Tag Archives: red

Photographs: Fall, Photographs: Fall Color, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: The Southwest, Photographs: Utah

Autumn Aspen Trees, Utah

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Autumn Aspen Trees, Utah
“Autumn Aspen Trees, Utah” — Dense forest of tall aspen trees with autumn foliage, Dixie National Forest.

This seems like a somewhat unusual aspen photograph for me. One difference is the color palette — in addition to the usual yellows and reds, there is a lot of green from the small conifers growing beneath the aspen canopy. Another difference is that I photographed during the main part of the day, rather than in the soft light of early morning or evening.

Over the course of several visits to Utah I gradually learned that the best sights are not restricted to the famous national parks. There is a lot to see and photograph in those places, but state parks, national monuments, and national forests also present loads of opportunities. This photograph was made in the vast and diverse Dixie National Forest.

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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.

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: The Southwest, Photographs: Utah

Trees and Sandstone Cliffs

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Trees and Sandstone Cliffs
“Trees and Sandstone Cliffs” — Trees near the base of sandstone cliffs, Zion Canyon.

There is a lot going on here related to textures and colors. Color first: the cliff and tree colors are almost complementary. The green trees at the base of the cliff are in full shade. The further cliff face is getting both direct and reflected light. The cliffs seem massive and solid, but the surfaces are surprisingly varied. We see lighter and redder sections contrasting with almost-blue darker areas.

I was a little surprised to see trees growing so close to the base of he cliff. Often these areas are littered with accumulated rockfall debris, but here the trees don’t show any signs of that. It isn’t easy to tell from the photograph, but some of the trees are actually growing from cracks in the rock wall.

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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.

Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature

Badlands and Wash

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Badlands and Wash
“Badlands and Wash” — A small wash spills from desert badlands into Death Valley at sunset.

Another recent post of a Death Valley photograph noted the interesting subjects found in remote and hard-to-access areas of this national park. This is not one of those photographs. In fact, I made it a short distance from a popular lodging and camping spot, and my tripod was set up at the back of my vehicle! The subject is eroded badlands terrain where a small wash empties into the main valley.

The terrain of this park is remarkably varied, ranging from harsh, sun-baked desert playas to high summits that can be topped with snow. Among them, desert washes emerging from canyons are a favorite of mine. I love to walk the quiet washes, and they often provide trails into deep canyons and mountain heights.

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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.

Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature

Dawn Clouds, Death Valley

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Dawn Clouds, Death Valley
“Dawn Clouds, Death Valley” — Colorful dawn clouds above Death Valley and the Panamint Mountains.

The camera position for this photograph was a high point in the Panamint Range of Death Valley National Park. We arrived before sunrise, when the sky was just beginning to take on dawn colors, and the clouds were becoming blood red. There are few colors in nature that are as intense… and as difficult to photograph, at least if you want the photograph to suggest what you saw when you were there.

To my way of thinking, after a few decades of visiting and photographing the place, the most interesting locations in this park are not the most popular ones. They are off in odd, sometimes distant corners of the region. You may have to deal with a few adversities getting to them. (One winter I was turned back from this location by snow.) But the rewards are worth it.

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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.