Frans Gunterus, QPSA
August 2026 - Campfire at Bromo, Indonesia
About the Image(s)
Canon EOS R6 Mark II • EF 24??“105mm • f/4• 1/100 sec • ISO 25600
This image was captured during a photography tour to Mount Bromo, one of Indonesia's most iconic photography destinations. In addition to its breathtaking landscapes, the tour featured several carefully arranged storytelling scenes inspired by the local mountain culture. I was particularly drawn to the warm glow of the campfire contrasting with the cool tones of the volcanic landscape, creating a quiet and intimate moment in an otherwise vast environment.
I would greatly appreciate your honest critiques and suggestions, particularly regarding the lighting balance, composition, storytelling, and overall mood. As always, your thoughtful comments are invaluable in helping me grow as a photographer.
15 comments posted
Hi Frans,
The image, as always, is well constructed, with beautiful and pleasing tones, still capturing wonderful details despite the overall dark quality of your image. Please forgive me for saying that the image almost appears AI-generated. The way the horse, in particular, is looking down at the fire. When you say "storytelling scenes", are these live actors in the scenes? The subjects have a very statuelike quality to them. In any case, the angle from which you chose to tell the story and capture the image I think was very thoughtful. I like the band of lavender / periwinkle in the sky to balance that very strong yellow of the flame. The gradation where these colors meet on the horse is lovely. I feel slightly confused by the angle of the background (although effective by matching the angles of the subjects in relation to each other). Overall, the image feels balanced to me in composition and tonal quality. For me, the subjects take a supportive role in order to exhibit the colors of the image. Posted: 08/10/2026 18:34:41
The image, as always, is well constructed, with beautiful and pleasing tones, still capturing wonderful details despite the overall dark quality of your image. Please forgive me for saying that the image almost appears AI-generated. The way the horse, in particular, is looking down at the fire. When you say "storytelling scenes", are these live actors in the scenes? The subjects have a very statuelike quality to them. In any case, the angle from which you chose to tell the story and capture the image I think was very thoughtful. I like the band of lavender / periwinkle in the sky to balance that very strong yellow of the flame. The gradation where these colors meet on the horse is lovely. I feel slightly confused by the angle of the background (although effective by matching the angles of the subjects in relation to each other). Overall, the image feels balanced to me in composition and tonal quality. For me, the subjects take a supportive role in order to exhibit the colors of the image. Posted: 08/10/2026 18:34:41
Hi Dona,
Thank you for your thoughtful comments and, especially, for being honest about your impression. I completely understand why you raised the question. We are living in the age of AI, and nowadays an image that looks a little unusual, dramatic, or perhaps too perfectly timed can easily make us wonder whether it was AI-generated.
But in this case, I can assure you that the two horsemen-and the rather cooperative horse looking toward the fire!-were very real. ???? I have attached a screenshot showing a series of photographs from the same shooting session, so you can see how the scene developed from frame to frame.
Perhaps this is also one of the interesting challenges facing photography today: an unusual photograph should not automatically become a suspicious photograph. Sometimes light, timing, perspective, careful processing-and a little bit of luck-can create a scene that looks almost unreal while still originating from a real moment in front of the camera.
Thank you also for your observations about the colors, composition, and particularly the lavender tones balancing the warmth of the fire. I really appreciate the careful way you looked at the image. Posted: 08/13/2026 05:20:34
Thank you for your thoughtful comments and, especially, for being honest about your impression. I completely understand why you raised the question. We are living in the age of AI, and nowadays an image that looks a little unusual, dramatic, or perhaps too perfectly timed can easily make us wonder whether it was AI-generated.
But in this case, I can assure you that the two horsemen-and the rather cooperative horse looking toward the fire!-were very real. ???? I have attached a screenshot showing a series of photographs from the same shooting session, so you can see how the scene developed from frame to frame.
Perhaps this is also one of the interesting challenges facing photography today: an unusual photograph should not automatically become a suspicious photograph. Sometimes light, timing, perspective, careful processing-and a little bit of luck-can create a scene that looks almost unreal while still originating from a real moment in front of the camera.
