First Storm of the Season Photo

Photographer’s Note

Lundy Canyon
Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains,
California

Scene
This is just a beaver pond on Mill Creek in Lundy Canyon on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. What caught my attention here was the light on the early fall color and the approaching storm on the west side of the mountains. This storm was the first storm of the season for the mountains and produced rain and snow at the highest elevations. The day after this scene was captured the temps were in the forty degree range with rain showers. Camping the next evening we had subfreezing temps at night but the morning dawned clear of cloud cover.

Background
I made a week long camping trip to the east side of the mountains in hope of catching the fall color. I was lead to believe that the change in tree color followed that approximate schedule of color change as in Colorado. I was grossly misinformed, as we can see from this image the change is just beginning and we are in first week of October. In Colorado the change would almost be over by the first week in October. I think it is going to take some time and research to become re-familiar with the natural cycles in California. Needless to say after this image was captured I spent four nights trying to stay warm in my tent.

macondo, jhm, Urs, xuaxo, feather, avene, gunbud has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

LiaV (337) 2009-10-31 14:38

What a wonderful light! Nice contrast between the bare mountains in the distance and the friendly green of the trees on the foreground.

JudyR (795) 2009-10-31 14:43

Thanks for the walk down Memory Lane. I loved fall on the east side of the Sierras and spent a lot of time there. Beautiful shot. thanks, Judy

macondo (13021) 2009-10-31 22:58

Hello John.
Beautiful landscape shot. I just love the sight of dark swirling clouds above a sunlit mountain peak, as shown here. The composition is good, placing the V point of the valley off to the left of centre. The sunlit green tones of the trees make a nice contrast with the tones of the rocks and water. Lovely natural scene. Good note too. What a place to camp, even if frigid at night.
Regards,
Andrew

Wandering_Dan (3207) 2009-11-01 6:37

Hi, John -

Yes, this is definitely the light of an oncoming storm - I recognize it all too well! Nice use of diagonals, too, so that they point to a Rule of 3rds position.

As for fall colors: I moved here 15 years ago from the NE, which has some of the best color in the world, and I can tell that here, as well as there, it can't really be predicted. Too much depends on the fickle weather, and even more so in these days of global climate change.

We're on for this Saturday, I hope.

Best,
Dan

plimrn (19588) 2009-11-02 11:35

Hi John,
Great framing to captures the drama of sunlight and shadows with the lighted mountains marching off into the clouds. The Sierras are sure an impressive set of mountains, although not quite the Rockies. My son says the mountains are his church, looking at the places you choose to live, I suspect you have a similar reverence for mountains. Of course, now you easily travel to the mountains without long winters.
HLJ, Pat
HLJ, Pat

jhm (82017) 2009-11-03 3:13

Hello John,

You write not or you saw beavers!
Lovely place for a week in a tent around this lovely lake.
I like your V system in your picture, very well colours and presentation.
Very well composition. TFS.

Kind regards,
John.

dta (4682) 2009-11-03 3:47

Hello John ,
A superb wild mountain scenery , with a so beautiful stormy light , contrasting with the dark threatening sky .
Regards

stego (22348) 2009-11-04 15:29

Hi John,
I am sorry to know that you passed most of your stay inside your tent. When we see this beauty of a the valley with its early Autumn colours illuminated by a burst of sun that managed to break through the dark grey cloudy sky we can easily forget how the weather must have been unpleasant during much of the day. But you surely took good profit of the momentary opportunity!
Regards,
José

Waylim (10717) 2009-11-04 23:50

Hi John,
I like this kind of image, I think it is very dramatic, it is something that just happens but not planned or ask for. When the sky filled with dark cloud and for just a few moments on the opposit side, the sun peak through and illuminated the landscape, yet the sky is still dark, in that kind of contrast the landscape seems more vivid and richer in colors contrasting again the dark sky.
There is a slight hint of the falls season on the tree leave but not quite there yet. I guess it depend on the temporature of the season, it seem much warmer for this time of year. Regardless, the colors is beautiful against this stormy sky and a very good composition as well. Thanks John.
Way

Urs (2633) 2009-11-05 3:37

Hi John,

Very dramatic sky, you really feel the storm coming. Still there is some sunshine, but the rain will come for sure. It's a capture between the weather, there the sun and there the rain. Very nice combination with vibrant color hues and high sharpness. Well done

best regards
Urs

xuaxo (5671) 2009-11-05 12:09

Hi John,
This storm provided an excellent background for this amazing light. Good composition.
Greetings,
F.

feather (49856) 2009-11-05 14:51

As you no doubt surmised I am having a TE break at the moment, but can't resist having a peep now and again. When I saw your comment on one of my oldies I just had to see what you had been up to. :D
I remember this one from your website. This is one of my favourite weather combinations for photography. When you get a sunlit scene backed by a dark sky it can't be beaten and it's a rush to catch the moment which is often all too fleeting. You managed to achieve that very well and compose a very attractive image with the asymmetrical mountains in the background.
There's plenty of deadwood for the beavers!
Kath

avene (10920) 2009-11-06 11:17

hello John,
the light is fantastic here, the foreground literally shimmers against the dark storm clouds puring in from the V-shaped valley. I'd probably crop a little from the foreground, but that's a personal preference.

best,
Kristine

gunbud (27695) 2009-11-06 14:59

Hi John,
Lovely mountain meadow seen in brilliant filtered light.
Wonderful sharpness to this prestine image.
In the Northeast beaver dams are everywhere.
We had a very cold autumn stunting the fall colors.
Regards, Tom