Fire and Ice in Island of Hawaii (Big Island)
The youngest and largest of Hawaii’s eight islands, the Island of Hawaii, also referred to as the Big Island, sports a host of adventures for the eager traveler. From hiking along volcanoes and through deserts and rainforests to strolling along sandy black beaches, the Big Island has a pace for everyone, young and old. Local Casey Anderson knows a thing or two about living in paradise, and is eager to share his home through his stunning images. Check out Casey’s vibrant landscapes and be sure to follow him on Instagram here: @crackingthecase.
Place you live: Island of Hawaii
Occupation: Digital Marketing Manager
Preoccupation: Photography, Travel and Surfing
Place your Instagrams were taken? Island of Hawaii
Can you sum up the Big Island? Many people who have never been to Hawaii think the Island of Hawaii is the location of Honolulu. In reality, Honolulu is on the island of Oahu while the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, has just two large towns, Hilo and Kona and only about 20% the population of Honolulu. Large enough to hold all the other islands combined, the Island of Hawaii is the youngest island and most geologically diverse in the state of Hawaii. This island has beaches with sand in white, green and black, waterfalls and verdant valleys, active volcanoes pouring lava into the ocean and even snow-capped peaks at 14,000 feet above sea-level. With so many different features, the opportunities for adventure and spectacular photos are almost endless.
What is a perfect day in your spot? An early morning session catching waves on a surfboard or body board at a local spot like Hapuna, Waialea “69”, or Pine Trees.
If your city was a person or character who would it be and why? Perhaps Dwayne Johnson because this young island is mostly rock and it’s big. But seriously, Dwayne Johnson is a person with a diverse life and background, like this island, and The Rock even has a connection here to Ken’s House of Pancakes in Hilo.
Do you shoot with your phone or other cameras or both? Sometimes with my iPhone 6s, but mostly with a Sony a7rII which I like for its high-resolution and compact size.
What is your editing process? On the iPhone, I edit photos in Snapseed or VSCO. With the Sony, I use Adobe Camera Raw, Photoshop and Nik Tools.
Can you give a couple tips to aspiring Instagram photographers? Photos are better if they tell a story. Use color, lighting and composition to create a scene. In the composition, you can create space and depth by using angles, leading lines and layers from near to far.
Who are your three favorite photographers? These are 3 of my favorites on Instagram: @bejamin, @rickylesser, and @chrisburkard.
What is the most amazing travel experience you’ve ever had? Backpacking solo through Europe for six weeks, meeting people, eating incredible food and discovering new cultures in person. Some of the best moments from that trip were unplanned ones, like learning about the Catalonian culture in Spain, catching the Milky Way rising over Italy’s Cinque Terre, fireworks over the Grand Canal in Venice and discovering the most delicious baked shrimp saganaki in Greece.
Name:Casey Anderson
City:Waikoloa, Hawaii
Best place to eat:
Best place to drink:
Lava Lava Beach Club or Kona Tap Room
Best outdoor activity:
Surfing (if there are waves) or stand up paddle boarding (if there aren’t)
Must do (for the traveler):
Visit the volcanos and go stargazing on Mauna Kea
Local tip:
If visiting, make sure you rent a car. We don’t have Uber and taxis can be very expensive with the long distances. Also, pack a jacket because many parts of the island are wet or at a high altitude where temperatures can drop into the 50’s (Fahrenheit) or colder.