A Map And A Sunrise

This image was made on my first major photography trip in Aug ’12.  There are LOTS of images waiting for me to get to and this was a particularly nice morning.  I had wanted to get shots of reflections, of which I’m a huge fan, while in Yosemite.   This particular morning I had picked out a spot I saw on the map that I thought might lead to an interesting composition.  Getting down to the trail a bit later than I wanted (that never happens of course :p) the clouds were already looking amazingly promising.  And in August in California any clouds are a blessing!  I hurried a bit more and then as I was wondering if I picked the right area the trail bent around the corner and there was the river pointing right at the direction of half dome.  Perfect!  The clouds were already doing their thing and worked quickly on a number of compositions.  This one in particular requiring me to be thigh deep in the river.  The stillness in the morning was truly special.  The air felt cool, no rushing of cars in the valley floor, just the meandering river and myself.  Great way to start the day 🙂
 
Thanks!
aF

Sunrise reflections along the Merced River in Yosemite National Park
“Resonance”

 

Tales from the Racetrack.

 
Having seen photographs of this mysterious place, I was excited to make my maiden voyage out to this remote stretch of playa or ancient, dried lake bed.  While no one has ever seen the rocks move it is believed a combination of water and wind is needed to move these rocks, some up to 100lbs, across the surface.  And in turn, they leave us their tracks.  Some straight.  Some curved.  Some just mind boggling confusing.  I spent a night, a very very cold night, and a morning out shooting this magical place.  Wondering around by myself in the quietest place one could possibly imagine, surrounded by one of nature’s wonders was a real treat.  As the sun crested the nearby mountain (the playa is at approximately 3700 ft above sea level), the strong backlight made for some wonderful textures in the playa and really accentuated the tracks of some of the rocks.  I explored for quite some time letting my mind play with the abstract shapes and textures.  This one in particular I found quite interesting.   Enjoy!
 
Thanks!
aF
 
 

Racetrack playa, Death Valley
“Out Of The Darkness”
Racetrack playa, Death Valley

Etched

Badwater, Death Valley
Badwater, Death Valley

Day 3 of my Death Valley excursion.  Badwater.  Aptly named as this is the lowest point in North America, at the hottest spot on earth, and there’s actually a small pool of water at this point!  Of course the amount of salt in the water makes it completely undrinkable…hence the name.  An ancient lake bed, this amazing place collects all the minerals and salt from the surrounding land that drain in to the basin during floods. These minerals then form amazing shapes and polygons out on this seemingly endless stretch of salt.  As luck would have it this was my one good sunset with clouds…and it was super promising.  As I scouted the area I eventually set off on a trek out to find the best examples of this phenomenon that I could.  While doing so I came across this particular formation that really caught me.  With the late afternoon light it seems as if it were a tree of salt.  I snapped this photo and then moved on as I was constantly looking for unique shapes.  Of course little did I realize that I would try, without success, to find this spot again once sunset took hold.  Glad I stopped when I did 🙂
 
Thanks!
aF
 
 
Polygons in salt at Badwater, Death Valley
“Etched”