Thank you also for your observations about the colors, composition, and particularly the lavender tones balancing the warmth of the fire. I really appreciate the careful way you looked at the image. Posted: 08/13/2026 05:20:34
Hi Frans,
Honestly, I feel terrible that I questioned and mentioned the AI. I mean, I knew it wasn't AI generated, but was wondering if the subjects were actual living beings! The horse's pose is so expressive that it seemed "unreal". I would never question your integrity as a photographer or photo artist. I am definitely a fan of your work, and admire the images you create, so I would like to be clear on that. The comment was just because it was something that came up in my mind, so I included it in the dialogue. Thank you for being so gracious in your response, as my comment was not meant as an accusation, but just an inquiry in your process. Posted: 08/14/2026 14:04:26
Honestly, I feel terrible that I questioned and mentioned the AI. I mean, I knew it wasn't AI generated, but was wondering if the subjects were actual living beings! The horse's pose is so expressive that it seemed "unreal". I would never question your integrity as a photographer or photo artist. I am definitely a fan of your work, and admire the images you create, so I would like to be clear on that. The comment was just because it was something that came up in my mind, so I included it in the dialogue. Thank you for being so gracious in your response, as my comment was not meant as an accusation, but just an inquiry in your process. Posted: 08/14/2026 14:04:26
Frans, you were responding to Susan, but you said Thank you, Dona. I'm Donna. So you got me and Susan confused. I haven't commented yet on your image . Posted: 08/15/2026 18:04:55
Hi Dona, thanks! Sorry for the confusion. I should have written, "Hi Susan…" My mistake! ???? Posted: 08/16/2026 11:31:02
Frans, in the few months I have commented on your work, I continue to notice your attention to details. 3 Subjects is ideal for the evening light and and campfire, Your choice of a very high ISO gave you plenty of options for exposing your subjects. I would have thought that the fire would be overexposed, but it is a small fire. My guess is you would have needed to do multiple edits on faces of guys and the horse. Those details won't ever stay in my senior shortened mind. I can only marvel how you find yourself in these unique lighting situations and come out with winning images.
Well done Frans. Posted: 08/15/2026 01:23:03
Well done Frans. Posted: 08/15/2026 01:23:03
Hi Bob, thank you. Your comments always remind me that you are a very experienced photographer. You are absolutely right-this was not an easy scene to capture. The horsemen were constantly moving, so I needed to shoot at around 1/100 sec with the aperture wide open, which left me little choice but to use a high ISO.
And yes, there were some overexposed areas in the flame. In post-processing, I carefully reconstructed some of the lost flame detail by hand using my Wacom pen tablet. Because of the high ISO, I also used Topaz AI Denoise to reduce the noise and refine the image pixels while trying to preserve as much natural detail as possible. It took quite a bit of work to balance the firelight with the details on the horse and the riders. Thank you, Bob, for looking at the image so carefully and for your thoughtful comments. Posted: 08/16/2026 11:43:25
And yes, there were some overexposed areas in the flame. In post-processing, I carefully reconstructed some of the lost flame detail by hand using my Wacom pen tablet. Because of the high ISO, I also used Topaz AI Denoise to reduce the noise and refine the image pixels while trying to preserve as much natural detail as possible. It took quite a bit of work to balance the firelight with the details on the horse and the riders. Thank you, Bob, for looking at the image so carefully and for your thoughtful comments. Posted: 08/16/2026 11:43:25
HI Frans,
I love the lighting in this image. The fire -- we always stare at a fire, don't we, as fire is fearsome yet warms us and gives us light. So I look at the fire, and love the warmth it gives to the faces and clothing of the men, and the horse - what great expression. This is really lovely.
I will say, however, that I don't like photographing staged things, but that's me. Posted: 08/15/2026 18:18:41
I love the lighting in this image. The fire -- we always stare at a fire, don't we, as fire is fearsome yet warms us and gives us light. So I look at the fire, and love the warmth it gives to the faces and clothing of the men, and the horse - what great expression. This is really lovely.
I will say, however, that I don't like photographing staged things, but that's me. Posted: 08/15/2026 18:18:41
Hi Dona, thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. Like you, I'm generally not very drawn to staged photography, especially when the subjects look too posed or statue-like. This scene, however, was a little different. It wasn't a studio setup, but part of a photography travel tour, and the horsemen and horses were constantly moving around the fire. So although the situation was arranged for photographers, capturing the moment itself was actually quite dynamic and unpredictable.
