warped Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

A peculiar cloud formation as seen from Kodachrome Basin state park in Utah. I suspected, it was not that uncommon in these whereabouts since we saw several of these during our week-long trip, but still -- it seemed quite odd even to my jaded eye, a cloud growing white hair, right from the desert ground. Probably, meteorologists amongst us can point me to the scientifically correct name for this sight.

dareco, danyy, danos, Clementi, feather, gunbud, hispic, denisn72, avene, xuaxo, bostankorkulugu, Bluejeans, AiresSantos, belido, Benedict has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

kokoro-zukai (281) 2009-06-23 20:36

Hi Kristaps,

I couldn't help with the scientific phenomenon but I liked the mystery of it. I think its all about the hot air merging from the ground causing a build up in the sky. The thick clouds covered much of the foreground leaving a clear opening far away towards the horizon.

Keiji

eversmile (5969) 2009-06-23 20:54

Hi Kristaps!

I like the strong contrast between the desert ground in the shadow and the thin line in the sun, in the background. With the white cloud, it seems so fresh and joyful... Good timing for this capture and these beautiful colors!
Regards
Marine

jjcordier (24186) 2009-06-23 21:31

Kristaps
Belles et impressionnantes formations nuageuses très bien photographiées.
Amicalement
JJ

dareco (17024) 2009-06-23 22:41

These clouds really are amazing, I have seen some similar. You've captured them very well. The scenery is also lovely, I especially like the lighting on the rocks in the bg. TFS

danyy (68088) 2009-06-24 0:01

Bonjour Kristaps,
bien sûr que j'aime cette photo, je suis un tellement grand admirateur de ciels tourmentés et celui-ci montre bien la furie des couches atmosphériques.
Des jeux de lumières fascinants et une profondeur inouie, de quoi nous installer au premières loges de ce spectacle.
Best regards.
Daniel.

dkeus31 (26010) 2009-06-24 0:39

Hi Kristaps,
that's a great sky! looks like some clouds are falling down on the right side of the picture...
regards
didier

delkoo (33988) 2009-06-24 1:21

hi kristaps
the sky whit amazing clouds makes the photo, your choice of framing is very well seen, Giving an ascendancy important for the sky.

didier

Greg1949 (8507) 2009-06-24 3:19

Nice capture Kristaps, the detail is superb and the lighting is magical. I agree that it seems unusual and I have no idea what it is however if the air is moving vertically like it looks then I hope it stays away from my airport... :)

Greg

danos (31796) 2009-06-24 7:04

Hi kristaps,
really nice this cloud formation over the state park in Utah.A superb scene and a decisive moment to to 'catch' this effect.Well done.

Regards,Danos

Clementi (43023) 2009-06-24 13:18

Ciao Kistraps,
very beautiful the clouds, interesting the game of the light created,
a good job
Giorgio

feather (49848) 2009-06-24 15:15

It is indeed a strange phenomenon and one I haven't seen before. Check out the Cloud Appreciation Society
here
What also makes the photo is the thin slice of land on the horizon that the sun managed to catch.
Kath

gunbud (27585) 2009-06-24 18:58

Hi Kristaps,
Lots going on in that dramatic western sky.
Love the varying light in this beautiful sky.
Regards, Tom

hispic (7399) 2009-06-24 20:20

Hi Kristaps,
Stunning indeed! Amazing lighting, the shade at the bottom of the image emphasises beautifully vigra falling from the cloud. I like this refined and exquisite rendition so much.
Regards, Hisashi

denisn72 (6909) 2009-06-25 4:26

Hi Kristaps!
That is a peculiar cloud formation indeed. In the distance, the light makes a great contrast with the dark foreground. Impressive sharpness as usual and the photo is well balanced, clouds and sky taking a big place in the picture.Well done!
Best regards
Denis!

avene (10894) 2009-06-25 11:09

I think it is time we started learning about the clouds, we like them too much to remain ignorant :) love the shot, so surreal, so soft, so swirling. the white "hair" of the cloud actually look a little like a head of an ant, may be the Bugs from Card's world have finally arrived?

hugs (and leave SanFran standing, please),
K.

xuaxo (5649) 2009-06-26 13:01

Hi Kristaps;
Beautiful mysterious clouds. Well captured.
Greetings,
Francisco

batalay (20712) 2009-06-30 20:22

Hello Kristaps,

It is a dramatic cloud formation, not surprisingly, from the 'big sky country,' viz. the American West. I like your metaphor of the "white whiskers." Through the ages, artists are said to have frequently found inspiration in cloud formations, including Frederick Hart, who carved 'Ex Nihilo' on the Western façade of the National Cathedral, or in the ultimate example of Michelangelo, in composing the creation scene in the Sistine Ceiling.

Warm regards,

Bulent

bostankorkulugu (33372) 2009-07-02 21:00

looks amazing with the heavy clouds kris... i guess i would have sh*t my pants standing there and shooting>:P... cheers... korkut

Bluejeans (31663) 2009-07-06 7:05

Ola Kristaps,
Que beleza de formação de nuvens ,lindo o movimento das nuvens , boa profundidade de foto , bonita a paisagem bem árida , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Wandering_Dan (3191) 2009-07-11 11:01

Hi, Kristaps -

It looks to me like virga - rain that does not reach the ground. It's not quite the usual example, but that's what it reminds me of.

Regardless, it's a great shot and masterful lighting control - the shadows, the cloud light and the bright scenery in the background make a great and difficult combination. Yet nothing is blown out nor overly dark.

Best,
Dan

AiresSantos (41468) 2009-07-23 23:54

Hi Kristaps
Amazing clouds in this excellent composition.
Wonderful colours and deatils
Nice contrast and good depth
TFS and have a nice day
Aires

belido (16109) 2009-07-26 10:57

Hi Kristaps,

I wonder what happened after...placing the horizon line in the first sixth and reserving almost the whole image for the sky leads us to where you want us to see. I like the exposure you worked for and the fine natural color/bright. Well done!
Abraço,
Carlos

Benedict (7062) 2009-07-26 16:08

i am no meteorologist but rain might be on the way!
but i agree with your tittle choice, the clouds are bent/twisted out of shape making this one much more interesting to look at!

howddya been, dude?
Benedict

archimatica (13190) 2009-08-17 7:55

Hi Kristaps,
great shades of color, beautiful moment of light.
Bravo!

Renzo