Queen Hortense's Cave, a photo from New Caledonia, Other

Photographer's Note

QUEEN HORTENSE'S CAVE, NEW CALEDONIA

The British explorer Captain Cook had been commissioned by the British Government to circumnavigate the world and to determine whether New Zealand was connected to a great southern landmass, or "Terra Australis." During the years 1772-1775 he was on his second voyage on the H.M.S. Resolution to the South Pacific. On this voyage he charted the eastern coast of Australia, and in 1773 discovered a set of islands, he named "New Caledonia." The islands, an archipelago, lie 1200 km to the east of Australia. The indigenous Melaneisean people are known as the Kanaks.

Sailing east from Brisbane, Australia on the Seaboard Odyssey, we arrived on the third day at the tiny Isle of Pines. This is the southernmost island of the archipelago. Featuring tall pines and white powdery beaches, the island is described as one of the most spectacular in the South Pacific. This capacious yawning cave, named by Kanak people after their queen Hortense, is a somewhat incongruous natural feature of the island, but apparently there exits several similar grotos. This one has water disappearing into an underground river.

Of course, the islands are French overseas territories, thousands of kilometers from the mainland of France. But it is no stranger than calling the islands of Tahiti and Mourea part of France, nor Hawaii a part of the United States.

pajaran, ikeharel, Fis2, alvaraalto, holmertz, jhm, snunney, shevchenko, kasianowak, photoray, ourania, worldcitizen, mcmtanyel, Didi ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

jemaflor (147128) 2016-03-16 0:08

Hi Bulent,
Impressive cave, perfect these people to give a scale at your photo, good effect with contrast between light and shadows, tfs.

lousat (139266) 2016-03-16 1:50

Hi Bulent,i seen a lot of caves in Cuba and i know how is difficult to take a good pic in this light and withot tripod..ehehe...your is very very good,great view and impressive cave,the people inside give us the exact idea of the big size of the natural walls.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Fis2 (170747) 2016-03-16 2:16

Witaj Bulent!
A very beautiful cave.
Interesting colors and light.
Persons add flavor to this composition.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

alvaraalto (42804) 2016-03-16 2:54

Hello Bulent,
Walking in these caves I think you feel very small and impressed.
You picture shows this very well. The people seems to be impressed by this overwhelming nature, except the man on the left with his hand on his back.
He has been more often in this situation.
Groet Rob

holmertz (102700) 2016-03-16 3:07

Hello Bülent,
I think New Caledonia still has an option to vote for independence, but I don't remember when it will be. Probably TE will never recognize its independence, in case it becomes a sovereign country. ;-)
No doubt this was an interesting excursion. The rocks are magnificent and the people make us understand the dimensions, as well as providing life and colors.
Kind regards,
Gert

jhm (211736) 2016-03-16 4:25

Dear Bulent,

We get a wonderful relief of the big rocks
Walking in these caves I think you feel very small and impressed.
Also a very nice composition with the people in foreground.
Composition and presentation are pleasant to look at.
Very well done, TFS.

Kindest regards,
John.

ikeharel (113345) 2016-03-16 4:41

Hello Bulent,
Great scale given by the visitors to this cave.
marvelous and not-easy-to-take picture, but done efficiently.
A place on the other side of our world, we do not see many photos from this islands. a great contribution to TE.
Bravo,
Ike

snunney (130967) 2016-03-16 4:59

Hello Bulent,
The visitors nicely arranged at the bottom of the frame also serve to give us a sense of scale. The image benefits from good light management and excellent rendering of the textural detail in the rock face. Thanks also for the very informative note.

Tue (92360) 2016-03-16 9:26

Hello Bulent,
What a beautiful photo of this impressive cave. The rock formations are gorgeous and it must be very impressive to walk there. The people admiring the view also add a perfect sense of scale.
Lars

eldancer1 (36343) 2016-03-16 13:22

At least the cave is semi-open, I don't like exploring caves. Nicely captured with good details. Well done, tfs.

jmdias (115156) 2016-03-16 17:03

bulent

very interesting the aspect of this cave, at open air. I liked the inclusion of people to give scale and these details we can enjoy. TFS this part of the world.

hugs

jorge

shevchenko (20560) 2016-03-16 21:28

Hi Bulent,

Good vertical format to frame the unique geographical feature, the giant cave is good contrast to the small people on the ground, interesting composition, thanks for sharing.

