Bonsai twilight
Check out the post on thegoldensieve.com
The bonsai rock, a popular spot.
I spent a few days in the Lake Tahoe area this past week and took
every advantage to collect some images. I spent much of my time
collecting content for a time-lapse project you'll soon see, yet I
managed to come away with some beautiful still images of the alpine
scenery. There are a few famous spots for photography around this
enormous glacial lake, one of which you see below. Amongst
photographers, this place is commonly referred to as the "Bonsai Rock" for obvious reasons. Despite its popularity, there are no
trails that lead to the spot. Instead you have to locate an unmarked,
unpaved turnout a third of a mile south of Sand Harbor on the Nevada
side along Route 28 and hike off the road to the shore down the steep
western slope, picking your way along the winding path that the rain
and snow runoff clears through the brush. I spent two mornings and
two evenings photographing the skies and waters of Tahoe, but only here at Bonsai Rock did I ever see another photographer. In two visits here, I saw a total of three fellow photographers come and go to try their lens at capturing
something splendid. Everyone was very quiet and we stayed out of each
others' way - and I had a nice chat with a photographer named John
during sunrise two mornings after these photographs were taken.
The sun slipped behind the blue wall of the gathering storm and the
other photographers left. Each person is motivated by his own muse,
and I won't pretend to dictate how another should make his images, but
I chuckle to myself at times like this, when a photographer waits and
waits in one spot to reproduce a popular photograph, tripod at eye
level, not using his or her feet, and then flies when it becomes clear
no direct rays of sunset will hit the quarry. I remain behind,
however, committed to enjoying some time alone amongst the boulders in
the gloaming of an October evening. When later I regain the road,
there's a smirk on my face - I wonder if the other photographers would
be jealous, knowing what I captured by spending another sublime 60
minutes on the waters of the high country as blue hour unfailingly
comes whether rain or shine or snow or sleet?
The tempest.
Alone, quiet, I scrambled over one of the shoreline boulders and set
up my tripod to take a four minute exposure. I was bored with the
images taken from the more popular vantage points, where the footing
was dry and easy and the composition cluttered. It can be a bit
spooky all by yourself out in bear country when the sun sets and a
moonless, cloudy night sets in. A few moments of peace amongst the
stones while the clicking and clattering bats began to flit from their
grottos and skim the blue glass of Tahoe are reward enough, however.
Isolation, symmetry and asymmetry, a silhouette and the brushstrokes
of the gathering tempest.
Contrast that sublime blue hour light with what was available prior to sunset, when the other photographers packed it in.
Comments and faves
120672, Mangini Adalberto & Laura, ill-padrino www.matthiashaker.com, JFid1, and 43 other people added this photo to their favorites.
JFid1 (32 months ago | reply)
Too cool! The reflection is just ridiculous.
noprayer4dying (32 months ago | reply)
the nature is beautiful....
our earth is beautiful...
we should not destroy it......
a mind blowing shot my friend......
--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
harvest breeding (32 months ago | reply)
Magnificent!
Gizmo_F (32 months ago | reply)
Terrific, love the story that goes with the shot.
MASturley (32 months ago | reply)
nice shot
Will Nicholls mac (32 months ago | reply)
Beautiful.
servalpe (32 months ago | reply)
So beautiful mood in blue tones and reflections ¡
'eindzel (32 months ago | reply)
very nice
john.apilado (32 months ago | reply)
Had the pleasure of meeting you out at Bonsai Rock on Friday morning. Thanks for convincing me that the water wasn't that cold. Wading out 15 feet or so, gave me the perspective I was looking for. Just a beautiful shot; one that inspires me to return sometime (to take advantage of the evening light). Haven't had time to post my pics yet, but hopefully will get to it this weekend. Again, a fantastic shot!
-John
Nick Steinberg [deleted] (31 months ago | reply)
Stunning!
hans fotografeert (31 months ago | reply)
stunning seascape!!!!!
visiblejoy (22 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous capture!