Antonio Correia
Member
Terrestrial Alchemy explores Chile's geothermal landscapes, capturing Earth's raw transformation through steam, minerals, and volcanic forces in striking detail.
Terrestrial Alchemy Project
- Thread starter Antonio Correia
- Start date
Bill Brown
Well-Known Member
Several of these images could almost be mistaken for macro work. I am fascinated with work that creates visual conflict. Images lacking in ways to judge scale, the third image especially. Is that steam rising or are those clouds? Nice work.
Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
Beautiful! What are you shooting with?
Gianluca Drago
Well-Known Member
An interesting subject, evoking alchemy as the title suggests: the first is a play of textures, the second a play of details, the third a play of colours, the fourth a play of light. But of course all four pictures share the same ingredients.
The choice of the 2:1 format is unusual but not without interest. Thanks for sharing.
The choice of the 2:1 format is unusual but not without interest. Thanks for sharing.
Gary Ayala
Well-Known Member
Very very interesting. There is an unearthliness quality to/in each and every photo. To my eye, a caption stating Mars ... would have been as believable as a geothermal landscape in Chile. Good stuff Antonio. I keep returning to your images for more and more looks. Thank you for sharing.
Antonio Correia
Member
Thank you! I've been using equipment from three major brands over the years, but I'm currently focusing mainly on Sony, which has become my favourite:
Canon 5D + Canon 16-35 L + Canon 24-70 L + Canon 70-200 LOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II + Olympus, Panasonic and Leica lensesSony A7 III + 24-70 GM + 135 GM + Sony Zeiss 55mm + Zeiss Batis 18mm + Zeiss Batis 85mm + Zeiss Batis 135mm
No more purchases ever !
Antonio Correia
Member
Thank you very much for your insightful comment, Drago. I'm pleased you noticed the visual continuity throughout the series - that cohesion was precisely what I was aiming to create.
The panoramic 2:1 format seemed the most suitable choice to capture the breadth and expansive character of this geothermal landscape. I am not sure if it is 2:1 BTW !
Antonio Correia
Member
That's a very interesting observation about visual conflict - that perspective hadn't occurred to me, but you're absolutely right. The absence of scale references does create that fascinating ambiguity. As I mentioned earlier, all the photographs were taken at El Tatio in Chile, always at ground level, taking advantage of the morning vapours from the geysers.
Thank you for your perceptive analysis!
Antonio Correia
Member
What a fantastic observation, Gary! You're absolutely right - these geothermal landscapes do have an almost extraterrestrial quality. The photographs were taken at El Tatio in Chile in the early morning hours, when steam rises dramatically from the geysers.
The only downside was the presence of too many tourists... I'm delighted that the images captivate you enough to keep returning to them.
Thank you for the feedback!
Bill Brown
Well-Known Member
That's what we all say!
Antonio Correia
Member
I do have other priorities !That's what we all say!
I will be travelling again by the end of the year. Money is not elastic !
Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
Famous last words (although it's possible that I could claim them as well - I certainly don't need any more photographic equipment).
Gianluca Drago
Well-Known Member
Apparently, on this forum I come across as the ugly duckling with my one and only, ridiculous Panasonic LX100. What a sorry sight I must be! I'm just waiting for the day I retire so I can buy another Micro 4/3 and keep on being the ugly duckling
Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
I kick myself for selling mine and I'm anxiously watching the rumors of a LX100 mk3.
Antonio Correia
Member
Drago, don't be at all impressed by my madness of having so much photographic equipment. Don't be intimidated by it, nor think that taking good photographs necessarily requires having great cameras or expensive lenses. None of that corresponds to the truth.
What truly matters is being able to capture images that genuinely please us and that have deep meaning for us. Photography is a form of personal expression, a visual language that each person develops in their own way, regardless of the equipment they use.
When I started on this photographic journey - and it's been quite a few years since then - it was also with a basic camera, nothing extraordinary. It was with time, patience and lots of practice that my interest grew exponentially. I spent hours researching techniques, studying light, composition, experimenting with different angles and perspectives, continuously learning through trial and error.
For this, what's really needed is genuine commitment, constant dedication and an insatiable thirst to learn, learn and keep learning. Photography is an infinite universe of technical and creative possibilities. There's always a new technique to master, a different style to explore, an innovative way to see the world through the lens.
There's so much to learn in this art that, paraphrasing the wise Socrates, we really know nothing! And it's precisely this humility and constant curiosity that keeps us motivated and in constant evolution as photographers and not only that, but also in our daily practice.
What truly matters is being able to capture images that genuinely please us and that have deep meaning for us. Photography is a form of personal expression, a visual language that each person develops in their own way, regardless of the equipment they use.
When I started on this photographic journey - and it's been quite a few years since then - it was also with a basic camera, nothing extraordinary. It was with time, patience and lots of practice that my interest grew exponentially. I spent hours researching techniques, studying light, composition, experimenting with different angles and perspectives, continuously learning through trial and error.
For this, what's really needed is genuine commitment, constant dedication and an insatiable thirst to learn, learn and keep learning. Photography is an infinite universe of technical and creative possibilities. There's always a new technique to master, a different style to explore, an innovative way to see the world through the lens.
There's so much to learn in this art that, paraphrasing the wise Socrates, we really know nothing! And it's precisely this humility and constant curiosity that keeps us motivated and in constant evolution as photographers and not only that, but also in our daily practice.
Paul Taylor
Well-Known Member
That's what we all say!
I tell myself this all the time as I am carting more camera gear home, or the mail carrier rolls his eyes as he has to lug more packages to my door. I think I have said "this is the last one" like 30 times. Lol.
In all fairness though, I don't mind picking up more camera gear - as I am pretty good about using it all consistently. The variety of my "collection" keeps me on my toes when it comes to using the stuff. There are far worse things to be spending money on I suppose.
I am a reasonably poor photographer when it comes to the "art" side of things - which I am completely content with as I value the process and technical side more. Probably why I have such a diverse collection of gear, everything is a little different or has it's own challenges.
Antonio, great images!
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