It is official. I'm honoured to announce that my photo of the Sakurajima volcano eruption titled Cosmic times was declared a winner of the 6th edition of the prestigious Photo NightScape Awards.
The award ceremony will be held on July 19th in Lourdes (France) during NightScapades Festival. Kindly invited.
Thank you to the organizers, the jury members and partners: Chasseurs de Nuits, Franck Seguin, Nikon, Fisheye Magazine, Compétence Photo, Paris Match, Picto Fédération Photographique de France, Medas Instruments, Astronomy Ireland, International Dark-Sky Association, Dark Sky Travels Digital Magazine, Optolong Astronomy Filter, Sciences et Avenir, Pix Palace, Pic du Midi, Reserva DARK SKY Alqueva, YellowKorner, European Southern Observatory
LIMITED EDITION
FINE ART PRINTS OF THE WINNING PHOTOGRAPH ARE AVAILABLE
A bit of a back story
Kagoshima & Sakurajima
Sakurajima used to be an island, but then lava flow connected it to the Kyushu.

Approaching the volcanic island
The best way to get to the Sakurajima is by ferry. The view of the volcano is amazing.

Seismological instruments
The first stop is always a visitor's centre to check on the latest condition.

Model of Sakurajima volcano
Model is a great help in planning your approach and framing the photo.

Power of Nature
The main issue was poor visibility due to too much activity.

Lava fields
The first approach we tried was over lava fields, but wind and volcanic dust...

Magnificent and scarry
... pushed us back. But not before we got this amazing juxtaposition of scales.

Lava bomb
Close call, when a rouge lava bomb hit my tripod and broke its head.

Enormous eruptions