Morning Clouds Above the Manifold, Zabriskie Point. Death Valley National Park, California. April 2, 2010. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.
Morning clouds fill the sky above the Manifold at Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park.
This photograph is not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.
Recently I’ve been going over some of my Death Valley photographs, and as I do so I discover a few that “missed the cut” the first time around but which I kind of like now when I see them a few years later. This photograph was made in 2007, on a spring morning when beautiful clouds filled the sky above Zabriskie Point and Death Valley. I have versions of this photograph in both black and white and color – I like both, though the effect is quite different. (I’ll post the color version as soon as tomorrow.)
I’ve referred to the striking central feature of the “badlands” above Gower Wash – the hill with the curving gullies and the darker material along the top – as “the Manifold” for a few years. I know I saw this label applied to the feature somewhere, but I cannot find the source now. In any case, it seems deserving of its own name, and “the Manifold” works for me.
One more observation… I have written elsewhere about my attitude toward photographing iconic scenes – an Zabriskie Point is certainly iconic! It is a bit of a long, complicated story, but this photograph illustrates part of my philosophy. I will not always bother to stop and photograph such a site, having seen many beautiful mornings (and a few evenings) there. But I do watch for special or unusual conditions, and when they occur I may well head to an icon like Zabriskie to try to make a photograph that is unlike the usual images.
Since I am in the process of reviewing many Death Valley photographs, don’t be too surprised if a few more older photos from that location show up here soon.
G Dan Mitchell Photography
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Terrific black and white image, great tonal range. The sky is wonderful, as is the various layers of the foreground landscape. Also, I would like to thank Dave Wilson for sending me here as well.
Thanks for dropping by and commenting, Mike, Alex, and Dave – and thanks, Dave, for sharing the image with others. I appreciate all of your comments.
I’m probably not very good at hiding the fact, but from a photographic point of view I prefer this monochrome version of the photograph over the color version. The color version is appealing, especially in the “badlands” area at the bottom of the frame and double-especially when seen larger than I can post it online. But the BW version, for me at least, is more effective at revealing the abstract shapes and form that are, I think, the most important thing in this photograph.
I’ll likely make a print of this very soon – and that will be the real test!
Dan
The intricate play between light and dark is what makes this an outstanding choice for black & white. I also like the visual depth given by the light-to-dark change in the landscape from foreground to the background. I was referred here by my friend, Dave Wilson too.
Found this through Dave Wilson….amazing work here man.
Another superb shot! The foreground texture and tone is wonderful and, coupling this with a great sky leaves you with a true winner. I must get back to Death Valley – it’s a fascinating place.
Thanks for your kind words, Barry and Bret. You both seem to see a lot of what I see in this photograph. Barry, the patterns are the main thing – in some ways it is less about the literal landscape of Zabriskie and more about the shapes and forms. There are all kinds of interesting (to me, anyway!) relationships within the image. I’m relieved that someone else sees them, too!
Bret, I really agree with you about how photographs do or do not work in black and white. (I think the opposite is also true – some images that work well in black and white simply end up boring in color, oddly enough. Have you seen the Ansel Adams color landscapes?) For me, this photograph is one of those that class for a monochrome treatment. It will be interesting to see the reaction, if any, to the color version – it will pop up here tomorrow.
Dan
This is an exceptional black and white image, Dan. As you well know not every photo works in b&w and this is a classic example of one that most definitely works. The killer sky provides depth and the landscape relies on pattern and texture – not color. Just awesome.
Amazing shot, Dan. The sky above and ridges below the ‘Manifold’ radiate in mirror image. Very cool!
Looking forward to the color version, but your b&w treatment works exceedingly well.