The Importance Of Clouds

18Mar23

Clouds have the potential to add what’s missing from a scene. And, sometimes it’s the clouds that play a leading role in landscape imagery. If not a leading role, they are very often a strong supporting one. For me, clouds can make or break an image. I look for cloud balance when framing. Clouds that are unusual and in good position to the landscape are of special interest. As most photographers know, approaching storms and clearing storms can be great opportunities to capture interesting clouds. For me, the images below are successful because of the quality of the clouds. Some of these are very recent and a couple of the others were on hold for this post … about ‘The Importance Of Clouds’ in landscape photography!

A colorful display happens in the sky moments before sunrise!

‘Stripes At Dawn’ © Denise Bush

Stacked clouds adorn the sky above a beautiful winter peak.

‘Stacked Clouds Above High Peak’ © Denise Bush

Clouds from a clearing storm hug the frosty slopes.

‘Clouds Over Winter Slope’ © Denise Bush

Cimarrons, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, mountain, mountain range, Ouray County, Ridgway, cloud, sunset

‘Funny Little Cloud’ © Denise Bush

Inverted clouds linger in the valley along the Million Dollar Highway, looking toward Silverton.

‘Clouds In The Valley’ © Denise Bush

Some pretty pastel clouds form over a portion of Cimarron Ridge near Ridgway, Colorado.

‘Painterly Clouds Over Ridge’ © Denise Bush

A frosty ridge is topped by a cotton candy cloud.

‘Frosty Treat & Cotton Candy’ © Denise Bush

The warm light of alpenglow illuminates the snow-covered rocks and beautiful pink clouds.

‘Clearing Storm With Alpenglow’ © Denise Bush

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Filed under: Colorado, Landscape Photography   |  27 Comments
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Winter In B&W

21Feb23

In the winter I like to challenge myself to produce a few black & white images. Often times the scenes seem monochromatic right from the start. Snow lends some white often contrasting elegantly with other elements in a scene. It helps define the contours of the mountains. Trees also look beautiful in winter, and in black and white … exposing their lines and bare form more clearly. We have had plenty of snow and following are some B&W images Mother Nature, my camera and I created this winter.

Low light, filtered through adjacent trees creates long shadows on the snow.

‘Long Shadows On Snow’ © Denise Bush
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The almost full moon rises above mountains near Telluride, Colorado.

‘January Moon’ © Denise Bush

A snow covered road leads the way to an awesome winter road to Mount Sneffels, near Ridgway.

‘Winter Road To Sneffels’ © Denise Bush

A small but shapely tree can see the didtance from its hilltop perch.

‘Winter Lookout’ © Denise Bush

Long shadows appear on new fallen snow from aspen trees the low angle of the sun.

‘Aspen Snow Shadows’ © Denise Bush

Mount Sneffels shows off in its winter coat in this San Juan Mountains scene.

‘Classic Sneffels’ © Denise Bush

A creek runs through a snowy canyon in Colorado's San Juan Mountains in winter.

‘A Creek Runs Through It’ © Denise Bush

Are you a fan of B&W photography? Check out my ‘BLACK & WHITE’ Gallery HERE!

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Beginnings & Endings

07Feb23

Here’s a selection of recent captures I’ve been collecting for this post. It is said that sunrise and sunset imagery is cliché. I ask you … how can anything as beautiful as sunrise and sunset be considered so? If they are cliché they remain enjoyable by many nevertheless. Each day is unique, offering a chance for spectacular light and color. Full disclosure however, is that I have at least as many failures as successes. It’s part of the process … partly because Mother Nature is unpredictable! Other times I am just in the wrong place at the right time! No matter the outcome, it’s worth the effort for those magical moments. I savor being out in the landscape, feeling enveloped by the light and colors, at the beginning or end of a day.

A cloudless sky displays beautiful gradient colors at sunrise.

‘Gradient At Sunrise’ © Denise Bush

A wintry mountain Cimarron Ridge and a beautiful sunrise create a tranquil scene in Ridgway, Colorado.

‘Winter Ridge At Sunrise’ © Denise Bush

The sun is almost gone in this winter scene featuring a gentle mountain.

‘Almost Gone’ © Denise Bush

Sunrise and some distant mountains make a beautiful layered scene.

‘Just The Beginning’ © Denise Bush

Mountains that surround the town of Ouray can be seen from quite a distance. Mount Abram is on the right.

‘Above Ouray’ © Denise Bush

Mountains of the West Elks are visible from far away. The last light of day illuminates them with golden light.

