Tag Archives: sun

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

Alfama Steps

Image Leave a comment
Alfama Steps
“Alfama Steps” — Cobblestone steps wind between buildings in the Alfama, Lisbon.

We wandered quite a bit during our May visit to Lisbon this year. (This was part of a 6-week trip that took us to Portugal, Spain, Belgium, and New York City.) When I write “wandered,” I mean this quite literally — we frequently head out with only the vaguest idea of what we’ll explore. In this case, we knew we were headed to the Alfama district, but beyond that we would wing it.

The Alfama is full of narrow, twisty, and often steep streets — just the sort of place to wander slowly. Roughly speaking we first crossed a section of the lower reaches of the district, and then we turned and began climbing. Along the way, we took many detours. If a side street looked interesting we went that way. I made this photograph in a quiet, out of the way area, where steps led uphill between the closely-spaced buildings.

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

Join the discussion — you are welcome to leave a comment or question. (Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately.)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

(All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.)

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

Dunes and Desert Hills

Image Leave a comment
Dunes and Desert Hills, Death Valley
“Dunes and Desert Hills” — Early morning light on sand dunes and eroded desert hills, Death Valley.

Sand dunes were the primary attraction when I first visited Death Valley a couple of decades ago. They are visual icons of the place, and any new visitor would want to see them. For me, a person whose wilderness experience had been almost exclusively focused on the High Sierra, the dunes were exotic and new. Over time I discovered that there is a much more to this place, and the dunes are no longer at the top of my list of Death Valley destinations. Yet, I can’t let a trip go by without at least a brief visit.

This time my hour of dune photography was a prelude to other activities. I got up in darkness so that I could in position a half hour before sunrise. There is no denying that morning light in the dunes can be spectacular. After all these years, I’m still caught off guard by how quickly the dunes go from pre-dawn soft shadows to morning light and by the short period of extremely saturated colors right around sunrise. I photographed for perhaps 45 minutes, then hiked back to my car and headed to my real target for the day.

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.

G Dan Mitchell: Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email


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

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Birds, Rising Sun

Image Leave a comment
Birds,Rising Sun, Fog
“Birds, Rising Sun” — Passing geese and cranes fly in front of the rising sun on a foggy morning in Central Valley wetlands.

A photograph like this isn’t always possible and is never easy. Obviously, the sun is extremely bright, and this presents some major exposure challenges. At the same time, the sides of the birds and plants facing the camera is in the darkest possible shadow, being on the opposite side of the sun. But on this morning several factors haled out. the high clouds interfered with the sun just a bit, and closer to the ground a bit of tule fog was still hanging on.

Early morning may be the most compelling time in these wetlands. (Though I’ll hear you out if you want to argue for evening.) After arriving in darkness, the sky begins to glow and the light slowly increases. Fog may mute the light and add a sense of mystery. And the birds are coming to life, warming their wings in the first sunlight and then flying out for the day’s activities.

Leave a comment or question using the form. (Click the title to see the full article and to comment if you are viewing it on the home page.)

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.

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Wetlands Sunrise

Image Leave a comment
Wetlands Sunrise in California's Central Valley
“Wetlands Sunrise” — Morning sun rising thruogh tule fog and reflected in Central Valley wetlands.

Bird photography is my excuse for going to this place in the winter months, but this winter landscape is the main attraction. I love what happens here during the spells of thick tule fog, when the landscape is obscured and the light becomes soft and mysterious. Here the rising sun colors the sky above the fog, which in turn makes the fog glow luminously.

To look at this scene, you might imagine that it is warm — at least the colors are! But it was a typically cold morning, likely in the thirties, with damp fog making it feel even colder. The fog had been thicker before the sun came up, but when I made the photograph it was beginning to thin. (If you look closely you may spot a few migratory birds just above the rising sun.)

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 | BlueSky | 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.