Bill Wight CA's photostream

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Thanks for visiting my flickr photostream.

All of my images are copyright, all rights reserved. You may not use any of my images for any reason without my permission. Adding one of my images to a flickr gallery is permitted.

Image Licensing--

If you would like to use or license one or more of my images, please contact me at: wwwca[at]charter[dot]net or call me at 909 area code 989 [dash] 3919. Please do not ask to use my images for free. Each of my images represents a lot of work and expense to capture and process.

A shot through the Whitney Portal Arch of the alpenglow on the Sierra peaks.

A shot in Parker Canyon in the fall.

During our recent Grant Teton workshop, I and our ten students got a one in a million shot of a rainbow over the Moulton Barn.

Here is a shot of the Tetons and the Snake River at a place called Oxbow Bend.

We had two good sunrises and one good sunset during my photo trip to Death Valley. Here is one of the sunrise shots on the dunes near Stovepipe Wells. I chose a more distant view than my fellow photographers you can see on the left dune ridge line.

Here is the image that Flickr fans have faved almost 2300 times. I just can't thank you all enough! This image was licensed and is now part of a TV commercial for the Convict Lake Resort .

The 'Lathe Arch' in the Alabama Hills of California, is photographed often, so often it's become somewhat famous. With such iconic images, I try to do something a bit different than what everyone else does. This is an example, not unique, but different and special enough to capture attention. In all landscape photography there is a bit of luck involved in catching a shot like this. I photographed this arch on six different days and only saw the alpenglow once.

Here is one of favorite images I captured in Joshua Tree NP.

Landscape photography tip:

Since the sunrise and sunset are such a short events, you do not have much time to shoot them. You need to be on-site and ready to go or you'll not be able to take full advantage. If possible, it's best to scout the site you want to shot the day before. I arrived in Joshua Tree NP around 3 pm and from the clouds in the sky, I knew I was going to have a chance for a colorful sunset. But as I was driving around looking for a sunset site, I was also scouting for a spot where I could shoot the next day's sunrise. I found a good spot and reset the trip odometer in my truck. Remember, you will be traveling to your sunrise location in the dark, so it helps to have a mileage indicator to work from if you are in an area that looks the same in the dark.

The next morning, I drove the indicated number of miles from the park west entrance, parked my truck in a pull-out, ate my sack breakfast, drank my coffee then hiked to my spot and set up. As the sky in the east began to lighten up, I started to snap images. For the next 20 minutes or so, I was going like a one-armed paper hanger. I felt the area was a good one the evening before and I was right. It had nice Joshua Trees, shapely mountains in the distance and dramatic rock piles.

For sunrise shoots, I always go through my gear the night before. I do a 'pre-flight' check list. Cameras, lenses, filters, tripod, remote release, batteries charged, memory cards empty, food, drinks, clothing, hat--everything I'll need the next morning is ready to go and sitting next to the door. At 5 AM, you don't want to be looking for anything and you don't want to arrive at your sunrise site missing vital items.

One of my Flickr fans commented about how many good images I have. I must admit, that I feel lucky if I get one good image from each day of photography in the field. I take several hundred images for each one I post on Flickr. I'll bet it is about the same for most good landscape photographers. Ansel Adams said he felt good if he got twelve significant images in a year.

I shoot with a Nikon D300 and have the following lenses:
Sigma 10-20mm superwide zoom
Nikon 18-200 VR zoom
Nikon 70-300mm VR telephoto zoom
Tamron 400mm telephoto

I use Photoshop CS5 and Photomatix Pro 4.0 in my post-processing..

A little about me

Semi-retired. That means I've got the "tired" part down pat, but I'm still working on the "Re" part.

Hobbies include photography, RV'ing, novel writing, trout fishing, cooking, grilling and BBQ'n.

Dislikes: yard work!

