Tag Archives: shadows

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

Mountains, Wash, and Reflection

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Mountains, Wash, and Reflection
“Mountains, Wash, and Reflection” _ A large wash near the base of the Panamint Mountains is reflected on the surface of Lake Manly.

This is a kind of Death Valley photograph that you won’t often see — mountains reflected in the quiet surface of a huge lake. This is Lake Manly, the reconstituted remnant of a much larger lake that filled the valley long ago. Between a historic tropical storm late last summer and better-than-usual rainfall since then, the lake reappeared and persisted. It currently covers many square miles in the Badwater area of the valley.

This photograph is (yet another) illustration of the vast distances encountered in Death Valley and how deceptive they can be. You might look across this landscape and imagine walking to the base of that wash leading into the mountains. However, even if the lake wasn’t there, you would be hard pressed to reach that spot with even a very long day of walking.

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: Europe, Photographs: Italy, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Ristorante-Pizzeria, Venice

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Ristorante-Pizzeria, Venice
“Ristorante-Pizzeria, Venice” — A small pizzeria at the end of a dark alley, Venice at night.

We spent time in Venice during our summer 2023 travels. We had been to Italy before but — it is almost embarrassing to admit — we had bypassed Venice. We had mixed feelings: On one hand, it is notorious for the throngs of tourists that pack the place during the summer months. On the other hand, it is Venice! So we went, and we’re very glad we did.

We (and by “we” I refer to Patty, who is a master planner) managed to find a wonderful little place to stay that was in a quiet corner of the city. Even during the busy hours there was never a tourist crush there, and in the evening and early morning it was downright quiet — even though the busy places began only minutes away. I made this photograph on an evening walk down one of the famously narrow Venice passageways, pointing the camera down an even smaller side passage toward this restaurant.

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: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Italy, Photographs: Night, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Trattoria La Tellina, Night

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Trattoria La Tellina, Night
“Trattoria La Tellina, Night” — Late-night diners at Trattoria La Tellina in Siena, Italy.

Some years ago, on another visit to Italy, we made a quick day trip to Siena. We were there only hours. My recollection is that we walked into the old (and large) central district, did something or a rambling loop, paused for a bite to eat, and were back on the road before long. It was far too short of a visit, so we decided to include a longer stay during our 2023 visit to Italy.

We stayed at a small hotel inside the central city, not more than a few minute’s walk from the Piazza del Campo. This little restaurant was just a few doors away, and it was the first place we ate dinner in Siena. I made the photograph a few nights later as we walked past on our way back to our hotel.

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 | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | Post | Email

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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Photographs: New York City, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Long Shadows

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Long Shadows
Pedestrians at the High Line Park cast long shadows.

Long Shadows. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Pedestrians at the High Line Park cast long shadows.

In my experience, interesting things happen to the light during late-fall and winter in Manhattan. Many are familiar with the “Manhattanhenge” phenomenon where the sun lines up with streets, but I’m thinking more of the combination of low sunlight angles and midday and afternoon light casting long shadows to the north and northeast of subjects, who appear against a bright, sometimes-glowing background.

Interesting things happen in this light. The shadows fascinate me — they are long and often anngle across the scene. (In some places the shadows themselves criss-cross when the light is reflected from building windows.) To photograph this light I have to walk towards it, and if I’m including human subjects they are often walking the other way — so things happen quickly and I have to react with little time for careful thought. As a result, there are surprises… such as the arm position of the man at the left, who walks almost as if he is trying to balance on a tight rope.

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 | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | Post | 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.