Smelly smoke, a photo from Jawa Tengah, Java

Photographer's Note

This is from the Dieng Plateau on central Java, a volcanic area smelling of sulphur from smoke rising from big and small cracks in the ground. It is located at 2,000 meters above sea level and considerably cooler than the lower areas.

This was the second stop on the rare organized day trip I made from Yogyakarta in August 1976. We first stopped at the large Buddhist temple at Borobudur, shown in my last upload. Then we proceeded for about 2,5 hours to reach the Dieng Plateau, steadily climbing higher and higher on roads that got worse and worse.

I noted afterwards in my diary that we passed, without stopping, a number of places which would have offered fine photo opportunities. Rice terraces on the hillsides, farmers carrying heavy burdens from yokes, water buffaloes pulling plows, small boys herding geese, tobacco farms, tea plantations... and we never stopped... and the further up we came, the more the views were hidden by mist.

Arriving at our destination I was not overly enthusiastic, but I took a few photos, three of which I post today. Years ago I already posted this one:

https://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Indonesia/Java/Jawa_Tengah/Dieng_Plateau/photo922933.htm

Malgo commented on that photo that the colours were "a bit strange", and I fully agree. Hopefully today's three pictures will look better.

I had a hard time deciding which photo to use as the main upload. I finally settled for this one, because of its mysterious light and slightly eerie atmosphere.

Two more photos can be seen in the WS. They were all scanned from Kodachrome slides.

pajaran, PaulVDV, Fis2, alvaraalto, pierrefonds, Royaldevon, ikeharel, jhm, PiotrF, GyurMaster, ricardomattos, burmaman, jean113, papagolf21, adramad, ChrisJ, COSTANTINO, clic, mcmtanyel, aliabazari has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (221493) 2020-11-06 0:31

Ciao Gert, fascinating misty landscape, lovely composition with a lot of people, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

pajaran (115805) 2020-11-06 0:39

Greeting.
An interesting view and moment, well shown with beautiful colors, contrast, perspective and good text.
A well-captured moment, a beautiful photo in the workshop.
I wish you a nice day, all the best.
Paja.

PaulVDV (62846) 2020-11-06 0:50

Hello Gert,
Three splendid pictures taken on the Dieng Plateau and all three display the human presence in an excellent way.
WS 2 and your main photo indeed compete to be the most beautiful.
I visited the Dieng Plateau but don't have good pictures of it.
My first memories of this location go to the fairly cold nights and the surprise upon arrival of seeing the residents on the street who wore blankets on top of their clothes (I arrived from a place on the hot sea level).
A bit like the youngsters we see in your first picture in the WS.
I also remember some smaller lakes (or ponds) with coloured water.
Strange but I forgot about the smells :)
Best regards, Paul

Fis2 (170669) 2020-11-06 1:02

Witaj Gert my neighbour today again :)!
Another interesting set of photos.
Interesting place, scene makes impression.
Good frames, colors and light.
Excellent photos from Your archive.
Warm regrads.
Krzysztof

BennyV (34748) 2020-11-06 2:20

Oh, yes that was smelly. It still was when we visited it a couple of years ago. Great seventies vibe to this shot, Gert.

Cheers

Benny

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-11-06 2:39

Hello Gert,
Three excellent pictures that give a good picture of this volcanic area.
As far as I'm concerned no preference for any of the photos because they complement each other well.
Especially workshop photo 2 shows that the sulphur smoke comes out of the ground.
I think it is a lot more touristy here nowadays and that one can also visit the villages along the way.
Excellent presentation
Have a nice day, groet Rob

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-11-06 4:06

Gert, this site illustrates the intense volcanic activity of Java. The smell of rotten eggs coming from the depths of the earth must be unbearable. Local tourists visit that hostile place during a day tour. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.

