The riveting photos and a stunning film shot with a drone camera of Son Doong Cave, the world’s largest, by an American photographer have helped make the grotto become even better known and earned himself the global limelight, which he had never envisioned before.

Born in Nebraska, the U.S., Ryan Deboodt, 32, has slid seamlessly from a trained computer software engineer and amateur photographer to an internationally-renowned cave photographer.

American photographer Ryan Deboodt is pictured operating a drone camera during his second entry to Son Doong Cave. Photo: David Lloyd

His photos, which capture Son Doong Cave at uncharted angles, have been published in the National Geographic, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Smithsonian Magazine, and magazines on international flights.

Several of these publications, such as the National Geographic, had featured stunning photos of the cavernous wonder prior to their purchase of Deboodt’s shots.

The American photographer has so far visited Son Doong five times, and spent a total of 30 days inside the cave, with his third trip being the longest and most fruitful.

Deboodt revealed he brought around 45 flash bulbs along during each trip into Son Doong for the shoots, as it was almost impossible to exit for more kits once he was inside the cave.

A photo took him and his crew between 30 minutes and three hours to take.

Some photos cost him hundreds of U.S. dollars as several flashbulbs, which fetch around $15 apiece, were broken during the shoots.

His hard work has paid off, as these photos have earned him quite a lot ever since through copyright sales.
The cave enthusiast canceled his long-planned holiday to Germany with his wife last month to make another trek to Son Doong, which he considers his second home and ‘secret woman.’

(Source: Tuoitrenews)