"An Attraction to the Sun"

This was taken back when I didn't know what I was doing. Well, not so true, but we all remember earlier times when we didn't know as much and think "back then I didn't know anything". At that time I was using grad filters and my processing was fairly rudimentary. One thing hasn't changed; I still love taking landscapes photographs as much as anything (of course my wife and children come first, but it's a different kind of love, you see). With that passion comes a different way of seeing things. I have walked down my street to watch a wonderful sunset and notice my neighbors working outside, completely unaware of the spectacle. It's not often I let a sunset go without capturing it with a camera, but sometimes you just have to enjoy such things in a different way. Anyhow, I might say something like "gorgeous sunset" and they will give me a leer that seems to question my intellect. I mean, who would walk down the street just to watch the sunset. I have been to neighbors BBQs and a vivid sunset unfolds, yet not another person comments, let alone lifts their head. Meanwhile, I can't pry myself away from looking. Us landscape shooters are an odd bunch, but nobody can fault us for not knowing what makes us happy. Back to not knowing a thing. This image was taken with my buddy Chris Harris. We met near my home in Bakersfield to catch the sunset on the slopes of Bear Mountain. When I had shot here a month earlier, the grasses were green and soft and the wildflowers were exploding. So I showed up on this evening wearing jeans and tennis shoes. Chris was wearing boots and carpet layer's knee pads. The now brittle grasses were full of seed heads that pierced through my shoes and socks. Within a few steps, I was getting tore up from the dried grasses. Let me tell you, this is a foolish labor of love, yet my eagerness to catch the sunset prevailed. The next day I had to throw away my socks and shoes because I could not remove all of the stickers. If I only knew then what I know now. I now know why Chris looked so ridiculous with his knee pads. I think I gave him the same look that my neighbors give me when I am watching the sunset. If they only knew. If I only had known. I will never question Chris' intellect, no matter what he is wearing!

This is a re-post from a couple of years ago. I felt it had some more life, so I

reprocessed it with my current workflow techniques. Boy has that changed, like so

many other things. Please feel free to comment. The Larger version will give you a

better perspective!

Preciosa composición.

Saludos.

Thank you Rueda!!

Mark.

I find your photo very different to other landscapes including mine. Perfect depth with sunrays making cool comp and the flower as a main subject. That's the difference I'm talkin' about. Colours seem to be modified a bit with shadows/highlight option but overall impression is just fantastic. It's a while ago when I have rated 7/7.

Wish you all the best and I admire your work. Cheers, VS

Been away for awhile, am so glad to see you still around and yes we all tend to grow, hopefully, wonderful repost, great light and perspective. The green foliage seems a bit distracting to me but it is what it is. Your work shows your passion for our craft and is always a cut above. You certainly avail yourself of some realy lovely areas and your talented eye and workflow reflect some unbelievable beautly.  Love your stuff, keep it up or do I even need to say that.  peace in all things, rek.

Thanks VS and Richard! Good to have you back Richard, don't stay away for so long again. Thanks for the kind words!

great story and great photo.

at first sight i was not sure about that green plant in the foreground, feel a little bit like it was intersecting with the busy background. but the color is different and it is taking its part nicely in the composition. it is certainly  an outstanding photo, and if i look at it more it doesnt bother me anything, but still i wonder how it would be without that flower.