Exfoliation. © Copyright 2021 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.
Granite slabs littered with exfoliated boulders, Yosemite Naitonal Park.
As is our pattern in the backcountry, by late afternoon each of photographers in our group had “headed out” find subjects to photograph in late-day light. There was a lot to work with in the area surrounding the lake where we were camped; low ridges, the shoreline of the lake, forest, meadow with boulders, granite slabs, and even actual mountains if you walked far enough.
I decided to wander to the other side of our lake, where a granite dome rise above the water… and dropped of precipitously into a gigantic canyon on the other side. I decided that I would approach from one side, cross the summit close to sunset, and then return to camp by descending a ridge on the other side. The angle of the light was quite low as I crossed granite slabs to a low spot between the dome and another low hill, and the slabs were covered with boulders that appeared to be remnants of the process of exfoliation.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.
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Thanks! It was a really wonderful moment of light.
Thanks! This picture is so warm and inviting!
Heh. Unless you know the location — and therefore the direction the light comes from — it can be nearly impossible to tell morning and evening light apart, especially when there is a bit of haze.
This was early September, though in the high country of the Sierra the light changes by this time of year, partly due to lower sun angles and partly due to the presence of wildfire smoke.
Dan
Before I read your text I always try to guess whether it is morning or evening light, and the time of year. I was site this was morning ….. sure was some nice soft afternoon sun! October?