Baskets of Devil's Gold, a photo from Jawa Timur, Java

Photographer's Note

It has been more than 64 years since Mount Ijen last erupted, but the volcano is still very much alive.

The Ijen Crater is home to one of the largest sulphur mines in the world and attracts men from the surrounding areas who undertake the physically demanding trek, often twice a day, to retrieve the solid blocks of sulphur.

All for as little as $12 a day.

Inside the crater of the the Ijen volcano in East Java, Indonesia, miners hammer out a living in the noxious sulphur fumes which expose them to a high risk of respiratory diseases. Its one of the most toxic places on the planet but 24-hours-a-day, men can be found scurrying into depths of the smoky, poisonous crater in order to collect the volcanos useful yellow contents. Wearing headlights, they begin work shortly after midnight with a long hike up the volcano on a rugged terrain to the collection point with their baskets, which usually hold over 70kg of sulphur. The sulphur they produce is used to make a huge range of products from concrete and asphalt to matches and the bleaching of white sugar.

pajaran, holmertz, jhm, Royaldevon, jemaflor, kasianowak, fritzi007 oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (101930) 2017-02-24 6:57

Hello May,
I have seen many shocking but eye-catching photos of the hard working men here, so this is a refreshingly different composition. The baskets are very nicely lined up on a diagonal. They are attractive to watch and they provide a perfect lead into the composition. When my eyes follow the baskets they inevitably end up at the large green volcano in the background. The photo is well composed and has a narrow but very attractive range of colours and a fine hazy light.
Kind regards,
Gert

GyurMaster (24668) 2017-02-24 8:32

Hello May,

As Gert noted, you chose a completely different approach to portray this hard work. And you did it fine with those beautiful mountains in the background.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

lousat (138551) 2017-02-24 10:21

Hi May,interesting pic showing us the miners basktes in a beautiful way,it's really a hard work and very unsafe and dangerous too. I seen something of miners work recently in the Jemaflor gallery...always very interesting and well done. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

williewhistler (16606) 2017-02-24 11:09

Hello May,
this is a very well composed photograph of a most interesting location.
The soft muted colours are particularly pleasing for me. Love it.
Les.

No_One (4) 2017-02-24 11:27

Hi May
Using the baskets as a lead into this incredible scene is a great idea and makes it seem almost 3D. Your light is perfect all across too, the mountain and sky remind me of where king Kong came from. Thanks for an excellent note too
Cheers
Noel

Royaldevon (85606) 2017-02-24 12:41

Hello May,

The baskets make a most attractive f/g feature and an effective guide line towards the threatening image of the volcano.
In fact, there is a similarity of shape between the baskets and the volcano, as if they are mimicking each other!

I like how the f/g is sharp and colourful, whilst the b/g colours are dulled by the mist; it really adds to the sense of depth.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

jemaflor (146206) 2017-02-24 23:47

Hi May,
a well made photo about this impressive volcano, well composed your view with these baskets in the Fg and the view of the other volcano in the BG, good contrast even the weather was a bit foggy.

emka (157280) 2017-02-25 0:02

Hello May, I have seen many pictures showing these men working so hard and in very unhealthy conditions with sulphur. Here original capture with only baskets. Fabulous view of the mountains. marvelous composition, beautiful delicate colours. Marvelous light. this is the place i would love to se .

Kind regrad s MAlgo

kasianowak (17672) 2017-02-25 1:43

Hi May
Masterfully executed landscape photo with all the elements in the right places. The line of baskets leads the viewer's eye toward the green volcanic cone in the distance.
It also illustrates your note so well. This is one of the places where people work hard in despicable conditions for little reward so we can have our comfortable lives - and think we earn it ourselves... whereas we don't.
Great TE post.
Best wishes
Kasia

fritzi007 (14698) 2017-02-25 9:53

Hallo May,
Interest photo and information, well done!

Best wishes
Wolfgang

carlo62 (81265) 2017-02-25 14:06

Ciao May
pochi dollari per un lavoro cosě duro....
Sicuramente la vita ha un costo molto piů basso delle nostre cittŕ occidentali, ma sono sempre pochi dollari.
Bella foto, mi piace molto la tua composizione.
Buona domenica
Carlo

Nicou (193806) 2017-02-26 0:56

Hello

quelle aimge ces beau panier avec leur forme bien attaché pour les récoltes et en fond cette montange quel ensemble et image recherchée sueprbe.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou