From a photographic point of view, Mt. Bromo Volcano in East Java, Indonesia is definitely a photographic paradise. She has almost all photographic materials —- human interest, astronomy, landscapes, deserts, grasslands, etc. Seascapes maybe not on the list, but there are majestic sea clouds and volcanic eruption scenes that more than make up for this. If you are physically fit, you can shoot in Mt. Bromo without sleeping. Shoot sunrise and sunset in the morning and evening, capture human interest in between, and prepare to shoot the Milkyway after twilight; it could go on until the sun rises, then continue shooting sunrise. Whether it is aerial photography or time lapse photography, Mt, Bromo is definitely a great location.
I have been to Mt. Bromo since 2011 and since than every year at least once, if not several times a year. Each time it offers a different type of experience and scenery. Here is an account of one of the experiences.
When I received the news that Mount Bromo in Indonesia had started to erupt again, I was so excited. My desire to photograph the erupting volcano was like the eruption itself. To be able to photograph an erupting scene is a dream come true for many photographers. I mean, how can one not be excited about a rare subject like volcanic eruption? But my excitement was soon looming with worries, what would happen if I could not escape from the scene during the eruption?
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The images of a volcano roaring, molten lava eruption, smoke, people panic fleeing around, come to the mind. But the temptation is too great, I couldn’t afford to let this rare opportunity slip again. I must go.
To photograph an erupting volcano was an act of daredevil, a little crazy, and hard to understand by non-photographers.
Upon making up my mind, I immediately contacted a local friend to arrange the lodging and transportation and booked the earliest flight possible.
Catching the flame
Bromo was named after a Hindu deity, Brahma, who is the god of creation. Hindu was the major religion of many here hundreds of years ago. This active volcano, about 2,329 meters high, dates back to 1740 and has experienced more than 50 eruptions, and it is still active more than 400 years later. The most recent eruption took place in 2004, which claimed two lives. But the daredevil tourists still visit the area in droves.
I soon learned from my local friends that the authorities did not cordon off the site, and that people were still free to go about their daily lives. I was relieved, but still a bit nervous that this was, after all, the site of a volcanic eruption.
Living next door to a volcano
Indonesia is located in one of the most active seismic zones in the world, and the island nation has experienced some of the strongest earthquakes and most violent volcanic eruptions. Their ‘Disaster and Volcanic Activity Department’ is well-equipped and quick to respond if there are any signs of volcanic eruptions.
It took about two hours and forty minutes of flying time to get to Surabaya. The road to Mt. Bromo was not in good condition, besides being congested with traffic, the road was narrow and full of holes. I thought that since the volcano is nearby, and everything could be destroyed when it erupts, it might be the right policy not to patch the roads often.
Destroying the bad to build the good
The nearest city from Mt. Bromo is Malang, the second largest city in West Java, with a population of nearly 900,000 people. I was curious about the name “Malang”. It means “misfortune” in both Malay and Indonesian, so I couldn’t help but wonder. Was the city named “Malang” after a volcanic disaster some years ago? But it seems I was wild in my imagination. The full name of the city is “Malangkucecwara”. During the colonial era, the Dutch ruled Indonesia for 340 years, and after liberation, the locals thought the name was too awkward and called it “Malang” instead of “kucecwara”. It is worth mentioning that “Malangkucecwara” is a Sanskrit word meaning: “The gods destroyed the bad and built up the good”.
As our vehicle slowly climbed up, the temperature gradually became cooler. The flora and fauna were also different from that of the flat land, giving off the charm of the plateau. After more than three hours, we reached a height of about two thousand metres, the temperature dropped from the thirties to the tens.
What greeted me were the merchants flocked to sell hats, gloves, masks, etc. Jeeps whizzed by and the streets were filled with tourists, photographers, etc. from all directions. There was a great deal of activity, but the crowds were not fleeing for their lives, but had come with excitement, as I had, to see the spectacular eruption.
Exciting smoke and flames
As soon as we arrived, Mt. Bromo gave us our first welcome gift. Smoke rolled in and there came an eruption. The volcanic ash falling on my head gave me an overwhelming feeling of excitement.
I was finally at the site of the eruption.
The hotel is located near the volcano, and when I opened the window, I could see the smoking Mount Bromo. After settling in, it was nearly dusk, the light was soft and beautiful. My friend led me to the first shooting spot and I immediately got into action.
After observing for a while, it turns out that its eruptions are rhythmic, with one every twenty to thirty minutes or so, varying in size, and sometimes even flames can be seen, with the sound of explosions, and the shape of the smoke emitted varies. As far as I am concerned, who was photographing volcanoes for the first time, such a situation really drove me crazy.
After the last light disappeared, still feeling excited, I packed my camera equipment. When my friend saw my excitement, he smiled and said to me, “Save some bullets, it will be more exciting in the morning.”
Back at the hotel, I washed the volcanic ash from my face and set my alarm clock. First task tomorrow, catch the first light of the volcano. I lay quietly in bed while it erupted outside the window, to be able to lie down not far from the volcano, it is really a rare travel experience.
Fireworks rock the world
The next day, before the alarm clock went off, I was already awakened by the noise outside. The hotel entrance was flashing with torchlights; photographers, tourists, drivers, and merchants had already started gathering early in the morning. The weather was very cold, only about a few degrees Celsius.
When I saw so many people were about to leave, I screamed in my heart, the shooting spot might have been completely occupied. Hurriedly, with my camera equipment on my back, I jumped into the jeep and set off. To get to the Penajakan II site, I had to ride a horse up a short slope and then walk up a zigzag staircase to get there.
Like watching a carnival fireworks show
In my haste, I lost the small plate of the ball head somehow. I guess I might have dropped it during the horseback ride. The tripod that I had worked so hard to get on my back was suddenly turned into scrap metal, completely useless. But I couldn’t care less, as I walked up the steps, the sun was rising. I was both anxious and excited. It would be a shame to miss the first ray of light after coming this far.
The observation deck was so crowded that I couldn’t even stick a pin in it, setting up the tripod was futile. I had no choice but to retreat to the slope behind the observation deck, but it was still overcrowded. I took a look at the almost vertical slope, the angle seemed better up there, but most importantly, there weren’t many people, so I decided to climb up and take my chances. Since the plate of the ball head was missing, the tripod had turned into a crutch. I finally climbed up after a lot of effort, the sun had just crossed the horizon and the first light had hit Mt. Bromo. Just then there was an explosion from the crater of Mt. Bromo unexpectedly erupted at this time; the crowd cheered.
It was like watching a carnival fireworks display.
Mt. Bromo was erupting, yellow smoke spewing out continuously from the crater, as the light hit the smog, the scene was just spectacular. The volcano seems to be waiting for the first light to erupt. How could I afford to miss this moment? I hurriedly metered the light and took dozens of shots. Shoot first, process later. I was ready to combine the spectacular moments in post.
Volcanic ash rained down from the sky
But soon I had to stop, because the ash was dropping like rain from the sky. I hastily tucked my camera inside my jacket, kept my head down, and closed my eyes. The jacket, hat and even glasses could not escape the shower of ashes.
After the ash finally subsided, I continued shooting for a while. The sun had risen, the light had become harsh, the smoke had subsided, the situation was no longer ideal for further photography, it was time to go back to the hotel for breakfast.
There were two breakfasts this morning, the first prepared by the hotel, and the other a heart-pounding eruption of the Mt. Bromo. That had actually been a feast.
I slowly climbed down the slope and rode my horse. Looking at Mt. Bromo from a distance, and the chilly wind that greeted me lifted my spirits. The people who came up this morning had the chance to see the eruption for themselves, I am glad that I was one of them.