Late Light Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

The second day we spent with Pat & Larry we went to the Painted Hills, one of the units of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. I had seen images of the Painted Hills on TE and it was somewhere I wanted to go. As Pat & Larry had been before they knew that for the best images, just before sunset was the best time, as at sunrise the most colourful hills would be in shade. We arrived in the early afternoon and had time for plenty of exploration before waiting for the best light.

I have put a pano in the WS. That is of the biggest section in these colours and is a stitch of 7 vertical images. The main shot is of hills just about ¼ mile away from those in the WS. We rushed round there just in time to catch the sun before it went behind the hills to the back and slightly right of us. There were some people who had been on one of the trails running down the road anxious not to miss this shot.

The hills are made of layers of many different types of claystones, formed from ash blown from the volcanoes of the Cascade Mountain range, millions of years ago. There are many different minerals which accounts for the colours. Because the clay absorbs water and swells, retaining the water, plants are not able to draw water from it and do not flourish here. The hills are fenced off and it is forbidden to walk on them, although trails can be detected from deer and pronghorn.

ISO100 FL24mm

Edit
Quite a few people are wondering why I didn't post the pano as a main post. It's because Pat already posted this one which is almost identical. :D

Bartleby, Wandering_Dan, stego, Sistercosmo, dareco, eversmile, gneufeld, zeynepe, cbrman, riclopes, Gerrit, hispic, carper, Dyerco, gunbud, robiuk, Floydian, Emile, mark_mk, plimrn, Tue, cherryripe, UlfE, jaywalker, shevchenko, axiotea, fabio_ts, JCG, John_F_Kennedy, Cricri, isabela_sor, delic, Didi, danos, josepmarin, Graal, Photo65Net, al-Farrob, fulvio52 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jurek1951 (26613) 2008-11-12 13:27

Hi Kath,
this is a very beautiful landscape image
with very fine POV & DOF, beautiful colours tones,
Georg

donluicu (24129) 2008-11-12 13:32

hi Kath
superb capture
nice colors
pro stuff

congrats

danyy (70659) 2008-11-12 13:33

Bonjour Kath,
elle sont vraiment superbes et chaudes ces lumières tardives, elles jouent admirablement avec les couleurs de ces montagnes aux courbes douces, ondulantes.
Excellent POV.
Regards.
Daniel.

Bartleby (5534) 2008-11-12 13:53

Kath,
this is beautiful..the light play on those hills creates great hues and rhythm. I like this a lot.

Philippe

Wandering_Dan (3375) 2008-11-12 13:55

Hi, Kath -

A beautiful late afternoon shot which clearly shows the strength of the topography as well as the claystone colors.

Best,
Dan

mesutilgim (38604) 2008-11-12 14:00

Hi Kath,
Great geological formations, wonderfull warm colors. Very good graphical effect.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

fayeulle (26547) 2008-11-12 14:01

Hello Kath
Of course this place is very well known on TE. But I am always amazed seeing it and I would like to see these mountains with my own eyes. This is a fully coloured shot and I really like it
Cheers
JP

smarcell (15536) 2008-11-12 14:54

the beauty of this place is enphasized by this warm sunset light.
Regards Stefano

stego (22514) 2008-11-12 15:16

Hi Kath,
Amazing landscape, beautifully captured with that very warm light. The angle of the sun gives much volume to the undulating shapes that remind an abstract compo made in 3D. The pinkish tones on the shadow give it another special touch.
I guess that this main post is a greater photo than the panorama in the WS, but it surely deserved a main post, so we could enjoy a large version.
Regards, José.

Kris_Luxenhofer (752) 2008-11-12 15:31

Hi Kath!
Oh yes, I also saw a picture of this amazing landscape on TE and I also wanted to go there, but I haven´t had this opportunity so far. I really like your result! Beautiful how you captured these strong colors. The light is very good and the POV shows us every single hill.
Thanks for this great shot,
best regards,
Kris

Sistercosmo (3007) 2008-11-12 16:15

Hi Kath,
wonderful shot with amazing colors, clarity and dof. Now I'm really sure that I need to get to Oregon one of these days. Great job! The pano is wonderful too.
Thanks and take care!
Linda

dareco (17104) 2008-11-12 16:28

Another image filled with awesome and breathtaking colors!! I love it! TFS

eversmile (6975) 2008-11-12 16:46

Hi Kath!

