“Leaves, Bath” — Large leaves, photographed at a botanical garden in Bath.
I did not go to Bath, England to do nature photography, but sometimes opportunities arise. We were actually there to do a bit of urban tourism — visiting the historic baths, viewing the nearby church, checking out the Georgian architecture. In fact, those were the things we spent most of our time on. But at by this point we were over four weeks into our trip, and sometimes it is nice to get away from the urban stuff. So we went for a walk.
“Spring Leaves” — Spring leaves, photographed at a botanical garden, Bath, England.
I am not the plant or macro photographer in the family. That would be Patricia Emerson Mitchell, my wife, whose camera is most often fitted with a macro lens. But I tag along, and I enjoy the challenge and the change that comes with photographing small things. While we were in Bath, England last June we visited a botanical garden, and I made this photograph while wandering among the plants.
“Evening Rain, Montpellier” — A rainy, deserted street at night in Montpellier, France.
It was rainy during our evening exploration of the old section of Montpellier, France. We started from our hotel a short distance from the Place de la Comédia (main square) and headed up a busy main street full of pedestrians out shopping, eating and drinking, or just socializing. The light rain didn’t seem to slow anyone down. Eventually we explored some narrower side streets.
The crowds diminished greatly once we got away from the busy main thoroughfare. These streets were mostly empty, and it was very quiet. It being the Christmas season, there were a few decorations — you may spot a small Christmas tree in the photo if you look closely. The light rain enhanced the reflections on the street and buildings.
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A flock of sandpipers feeds at the edge of the surf, coastal California.
Sometimes conditions work out just right and surprise me with an unexpected photographic opportunity. This was one of those times. I had been photographing a distant subject in wonderful light — unusual colors, haze, and some high clouds. I looked down at the beach directly below me, perhaps 15 feet away, and noticed fascinating patterns of sand textures, water draining back into the surf, and soft reflections of the cloudy sky. Without warning, a flock of sandpipers landed at the water’s edge. The scene may look quiet and still, but photographing it was anything but!
The photograph is (yet another) reminder that while preparation and adaptability are important, so much in landscape photography is entirely outside our control. While we have the ability to see and make choices about what we do with “it,” we do not determine the underlying conditions. And while I’m thinking about it, here’s hoping that you find plenty of “it” moments in 2023!
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.
Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.
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