Tag Archives: river

Photographs: Italy, Photographs: Travel

Early Evening, Florence

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Early Evening, Florence
Early evening view of Florence, Italy from the Piazzale Michangelo.

Early Evening, Florence. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Early evening view of Florence, Italy from the Piazzale Michangelo.

This might be one of the best-known viewpoints in Florence, the Piazzale Michangelo. From this high terrace you look down and across the Arno River toward the old central city and beyond. If you know about the city you probably recognize at least a couple of landmarks in the photograph.

This photograph and the evening on which I made it might be a good reminder that the advice you sometimes hear about staying away from the most famous places isn’t always valid. I deal with this a lot in my landscape photography – I often love to go to somewhat anonymous, out-of-the way places, but I think the first-time visitors are often best off by starting with the well-known places. Knowing that this spot is so famous and seeing so many people heading that way, I might have decided not to join the throngs… but it turned out that the evening was beautiful and the throng was a big part of the fun!

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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Photographs: Italy, Photographs: Travel

Arno River, Evening

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Arno River, Evening
The banks of the Arno River and the tower of the Basilica of Santa Croce in the evening, Florence.

Arno River, Evening. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

The banks of the Arno River and the tower of the Basilica of Santa Croce in the evening, Florence.

I made this photograph as we were walking back into town after joining the throngs for sunset at the Piazzale Michelango above Florence. We weren’t sure what to expect at that spot, but what a surprise! There were thousands of people up there, staying along the ramparts, sitting on the stairways, drinking wine, listening to music… all because of the view toward the western horizon over Florence and the Arno River. You might think, “tourist event,” but if you visit Florence you should go!

After sunset the party diminished (a little bit) and we headed back down the hill toward Florence and dinner. As we crossed one of the bridges over the river, Patty pointed out the reflections of the lights in the water, and this photograph is the result.

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: Nature, Photographs: Northern California, Photographs: Sierra Nevada, Photographs: Yosemite

Flooded Forest

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Flooded Forest
A section of Yosemite Valley forest flooded by spring snow runoff.

Flooded Forest. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

A section of Yosemite Valley forest flooded by spring snow runoff.

There is often some degree of flooding in the Sierra during snow-melt season, and hiking can involve jumping streams, detouring around seasonal ponds, and occasional walking through some pretty muddy terrain. But this year is an extremely case. When I visited Yosemite Valley in late May there was flooding all over — trails that disappeared under water, meadows that had turned into lakes, and water flowing everywhere.

This particular spot is typically a sort of open forest with some grassy areas interspersed with the trees. But this time it looked more like a swamp, with water covering the perimeter trail and many trees standing in this temporary lake. The upside? Quite a few, including the beautiful reflections of the trees. Downsides? Mosquitos!

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 | Twitter | 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: Nature, Photographs: Northern California, Photographs: Sierra Nevada, Photographs: Yosemite

Trees, Merced River, Bridal Veil Fall

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Trees, Merced River, Bridal Veil Fall
Bridal Veil Fall, beyond the Merced River and silhouetted trees.

Trees, Merced River, Bridal Veil Fall. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Bridal Veil Fall, beyond the Merced River and silhouetted trees.

Something tells me that I am not the first person to photograph this waterfall between these trees — but it was there and I was there, so I made a photograph. I like the fact that the waterfall is almost an afterthought, a minor element in a scene that is mostly about other things — especially the silhouettes of these trees and the reflections on the high water in the Merced River.

Speaking of that water… near the end of spring the water levels in Yosemite Valley were nothing short of amazing. There have been past floods when the water levels were a bit higher, but I’m not aware of a recent season when sustained water flow was this powerful or high. Everywhere meadows are flooded, rivers are nearly out of their banks, and waterfalls are roaring.

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 | Twitter | 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.