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Photographs: Fall, Photographs: Fall Color, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Aspen Transition

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Aspen Transition
“Aspen Transition” — Autumn aspen trees begin their seasonal color transition in the Eastern Sierra Nevada.

The colors of autumn aspen trees are so impressive that you might think that photographing them is simple. But there are challenges, at least not if you want the best possible photographs. The intense fall colors present a challenge to modern digital cameras. Very intense colors,like the yellows, reds, and oranges of these trees, can “blow out” the image if you use a “normal” exposure. The color is very intense, especially if the leaves are in direct sunlight. That’s why I often prefer to photograph these trees in soft, filtered light ore even in shade.

These trees are part of a very large grove on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. In this frame you can see trees at almost every stage of the transition, from green leaves to a few that are almost bare. In this case the combination of the Sierra crest to the west (right) and some scattered clouds served to make the light more gentle.

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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

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: The Southwest, Photographs: Utah

Below the Cliff

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Trees at Base of Cliff
“Trees at Base of Cliff” — Dense trees grow at the base of a sandstone cliff, Zion National Park.

The main thing that fascinates me about canyons in the Southwest is, of course, the remarkable colors and textures of the sandstone walls. As a “Sierra Nevada guy,” I am used to a world of mostly rather gray rocks, so the red rock shades are almost shocking. But once I’m in those canyons, especially in spring or fall, the vegetation starts to co-star with the geology.

This little vignette comes from Zion National Park, along a rather popular hiking trail. That trail has a destination that is likely on the minds of most hikers, but I always feel like there is as much to see along the route. These trees at the base of a huge red rock cliff were just barely beginning to show signs of the coming autumn color transformation.

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.

Photographs: Belgium, Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Travel

Leie River Waterfront, Ghent

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Leie River Waterfront, Ghent
“Leie River Waterfront, Ghent” — Visitors on a walkway along the waterfront of the Leie River, Ghent.

Near the ned of our May-June travels we spent a week in Belgium, our first time visiting this country. Our final stop there was in Brussels, and one day we took the train from there to make a quick visit to Ghent. As is so often the case in such cities, Ghent has an inner “old town” section with lots of historic buildings, including a rather remarkable collection of churches and steeples.

I made this photograph from a bridge over the Leie River, from which there was a longer view of the curving waterway, the roadway and walk way that follow it, and some of the surrounding buildings. Not surprisingly in this part of Europe, it was another cloudy day.

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.

Photographs: The Southwest, Photographs: Utah

Sandstone Formations, First Light

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Sandstone Formations, First Light
“Sandstone Formations, First Light” — Sandstone towers and walls in first light, Arches National Park.

I made this photograph from an “official” viewpoint…. that is named for an entirely different view that lies behind my camera position. There is something interesting in that other direction, but this tableau of sandstone towers and walls, near and far, seems more compelling to me, especially very early in the morning when the rising sun illuminates them. I made this photograph just before actual sunrise, when the earth’s shadow is visible in the distant sky.

My feelings about Arches National Park are complicated. When we drove into the park in the morning on my very first visit, I really had little idea of what I would see. I was dumbfounded by the wild formations — huge sandstone walls, tall towers, rocks perched in improbable places, long views. It is definitely worth a visit or two, but be aware that it is a heavily impacted place. Its beauty is part of the reason, but it also lies just outside the town of Moab, Utah, making it (perhaps too) accessible.

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.