Deserts offer few clues about the scale of the landscape. Unlike forest scenes, where trees often provide a frame of reference, plants often play a lesser role. Even when there are plants it can be unclear from a distance whether they are large trees or small shrubs. Here the inclusion of the human figure clarifies the scale of the grand Utah red rock landscape.
Continue reading Photographer, Canyon Country
Yes, the photo title is obviously tongue-in-cheek. This is not really “wilderness,” nor is this a place where one is likely to be “alone.” But there is a lot to think about here. If you look closely — and you may need to click the image to get a larger view — you can count at least a dozen photographers spread out in this desert landscape that comprises a very small section of these dunes… and it is not at all the most crowded area.
You can diminish the number of people out there with you if you go in the off-season, avoid weekends, get up very early, and perhaps go there when the wind is howling. But most often you will not be anything like “alone” in this place. To be honest, one task for photographers here is figuring out to work around the crowds, assuming the crowds are not your intended subject.
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. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email
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Photographing Spring Wildflowers. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.
Photographer Patricia Emerson Mitchell photographing spring wildflowers at Carrizo Plain National Monument.
Although our decision to visit the Carrizo Plain came at the last minute and took us on a route that was affected by road closures, when we finally arrived it was well worth the effort. It was one of those prototypical early-spring days in California — a weather front had passed through, it was windy, cloudbursts and cloud shadows moved across the landscape, wildflowers were in bloom, and at times there was sun.
Of the two of us, Patty is the more accomplished flower photographer. I dabble in this subject from time to time — and enjoy it! — but it is her primary subject. We took a gravel side road to get out into this valley that was carpeted with wildflowers leading off into the distance.
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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Patty Photographing London. © Copyright 2022 G Dan Mitchell.
Patricia Emerson Mitchell photographing in London
Our opportunities for international travel have been pretty limited since the beginning of the pandemic. We had a big trip scheduled late in the first year of the event, but that had to be cancelled. We might have considered going this year, but instead extended family members decided on an American meet-up. So we’re still looking forward to future international travel, hopefully by next summer.
For a bunch of reasons, we often start in London, so we’ve been there a few times now. We like to wander, carrying cameras, looking for interesting things, and stopping for refreshments and meals whenever the urge takes us. And, yes, we sometimes photograph one another!
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.
Blog | About | Twitter | Flickr | Facebook | Email
Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.
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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.
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