"North Lake in Flames"

Kennis and I left Bakersfield at 1 pm and arrived in Bishop around 4:45 pm. By the time we got to the Bishop Creek canyon area, it was after five and the sunset would happen around 6:15. Time was running out and I had pretty much decided that a sunset shoot would be lower on my priorities. I would use the time to scout for tomorrows sunrise and then try to grab something right at sunset. After going up to South lake and then up to Lake Sabrina, it was time to head down to the valley and try to salvage a sunset. After turning around and beginning the long haul down, I glanced over my left shoulder at the North lake area. The foliage reports had North Lake at past peak, so I didn't consider it as a photo opp, but when I saw the deep reddish aspens climbing the slope above the lake, I decided to head back. This was a risky move because North lake is notorious for swarms of photographers lining the east shore, shoulder to shoulder with tripods overlapping. Would I even find a parking spot? The road going up is narrow and I would consider treacherous in places, so finding a spot to park could be a challenge. With time passing quickly, I might end up at lakeside too late. To my surprise, I saw no other photographers, only a few people fishing on the far bank. Now I wondered if the clouds would hang on or dissipate. The colors grew more intense as the sun dropped and we were witnessing a rare spectacle. The aspens were past peak, but they were still glorious under such transitive light. I have made the wrong move so many times, trying to place myself at the right spot. It is frustrating when you are in a canyon and the vivid light is on the opposite side, out of camera range. I guess you could say that today was an exception to "Mark's Law"!

Truly beautiful. The light reflecting closed the gap to reach to other shore. Inclusion of the rocks in this manner is just an excellent landscape photographer can think of.

Thanks Lalit! The downside to this evening was that there was a ripple on the lake surface. In a perfect world, the lake would have been slack calm for a perfect reflection. The only thing to do was employ a long exposure which worked well. It almost shimmers and the water seems to radiate from the mild flow towards the creek. I have wanted this scene for a long time with those deep rusty red aspens climbing the opposite slope. Luck and being there are close cousins!

I think that this photo is wonderful. My rating is 7: very beautiful composition, the stones in the foreground give a sense of deep, colors are very nice, and the water is soft at right point. This photo must be viewed larger: in this way, there is a full immersion. Best regards from Italy, Antonio

This is nice Mark. The rocks seem a little cut off to me though. A little wider perspective would draw me in a little better. Did you do a vertical?  I'm sure you did :)

Dear Mark,

Great light! A special moment captured. Love the light trail on the water.

I greatly enjoyed looking through your portfolio, thank you!

Best regards,

Marianna

Thanks Antonio, Brian and Marianna! I did make a vertical, Brian, but not of this spot. I chose to cut off the rocks because in front of the rocks is a high traffic area, muddy with footprints. Cut off rocks was the only alternative. I will be working up the vertical soon!

On to my favorites, this magnificent landscape. One of the best! - I encourage everyone to view it larger.

bingo! just gorgeous.

Thank you Lester and Mary! So good to hear from both of you!

Mark this is outstanding!! your exposure is right on the money and the composition is primo..Great capture...Lefty

Mark

Lovely scenery well capture.  For me the fact that the water was not still is what makes this shot more interesting.  There are many photos of mirror perfect reflections of mountains and sunsets in a pond, and while they are for the most part fantastic shots, this one is more unique in that it offers a kaleidoscope of colors in the lake. This gives a sense of life to the image. The colors of the aspens along the mountain side are just gorgeous.  I miss the bottom of the small bunch of stones in the right bottom corner, i wish there was a little more of them in the frame. Regards - michel

Oh! Breathtaking colours. 

great shot.  great story.  it's why we do what we do.  crazy reddish color in those aspen.  do you see that a lot down there?  i've never seen a stand like that up here in Alberta.  good stuff Mark!

Thanks Lefty, Michel, Arup and Andrew! Hey Lefty, hope all is well! Michel, I had to crop the bottom because right in front of the rocks was mud and footprints. I have some other comps I will process soon that have more room up front. Andrew, the Eastern Sierra has a fair amount of orange and red aspens. Usually the redder ones are smaller trees. This slope is always red. It is amazing and when you see the leaves that have dropped, they are indeed deep orangish red. 

These kind of lakescapes are beautiful, if you choose the right moment, for the lights to be perfect. exactly what you did here. I imagine, how it would be, if the water is still, and not wavy. All the best, Zsolt

The lighting is incredibly well chosen!

PDE

Lovely image Mark, its a shame you did not get the perfect mirror reflection but the reflected sky in the water still makes for a marvelous image.

Amazing landscape, great lightness!

Wonderful landscape! especially the color on the water, it's fantastic. 

Thanks Zsolt, Pierre, Richard, Fabrizio and Yang Zheng!! Yes, Zsolt and Richard, that would have been the perfect scenario, but we work with what we get. I am actually thinking that the perfect mirror reflection would have been more ordinary and that this treatment works well by giving a more abstract appearance to the water! 

Absolutely perfect, as is.  

Mark - Exceptional lighting and your chasing around paid off this time!  I know the frustration of wanting to be at the right place and end up in the wrong place-or great light, but on the wrong subject.  It must have been great to be there.  The tight crop on the bottom is my only nit, but as I read above, the footprint alternative would have been less fitting with the image.

I look forward to seeing more from this area.

Harry

Nature photography at its best! You've got a nice reward for your perseverance this time!