Tag Archives: storm

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

Dunes At Dawn

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Dunes At Dawn
Dawn light and shadow patterns on sand dunes, Death Valley

Dunes At Dawn. © Copyright 2019 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Dawn light and shadow patterns on sand dunes, Death Valley.

Other recent photographic posts here have mentioned the astonishing transition of desert light between the pre-dawn twilight and the post-dawn light of daytime, and especially the rapid changes that occur right around sunrise itself. I made this photograph during the first moments after the direct sun had made its way onto the dunes after rising above a mountain range far to the east. At this point the light is still warm, but significantly less so that during that first instant of direct light, and the shadows still are deeply blue from the color of early morning sky.

The small stand of foreground creosote is emblematic of one of the astonishing things about sand dunes, namely that there is so much living stuff in a place that first appears to be completely inhospitable to life. It is a challenging environment, and plants are few and far between, but they do manage to survive. In the springtime the permanent plants such as the creosote bushes are briefly embellished by the appearance of seasonal flowers, at least during years with sufficient rain.

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 and Amazon.

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

Sand Storm Clouds

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Sand Storm Clouds
Sand storm clouds narly obliterate the llight above dones and mountains

Sand Storm Clouds. © Copyright 2019 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Sand storm clouds nearly obliterate the light above dunes and mountains.

Desert sand (or dust) storms are complicated things, bringing extraordinarily difficult conditions but also sometimes amazing visual opportunities. Operating within the worst of them is almost impossible, especially for a photographer trying to manage sensitive equipment and lenses… and manage to see and breathe. It can be done, but most people should not try. (I once read a semi-official description of Death Valley sand storm conditions on the dunes, in which the writer basically said, in no uncertain terms, “Don’t even try.” And then followed up with a description of the steps necessary to function in the storm… which would likely dissuade any sane person.) I’ve been caught in these storms more than once, even camping in a couple of them. I can assure you that it was not at all pleasant.

Yet these storms are also powerful and awe-inspiring events. (“Awesome” in the original sense of provoking awe.) I recall once a couple of years ago driving down into another such storm — much worse than this one — and listening to the sound of sand hitting the vehicle… and then the sound of small pebbles falling from the sky. That got my attention. To make this photograph I stopped along the edge of the storm, where the winds were very strong but had not yet picked up much sand and dust. Working handheld, since no tripod would stabilize a camera in these conditions, I stood in the lee of my vehicle for a few minutes and photographed across the blowing dust and the dunes toward the setting sun, whose light was a barely visible through 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 and Amazon.

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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

Stormy Evening, Sunset Light

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Stormy Evening, Sunset Light
Sunset light on peaks of the Amargosa Mountains, backed by stormy skies and sand storm dust.

Stormy Evening, Sunset Light. © Copyright 2019 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Sunset light on peaks of the Amargosa Mountains, backed by stormy skies and sand storm dust.

This is yet one more photograph from a wild Death Valley afternoon and evening in early April. Beforehand I was already aware of weather forecasts that included dust storms, and I anticipated both strong winds and perhaps other challenges… but also the possibility of some very special conditions of the atmosphere and light. Late in the afternoon, as the winds rose, we headed up the valley in the direction most likely to be affected by the combination of wind, sand, and rain. Sure enough, we soon ran into strong winds and blowing sand, and the mountains ahead were largely obscured by a sand and dust cloud blowing northeast out of the valley.

Photographing in these conditions is not easy nor particularly fun, to be honest. Most often the winds are too strong for even a stout tripod, and lens changes are very problematic. I often empty a set of strategies based around photographing from in or near a vehicle, of shooting handheld, and exposing myself to the worst conditions just long enough to get the shot — though I often quickly make several “safety shot,” given all of the variables in play. Just before sunset we ended up near the dunes that were the source of most of the sand. Here the winds were extremely strong and the conditions hellish. I got out briefly and worked from the shelter of the leeward side of the vehicle. This was one of the last photographs of the day, made as sunset light fell on some peaks of the Funeral Range, against a backdrop of storm clouds and with a bit of dust and virgo beginning to intrude on the right.

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 and Amazon.

Blog | About | Flickr | Facebook | Email

Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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

Mountains, Evening Sand Storm

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Mountains, Evening Sand Storm
An evening sand storm sweeps up into desert mountains above Death Valley sand dunes

Mountains, Evening Sand Storm. © Copyright 2019 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

An evening sand storm sweeps up into desert mountains above Death Valley sand dunes.

Desert dust storms and sand storms can create wild photographic conditions, sometimes producing almost apocalyptic effects of light and color and atmosphere. They are, however, a mixed blessing since they bring strong winds and dusk gets into everything. On this evening we knew that there was a chance for such conditions, and when we started to see the dust clouds rising above the valley we headed north to see what we could photograph. I made a series of photographs — some in nearly obscured conditions and others, like this one, when the dust became a bit less thick and dusk colors added to the scene.

Photographing (or anything else, for that matter!) in sand storms is not pleasant. The conditions are impressive, but they are also extremely challenging. The sand and dust are terrible — on lungs, on vehicles, and on camera equipment. I employ several strategies, depending on the circumstances. Often I head for the edges of the storm and photograph into it with long lenses. I also may work from inside a vehicle, perhaps photographing through a partly open window (on the leeward side of the vehicle if possible) or, in extremely bad conditions, even shooting through closed windows. To make this photograph I briefly got out of my vehicle and worked in the partial shelter on its downwind side, shooting handheld so that I could minimize my exposure to these conditions.

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 and Amazon.

Blog | About | Flickr | Facebook | Email

Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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