East Molokai

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Molokai, Hawaii is a long finger of an island, 46 miles east to west by about 7 miles wide. I was at at sea level near the east end on the south shore, looking north into one of the many gorges in the spectacularly beautiful, impenetrable mountain range that dominates the eastern half.

I was in bright sun, but a series of rain clouds were blowing through these peaks.

The peaks are thrown into relief by the cloud and are each clearly outlined. It's almost impossible to see them as individuals when they are in full sun. They simply blend into one green mass then. The highest are about 4000 feet. 7 miles further, on the north shore, these mountains form the highest sea cliffs in the world.

I had a cicular polarizer mounted because there were patches of blue sky present that it darkened nicely as the sun was off to the left when I pulled the tripod out of the car. But by the time I got the camera set up they were gone. The polarizer killed unwanted reflections on the near foliage, but added nothing to the contrast in the cloud. I didn't anticipate the enormous contrast of the scene and had to print it a little dark to keep some detail in the cloud which is moving from right to left. I may try some additional post processing

Very beautiful colors. I love the way the clouds separate the peaks.

magic....place

sooooooo GREEN

and great story about your work...!

The cloud somehow makes the hills, especially center and left, look as if they have a motion blur, which is obviously impossible but intriguing. Lovely.

I have been to Molokai. I loved the magic of the island. These magic mountains seem to be moving. The picture wakes strong memories in me. I love it.