The colors here are fantastic. The curves and the colors are really well emphasized with a good saturation. The general view with a high POV on Painted hills is not so common, I appreciate that too. It gives a good idea of the scale! The landscape is mindblowing and you show it to us at its best with the sunset light. But I find your pano in WS even better!Can't you upload it in a larger version? Like for This one?
Regards
Marine

gneufeld (15519) 2008-11-12 19:04

Hi Kath,
I was waiting for this one. We did only a "drive by" as our schedule didn't allow more time. I got some good shots to even though we didn't know ahead of time but lucked into being there in the early afternoon so the sun did illumine most of the main hills. Your late day light shot is stunning - the rich colors are just gorgeous and I like the perspective. Lucky you had some generous locals from whome to get clues for the location. Great work and TFS. Gerald

serp2000 (10390) 2008-11-12 19:39

Privet, Kath,
Fine shot! Excellent colours, superb composition! I like your POV. An interesting information, wonderful place.
Serghei

zeynepe (9442) 2008-11-12 22:12

Hi Kath,
Is it a scene from Mars? The red rocks look superb in brilliant sunshine and the shadow creeping in FG looks interesting,too.
Congrats and have a nice day,
Zeynep

cbrman (19377) 2008-11-12 22:30

Hello Kath,

Ces montagnes sont vraiment impressionnantes. Les couleurs sont réellement magiques et donnent une magnifique et chaleureuse ambiance.
Je trouve que le WS est encore plus beau car il englobe une plus grand partie de ces montagnes.
Bravo !

A+

Dominique

emka (24089) 2008-11-12 23:44

Hi Kath,

Fantastic view of the Painted Hills. They are so smooth, like a toys. And of course colourful layers are very beautiful too. Great shot.

Regards

Malgorzata

jimkilgallon (0) 2008-11-12 23:51

Kath
We missed this from our trip this year and after seeing captures from pboeringer and now yours I am gutted, but it gives me the incentive to go back. The shapes of the hills are a joy to the eyes while the lighting has produced such beautiful warm and richness tones. Superb work to show this.
Regards
Jim

syrus_persia (2240) 2008-11-13 0:01

Doroud Kath
The colors here are fantastic.The light is very good and the POV shows us every single hill.
Thank you
cyrus

riclopes (33487) 2008-11-13 0:24

Olá Kath, I love these hills, I mean, the images of these hills in TE and I hope to have the chance of visiting them one day. Your picture is gorgeous once again. It looks to me as two giant hands placed next to each other, all those enormous fingers side by side waiting for some nail painting ;-) The WS is also very impressive and showing a lot more context - I guess it would give a great Large Version...
ricardo

Gerrit (36967) 2008-11-13 0:48

Hi Kat5h,
spectacular place with those stangly colored giant feet and the erosion lines.
The pano is fantastic(and lacks the purple in the shaded parts).
Regards, Gerrit

hispic (7399) 2008-11-13 1:23

Hi Kath,
An attractive terrain undulated softly like velvet. Captured amazing color in the late afternoon. It's worth having waited a best time. The shade of bottom makes the color stand out more beautifully.
Have a nice day, Hisashi

pisces (770) 2008-11-13 3:20

Hi Kath!

I had a look at the panorama in the WS and it is beautiful. However this picture is no less striking. You really get the detail of the rolling hils here - and it looks like the lower ones are almost made out of velvet!
Beautiful colours and contrasts!
TFS
Cheers,
Maria

carper (67302) 2008-11-13 4:23

it's a beauty Kath,
marvelous photo, good late light, good lines light and shadow parts, very good photojob, I like it, have a nice day.
regard jaap

baba_flies (8495) 2008-11-13 5:25

Hello Kath! This is just breath-taking, absolutely beautiful, you mastered a great photo, the colors are fantastic and strong, and the late evening light gave it this warm and golden tone. Yes it is a strange strange place and we begin to love it the more we see it, always different, always fascinating, and I guess I am not the only one that came over this place through TE although when I now look at my old travel guides it is of course mentioned but never presented the way I see it here on TE and that makes us want to leave now, discover a part of the States that still not too many have visited. Great work, great place!!!! Barbara.

Dyerco (9640) 2008-11-13 5:26

Hi Kath
Great shot with rich earthy tones augmented by the setting sun. I was not fortunate enough to get a setting sun when I was there although I did get some morning light. There are some yellow flowers that do grow when conditions are right in the spring and they line the folds in the hills. I was about two weeks late for the full display.
Phil

gunbud (28813) 2008-11-13 5:54

Hi Kath,
You have captured these majestic hills in brilliant warm late day light that really highlights the fantastic textures and lines.
The varying shades of gold look fantastic against the pale blue sky.
Excellent note about the hills and your time spent with Pat and Larry.
Regards, Tom

robiuk (10767) 2008-11-13 6:40

Hi Kath,
An amazing spot to be and to look these most amazing colourful
layers bathing in sunset light mst be an awesome experience.
Also amazing how much of magenta (in shadowed areas) came through in your well framed Painted Hills!
Love the subtle blue of the sky, too!
Robi

