Fall in the Alabama Hills

[kurtlawson]

Fall in the Alabama Hills by Kurt Lawson, on Flickr

I first discovered this tree last year over Thanksgiving break. Over a month ago, I drove by this tree and noted it was changing color already and figured that this year it would be past peak color by the time I returned, but I was wrong. It was even more spectacular this year. Standing on a rock and extending my camera out up and to the side with my handheld tripod like a giant selfie stick, I lined up this composition while looking at the camera’s view through my phone so that I could see the whole of Mount Whitney and the Needles juxtaposed next to the brilliant golden cottonwood. Even Mount Muir is peeking over the foreground ridges. The cool hazy Sierra Crest that towers over 10,000 feet taller than this tree contrasts with the kindred warm granite of the Alabama Hills. The high afternoon sun provides some backlight, causing this tree to seemingly glow in fall radiance that really catches the eye when heading down Whitney Portal Road.

Comments on Flickr and Favs there would be most appreciated as I would love to get this into Explore, which for me has not happened in years.

 

[Mike Lewis]

An impressive image and also what sounds like some impressive technique to get framed the way you intended.Lovely colors and a very pleasing foreground with the way rocks encircle the tree. Added a comment on Flickr as well.

ML

 

[kurtlawson]

Thank you!

 

[J. M. Livingston]

Fantastic image, think I saw this shared on one of the Owens Valley FB pages as well.

 

[Kyle Jones]

That's a great tree! I really like this scene.

 

[AlanLichty]

Nice when an effort like this one pays off - especially when it works as well as this image did. Nice work!

 

[JimFox]

I know this tree Kurt! It's a favorite of mine to shoot too, being so isolated like it is with the cool rocks surrounding it. You did well here, this looks great.

 

[Ken Rennie]

Tremendous image, almost side lighting but slightly backlit tree perfect to make the foliage glow without recourse to Orton or any other effect. The cool/warm colours are also excellent and make the tree stand out even more. Very good composition with airborne tripod ;-) . I wondered if more texture/ clouds in the sky would improve the image but this may just clash with the star of the show, the tree. I had to look up the Alabama hills as this image completely clashed with my image of Alabama.......silly me! California.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Loving this image.

 

[Dave Dillemuth]

Beautiful, Kurt. Amazing how late in the season the color remains good in the Owens. I'm headed up there tomorrow so hopefully I can find some nice foliage.

 

[Doug P]

All I can say is I love this image. Well seen and planned!

 

[Jim Sanderson]

Nice tree shot.

 

[BarryHamilton]

Delightful take from one of my fave places!