“Aspens, Late Afternoon” — Autumn light slants across colorful groves of aspen trees, Eastern Sierra.
This photograph comes from a rather accessible location in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, a place where aspens appear on what is essentially high desert terrain rising toward the crest of the range. There are large groves of aspens here, but the trick is the lighting — the best light, backlight coming over the Sierra, arrives late in the day and only lasts a short time. Consequently timing is everything — arriving when the colors are at their best and being there and ready to photograph when that light hits.
This was my final aspen photograph of the day. These trees grow in what feels like high desert terrain along the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. This is essentially “sage brush country,” though as the elevation rises there are increasing numbers of conifers. Being east of the crest of the range, the area falls into evening shadows well before actual sunset.
“Aspens and Distant Mountains” — Groves of autumn aspens on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada.
The late-day light on autumn aspens is a fleeting thing, especially here along the east slope of the Sierra Nevada where 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.
“Aspen Transition” — Autumn aspen trees begin their seasonal color transition in the Eastern Sierra Nevada.
The colors of autumn aspen trees are so impressive that you might think that photographing them is simple. But there are challenges, at least not if you want the best possible photographs. The intense fall colors present a challenge to modern digital cameras. Very intense colors,like the yellows, reds, and oranges of these trees, can “blow out” the image if you use a “normal” exposure. The color is very intense, especially if the leaves are in direct sunlight. That’s why I often prefer to photograph these trees in soft, filtered light ore even in shade.
These trees are part of a very large grove on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. In this frame you can see trees at almost every stage of the transition, from green leaves to a few that are almost bare. In this case the combination of the Sierra crest to the west (right) and some scattered clouds served to make the light more gentle.
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Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.
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