The late-day light on autumn aspens is a fleeting thing, especially here along the east slope of the Sierra Nevada where peaks tower to the west. Over the years I have become familiar with the rhythms of this particular spot. I know that the best light happens during the half hour (or less) before the sun drops behind those peaks. So I arrive a bit early, pack a long lens, and prepare for a half hour or so of intense photography.
Continue reading Aspens and Distant Mountains
This spot and this view have long intrigued me. The lines and curves lead from the shoreline forest at left, past that talus-covered slope on the right, across the water to another peninsula, and finally to the massive face rising beyond. The personality of this view can change remarkably — I’ve photographed during storms, under the full moon, in direct sunlight.
Continue reading Soft Light, Ellery Lake
Back on July first I wandered through parts of a nearly-deserted Tuolumne Meadows late in the day. Since the campground was still closed, I camped just outside the park. For that reason and due to summer restrictions on vehicle traffic, the meadow was nearly deserted by the end of the day. I photographed these two trees as the day’s last light hit them.
Chasing the last light of the day at sunset in Tuolumne Meadows is a bit of a challenge. Because the meadow is nearly wide open on an almost east/west axis. the low angle light can traverse most of its length late in the day. But that also means that the sunlight disappears suddenly if you are near the east end. If you want to photograph the colors of the last few minutes of warm light, you have to work quickly!
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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
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As I look back on this year’s autumn aspen photography one theme that emerges (which I wasn’t aware of when I was in the field) is groves that encompass a wide range of foliage color. At the right moments and in the right places you can sometimes see simultaneously all of the states of the autumn leaf transition, from green trees through yellow, orange, and red… and even some bare trees. (I suspect that the tall, leafless trees in this scene are old, dead snags.)
This photograph provides another opportunity to mention my preferred light for this subject. I tend to stay away from the bright midday sun, with the exception of a few photographs in which it backlights the trees. I much prefer somewhat soft light from slightly overcast skies or the shadows of morning and evening. I made this photograph under broken clouds, which retained a bit of the directional quality of the late-day light.
Leave a comment or question using the form. (If you are reading this on the home page, click the article title to see the full article and the comment form.
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.