Gloria Grandolini
January 2026 - Lava Hike
About the Image(s)
I shot this image while hiking the lava fields of Sullivan bay in the Galapagos’ Santiago Island.
The volcanic landscape is otherworldly and it feels like walking on the moon. It is famous for its lava flows
that formed quite recently at the end of the 19th century. The hike is on the paths formed by the flowing
lava and volcanic rock structures.In the background you can see Bartolome Island and
the distinctive Pinnacle Rock on the left side.
Shot with Canon R5
200m (Lens RF 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM)
1/3200 sec at f/5 ISO 640 handheld
In Lightroom I cropped some and adjusted exposure.
2 comments posted
That is some rough lava on which to walk. My eyes go to Pinnacle Rock and the ship first. Then I see Bartolome Island. Lastly I scan the lava. The visual weight is the lava field - good choice for your image. The color palette is limited to browns, tans, white and a touch of blue and this works well even givng me a calming effect. I processed your image adding a bit more texture and clarity and changed the aspect ratio to emphasize the lava field. Lastly I check the horizon line to ensure it is level. Posted: 01/06/2026 07:02:59
Interesting focus on the lava beach. I do like the colors and like the sky cropped ala Richard. I like your crop with the pinnacle rock not the centerpiece. Posted: 01/07/2026 10:44:00