Melbourne-based photographer David Finlay is undertaking an epic artistic and physical challenge. First and foremost, he wants to show you the enchanting splendor of Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island. Hawaii is also home to Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The park provides a rare collaboration between scientists and photographers to document its energetic eruptions. Finlay has spent a week in the southeast region of the island, where he aims to document not only the volcanic eruptions but the emotional responses of spectators witnessing this natural phenomenon.
Finlay has tapped into his years of shooting bioluminescence and meteor showers while living in Hawai’i. He’s used that knowledge to document Kilauea in a whole new way. Though it is active and deadly, he calls the volcano one of the safest to observe. Here, visitors can stand more than a kilometer away and still behold its towering lava fountains. Clad in a grey cap and jacket, he navigates the varied landscapes, capturing both the volcano’s might and the awe of those who come to witness it.
The Experience of Observation
Finlay’s subversive, poetic take on nature photography is different from the mainstream. In addition to the volcanism, he gives equal weight to documenting the human experience.
“I’m not just showing pure, pristine shots of the lava and the eruption — I want to capture the expressions on people, the joy on their faces and their awe.” – David Finlay
Perhaps the most striking aspect is his dots-on-the-football-field view that juxtaposes tiny human figures to massive lava fountains shooting above them. This tug-and-pull transformation captures the majesty of Kilauea and prompts audiences to marvel at its immensity.
“And also the comparison between these tiny little humans and these massive, massive fountains of lava erupting above them.” – David Finlay
Finlay’s lodging faces right into the volcano crater, giving him a first-row seat to Kilauea’s fiery eruptions. He gives a wonderful account of that experience, feeling the heat radiating out from Kilauea while hearing its thunderous roar.
“It’s like sitting in front of a roaring fire and it is literally roaring — it sounds like a jet plane that’s trying to take off, but never does.” – David Finlay
Adapting to Volcanic Conditions
There are many challenges to photographing Kilauea, not least in terms of temperature extremes. Finlay explains how his clothing requirements swing wildly depending on the level of volcanic action.
“When it was raining, I had four layers of clothes on just to try and stay warm, but when the [lava] fountaining occurred, I had to strip the majority of those layers off because I was just getting absolutely baked by this volcano.” – David Finlay
He feels the desert night’s cool winds, climbing to heights of 1,100 meters above sea level. These ideological winds make his job, and public service, all the more difficult. He concludes that these circumstances just deepen his respect for the world featuring in his recording.
“You’re very exposed and we’re at 1,100 metres above sea level, so it’s quite cool up here, especially at night, and the wind whistles through this area because it’s completely unprotected,” – David Finlay
A Natural Marvel
Finlay doesn’t know how long Kilauea’s current lava eruption will last but he’s certain it’s an extraordinary spectacle. He claims that it is unique, even among natural disasters he has witnessed over his lifetime.
“This takes the cake as far as I’m concerned — this is the best natural show on the planet.” – David Finlay
His passion for photography and the outdoors inspires him to create stunning visuals. Most of all, he wants to share what a deep sense of awe these natural wonders inspire in people. It’s that intersection between human emotion and geological power that makes this project especially poignant to him.
