The late-day light on autumn aspens is a fleeting thing, especially here along the east slope of the Sierra Nevada where high peaks tower to the west. Over the years I have become familiar with the rhythms of this particular spot. I know that the best light happens during the half hour (or less) before the sun drops behind those peaks. So I arrive a bit early, pack a long lens, and prepare for a half hour or so of intense photography.
On this afternoon shadows made the light more interesting. They came from two sources. Prominences on the mountains (to the left in the photograph) cast longer shadows. A few clouds were clustered above the peaks, and as they drifted their shadows moved across the landscape, alternately highlighting and muting colors.
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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, (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.
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