Tag Archives: california

Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Southern California

Mountains, Evening Sand Storm

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Mountains, Evening Sand Storm
An evening sand storm sweeps up into desert mountains above Death Valley sand dunes

Mountains, Evening Sand Storm. © Copyright 2019 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

An evening sand storm sweeps up into desert mountains above Death Valley sand dunes.

Desert dust storms and sand storms can create wild photographic conditions, sometimes producing almost apocalyptic effects of light and color and atmosphere. They are, however, a mixed blessing since they bring strong winds and dusk gets into everything. On this evening we knew that there was a chance for such conditions, and when we started to see the dust clouds rising above the valley we headed north to see what we could photograph. I made a series of photographs — some in nearly obscured conditions and others, like this one, when the dust became a bit less thick and dusk colors added to the scene.

Photographing (or anything else, for that matter!) in sand storms is not pleasant. The conditions are impressive, but they are also extremely challenging. The sand and dust are terrible — on lungs, on vehicles, and on camera equipment. I employ several strategies, depending on the circumstances. Often I head for the edges of the storm and photograph into it with long lenses. I also may work from inside a vehicle, perhaps photographing through a partly open window (on the leeward side of the vehicle if possible) or, in extremely bad conditions, even shooting through closed windows. To make this photograph I briefly got out of my vehicle and worked in the partial shelter on its downwind side, shooting handheld so that I could minimize my exposure to these conditions.

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 and Amazon.

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Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Southern California

Desert Canyon, Evening Light

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Desert Canyon, Evening Light
Evening light shines into a very rugged and colorful desert canyon.

Desert Canyon, Evening Light. © Copyright 2019 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Evening light shines into a very rugged and colorful desert canyon.

Late in the afternoon the light was dying quickly. Clouds were coming in from the north and creating a lid across most of the sky. We saw a bit of sunlight on the desert floor to the south, so we drove in that direction, hoping to get there before that light also was lost. Unfortunately, as we got closer that light also began to be cut off by the clouds and by the mountains to the west, as the lowering sun reached the summit ridge.

Looking up at those mountains, it appeared that there was a thin spot in the clouds a bit north of our position, so we took one more chance and now headed back to the north. The potential was there for a few moments of light as the sun emerged from behind those clouds, shining through the thinner clods, and casting soft but directional light on this area of colorful geology. Sure enough, as soon as we arrived in this area that soft sunlight appeared. We knew we had only a short time to work before the sun dropped behind the mountains again, and the wind was blowing like crazy, so simply made a few careful handheld exposures as the light shining into this colorful canyon peaked.

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 and Amazon.

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Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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

Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Southern California

Dunes and Mountains, First Light

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Dunes and Mountains, First Light
The first sunlight falls across sand dunes with a backdrop of desert mountains

Dunes and Mountains, First Light. © Copyright 2019 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

The first sunlight falls across sand dunes with a backdrop of desert mountains.

Back in early March I made a trip to Death Valley, partly to meet and camp with family members and partly (of course!) to make photographs. Early March is still in Death Valley’s “cool” season, and I don’t think I saw temperatures above the mid-70-degree range. (By the time of my next visit the highs will likely be well into the 90s. And after that? I stay away from the place!)

When I travel to places like this it isn’t at all unusual to encounter other photographers that I know. (I once ran into a friend walking around a bend in a narrow slot canyon beyond the end of a 25-mile gravel road!) This time I discovered that a trio of photographer/friends from the Yosemite area were camped nearby, and we joined forces for an early morning visit to the dunes the next day. We met up and started walking well before it was light out, and we arrived in the dunes before the sun came up. Soon the first light began to slant across the forms of the dunes and we worked quickly in this ephemeral light.

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 and Amazon.

Blog | About | Flickr | Facebook | Email

Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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

Photographs: Nature

Wild Sweet Pea Flowers

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Wild Sweet Pea Flowers
Wild sweet pea flowers, Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Wild Sweet Pea Flowers. © Copyright 2019 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Wild sweet pea flowers, Almaden Quicksilver County Park.

I made this photograph on a short hike along a familiar trail, one where I’ve gone to see wildflowers for several decades. It is not quite as exotic a location as some I travel to — in fact, it only took me about two hours to get there, do my hike, make my photographs, and return home for dinner! There’s a hint there, too — I did not photograph during the typical very early or very late hours. Instead I made this during the late afternoon. That works well in this spot since it is in a deep canyon, and the light is subdued even during main daylight hours.

I am far from an expert on wildflowers! In fact there are only a few that I can consistently name. Yet, even when I cannot recall the names — an issue I’ve always had — I recall the flowers themselves, the time of year and location where I’ll find them, and other features that characterize them.

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 and Amazon.

Blog | About | Flickr | Facebook | Email

Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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