Tag Archives: sky

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Winter Sunrise, Central Valley

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Winter Sunrise, Central Valley
“Winter Sunrise, Central Valley” — Winter sun rises beyond the Sierra Nevada as thin fog drifts among trees.

This photograph is one of the final remaining photographs from this past winter in California’s Central Valley. (Who am I kidding? There are probably more that I’ll uncover when I eventually revisit the archive.) I made it on my final visit of the season to photograph migratory birds. This photograph is the result of an unfortunate situation that ultimately turned out OK. I arrived before dawn to find that the gate was locked. As I listened to thousands of birds begin their fly-out beyond that gate, I decided that it made more sense to head off to find other opportunities, and I found this sunrise view a few miles away.

These Central Valley locations fascinate me for a variety of reasons — the migratory birds, the fog, the long views of the Sierra Nevada (as in this photo), the open vistas. Years ago I would never have imagined that such agricultural areas could provide so many photographic opportunities, but then I “discovered” the winter birds. I was hooked, and I’ve gone back every year since then.

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

Evening Clouds, Desert Mountains

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Evening Clouds, Desert Mountains
“Evening Clouds, Desert Mountains” — Three clouds in evening light above desert mountains, Death Valley.

On most of my visits to Death Valley there are many days of perfectly clear skies. That might sound great, especially if you are in a rainy or cloudy place. But for most photographers it is far preferable to have something interesting going on in the sky. Give me some thin overcast, cloud streaks before a storm , a snow squall among mountain peaks, or a dramatic thunderhead any time. On this trip I was lucky, getting most of the things in that list, including this sunset cloud formation.

When photographing in Death Valley I often make location decision as much by looking at the weather conditions as by considering subjects. If I have a choice between two subjects and one will likely be in good light, the decision is easy. And sometimes the light itself becomes the subject. That is almost the case here, as the end-of-day light is very muted on the desert mountains, yet just bright and colorful enough to enhance the clouds.

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

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

Clouds, Lake, Desert Mountains

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Clouds, Lake, Desert Mountains
“Clouds, Lake, Desert Mountains” — Morning clouds above the Panamint Range, reflected in the smooth surface of Lake Manly.

This photograph may look a bit familiar if you follow my posts. I previously shared a landscape orientation (wide) version of a similar photograph, made just moments before I exposed this one. The Panamint Mountains are in the distance, under sunrise light, and the shadow of mountains to the east still falls on the lower slopes. This is reflected in the waters of Lake Manly.

I love finding interesting juxtapositions of color, light, and shape in the landscape. The reflective water of the temporary lake provided rare opportunities here. and I was able to find a composition that stacked up layers of clouds, sky, snow-capped peaks, sunrise light, and the shadow line in the middle.

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

Sunset Cloud, Desert Mountains

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Sunset Cloud, Desert Mountains
“Sunset Cloud, Desert Mountains” — A solitary cloud floats above the Death Valley landscape and catches the last sunset light.

This cloud was a luminous benediction at the end of a long and varied day that began before dawn along the shoreline of Lake Manly. After a late-morning break for coffee and food, I headed up into the Panamint Mountains to investigate recent snowfall. I timed my departure from there to give me time to get to this spot, an elevated location in Death Valley, in time for sunset.

I have realized that many of the landscape subjects that appeal to me are ephemeral. Like many photographers I am usually out during the edge hours around sunrise and sunset, when the light is the most transitory. I also love interesting and sometimes wild weather conditions — wind, precipitation, fog, isolated clouds forming momentarily above the landscape. This scene had a cloud that was shrinking and changing shape, along with the last bits of colorful sunset light before dusk.

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.

Scroll down to share comments or questions. (Click post title first if viewing on the home page.)

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