Eglise de Notre-Dame Des Victoire Interior

Eglise de Notre-Dame Des Victoire Interior
“Eglise de Notre-Dame Des Victoire” — The interior of the Eglise de Notre-Dame Des Victoire, Brussels.

During our visit to Brussels near the beginning of June, we stayed near the old central part of the city, an area of remarkable architecture, many places to eat… and a whole lot of tourists. In many ways it was a good location — we could easily walk there from the train station, and food options were abundant. But eventually we decided to take a very long walk out of this area.

That eventually took us to quieter neighborhoods and districts and past the Eglise de Notre-Dame Des Victoire, a beautiful older church. Like so many similar European churches, it is architecturally impressive, and I enjoyed photographing it. The light is often beautiful — soft and diffused, with spots of color and direct light coming through stained glass windows.


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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. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

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Slot Canyon Walls

Slot Canyon Walls
“Slot Canyon Walls” — Soft light penetrates the depths of a slot canyon.

The material making up the walls of Southwest slot canyons varies quite a bit depending on which strata the canyon traverses. Sometimes the rock can be broken and somewhat unattractive, sometimes it can hold fossils or show joints between different layers. But in some places the sandstone seems pristine — solid layers of rock broken only by small details and textures. That was the case here, at a spot where a canyon junction allowed in a bit of extra light.

I made this photograph on my first visit to this spot about a decade ago. Because I like to see with fresh eyes and because I enjoy discovery, I often intentionally forego a lot pre-visit research, preferring to show up and just look on my own. That was the case on this day when I turned, more or less on a lark, down a gravel side road, found a place to park, and just started walking, eventually coming to this spot and others that were equally beautiful.


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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. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.

Autumn Foliage and Red Rock Cliffs

Autumn Foliage and Red Rock Cliffs
“Autumn Foliage and Red Rock Cliffs” — Red rock cliffs tower above early autumn color and a creek, Capitol Reef National Park.

It took me several visits to get a feel for Capitol Reef National Park. The appeal of the beautiful sandstone towers, cliffs, and mountains is undeniable, but at first the park seemed sort of… small to me. As I learned more about this part, I think I see why that is and understand that it may be something of a conscious decision. The casual visitor arrives on a road that passes across the narrow width of the park, and then they visit the area around Fruita and one visitor road that enters the park from there. That doesn’t cover a lot of ground.

But much (most, by far) of this park is off the beaten path. It is accessible by vehicle, but only on long gravel roads, some of which involve challenges such as stream crossings. And the areas at the ends of those drives are relatively undeveloped. You are on your own out there, and I think that it intentional… and I approve.


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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. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.

Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef
“Capitol Reef” — Early morning view of the peaks of Capitol Reef from the east.

A friend and I met up in Capitol Reef National Park some years ago, and we spent a few days photographing in and around the park. We began accessible spots not far from our camp, but later we made a long drive down gravel roads to the east of the Capitol Reef ridge. I made this photograph shortly after a colorful sunrise on these summits.

That sunrise photograph, which I’ve shared previously, was focused on the area behind my camera position for this photograph. The sky colors are wonderful, but I also like the darker and somewhat more foreboding quality of this sky that has lost the dawn 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. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email


All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.

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