‘Far Off Land’ © Denise Bush

Faraway peaks create a silhouette against a sunset sky.

‘Distant Peaks At Sunset’ © Denise Bush

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Filed under: Colorado, Landscape Photography   |  48 Comments
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Peak Winter Peaks

22Jan23

Our winter weather started in November and we still have a couple of months to go. And, according to the weather guy, March is usually our snowiest month. Here are some landscape images from the first half of winter that feature the beautiful snow covered peaks. It’s a continuous cycle. It snows, some of it melts, and then it snows again … all winter long. I think the mountains are most beautiful when they have a fresh coating of snow. And luckily the peaks will have snow on them until the end of spring. My camera and I appreciate the season’s gifts and like to capture the beauty while it lasts. I hope you enjoy these winter peaks … in the peak of our winter!

A peak with the name of S-9 of the Sneffels' range is featured in this winter image with an oak brush foreground.

‘Oak Brush Below Winter Mountain’ © Denise Bush

A modest mountain is covered in a white coat!

‘Mountain In A Winter Coat’ © Denise Bush

An old broken fence leads the way to some peaks, peeking above the snow-covered hill.

‘Broken & Buried’ © Denise Bush

A pristine winter, San Juan Mountains landscape makes a beautiful Colorado postcard.

‘Winter Postcard’ © Denise Bush

An old broken-down fence provides an interesting foreground in this winter mountain scene.

‘Snow, Fence & Mountain’ © Denise Bush

Snow-covered mountains stand out agains the stormy winter sky.

‘Winter Wilderness’ © Denise Bush

An old broken fence, buried under the snow acts as a frame for the mountain peaks beyond.

‘Framed’ © Denise Bush

Some gentle mountain tops create a pretty anchor for a beautiful winter sky at sunset.

‘Winter Mountain Tops’ © Denise Bush


Filed under: Colorado, Landscape Photography   |  48 Comments
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Before They’re Gone

09Jan23

I’ve had the images in this post on standby. It includes some of the local cabins, barns and mining buildings within my radius. The images were all made in the later half of 2022 and I’ve been saving them, waiting until I had enough for this blog set. Some of these are abandoned, some are restored, some are historic and some are still in use. Whatever the case I think they all have character, and I had fun shooting them … before they’re gone!

An old barn situated in an area with willows takes on morning light

‘Barn In The Willows’ © Denise Bush
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A headframe belonging to the Colorado Boy mining operation remains as a reminder of days gone by.

‘Colorado Boy Remains’ © Denise Bush

An old log cabin and autumn aspens create a quaint and nostalgic scene.

‘Aspens Beside A Cabin’ © Denise Bush

An old, abandoned boarding house for miners is getting engulfed by trees under a stormy sky.

‘Boarded Up Boarding House’ © Denise Bush

An old red barn catches late day, warm light on a

‘Old Red Barn’ © Denise Bush

An old style barn and house reside in a lovely setting, in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado

‘Barn With Antler Wreath’ © Denise Bush

An old cabin at the National Belle mining site remains with other evidence in the background.

‘National Belle Remains’ © Denise Bush


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Aspen Patterns & Abstracts

02Jan23

I’m drawn to repetition and nature patterns … I suppose it’s the part of me that likes to create order! I enjoy finding patterns, and selectively framing them while out in the landscape. Here are a few recent patterns added to a couple I was saving for this post. The second part includes images created using intentional camera movement (icm). It’s a fun technique that’s freeing and unpredictable. I like to do a bunch and decide what I like when I see them on my computer. All of the images in this post happen to feature aspens … I think they make great nature patterns and icm abstract subjects.

A distant forest of aspens and spruce makes an interesting linear pattern in the snow.

‘Winter Aspen Forest’ © Denise Bush

A distant aspen forest, with spruce trees makes an interesting wintry subject.

‘Forest Pattern In Winter’ © Denise Bush

Young aspen trees arrange themselves among the rocks and snow in winter.

‘Saplings In Winter’ © Denise Bush

A long shot at some distant aspens combines a grouping that creates diagonal layers.

‘Distant Aspen Pattern’ © Denise Bush

This abstract was created by intentionally moving the camera during exposure.

‘Aspen Abstract In B&W’ © Denise Bush

This abstract was created by intentionally moving the camera during exposure.

‘Aspen Abstract, No. One’ © Denise Bush

This abstract was created by intentionally moving the camera during exposure.

‘Aspen Abstract, No. Two’ © Denise Bush

This abstract was created by intentionally moving the camera during exposure.

‘Aspen Abstract, No. Three’ © Denise Bush
Imagine this printed as a large canvas!

