Electronic Flash and Landscape

The Strobist has a piece today that hits two of my interests, landscape and night photography, and ties them together with the use of strobes and light painting.

Using Speedlights with Landscapes – You might not think a small flash — or even a flashlight — could make such a big difference in a landscape photo. But the trick is waiting for the ambient to come to you, and being selective about what you light. [Strobist]

Follow the link for the full post and photographic examples.

While I have done a bit of “light painting” in my night photography, I’m not a “flashy kind of guy” myself. However, I’m becoming more intrigued after following the Strobist for the past month or two. If you don’t already subscribe to their news feed, I recommend it. Visit The Strobist to find out more.


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.

G Dan Mitchell: Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email


All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Two Birds, Corralitos Pond

Two Birds, Corralitos Pond
Two Birds, Corralitos Pond. Calero Hills, California. January 20, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell

One of several photographs I made on a very foggy early morning last year at this pond in the oak/grassland where I frequently hike.

(keywords: two, birds, corralitos, pond, calero, hills, santa clara county, park, california, usa, brush, bushes, lake, water, reflection, flying, fog, mist, morning, black and white, nature, hiking, outdoors, winter, landscape, stock)

Sometimes a Hike is Just a Hike

I went out this afternoon, carrying my usual 20 pound pack of camera, lenses, tripod, and assorted other stuff. The plan was to do some photography in the redwood forest at California’s Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Conditions didn’t cooperate: it rained, the light was dim and flat, I ended up in a bottom of a canyon that didn’t suggest any photos to me. I did not take even one photo!

But I did have a great hike. Really. :-)


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.

G Dan Mitchell: Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email


All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Point Bonita Lighthouse and Departing Ships, Dusk

Point Bonita Lighthouse and Departing Ships, Dusk
Point Bonita Lighthouse and Departing Ships, Dusk. San Francisco, California. May 29, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell.

I was among a group of photographers who were granted evening access to the Point Bonita Lighthouse area, in the far reaches of the Marin Headlands at the mouth of San Francisco Bay. Here a line of several departing freighters is departing the Golden Gate and heading out to sea.

point, bonita, lighthouse, dusk, evening, marin, pacific ocean, san francisco, bay, golden gate, freighter, fog, clouds, seascape, landscape, black and white, california, usa, scenic, travel, stock

Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.