I am the founder of Flickr's Best Landscape Photographers Group

Visit us and view the work of the very best landscape photographers on Flickr

Photos of Bill Wight CA (11)

Bill Wight CA's favorite photos from other Flickr members (11,956)

Contacts (88)

Javier Camacho... No real name given
APAAME Aerial...
Al Lipsey Al Lipsey
Roger Wyrick No real name given
Jesse Estes Jesse Estes
Dave Toussaint... Dave Toussaint
Ken Hornbrook Ken Hornbrook
RRFjt (Life has... No real name given
Nikon Man... Jack Teagarden
TomGrubbe Tom Grubbe
Gary Randall No real name given
M Atif Saeed Atif Saeed

Groups (50 50)

Fine Gold 181,421 photos, 12,353 members
Nature's Carousel - (Invite only) - Post 1 Comment 2 79,039 photos, 5,538 members
***Perfection In Pictures Supreme Images*** Level (2) P1-A3 10,663 photos, 1,393 members
"Only Good Photographs - P1C2" 17,030 photos, 944 members
California Landscape Photographer 2,070 photos, 301 members
JPL Open House 2011 107 photos, 172 members
Michael Frye's Photo Critique Series 2,948 photos, 554 members
Inspirational Nature 3 photos, 2 members
Joshua Tree Photo Meetup Group/Joshua Tree Camera Club 101 photos, 10 members
Seasons with NASAJPL Education 150 photos, 236 members
Photochromers 74 photos, 11 members
Photographer's Choice~Hall of Fame (Invitation) 14,197 photos, 1,593 members
California Photographer 8,258 photos, 636 members
NASAJPL Comets & Asteroids Group 111 photos, 393 members
Rockforms 6,064 photos, 1,017 members
Sierra Nevada - Photographs from the Range of Light 6,932 photos, 485 members
My Gallery Photo 3,118 photos, 507 members
NATURE'S PRIME (post 1 award 4) Contest: COLOR ME BLUE ~ VOTE 195,454 photos, 13,908 members
Landscape Photographs (ADMIN INVITE only) Post 1 / Award 1 18,841 photos, 2,674 members
"Best Of Flickr +15 faves Post1/fav/AW 2 sweeper No Tolerance 17,688 photos, 11,594 members
ONLY LANDSCAPES AND SUNSET 128,741 photos, 13,971 members
THE BEST PICTURES OF REFLECTIONS //LAS MEJORES FOTOS DE REFLEJO 53,354 photos, 10,761 members
Andromeda "50," Level 6 ~ (Special Invitation Only) 65,039 photos, 5,241 members
Wildlife Award - Post 1, Award 2 49,615 photos, 4,179 members
N i K O N (Post 1 , award 2) SWEEPER ACTIVE !! 8,553 photos, 1,594 members
beautiful and delicate-Admin Invite only P1/C2 SWEEPER ACTIVE! 2,753 photos, 379 members
Lynx rufus 187 photos, 31 members
Gold Star Award - Level 2 (p1/a5) 30,176 photos, 6,162 members
Best of U.S. National Parks 5,341 photos, 1,288 members
New Photo Page Preview 0 photos, 3,728 members
FlickrOffline - Meetups / Events / Group Projects 80 photos, 90 members
Better Than Good - Level 4 (p1/a5) Sweeper in use 7,379 photos, 1,458 members
Better Than Good - Level 5 (p1/a5) Sweeper in use 4,620 photos, 923 members
Discover Los Angeles 21,637 photos, 1,135 members
Yellowstone Info-Share 1,108 photos, 100 members
Beautiful Photo ( Post 2 - Comment 5.)*SWEEPER ACTIVE* 52,766 photos, 4,546 members
Night & Morning on Flickr! The best of 2011 34,375 photos, 1,470 members
Moon's Eclipse *2-COMMENTS, Please!!!* 38,523 photos, 2,129 members
Scenics & Wilderness (Admin Invite Only) 2,835 photos, 254 members
Photos are NEVER Free! 218 photos, 85 members
Just Street Photography 724,821 photos, 29,527 members
That's What I'm Talkin About !! (Post 1, Award 3) 10,059 photos, 1,100 members
Los Angeles 156,805 photos, 9,060 members
HDR 705,222 photos, 82,693 members
Nik Software Photo Share 76,035 photos, 4,631 members
There Be A Storm A Brewin! 35,294 photos, 4,197 members
Nikkor 18-70 DX 19,311 photos, 1,034 members
Photoshop Support Group 169,159 photos, 31,010 members
one life - one picture 1,109 photos, 647 members
Coyote's Cache of Collectibles 1,031 photos, 157 members

