When photographing in a place with the vast expanse of Death Valley National Park, haze is a factor to be reckoned with. It is there even on “clear” days, and over distances of many miles its effects can be substantial. Details are muted (especially in shadows), the coloration shifts toward blue, and related atmospheric instability can make subjects literally shimmer. (That makes it virtually impossible to get sharp focus in some situations.) It used to leave me nonplused, but eventually I thought about how to use these characteristics — after all, they are part of the scene.
When I made this photograph it wasn’t just a matter of distance — the atmosphere actually was hazier than usual. In this interpretation of the subject I decided to embrace that haze and its softening effect on the distant mountains. This contrasts with the rather more stark contrasts between the foreground waters of Lake Manley and bits of darker land. But overall, the image retains that blue coloration that I mentioned above.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.
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The post Lake Manly, Mountains, and Haze first appeared on G Dan Mitchell Photography.