Tag Archives: old

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada, Photographs: Yosemite

Old Trees

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Old Trees
A group of very old and weathered trees, Yosemite National Park.

Old Trees. © Copyright 2022 G Dan Mitchell.

A group of very old and weathered trees, Yosemite National Park.

For as long as I’ve gone to the Sierra I have marveled at trees eking out an existence on little more than whatever collects in narrow cracks in granite. These slow-growing trees are often seem stunted and twisted, and sometimes they seem more dead than alive. But portions of the trees carry on, slowly putting out new growth. The texture and coloration of the wood of these trees seems almost to have more in common with the granite than with other trees.

We were surprised by rain on our recent visit to the Yosemite high country. The clouds softened the light, revealing details that might otherwise be lost in harsh shadows. This vignette includes much of what I see in such trees. There is a central section with strong growth, but to the right is one of those gray trunks that is almost granitic, to the point that lichen grows on it.

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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Commentary, Photographs: France, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Strolling, Le Marais

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Strolling, Le Marais
A couple strolls along a narrow Le Marais street, Paris.

Strolling, Le Marais. © Copyright 2022 G Dan Mitchell.

A couple strolls along a narrow Le Marais street, Paris.

This photograph comes from a 2016 visit to Paris… and a few other interesting European places. This narrow street is characteristic of this part of Paris, an area where some of the oldest original buildings and streets are still found.

This is also, in my opinion, one of the more interesting areas to photograph. As is the case with many gentrifying areas in big cities, lots of different populations come together here — tourists, members of more privileged classes, folks who may have lived here before it became trendy, various other folks passing through. The streets and the architecture are also fascinating, from the narrow and car-free lanes to the very old buildings and the interesting examples of street art.

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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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.

Photographs: Architecture, Photographs: Northern California, Photographs: Structures and Objects, Photographs: Urban/Street

West Coast Rebar Company

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West Coast Rebar Company
The “West Coast Rebar Company” building, San Jose

West Coast Rebar Company. © Copyright 2022 G Dan Mitchell.

The “West Coast Rebar Company” building, San Jose

This photograph probably makes this subject look a bit nicer than it is in reality. It is an old industrial building in an area of such things, these days mostly occupied by auto body repair shops and similar. I’m not at all certain that it is still an actual rebar company — for example, it appears that parts of the facility now house gigantic pots containing young trees.

I have walked past this place many times. (In fact, I’ve known the small street on which it is located for decades.) I’ve also thought about photographing it many times. I’m intrigued by these old metal shop buildings, a type that used to be very common around here and, I would imagine, elsewhere in the country. I see them in older towns and in older areas of more modern communities here in Silicon Valley, but they are gradually being replaced by fancy new office buildings and urban housing developments.

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 | 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.

Photographs: Structures and Objects

Crack in the Wall

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Crack in the Wall
A matrix of cracks in a very old cement wall.

Special Note: Patty and I are presenting a Silicon Valley Open Studios event on May 21 and 22. Look us up (Dan | Patty) or contact us for information. Visit us and see our prints!

Crack in the Wall. © Copyright 2022 G Dan Mitchell.

A matrix of cracks in a very old cement wall.

This is (yet another!) photograph of a subject that was not my primary target when I went out to make pictures. That seems to be a theme recently. To recap, when I go to photograph some particular subject, I keep my eyes open for other subjects that may be lurking nearby. There’s almost always something else interesting in the vicinity waiting to be discovered.

We were photographing spring flowers at an extensive public garden surrounding a historic mansion. We entered, following our usual path along a walkway that skirts the perimeter of a large semi-enclosed area. Stairs led me into this place, and as I poked around I became interested in the weathering of the old concrete wall — now covered by moss in places and filled with cracks. Among other things, I was intrigued by the dissonance between the nearly random form of the crack and the linear interruption of the horizontal edge.

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 | Flickr | Facebook | Email

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

Scroll down to leave a comment or question. (Click this post’s title first if you are viewing on the home page.)

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