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Galleries (1)

Extraordinary Light 18 photos

Testimonials (17)

rohaberl says:

"Bill is one of the best landscape photographer posting on Flickr. I love his impressive south/west scenes, his great eye and compositions. Thanks for your friendship Bill. I am looking forward your next masterpieces. Best wishes from Berlin to CA :)"

14th July, 2009
bkwdayton - on hiatus says:

"We at Color Photo Award congratulate Bill. His magical photo "Laurel Mountain - Convict Lake Purple Sunrise" was voted our 2008 Theme Contest Photo of the Year BRONZE Medalist. One look through Bill's photostream...well, who can only take one look? His landscapes are awe inspiring and we're honored that he shares his knowledge and his talent."

1st February, 2009
Grandma_Hippie says:

"I believe that Bill takes the most clear, breathtaking, majestic and powerful landscape photographs of anyone else on Flickr, and I am proud to call him "my friend". Since my arrival on Flickr in August 2007, Bill has been very cordial, supportive and helpful to me in becoming a better photographer, and when I grow up -- go from being an "amateur" to a "professional" photographer -- I want to be just like Bill Wight.

I attempt beautiful, open, powerful and clear landscape photographs but, at times, those landscape shots can be so very disappointing. Too often a beautiful landscape in real life looks so stunning, so breathtaking that I just point, shoot, get home to look at the photos and and ... oh, I end up with an annoying and disappointing flat landscape shot with no depth or detail as I saw when I was standing there in person. I believe that what separates me from Bill is that he can actually make the landscape photos turn out the way he wants them to (not the way the camera does). He has an eye for the real beauty and wonder and the ability to turn that into a reality -- giving commanding power and real presence to each and every one of his landscape photographs.

When I look at Bill's landscape photographs I stare at them in disbelief. I say to myself, “Oh my God, he nailed the perfect landscape photo!” All the colours are just right and they look alive and have a richness about them that I know Bill saw in real life -- by being there to take the photograph. Bill's composition is always perfect and everything looks so incredible. I can really tell how much distance there is in the picture; there is always such depth and detail. I always feel the surge of happiness, excitement and an immense feeling of joy rushing through me, because I know that Bill has to feel so good to know he once again captured that amazing scenery!

I believe that Bill has been given a special gift and his love of landscape photography comes through in every shot he captures on film. I am proud and happy to call Bill, my friend.

Sincerely submitted,

Karin A Johnson
Grandma_Hippie"

4th January, 2009
Jeep_Thing says:

"I love visiting Bill's photostream. Everytime I do, I learn something new because he is a skilled artist, and the images stand alone as teaching tools. But he goes a few steps further. He takes the time to share insights into what went into his captures, along with details about the experience itself. His photostream is delightful in every respect, and reflects well on him as a person. Thank you, Bill."

5th January, 2009
twisted_karolina says:

"I'm really impressed of Bill's photography! These images could be illustrations in the most beautiful fairytales! It's good to enjoy Bill's art everyday and dream about all the wonderful and magical places... Good luck!"

5th November, 2008
Nikon Man Gallery 95993 says:

"I must say the Bill is one of the most consistantly excellent photographers I have ever seen. His work is increible! I have met National Geographic staff photographers, and include a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer as a friend. Bill's work exceeds the quality of any work I have seen. BRAVO Bill, keep up the Great Work!"

