McGee Canyon Sunset Fall Colors Extravaganza
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2018 4:16 pm
On my recent Fall Colors trip, McGee Canyon was high on my list to visit. Those of you who have been fortunate to hike in to the basin above, and then on beyond McGee Pass, are well aware of the explosion of color the rock in this canyon has to offer (Red Slate and Red & White Mt.)., more so than anywhere else in the Sierra.
My photographic goal, was to use the in-coming storms clouds at sunset, getting an alpine glow that would balance off the color explosion of the Fall Colors in the mouth, and the golden treasure pot in the esophagus of the canyon.
Getting the right color and luminance was imperative for the success of this piece, to bright of a sky or colors would over power the piece, distracting from the main purpose of this piece, Fall Colors.
The clouds did not materialize till late, which had me further east looking at Owens Valley, when suddenly the clouds showed up, and immediately starting to turn light pink.
Jumped in my car, headed to the earlier scouted location, about 5 minutes up canyon, set up, and within 30 sec, got the light and conditions that I pre-visualized, and then it was gone as suddenly as it had appeared. This is one of the main reasons a photographer needs to pre-scout locations, so as the light changes, one can moved to a pre-determind location accordingly, otherwise precious seconds can be lost looking for a location, and in the worst scenario, a wonderful photo could be lost.
This one is another beautiful panorama, up to 36 x 72 (and larger), on aluminum, the colors are just sub-lime, not only the plants, but also the rock and sky, make this another special piece. Click on the piece to get a larger view, turn off all distracting light around your computer to take in the colors.
My photographic goal, was to use the in-coming storms clouds at sunset, getting an alpine glow that would balance off the color explosion of the Fall Colors in the mouth, and the golden treasure pot in the esophagus of the canyon.
Getting the right color and luminance was imperative for the success of this piece, to bright of a sky or colors would over power the piece, distracting from the main purpose of this piece, Fall Colors.
The clouds did not materialize till late, which had me further east looking at Owens Valley, when suddenly the clouds showed up, and immediately starting to turn light pink.
Jumped in my car, headed to the earlier scouted location, about 5 minutes up canyon, set up, and within 30 sec, got the light and conditions that I pre-visualized, and then it was gone as suddenly as it had appeared. This is one of the main reasons a photographer needs to pre-scout locations, so as the light changes, one can moved to a pre-determind location accordingly, otherwise precious seconds can be lost looking for a location, and in the worst scenario, a wonderful photo could be lost.
This one is another beautiful panorama, up to 36 x 72 (and larger), on aluminum, the colors are just sub-lime, not only the plants, but also the rock and sky, make this another special piece. Click on the piece to get a larger view, turn off all distracting light around your computer to take in the colors.