Volcano Eruption by Sergiy Kadulin

Capturing the raw, volatile power of the Kamchatka Peninsula, this image features the simultaneous eruption of the Klyuchevskoy and Bezymyanniy volcanoes. The photographer faced significant environmental challenges, battling strong winds to maintain the stability required for a long-exposure shot. By balancing the intense glow of molten lava against the serene, star-filled night sky, the composition highlights the dramatic contrast between geological violence and celestial stillness. This photograph is award-worthy for its technical precision under extreme conditions and its ability to frame a rare, awe-inspiring moment of natural transformation in one of the world’s most remote landscapes.

Volcano Eruption by Sergiy Kadulin
Canon EOS 5D Mark III with EF 24-70 f/2.8L
Exposure 1796.3sec @ f/11 | ISO 800 | Focal Length 59mm
Copyright Β© Sergiy Kadulin
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Sergiy Kadulin

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 1967, Sergiy Kadulin transitioned from a successful career in information technology to pursue professional photography full-time in 2013. His technical foundation, rooted in early film experimentation and formal training at the Kyiv School of Photography and the New York Institute of Photography, informs his diverse portfolio. Today, Kadulin operates his own photography business, specializing in architectural and industrial work while dedicating his fine art practice to capturing the profound beauty of global landscapes and nature.

Profile View Full Profile
12.7/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
252/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
17,577 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date January 22, 2014
69.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 13.0
Clarity 13.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 13.0
Photograph Location
Klyuchevskoy Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Night Photography
Sergiy Kadulin Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.5/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,848/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
17,577/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
2.5/5 points
252/500 Submission
Jury Score: 69.0/80
Resonance Score: 12.5/20
Total Award Score: 81.5/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Priya Sharma Negative Space, Minimalism & the Japanese Aesthetic Expert Review
The mountain breathes. Molten light spills against the ink of the sky. It’s a violent, slow-motion exhale. I find myself holding my breath, waiting for the stars to shift. They don’t. The stillness of the heavens anchors the fire below. Nothing here is accidental. The empty corner is not empty; it’s the weight of the night pressing down. I’ve never felt such distance and heat at once. It’s a quiet, terrifying grace.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1796.3 seconds at f/11, ISO 800. A thirty-minute exposure on a 5D Mark III is a recipe for sensor noise, yet the thermal management here is impressive. At 59mm, the compression of the Klyuchevskoy eruption against the star trails is calculated. It’s a cold, clinical capture of heat. I’ve spent nights in the field, and the sheer discipline required to keep that tripod steady in Kamchatka winds? It’s genuinely exhausting just thinking about it. Correct execution.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
Thirty minutes of exposure in a Kamchatka gale is a special kind of madness. Most would have retreated to the warmth of a tent, but Kadulin clearly stayed put. The stars haven't trailed into mush, which tells me he didn't just set the tripod and pray. I’ve spent enough nights shivering in the dark to appreciate the sheer stubbornness required here. It’s a cold, calculated bit of work. One has to respect that level of commitment.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Rashid Noor

The Breath of the Earth

Why do we fear the fire that builds the very ground upon which we stand? We tend to view the earth as a static stage, a permanent floor beneath our feet, forgetting that it is a living, breathing entity in a constant state of becoming.

Read the reflection →
By Isabelle Park

The Earth Breathes

I burned my toast this morning. It was a small, stupid mistake, but as the smoke curled up toward the ceiling, I found myself just standing there, watching it drift. It felt like a tiny, domestic rebellion against the routine of my kitchen.

Read the reflection →

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