15th October, 2008
ohsnapitsbaker says:

"His photos are beyond stunning. Truly a remarkable photographer!"

15th October, 2008
DDiamond1 ... Off says:

"Andra moi ennepe … polytropon …..
is the beginning of an epos in ancient times

Tell me the name of that man …who’s been many places …

Our man is such man, who has been many places and
He tells stories about, as the troubadours in middle age,

But no normal stories – stories about nature !

And he is marvellous teacher,
as many years ago in Salzburg painter Oskar Kokoschka
founded – Schule des Sehens – School of Viewing –

his oeuvre such a Schools of Viewing.

And we can see
on top Laurel Mountain – the Fiat lux of J. Haydn’s “ The Craetion”

and we can hear
Glenn Gould’s Aria from J.S.Bach’s “ Goldberg Var.”
in the calm stillness of the lake ……..

and he is philosopher,
may be the one or the other doesn’t find his oeuvre beautiful,
or wonderful as it is , this is not his point,

his point is truth – simplex sigillum veri -
simple is the seal of truth -

showing nature as it is!

and he is a master of – the right moment –
in the very best tradition of H. Cartier - Bresson,

and no one ever will hear
how many efforts are behind this one - click - ………

many of us know
lots of most wonderful, beautiful fotos of nature
with all of their impressions and expressions, ….

But there is one – out standing

Andra moi ennepe … polytropon …..

His name is Bill Wight !

...and may we all wish and hope,
in the very best sense of a piece of music,
which doesn’t have an end

Johann Strauss - perpetuum mobile –
and so on, and so on, and so on . . . . . . . . . . ."

4th October, 2008
Skiwasser65 says:

"Bill is a very good man (a "sir")
the world need people like him
Sky"

3rd October, 2008
DanAquino says:

"I just got my first DSLR camera yesterday and seeing Bill's photo stream today, ..WOW!...I can't ask for a perfect time to be inspired and take some beautiful landscape as what Bill does. Thanks Bill. I'm glad you found me and to be inspired with your amazing photography."

2nd October, 2008
k4kathie says:

"Bill - you commented on one of my photos and I found yours, and WOW, I am so inspired. I can't wait to take more pictures and learn photShop and maybe, once in a while, I might get one like your many."

24th September, 2008
Debasis ~~ says:

"I came to know Bill very recently in flickr, he commented one of my photos....when I went to see his photostream, specially landscape....it's mind-blowing....speachless beauty and marvellous processing and framing.....I do visit his stream quite regularly and get inspired from his vision, technique and ideas !!!

Bill is definitely a landmark of outdoor photography....."

7th September, 2008
JMartinezStudios.com says:

"Bill is a great man. All i've seen is a great heart in a good man. I hope to become good friends with bill and stay that way for the rest of my life. Having someone that is kind, well spirited and experienced in life is a quality everyone should have. In better terms if there was a way i could buy bill and bring him home with me to be a buddy in real life i would buy him in a heart beat.
Keep being strong bill..
your buddy till death do us part..(no time soon)
jOn-Spokane, Wa, USA"

12th August, 2008
Bill_Cross says:

"This site is home to some of the most astounding landscape images I have seen on Flickr. Bill has a way of working with light and texture to create a magical, almost surreal vista that just glows on the screen. Truly remarkable work to be found here."

11th August, 2008
stammberger13 says:

"bill has some really beautiful pictures in his photostream-when you look at his pictures you can feel such a wonderful natural atmosphere like you can smell the fresh air-he's a great photographer that's for sure!"

29th July, 2008
afndy73 says:

"Dear Bill

You got a beautiful collection of landscape photos..realy impressive and inspiring...."

29th June, 2008
EL CUMPA says:

"BILL you are an excellent photographer , free and wild spirit .
Thank you and good luck
atte:EL CUMPA."

28th June, 2008