Vapors and Rocks

A lenticular cloud is covering Mt. Rainier as seen from Chinook Pass, with

Governors Ridge rising between me and the mountain. I couldn't lower the

camera any further because of the tops of nearby trees, and snow/ice

prevented me from climbing up any further. Still, I liked this view of the

cloud. Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

Can be viewed larger.

An amazing photograph of an amazing event. Beautifully handled highlights!

I think this image is stronger than the last one. Better balanced, the division of texture and tone between the top and the bottom are its strengths.  I love the way the top right hand clouds mimics the roughness of the mountains. well done Stephen, another winnner for your collection.

Lenticular cloud is an amazing and wonderful spectacle but with a location like this all become to be a dream,splendid,lucky you for this magic moment.

interesting and original. very good photo. as the foreground on the other version is not so attracting, i say this version is much better, more elegant.

That is a stunning cloud. I've seen quite a few lenticulars in the Sierras but this one is amazing . 

Very nice photo !

My best

Michael

I have only seen a lenticular cloud by myself once, but it did not come close to the majestic beauty of this one. I like this version better, too. A great shot, Steve.

I saw your other posted image first and wondered if you had a version like this, if not I was going to suggest a crop. The cloud formation is fascinating and I like both shots to be honest but I think I slightly favour this one. It is annoying when you have to compromise compositionally, a few of my recent shots have suffered similar problems. Good to see you posting some landscapes again,

Dave.

Spellbinding photo! Everything here is spectacular... foreground, tones, monochromatic processing and the rare clouds. Congrats Stephen.

Best wishes... Sandeep

I'll join in too. That's a cracker. I couldn't even crop it.

Amazing phenomenon due to your hard and patient work.  Best Regards.

Feel of silence and infinity - max!

Thanks so much for the supportive comments.  We usually see lenticular clouds from the other (west) side of the mountain (that's where all of the people live).  I was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time heading to eastern Washington over Chinook Pass (which will soon be closed for the season) on the east side of Rainier, and the clouds generally move from west to east.  My primary intention when I set out was to photograph the yellow larch trees along the highway, but then this cloud came along.

 

Stephen, you have been rewarded for being "at the right place, at the right time". This is superb shot . Admirable stratification of light & colors. Compliments.7

I have come back to this image several times now. It is truly arresting. I think I am struck most by the use of the subtle reveal (is there a word for that?) as a presentation device. On the one hand, you have this unusual and dramatic cloud formation framed by the strong foreground blacks of the Tatoosh. But there is just the suggestion of something far larger and more dramatic lurking behind, which the cloud formation only reveals a little. It's analogous to the way foreshadowing and other gestural devices work in literature.

John, that's how I see this area as well.  I have the added benefit of having been to this site a number of times previously.  Attached is an early morning photo taken years ago from Upper Tipsoo Lake, which is about 100 meters directly behind me in this current shot. If you look closely, you can see the jagged peaks of Governors Ridge.  So this is what's hiding behind the cloud.  In another sense, having seen this and knowing what's behind the cloud is a detriment because it makes it more difficult for me to see this photo through the eyes of other viewers.  I know what's there, and that affects how I see things; I may take some things for granted that other viewers are unable to do.  In any event, for those who have not been over Chinook Pass, this is what Rainier looks like from the east side in the early morning hours (BTW, I stood at this spot for about 30 minutes in pitch black darkness prior to sunrise while an elk bugled a short distance behind me -- it was a great experience).

Hi Stephen,

This is image works very well for me.

Besides the obvious unique nature of the lenticular cloud there are two things that make this image work well for me.

The depth that is created with the sunlit mountains in the background.

And the 'jagged' clouds at the top complimenting the 'jagged' mountains and framing the image. Without these clouds at the top the image would lose a lot of drama and composition.

Well done! 

Really beautiful landscape almost monochrome. I like it Stephen

what a great combination of elements—jagged peaks, a smooth-as-cream lenticular cloud, and a half-revealed range in between, all nicely balanced and delicately processed. Superb.

Amazing moment! You really hit the right time up there. Excellent landscape photo, Stephen!

I agree with the other commenters that this is the stronger image of the two that you have posted of this event.  This is a very striking and powerful image that also happens to be perfectly exposed and composed.  Great work, Stephen!

I love the jagged (vertical) peaks against the stratified (horizontal) clouds.  This is an outstanding image, and it's going into my favorites.

Hi again, Stephen.  This is another amazing image.  I really like the composition in this image as there is balance between the ridges in the foreground and the sky.  I love the wispy cloud patterns in the upper corners, and how they contain that lenticular cloud so nicely.  A sort of natural vignette.  Love this one, and I will add it to my favorites.  All the best.

Paul

Come across it again.  Stunning!  Need your new works.  #7. Best Regards,