foxy (3461) 2020-11-06 4:51

Hello Gert,
I could imagine the 'Smelly smoke' ( rotten egg smell ) lingering on the Plateau as well as creating an eerie atmosphere you mentioned. I guess the smell was bearable otherwise these people won't be hanging there , absorbing the scene ( smell ).
I do agree with MALgo , the colours were 'BAD' but look at the pictures now. There are worth every penny whatever you're using now to scan these old pictures.
Such a pity, passing by all scenic scene and the daily life of village folks without stopping, you said nothing but thank god you've that written in your dairy to remember.
Very interesting photos WS1 and WS2. All have the smelly smoke but the boys using the sarongs to wrap up the body or also to cover up their nose :-)
I would prefer the WS2 as main though. To do that you've to delete the old 'BAD' scanning picture. If you don't mention, nobody will notice that :-)
p/s : Thanks for your nice words. I've added the name of the artist. I thought nobody will be interested to know :-)
Tfs, Loong

pierrefonds (114371) 2020-11-06 5:06

Hi Gert,

Sometine the sightseeing tour is not as good as shown in the travel brochure. The point of view is showing the visitors looking around and some details of the plateau covered with smoke. There is a good contrast between the colors of the picture. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Royaldevon (85862) 2020-11-06 5:45

Hello Gert,

I think I have said before that your scans have improved enormously; now, it is not immediately obvious that your photographs are scans.

I think you made the right choice of main post, there is definitely a very mysterious atmosphere created by the rising mist, and the number of people standing around, as if in a state of hypnotic shock!

It must be a very important way of these young boys making money for their family; I can imagine that some people will feel immensely sorry for these children and pay up for sulphur fragments!

Your notes remind me of journeys that I have taken with friends who are not photographers and I have wanted to ask the driver to stop many times as we drive past amazing scenery. The trouble is, by the time they have stopped or found a parking space, the composition has gone!!!

Thanks for sharing this,
Bev :-)

ikeharel (113273) 2020-11-06 5:46

Hello Gert,
The scene on the main photo is by far more dramatic than the two (well done) WS's, the vapor gave a special tecture of the surrounding caldera.
Rightly chosen, cheers,
Ike

*** The dark spot on my photo was the edge of a lamp-post, did not bother to crop. Thanks.

jhm (211736) 2020-11-06 6:08

Hello Gert,

You always manage to scan your photo perfectly, photo of almost 45 years old, incredible lovely, only smell are impossible!
Gert we get almost a painting.
Create depth and perspective splendid panorama too.
Sharp and clear too.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

jmdias (115072) 2020-11-06 9:02

gert

these places have a not so nice smell. nice these three views of the volcanic mood and tourists around. despite the limitations I liked the views. yes, sometimes the best images aren't in the list of attractions of a tour.

take care

jorge

ktanska (44738) 2020-11-06 10:45

Hej Gert,
Wonderful view of this volcanic area. All the people are well placed to get a strong perspective. Various earth tones make a nice mix. And all the steam create special painting like atmosphere. And this is technically excellent, no way I could guess this is from 70's.
Kari

PiotrF (54572) 2020-11-06 13:26

Hello Gert,
Interesting photo series from the Dieng Plateau in Central Java. I like this wide landscape in the workshop.
Interesting place. Good picture from your archive.
Fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

GyurMaster (24818) 2020-11-06 13:33

Dear Gert,

Today you presented three worthy photos! But this time it is obvious for me, why you chose the main upload as main upload. I really like 'sinister' atmosphere of this shot. Somehow the whole neighbourhood makes me feel that something bad will happen. Of course it didn't happen as you were able to post this shot.

One plus point for the Kodachrome feel!

Best Wishes,
Gy.

emka (158058) 2020-11-06 13:35

Hello gert, There were two groups with the same organizer and guide in Indonesia. The first group visited Borobudur, Prambanan and Kawah Ijen. We visited Komodo and Flores. What was better? I can't say. I am happy that I could see the dragons, but on the other hand, pity I lost Borobudur. In my group, most of the people were rather elderly (younger than me though) so the volcanos were removed from the schedule earlier.
Interesting picture. Somehow it reminds me Iceland, I do not know why. Good colours :).

Best regrads MAlgo

ricardomattos (17460) 2020-11-06 13:39

Hi Gert,

A well done compositiom this. It seems a movie scene.The sulfur smell does not seem to amaze visitors and tourists there. This must hurt the nostrils, right? I liked and enjoyed the WS too.

