Monday, March 16, 2009

First Kiss of Dawn

"First Kiss of Dawn" - Eastern Sierra
Ahh.. what better place to be on a freezing December 31 morning than all alone among miles of hills and boulders, beneath the eastern wall of the Sierra Nevada mountains, waiting with your camera for the sun to come up? This particular area has thousands of fascinating granite formations and is right at the foot of the spectacular peaks surrounding Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states. Many old movies and TV shows like The Lone Ranger, Bonanza and Treasure of Sierra Madre were filmed here because of the unique western landscape of rocks and snow capped mountains, and it's still popular for commercials and movies. When my wife first saw this, she thought the subject rocks looked like two figures kissing, hence the title of this one. You can see some snowy peaks off on the left horizon, the distance exaggerated by a wide angle lens.

18 comments:

roentare said...

You are truely an aspirational photographer. This one has the one of the best hues I have seen in the sky. The rock is well placed in your image as well, bringin out that sense of distance.

Great photo!

Unknown said...

Wow, what a beauty Mark. Dawn colors are perfect in the sky and on the ground. I've tried such shots here but or granite boulders take a pink/orange tint i don't really like.
Yours are stunning.

Vernon said...

It's my first visit to this blog and you really have amazing images. I thought this picture was Namibia when I first saw the image. We have granite boulders somewhat like that. I will certainly visit your blog more frequently.

storybeader said...

it's SO beautiful! I love the colors of the rocks and grasses - it does remind me of the Wichita Mts., in my backyard...

Unknown said...

Great composed and exposed photography!

Ashrays said...

Superb worth the cold wait and your wife was spot on :)

betchai said...

wow, i love the colors. i love pink/purple hues, and your wife is correct, the rocks look like having sweet moments together, the first kiss of dawn indeed. whenever we pass by that part of the Sierra, I always love to stop by Alabama Hills since I am amazed with all the rocks there which is right next to Mt Whitney.

Michelle B. Hendry said...

Stunning image - I love your work... Thanks to Patrick's link post I am a very happy to have found your work!

Mark Alan Meader said...

James: Thanks..The sky was clear except for that little bit of thin cloud off on the north horizon catching the color, which worked out really well.

Patrick: The rocks do seem to pick up a lot of color both early and late in the day, when the light is really warm. I think that's the same no matter where you are. Sometimes it's nice, other times it seems too much.

"Namib": Vernon, right? I backtracked to your blogs and they look really interesting... will check out more. Your part of the world is really unique and beautiful. Thanks for looking in.

Deb: Thank you.. if I turned 90° to the left, I'm sure it would look much different than your part of the country! (Actually it looks like my header banner;))

John: good to hear from you. Any signs of Spring up there yet?

Mook: Thanks and yeah, it was COLD, but worth it.

Betchai: I thought you would know this place! Truly pectacular location, which is why it has been popular for so long.

Michelle: Thanks a lot and welcome. I actually already added you to my friends list the other day on BlogCatalog. I enjoy your work, too. I'll put you on my "reading list".

C. JoyBell C. said...

Hello Mark Alan... :)

This is Charity...I just want to say "thank you" because I read over at Patrick's blog that you have actually visited me already. :)

Thank you for your visits. :)

Your photo here...reminds me of alien abductions! But then I have a very colorful mind! Ha ha! Aliens! Aliens!

Andy Richards said...

Nice Catch, Mark. My favorite time to photograph and be out is pre-dawn to catch the first light and the sunrise. Its is a magical, religious time to be alone in nature. However, the effort it takes to get out of a warm bet and out into the cold at that hour speaks volumes about your commitment to getting these kinds of shots. You can't make these "catches" unless you are there when they happen. Thanks for sharing them with us!

earthtoholly.com said...

Like you, your wife has a good eye. Yes, they do look as though they're kissing!

And the sunrise and landscape are awesome. So many layers, the dry flat desert, craggy rocks, snow-capped mountains and finally the beautiful sunrise.

Your photography is truly amazing. :o)

Lynda Lehmann said...

Mark, how utterly gorgeous and exotic in its own way, like the terrain on the moon, perhaps! I love the rosy glow of morning.

Again, I feel the excitement of the wilderness in your photography.

Your wife has a good eye, too!

Anonymous said...

This image has a lot going for it Mark.....soft light, clarity, detail, depth and foreground interest. A classic landscape shot.

Mark Alan Meader said...

Hello Charity, thank you for visiting. Your comments are little works of art in themselves, which is why I looked you up:) Please come back anytime... I have lots of "alien" landscapes.

Andy: I'm not much of a morning person, so it's really tempting to stay in bed on those cold dark mornings, but it's usually rewarding if I find a way to force myself up.

Holly: Thanks.. good to hear from you. After she spotted that, it took on a life of it's own that I honestly didn't notice at the time I made it.. I was more concerned with my hands freezing.

Lynda: I guess I'm drawn to strange,"otherworldly" places, big or small.. luckily I have access to quite a few! If I can communicate some of that feeling of wonder through pictures, I'm satisfied.

Wayne: Thanks.. always appreciate your stopping by.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

The atmosphere in this is amazing and I love the colour of the sky contrasted with the barrenness of the rock...:)

Jackie said...

Beautiful mark...simply wonderful. You are one of my all time favorites!!

Also I love the dessert too. I only get to go once a year. Utah is another great place too that I love!!

You are just awesome!!

Jackie:-)