Floydian (30970) 2008-11-13 7:16

Hi Kath,
So you also have been here..!!! I never was, matter of fact i never heard of this place before i came to TE. But i have seen many good pictures from it and yours can easily stand the test with all those others i've seen from there. It are not only the hills, but the colours on them what make it very interesting. As extra touch the play with light and shadow, for me essentiel in good landscape photograpgy.
You did very well here, an image i also would like to make...very good.
Regards, Henk

Emile (20189) 2008-11-13 8:22

Hola Kath.
No doubt that this is an unique place with such impressive colorful hills, I have seen pictures from this hills before in TE but yours is one of the best, also in your very good pano shot I think it's the first time we see a wide view of this area.
Best wishes.

mark_mk (264) 2008-11-13 8:56

Hi Kath,
so here it is, the promised Painted Hills shot. The key here is the light, but I don`t need to tell you that, you were here at the perfect moment, the light is soft and warm, lovely! Everytime I see images from there I think to myself: This is so amazing, looks like 3D, what a landscape! Great shot Kath, I think not your last one from there.

Take care
Mark

plimrn (20101) 2008-11-13 9:31

Hi Kath,
Perfect color and detail, just as I remember it. TYhat moment of perfect light is so fleeting. Sorry you didn't feel you could post the pano.
HLJ, Pat

Tue (25770) 2008-11-13 10:17

Hi Kath,
Such a beautiful photo of this magnificent place! The hills look so wonderful, have such great shapes and the light brought out the warm colours so well. It's just gorgeous, thanks a lot for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

cherryripe (19475) 2008-11-13 11:31

Hi Kath
This place is really splendid with it's rich colours. It's name is well chosen too as they really do look painted. I like the play with light and shade.
Regards
Nikki

UlfE (9522) 2008-11-13 11:35

Hi Kath,
Your photo of these truly fascinating geological formations is superb. I guess that these formations are rich in color and texture already in more normal daylight. In this evening light they look marvelous. I am also sure that you as usual have been very careful post-processing. I really enjoy your note about your perfect timing. It must be wonderful to have such local guides. Guides that not only know about these wonderful places but also know exactly at what time you take the best photos. TFS and have a nice evening!

Cheers,

Ulf

jaywalker (12853) 2008-11-13 15:42

Hi Kath, Amazing beauty of these rolling hills, the wonderful colours are so warm & lovely light & shadow, superbly composed, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

shevchenko (10511) 2008-11-13 20:45

Hello Kath,
Thanks for sharing your shooting experience, golden sunlight had make the color more yellow and attractive, good pov to show these wonderful landscapes in different feature where the background land is rough and have clumps on it, nice blue sky, distinct image, well done.
Ally

axiotea (16665) 2008-11-13 21:27

Hello Kath
I actually discovered the "painted hills" of course on TE through the images of Wahclellaspirit and still I am fascinated by these hills, rich in color and texture.
Here the late light gave fantastic warm color tones and the wavy shapes are really attractive to the eye.
Marilyn

Stepan (27181) 2008-11-13 23:27

I do like that kind of place, that kind of visual impact (or trouble I should say). Beautiful, especially in that light.
Stéphane

delkoo (35642) 2008-11-13 23:59

hi cath
You're producing some real gems lately, and this is another: spot on with the exposure, colours, textures and composition.

didier

fabio_ts (13674) 2008-11-14 0:33

Surely this must be an evocative place, a paradise for photographers... you have well captured this moment of light in order to create this excellent work, all my compliments!!!

have a great weekend,
Fabio.

JCG (26635) 2008-11-14 0:35

Hi Kath,

Your photograph of the place that you propose in WS could have made a splendid large version, perhaps that you will publish it later… In all the cases this natural environment is extraordinary and with this light of end-of-day the colors are superb, the shades create an additional relief… that beautiful memories !!! Wonderful photograph and thank you for the note.

With all my friendships and a very good day,

Jean-Charles

John_F_Kennedy (32772) 2008-11-14 2:18

Very nice composition here. I like the lines of the rock formations. An impressive lonely place, well done.

