Category: Image Discussion

Reflected Light: A Story Of Serendipity

 

There is something special about traveling by oneself.  Of course there can be times of loneliness and solitude but the freedom to do/go/feel whatever one wants at that time is truly freeing.  On my 4th full day I photographed sunrise in Arches National Park and then started my journey across the southern part of the state.  Through Cedar Mesa and over toward Escalante.  The remoteness and dramatic landscape is not to be underestimated.  Truly spectacular country.  Amazing spires and rock formations around every corner.  Roads winding through canyons, bending around corners to reveal another infinite expanse to explore.

 

As I came around yet another bend, after crossing the Glen Canyon area I noticed these rocky spires in the distance.  Speeding by there was some interesting, undulating rock just off the road that caught my eye and thought to myself there must be a good photograph in there somewhere, so on the the brakes I went, pulling over in to one of the few primitive camping areas that dotted the side of the road.  Getting out to explore, then driving down the road back a ways and repeating.  Wandering around I found this ravine, with amazing undulating and textured rock pointing right at the spires that had made me pull over in the first place.  Looking down the rock suddenly jumped out at me.  Light from the other side of the ravine was being reflected back on to the rock below me creating this incredible glow.  Taking out my phone I snapped a quick photo to see what was going on.  Boom!  Next thing I knew I was hurrying back to the car to grab my camera bag.  I spent the next 3-4hrs exploring this 100 yard stretch of rock.  Studying the textures, lines, nuances.  Playing with the light as it changed.  As the shadow from the large canyon wall towering over me to the west finally encompassed the scene I had that familiar joyful feeling.  The kind one can only get by having that serendipitous, ephemeral experiences that come from pulling off the side of road spontaneously in the middle of nowhere 🙂

 

Thanks!

aF

 

Reflected light on rock in utah's wilderness
“Reflected Lght I”
Reflected light on rock in utah's wilderness
“Reflected Light III”
Reflected light on rock in utah's wilderness
“Reflected Light IV”

Abbey’s Country

 

Settling in to my Utah adventure I had still yet to have that light that photographer’s chase.  And knowing that desert country can be fickle with clouds I knew I would have to be patient.  On this particular day I started out by shooting sunrise here, at Arches, under mostly clear skies.  A few high cirrus but nothing to write home about.  As I met up with a local photog, we palled around for the day talking story and catching up (we had been in contact for a while).  After a midday break to kill some time (read: check out local brewpub), it was time to scout for sunset.  And looking up the sky had now filled with all sorts of high clouds.  A good sign.  But then again any clouds are better than nothing!

 

After driving around for over an hour, checking locations, thinking about light, hiking around, I made the decision for two spots.  I thought facing back to the east was a good decision as hopefully the setting sun would illuminate the La Sal Mountains and high clouds.  Then we’d try and hurry to another spot to capture Balanced Rock more intimately (that shot at another time).

 

As the sun dipped, and the last rays of light cast upon the rocky landscape, first exiting the arches and hoodoos, then up the mountainside in the background, then finally the clouds slowly gained color.  And of course this is where the little boy comes out and yips of glee start coming out.  I never get tired of seeing a great sunrise or sunset and to be able to capture this moment over such an amazing landscape was truly special.

 

Much thanks!

aF

 

P.S.  To see a section of the detail in this photo see sample at bottom!

 

Colorful sunset over Arches National Park, Utah
“Abbey’s Country”

 

 

A sample of the detail in the panorama. This is a selection from the above photograph.
A sample of the detail in the panorama. This is a selection from the above photograph.

 

There Be Goblins

We start in the middle…which is a perfectly good place to start really.  The middle of a 6 day road-trip through Southern Utah.
This particular image was a side effect of an idea I had during sunset just a few hours before.  Setting my alarm for 515am, the mission was to capture the Milky Way under a rocky arch (an image I will share another time).  Walking out to my location the stars were incredible.  It’s called the Milky Way  for a reason and the chalky streak across the sky sure held the name.  I quickly went to capture the original image, which was preplanned, and then went back to explore other possibilities.   These amazing hoodoos scattered the landscape giving this valley it’s namesake, Devil’s Garden.  Seeing the blazing Milky Way behind I took two photographs, this one in particular illuminating the rocky statues.  The touches of dawn beginning to be visible on the horizon.  What a sight!
 