I recently put together a short slideshow from some of my photographic journeys to commemorate Indonesia's Independence Day. If you happen to have a little time, I'd be very happy if you could take a look and share your thoughts. Thanks again, Dona. I always appreciate your perspective.
https://youtu.be/6dz2CKsNqBc Posted: 08/16/2026 11:51:59
I recently put together a short slideshow from some of my photographic journeys to commemorate Indonesia's Independence Day. If you happen to have a little time, I'd be very happy if you could take a look and share your thoughts. Thanks again, Dona. I always appreciate your perspective.
https://youtu.be/6dz2CKsNqBc Posted: 08/16/2026 11:51:59
Oh, my, Frans ! That is a beautiful video ! I hope everyone in the group will watch it. I wish you were here in Sacramento so you could teach us your skills.
Would you mind if I share your link with my friend who loves to photograph horses? Well, if it's on youtube, I imagine It's OK to tell her about it.
Just magnificent !
Thank you.
Donna Posted: 08/19/2026 19:35:33
Would you mind if I share your link with my friend who loves to photograph horses? Well, if it's on youtube, I imagine It's OK to tell her about it.
Just magnificent !
Thank you.
Donna Posted: 08/19/2026 19:35:33
Frans, I shared your video with my friend in Michigan. She was really amazed. Now she wants to visit Indonesia ! Posted: 08/21/2026 18:32:28
Hi Dona, thank you so much for your warm and thoughtful comments. I really appreciate you sharing my YouTube link with your friend in Michigan. That was very kind of you.
Sorry for my late response. I've just returned from another photography trip, this time photographing the traditional bull races in West Sumatra, Indonesia. It was quite an exciting experience, and I hope to share some of the images with you and the group soon.
By the way, you mention Sacramento. It brought me back some nice memories. I visited Sacramento a couple of times when my second daughter was studying at UC Davis. It's always nice when photography conversations somehow connect with our personal memories and experiences. Posted: 08/24/2026 05:09:49
Sorry for my late response. I've just returned from another photography trip, this time photographing the traditional bull races in West Sumatra, Indonesia. It was quite an exciting experience, and I hope to share some of the images with you and the group soon.
By the way, you mention Sacramento. It brought me back some nice memories. I visited Sacramento a couple of times when my second daughter was studying at UC Davis. It's always nice when photography conversations somehow connect with our personal memories and experiences. Posted: 08/24/2026 05:09:49
Wat a great image! No suggestions. I look forward to seeing your video. Posted: 08/21/2026 02:56:16
Frans, I love the mood and mystical feel of the photo.
Going through the comments I can understand the challenges of taking the photo in this light conditions and post processing. Typically I would like to use bracketing for extreme light variations, but I have never done it for night, dark or long exposure shots.
The storytelling on the photo is great and the horse and detail on the horse just bring it to the next level compared to a beautiful background and two people around a fire outside. The two light sources work great, creating a soft light in your photo and background, beautiful backlighting on your horse and then the fire giving you focus and detail on the people. Well done Posted: 08/23/2026 04:40:26
Going through the comments I can understand the challenges of taking the photo in this light conditions and post processing. Typically I would like to use bracketing for extreme light variations, but I have never done it for night, dark or long exposure shots.
The storytelling on the photo is great and the horse and detail on the horse just bring it to the next level compared to a beautiful background and two people around a fire outside. The two light sources work great, creating a soft light in your photo and background, beautiful backlighting on your horse and then the fire giving you focus and detail on the people. Well done Posted: 08/23/2026 04:40:26
Hi Frans, An attractive storytelling photo! The fire here is an anchor point - as Donna says, we always stare at a fire. The warm light illuminates and unites the 3 figures arranged in a triangle around it, creating a tight composition. To me, these figures do not feel static because the frozen flames imply the shutter speed used (1/100 sec). I understand your use of a high ISO but was nevertheless impressed by lack of background noise (I shall have to try Topaz Denoise!). My only minor qualm is the noticeable (though exquisitely detailed!) backlighting on the horse's mane, which implies some light source not visible in the dark background. Perhaps toning this down slightly would help. I look forward to viewing your video! Posted: 08/23/2026 16:29:34