Best regards

Ricardo

lousat (139198) 2020-11-06 13:55

Hi Gert,I've never been here but I remember the smell of rotten eggs I smelled in Iceland, and I think it's the same thing. The photo is not bad, and it is very useful, like the others in the WS, to get a good idea of this place not very often seen on trek. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

ifege (47993) 2020-11-06 20:04

Hi Gert On our visit to Jogyakarta Mt Merapi was erupting but fortunately not one of its massive ones so there was plenty of smoke and the Dieng Plateau was off limits to us.
A good trio of the smelly Dieng Plateau showing me what we missed.
cheers
Ian

burmaman (1336) 2020-11-07 0:09

Hello Gert!
It is a mysterious athmosphere with the smoke.I like a lot the colors of the ground and some colorful dressed people.
I had this smell on top of an active volcano in Guadeloupe.
Have a good weekend,Ronny

Tue (92312) 2020-11-07 12:28

Hej Gert,
Efter at jeg var i Yellowstone sidste 蚌 kan jeg meget godt forestille mig hvordan det lugtede her i det vulkaniske omr蘚e. Godt komposition med de mange besende foran den t虍ede baggrund.
Lars

jean113 (27819) 2020-11-07 12:31

Hello Gert, there is quite an eerie atmosphere about this scene with the smoke dominating the view. I can imagine the smell!

I like how the visitors are spread across the scene as they explore the area. Some of them have become rather ghostly shapes.
Looking at the vegetation, I am surprised that anything can grow here.
I can imagine your frustration at not being able to stop for photo opportunities.
I think that you selected the best one for your main post.
Kind regards, Jean.

papagolf21 (152607) 2020-11-08 2:27

Bonjour, cher Gert,
L'ensemble s'apparente � une superbe peinture avec les personnages, l'environnement, la brume. Tout est beau � contempler.
Une archive � montrer, sans nul doute !
Amiti駸.
Philippe

CMJC (5097) 2020-11-08 6:26 [Comment]

Show Comment

adramad (72940) 2020-11-09 9:39

Hi Gert.
The three photos are very interesting, but for my taste you got the main one right, to me this photo gives me an effect like a painting and the sulfur smoke, it gives it a mysterious and disturbing touch, the characters are very well distributed by the space, for me it is a perfect photo.
An ideal color like a little faded,that highlights the image.
Superb brightness and sharpness management to enjoy the details.
Very well done. I like.
Have a good start to the week.
Very best regards.
Luis.

an ideal color like a little faded.

ChrisJ (171818) 2020-11-10 2:53

Hello Gert,

If I got sick of the high heat and humidity in Java I would head for the hills, quite literally. Didn't make it to here or Bromo but visited just about every other elevated plateau in Java. Saw & smelt similar at Tangkuban Prahu volcano and geyser field outside Bandung. I found out you also have to be careful where you walk with rubber soled shoes that melt if you step on hot rocks! Tfs!

Ilonka1974 (10289) 2020-11-10 10:05

Hi Gert,
Beautiful picture,
Excellent presentation.
Well done.
Best regards
Janusz

kasianowak (17676) 2020-11-11 12:41

I think this is a really good choice of the main image. The other photos are great too but this one combines what is the best about them in my opinion - a group of visitors and lots of smoke. I love the way the people in the distance appear smaller and smaller and finally disappear in the smoke.

saxo042 (38078) 2020-11-12 1:13

Hej Gert,
En fin bild 舅d�, 舸en om ni kde fbi 舅nu finare motiv. D舂pade f舐ger med 蚶k蘚are som bidrar med diverse f舐gklickar. Utflykten var v舁 inte helt fg舸es. Kte du n虍on svavel?
H舁sningar
Gunnar

COSTANTINO (116405) 2020-11-13 22:45

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
it is very dangerous to visit
closely a volcanic area so closely..
according to your useful notes
here we can see a volcanic
area smelling a sulphur from
smoke rising from big
and small cracks in the ground...
this photo seems like a scenery
from
a movie thriller film...
welldone
regards
cOSTANTINO

clic (76) 2020-11-21 8:43

Hallo Gert
Such a moody picture is the right candidate for an upcoming publication in the scientific magazine National Geographic, in view of the lighting softness provided by the sulphurous fog of near field, getting more obvious far off.
Lot of people off the beaten tracks exploring this strange land, unaware of the H2S scents, enliven this interesting photographic exploration located right on top of an Earth turmoil!
Excellent picture depiction due to a well-controlled copying software.
Halsningar

mcmtanyel (68421) 2021-09-24 19:47

Hello Gert,
This reminds me a bit of Yellowstone. It's missing the boardwalks, though.
Regards,
MT

aliabazari (22099) 2022-04-07 21:58

Hello Gert
A beautiful view of this volcanic area. Well seen and done. I love its eerie atmosphere. Thanks for sharing