Thanks!
aF
 
 

Milky Way above hoodoo's in Escalante Wilderness
“There Be Goblins”

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”

Golden Gate Grandeur

 
Arriving in to San Francisco after 4 days in the desert was fun.  Back to city life as opposed to deafening silence of the dunes and remote landscapes.  I had one evening to shoot and then of course came the big decision of WHERE!?  The clouds were looking pretty sexy and the trick was to find a spot to take best advantage of the conditions.  After driving around for over an hour I decided to head down to Kirby Cove on the Marin side of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Having never been there I figured what a better time than now.  As it goes the sunset did get crazy colorful but more to the direct west, and not east where I was facing, however the was plenty of light to go around.  This is the very last shot of the evening for me as the color was just about being taken over by the city lights.  Stars had already made their appearance but the high cirrus held some of that lovely pink glow.  Glad I waited til the very end 🙂
 
Thanks!
aF
 

Twilight over San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge
“Golden Gate Grandeur”

Of Rock And Time

We now skip ahead to my third morning in Death Valley.  Having seen plenty of photographs of Zabriskie Point, admittedly I was not overly enthused about capturing this icon.  Dont know why really just the pull to capture it wasnt there.  However, after photographing an incredible sunset at Badwater the evening before I had the time, and was in the right part of this huge National Park, to be able to try and catch sunrise from here.  Easily accessible it’s one of the first stops coming in to the Valley from Las Vegas.  This particular morning it was chilly…quite chilly.  Even though much of Death Valley is below sea level this overlook is around 5000ft above the valley floor.  Bundled up I made my way out to this spire of earth which placed me in a great spot to capture the unique landforms and colors that this location supplies.  As the sky was quite clear (not what photographer’s hope for) the best light was actually about 20min before sunrise during the intense twilight glow that happens before sunrise and after sunset.  This special light brought the scene to life and really enhanced the striations in the rock.  Now if only there was a hot chocolate stand nearby… 🙂
 
Thanks!
aF
 
For more information on this and other recent Death Valley photos please email us through the site or contact any aFeinberg Gallery!
 

Twilight from Zabriske Point, Death Valley
“ZaBrisky”

Return from the Valley of Death

Back on Kauai, I have just spent 4 full days in Death Valley for the first time.  Somehow it managed to coincide with the coldest tempertuares of the year as I experienced below freezing weather every night with the coldest being 14F on the last night at the Racetrack.  Very bizarre considering the hottest temperature ever recorded was in this valley.
 
Having seen images from DV for years it was with much anticipation that I was able to visit and see for myself.  The park itself is HUGE.  Many hours to traverse across it with many roads needed 4wd and high-clearance.  My car provided me with decent amounts of both for some good off-roading and washboard type roads.  But no boulder hopping this time 😛
 
While there are many stories and images to share I will start with this photograph made on my first evening at the park.  After getting some good advice to visit these remote dunes I headed out after my morning shoot clear across the park…2+hrs away.  What I didnt realize is that these dunes were not right next to the road.  As I followed the dirt roads I realized that it was going to be a park and hike kinda day.  I picked a spot about in the middle of the length of this stretch of sand, packed my bag, water, WARM clothing, put a pin on my phone map so I didnt lose my car…and off I went.  Looking out across the wash the dunes loom large…maybe 200+ft high.  Hiking across a flood plain made for a unique experience as the evidence of rapidly flowing water (however infrequent) was apparent everywhere.  Oh what a sight that must be to see (and NOT be standing where I was).
Making my arrival to my destination after approximately 1-1.5mi of hiking it was time to start finding lines.  Often times I am first overwhelmed by the opportunities of locations like this…where to start!?!  While taking in the fading sun and shapes that play along the dunes I knew my end goal for the night would be some star work.  The sky was fairly clear and the moon was a crescent…so bright enough for some light but not too bright to overwhelm the stars.  As twilight arrived I knew I needed a strong composition to compliment this scene.   After playing around I settled on this edge of the dune leading up to the big peak.  Then to wait.  As the sun sets in the desert the temperature drops fairly quickly, that combined with the windy conditions had me in for a good introductory to Death Valley in winter.  Just at the boarder of twilight and night it was time to make the exposure.  Capturing the end of the magenta glow as the stars made their appearance.  The clouds that happened to appear and hang around were some of the FEW that I saw my entire 4 days in Death Valley as was very lucky to have them exist where they did.   After I made this exposure I waited a bit longer and did some star-trail work…but that’s for another day 😉
aF
 
For more information on this and any other Death Valley images please contact us through the website or any aFeinberg Gallery!
 

Stars over sand dune at twilight in Death Valley, California
“Dune Light”

Duotone…kinda.

Going back through the archives there all kinds of goodies to discover.  I’m very well aware that I have a large quantity of work that’s never seen the light of day (pun kinda intended).  So it’s a treasure hunt when I start flipping through.  This particular image was taken on a fun day with a random group of people off for a walk.  When we came to this hillside the simplicity of the scene caught me and reminded me more of the rolling hills of the farming regions of the NW.  Midday is notoriously tough to shoot in but here the colors just popped.  The clouds of course happen to just lay themselves out perfectly.  Now if only you could feel the warm wind while viewing the image 😉
 
Thanks!
aF
 

Greens and blues on Kauai.
DuoTone