You won’t have many opportunities to see a saltwater lake more than a hundred meters underground. In the Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow, you have that possibility, but only for short time.
No, they don’t close the salt mine; you can still visit it in future. It’s just that the guided tour doesn’t give you much time to have a look at the lake. The lights are turned on only when a group is present. Apart from that the lake lies in almost total darkness.
For me, that meant finding a good position and a good composition in approximately 5 seconds. When the lights are turned on: Take focus and start shooting! Since the lights are on only for a few seconds, you only have one chance to take your best shot.
Next to the St. Kinga’s Chapel, this was definitely my favourite part of the tour through the Wieliczka Salt Mine!
Technical Details
Camera: Canon EOS 500D
Lens: Canon EF-S 10-22mm @ 10mm
ISO: 400
Exposures: 3 (-2, 0, +2)
Aperture: 3.5
Exposure time (middle): 4s
Tripod: Manfrotto 190CXPRO4
Size: 10.5 MPx
Date: Taken in November 2013
Location: At the underground salt lake in the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Software: Lightroom 5.2, Photoshop CS6, Photomatix Pro
The Wieliczka Salt mine is part of the UNESCO World Heritage
The whole Wieliczka Salt Mine is part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1978 as Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines. It’s been among the first 12 inscribed World Heritage Sites.
» UNESCO Description of the World Heritage: Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines
» Other photos of the World Heritage: See more photos
