Ben Glatt's photostream

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Over winter break, I had the opportunity to explore some beautiful Redwood forests. Away from work and school, I was able to wake up and dedicate an entire day to walking amongst these giants. I did this for almost a week. Familiarizing yourself with an area you wish to shoot really helps in the photographic process. Depending on the amount of fog/rain, I could cut through the forest to locations I had specifically remembered. This image was captured during a very wet morning. The fog was thick above my head and the vegetation moist. Quite possibly my favorite shooting conditions. This tree immediately caught my attention. The variegated leaves along with their graceful arrangement told a story of fall. I especially enjoy letting my eyes ease out of focus, and watching the leaves turn to bright beacons of color in the darker forest.

Canon 30D, 17-70mm @70mm, ISO 320, f/13, 5 sec

Website: www.benjaminglatt.com
Blog: www.benjaminglatt.wordpress.com

The night before this was taken, I sat in my car hoping to get crystal clear reflections for the sunrise shoot. When I woke up, I was met with the exact opposite. A storm rolled in and threw some snow on the ground, and whipped the water around creating some impressive wakes. I wanted to showcase this stormy energy, so I got down really low to the ground and waited for a nice wave to grace the foreground. I've never seen an image from Mono Lake with water like this, so I am quite happy with its uniqueness.

Website: www.benjaminglatt.com
Blog: www.benjaminglatt.wordpress.com

The 2007 Witch Creek fires of Southern California left many hillsides scorched and completely void of any life. The charred landscape was fully bare, and showed very little hope for spring wildflower growth. As winter approached, the rain permeated the ash laden ground, and quickly replenished the soil. With spring’s arrival, new growth emerged amongst the dead remains. The burned bushes stood as depressing reminders while beautiful California wildflowers defiantly grew throughout. The union between the death of vegetation and the refreshing spring growth is a true testament to Mother Nature’s cycle of life.

Website: www.benjaminglatt.com
Blog: www.benjaminglatt.wordpress.com

After shooting a sunrise in Mono Lake, I hightailed it down I-395 to shoot the early morning light at Convict Lake. Interestingly, this wasn't the only "shooting" and "hightailing" that was done at this lake. In 1871 a group of prisoners escaped from the Carson City jail and fled to the lake. A posse led by Sheriff Robert Morrison followed the cons to what is now the head of Convict Creek. Upon confronting the convicts, the sheriff was brutally murdered by the prisoners. To pay tribute to Sheriff Robert Morrison, the largest mountain which surrounds the lake was named Mount Morrison.

I'm not sure I believe it, but I'm told that the ghost of Sheriff Morrison still haunts the lake to this day. I'd be reluctant to return, but if I do, I'll be sure to obey the speed limit. . . :P