On the same evening that would later produce a spectacular total lunar eclipse, a different spectacle was unfolding when looking through a long lens at the Mount Whitney summit. While I awaited the coming darkness for the forthcoming celestial event, I was watching the weak weather system do battle along the Sierra Crest. The clouds were dancing along the ridge line dropping waves of snow that obscured the highest peaks. As the sun began to set, this dance became a show of fire and ice. The warm alpenglow from the setting sun long since hidden from view by the 14,000 foot wall, was bouncing off of the turbulent clouds. The southerly winter sun in this view is far to the south as evident by the crepuscular rays streaking from the jagged ridge on the left leading off to the north on the right. The alpenglow was backlighting the clouds behind the peak but also reflecting onto the front of the face, bathing the sheer granite in orange light that contrasted with the foreground slopes illuminated only by the deep blue sky to the east. Mount Whitney’s superlative summit here is obscured somewhat by snow that makes it seem blurred as the light that would define its shape scatters. The drama lasted only a few minutes before the color and the rays faded.
kurt765 wrote:
I really never ceases to amuse me how images get such wildly different responses when posting in different places.
Same. I also have a hard time wrapping my head around some of the images people pat each other's backs for here. Many are awesome. Others by some FM old-timers are very formulaic but predictably still get several gushing replies.
I've got a lot to learn as a photographer, I appreciate when people take the time to reply, even if that reply isn't overflowing with praise.
adittam wrote:
Same. I also have a hard time wrapping my head around some of the images people pat each other's backs for here. Many are awesome. Others by some FM old-timers are very formulaic but predictably still get several gushing replies.
I've got a lot to learn as a photographer, I appreciate when people take the time to reply, even if that reply isn't overflowing with praise.
For the record, I like your photo.
Most of the old timers comment on other people work and over the years have accumulated a following and get more responses to their work...nothing different than IG...
This is awesome, Kurt. I've seen very similar phenomena only once while in the Sierra backcountry. Unfortunately I was unable to come away with anything as nice as this.
