
**crowd laughs**
"but hey, afterall, he is the Grand Poobah, and you need to be careful or he will make you an offer you can't refuse, if you know what I mean!"
**Kevin Eubanks plays theme to The Godfather***
***Jay jumps as if in fear***
*** crowd is falling all over each other laughing in hysterics***
**Kevin Eubanks crouches over busting out in laughter***
*** Jay is laughing and grabs his tie near the collar and gives a nervous look***
Wow, you are the man!!!!!!!
Your #1 fan in Michigan,
Thomas
Thanks for looking!
I'm not sure Paul, but thanks for the complement!
Yes, Doug, there is a bit of Scotland here. A little dusting of snow woudl help. Actually, some of the higher peaks do get a little snow!
Yes Megzie, it was an awesome sight!
Literally LOL Thomas! Are you trying to get me fired at work? I can't stop laughing out loud! But um...Pigsknuckle 90010 is not such a bad place. You should see it. It has lighthouses, sea lions, beach babes and everything!
Patrick
Pigsknuckle 90010???
I always thought it was Pigsknucle OU812 ...
Oh well... LOL!
Sooooo glad you both got the whole Pigs Knuckles thingy figured out.....That was a Funny read...
Later Gator,
Suzan
Masterly composition and technique. Lovely image. Bruce
Had to comment on this, as late as I am. Absolutely stunning! Everything about it! Pam
Hi Patrick.
When I was a kid, I always dreamed of going to Hawaii, so imagine my delight that you should dedicate such a lovely shot as this to me. Thank you so much.
Your support and that of many on the site is really keeping my chin up at the moment. I was only home yesterday and got a lot to catch up on but I was advised of this and had to come see for myself what you had dedicated to me.
Jeanie
xx
Wow im speechless! think its all been said!
Amazing capture
click
regards
chelseak
A fantastic capture Patrick, I love the sky, the foreground reflections and the little fire bellowing the smoke.
Pete.
Thanks for your comments! I'll upload a new one Monday afternoon GMT.
LOL Suzan, yes, I think I have it sorted out for now!
Hey Jeanie, you have a lot of support on EPZ for sure. I'll send my positive thoughts your way! You MUST come here. Maybe as a recovery present perhaps??
Patrick
Wow, lots going on in this picture - I like the reflection, but also the smoke from the fire blowing L to R. the wave clouds over the mountains are showing wind from R to L...
Very nice.
Jonny
As Andy Dippie would say, it's a long way down to this point!
I opened the large version, pressed F11 and sat back to dream. Exceptional, Patrick. And it was inspired of you to light that bonfire!
Funny word, "bonfire". I don't think you use it in the US? I remember Sarah Michelle Gellar on a UK chat show earlier in the year. When the interviewer said "bonfire" she looked puzzled at first and then tried to say it herself. A priceless moment.
just sublime - I so much enjoy browsing through you portfolio, Patrick. It's truly inspirational
It's a cracker Patrick. 50/50 split works a treat.
Brian.
cracking image. like the use of a long shutter speed to capture the smoke and blur the clouds
sten
Simply stunning, paradise brought to my screen. Wonderful work as usual, amazing stuff.
Tracy
This looks like paradise Patrick, an amazingly composed image, with wonderful colours and light
Anne
Simply stunning reflections
Thank you for your comment. much appreciated.
Chris
Apologies for not being around to comment for a while Patrick...hope you're doing OK!
This is well worth the time you spent faffing around with the positioning because the reflection is perfect. The plume of smoke from the bonfire is also a wonderful little touch!
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