Best wishes,
Achim

rodgerg (27003) 2008-11-14 5:51

Congratulations Kath for this superb view of this very impressive landscape. The nice colors arise very well under the blue sky. I like too the paly of shade and light in the FG. A good, nice and intersting photowork.
Have a good WE,
Roger

Cricri (45241) 2008-11-14 5:51

Hi Kath
Une autre belle région que vous avez visité aussi impressionnant et spectaculaire, comme ses montagnes trés particuliére par les formes et sa couleur que donne la lumiére de fin de journée, trés jolie aussi celle en WS, beau travail
Friendship
cricri

isabela_sor (43224) 2008-11-14 7:55 [Comment]

Show Comment

delic (6735) 2008-11-14 8:48

Painted Hills have become quite famous here on TE but I don't recall seeing such intense light and color. Excellent work, Kath. Regards,
Hakan

Didi (37199) 2008-11-14 9:04

Hi Kath
Strange nature, Perhaps somebody commin from outer space and make this design on the rocks ? Why not ?
It's a really a fantastic place.
Nice balance with shades in foreground.
Best regards.

danos (34924) 2008-11-14 23:17

Good morning Kath,
very impressive scene with the late light to make the scenery so splendid.Really these Painted Hills are an eye catcher and the pano complete this sense.It's look like an art sculpture, with the difference that the Nature done it.Excellent presentation.

Have a nice weekend,Danos

josepmarin (35001) 2008-11-15 4:39

Hello Kath,
These Painted Hills are well-known, and also very photographed. But your capture is a bit different for the excellent lighting of the sunset's low light on these interesting rocky formations.
The shades draw very well its relief and give us a great sensation of 3D.
As always in your work, the quality of the light, of the image and of the colors is to the maximum.
Excellent work, and an impressive pano in the WS.
Best wishes,
Josep

Graal (60312) 2008-11-15 7:27

Hi Kath,
fantastic image - here and in WS. Friends all told You. I like this photojob, too. Unusual place and journey.
Gr., Aleksander

Burberry1 (6041) 2008-11-15 9:17

This is stanning Kath!
The light was really great and U captured this amazing view in a perfect way!

Great work!

With greetings,
Agnieszka

Photo65Net (43106) 2008-11-15 10:14

Hello Kath,
Superb colors here, and I like the contrasts they provide.
Beautiful result, great image,
Have a nice day,
JB.

ysabaner (1067) 2008-11-15 11:48

Hello,
Wery interesting landscape, colors and sharpness, well done.
Yahya

batalay (21821) 2008-11-15 13:19

Hello Kath,

Absolutely extraordinary! A wide brush has clearly been swiped across the ripples. If I were in charge of this area, I don't think I would allow humans to traipse through them either. I like this version better than the panoramic. What program did you use in stitching the images together?

Warm regards, and have a good Sunday.

Bulent

devimeuxbe (56598) 2008-11-15 14:32

Hi Kath
impressive landscape looking like an old skin. The colors are beautifull; It's an amazing shot
Bertrand

Royaldevon (6168) 2008-11-16 2:54

Goog Morning Kath,

When I opened this, I had a deep intake of breath! Wow! What a shot!
The shapes and colours really are amazing!!
I was trying to decide what the f/g reminded me of; I think they look like giant feet, with many more toes than we posses!
The evening shadows really accentuate the hollows.
You must have had the most wonderful time!!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Angshu (34841) 2008-11-16 19:52

Hello Kath
So you left your footprints in this amazing place. The painted hills has been liberally represented in TE, but your picture stays up there amongst the good ones on merit. Good thing you waited for the mellow light, which casts those deeper shadows & also enriches the colours. It's actually quite a small place (as I see in the pano version), but this view does not give an idea about the size. Excellent!
Best Regards
Angshu

coco (28701) 2008-11-17 23:38

And hi again, Kath.

Somehow this photo looks similar... they you composed the photo and the light too are almost equal. But the place is different. However I love both of them.

Regards.

Waylim (11943) 2008-11-24 9:36

Hi Kath,
Looks like we have very similar trips plan through the years, You were in Laos, and I was there a year later, I was in Kenya Tanzania and you went a year later, and this trips we just nearly miss each other by a few days in Oregon. What a beautiful state with so much diverse landscape from the majestic mountians, lake, deserts, volcanoes to the Pacific Coast with sandunes and lighthouses. This one off course is a fantastic place, I wish it was not so far away. Wonderful warm colors with long shadow, a good colose up to really show the details of the painted hills.
Thanks Kath for your kind comments and sentiment on my 100th post. It's a very special one for me.
Way

al-Farrob (683) 2008-12-13 8:51

I like this photo a lot, the landscape and the photo itself.
Thanks for sharing

amazon (10975) 2008-12-22 1:44

hello kath,
like two hands and fingers)))
beautiful colours,
good work,
iffet

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-02-06 14:08

Hi, Kate.
One of the few western locations I've never managed to visit yet. And what a shot! Timed to the split second, I can't imagine a better light than the one you got. Wonderful exposure, those textures and colors are simply mesmerizing and remind me of oil on canvas. I am, or rather I was, much more a painter than a photographer and tend to see things from a different angle... Great pano too, but having to choose I'll definitely say THIS ONE, its impact is stunning. TFS! Have a nice evening & a great weekend. I'll be seeing you.
Fulvio.