Ally

pajaran (115891) 2016-03-17 0:00

Pozdrav.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst, lepo secanje na Captain Cook ...
Dobar rad, lepo pokazana Queen Hortense's Cave, dobar kontrast i ostrina, lepo uhvacen trenutak sa turistima.
Lepa priroda.
Sve najbolje, srecno.
Paja.

Hello.
Beautiful view and the moment, interesting and good text, a nice memory of Captain Cook ...
Good work, nice demonstrated Queen Hortense's Cave, a good contrast and sharpness, nicely captured the moment with tourists.
Beautiful nature.
All the best, good luck.
Paja.

GiovanniG (3914) 2016-03-17 2:04

Howdy Bulent.
Interesting capture that shows so much detail and dimension. The volume of the cave is so vast and people demonstrate this well. TFS Love the narrative, most informative.
Regards
GiovanniG

king (4242) 2016-03-17 2:22

Hello Bulent,
Impressive cave.
The people are telling us something about the scale of it.
Kind regards,
Huub

PiotrF (54666) 2016-03-17 16:47

Hello Bulent,
interesting view of impressive cave,
Beautiful details, exactly shown in the photograph. Great composition, nice colors.
Regards
Piotr

Silvio1953 (221593) 2016-03-18 7:11

Ciao Bulent, great view of fantastic cave, lovely composition with a lot of people, fine details, wonderful natural colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Nicou (193806) 2016-03-18 10:49

Hlelo

les deux personnage donnent bien l'échelle et l'immensité quelle compo et vue quelle image et captage superbe vue et compo fantastique rendu sur la roche.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

ChrisJ (171822) 2016-03-18 15:20

Hi Bulent,

New Caledonia is actually closer to Brisbane than it is to Cairns yet I have never been there and have been to Cairns 5 times. Isle of Pines is one of the most scenic islands but I did not know it had these caves as well. The tourists add scale. Tfs!

emka (158156) 2016-03-18 15:29

Hi Bulent, I was thinking: such caves in France?? Funny that it is France here, like some Dutch territories in Caraibes. Very high cave, the people inform us about the scale.

WArm regrads MAlgo

kasianowak (17676) 2016-03-19 0:47

Hi Bulent
It would not be possible to truly admire a photo of this cave without the people. The tourists you captured in this frame make me realise how big the cave is. They also provide welcome splashes of pastel colour contrasting with the stark environment.
Have a nice weekend
Kasia

photoray (13981) 2016-03-21 6:24

Howdy Bulent,
Obviously the visitors enjoying the unique geology, a sea cave with fascinating huge hanging features, sort of similar to a dry cave's stalactites. Certainly a fine image to stimulate visiting New Caledonia.

Good job,
Cheers,
Ray
Ray

ourania (51103) 2016-03-21 9:44

Hello Bulent,
I've always found Captain Cook's travels and discoveries fascinating, your note is great and adds a special interest to your picture. I like the hanging pieces and the textures of the cave, the distribution of the people who are looking around and are proceeding towards the dark part. They must feel awe and the viewer shares it. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania

worldcitizen (16072) 2016-03-21 17:57

Hello Bulent,
I had never heard of these caves before, and it's interesting to see a view of one. No doubt the lighting was tricky, but your iPhone handled it well. I like the vertical format including some tourists. It really shows the great height of the cave wall.

abmdsudi (95869) 2016-03-23 22:49

Hi Bulent
An interesting detail of the geological formation giving some sense of scale afforded by the bright colours of the visitors. You're really making the most of the opportunities there, nicely framed, adequately exposed and good contrast. Nice capture, Congrats.
Best regards

mcmtanyel (68503) 2016-03-24 13:36

Selamlar Bülent Bey,
It looks like a cavernous cave (if you'll excuse the pun). The presence of people emphasizes how huge the entrance is.
Regards,
MT

Didi (61589) 2016-04-13 8:14

Hi my friend
Interesting picture
Peoples give us an idea about the scale of the cave
Well done
Best regards