Intentional Camera Movement creates an impressionistic image among the aaspen trees in autumn.

‘Autumn Dream’ © Denise Bush

See my complete ‘Nature Abstracts & Patterns’ collection here!

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Filed under: abstract, Nature   |  40 Comments
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2022 Favorites

21Dec22

As many of my friends and followers know, I like to close out the year by collecting all my favorite photos in a year-end gallery. It’s a 20 year tradition! Now that it is complete I’m ready to move on with renewed energy, goals and 2023! I collected over 100 images and then edited the group down to 65. Click the thumbnail page or link below to check out all my ‘2022 Favorites’, and find links to other years, and my store too!


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Autumn Recap – Part Two

04Dec22

Although it feels like winter, autumn isn’t over until December 21. Here are more images I wanted to document and share. I try to keep up with with what I capture by processing and posting what I like. Now I’ll move on to tackling other images from recent captures … some set aside for particular themes. In October, fall came to an abrupt stop. I wasn’t ready for the sudden onset of especially cold weather and snow. Processing kept me busy and after taking a break from shooting, I’m ready to venture out again …  hunting for new subjects and scenes.

A peak with snow peeks out to top aan autumn aspen slope.

‘Mountain Topping’ © Denise Bush

Fog obscures a distant mountain while fall foliage shines up front.

‘Foggy Impression’ © Denise Bush
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An unsettled sky gives way to light on the mountain and colorful aspens.

‘Colorful Aspens Below’ © Denise Bush

A colorful selection of aspens and willow gather at the bottom of a hill to make a pleasing grouping.

‘Down In The Valley’ © Denise Bush

Storm clouds move in to create dramatic lighting over this Colorado landscape.

‘Mountain Drama In Autumn’ © Denise Bush
click here to view my ‘Colorful Colorado’ collection

Vibrant aspens show off peak foliage below a peak with a light dusitng of snow.

‘Aspens Below Dusted Peak’ © Denise Bush

Aspens close-up and faraway make a pretty autumn scene in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

‘Aspens In A Forest’ © Denise Bush
click here to view my ‘Tremendous Trees’ collection

Golden aspens glow below a peak in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

‘Autumn à la Mode’ © Denise Bush

Aspen trees with bark damage twist every which way in this autumn grove.

‘Twisted Sisters’ © Denise Bush
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A large dead tree is a fitting subject for a Halloween tale.

‘Sorcerer’s Tree’ © Denise Bush
available in many options here

To scroll through all my autumn posts, click on Denise Bush’s Photo Blog to return home, then scroll down. Thanks for visiting!

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Filed under: autumn, Colorado   |  52 Comments
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Autumn Recap – Part One

27Nov22

I’ve been busy reviewing and processing more fall images that interest me. As I’ve mentioned before, my blog acts as an archive of my work. Just some of what I post here will end up in my yearly favorites gallery and this is a record of those that do and those that don’t. It was a wonderful fall for photographing and perhaps one of my more productive too. Here, in no particular order is part one of the recap, containing more images than my usual posts. The leaves may be gone but it is still fall!

Sunshine Mountain near Telluride Colorado displays a coat of fresh snow above autumn colors below.

‘Winter Above Autumn’ © Denise Bush

A fence has fallen but remained in place to border some golden, autumn aspens.

‘Broken-down Border’ © Denise Bush

Snow comes to the mountains to create a dramatic autumn scene.

‘Wintry Prelude’ © Denise Bush
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A cloud lights up shortly after the sun goes down as a last minute surprise.

‘Sunset Near Telluride’ © Denise Bush

Using a telephoto lens, aspens in the distance are glowing with late day backlighting.

‘Admiring From Afar’ © Denise Bush

Aspens intersect in a forest that grows every which way!

‘Aspen Intersections’ © Denise Bush
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A favorite stand of cottonwoods shows their autumn grandeur in this isolated view.

‘The Cottonwoods’ © Denise Bush
click here to view more ‘Tremendous Trees‘

A little light peeks out above Red Mountain to illuminate the autumn colors.

‘Red Mountain In Autumn’ © Denise Bush

Snow comes to the Colorado mountains in autumn seen here in this contrasting scene.

‘Season Contrast’ © Denise Bush

A border of golden aspen trees compliments the warm spotlight on the distant mountains.

‘Spotlight At Sunset’ © Denise Bush

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Filed under: autumn, Colorado   |  28 Comments
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Back Road Memories

19Nov22

It’s hard to beat driving down back roads lined with glorious autumn color! Fond leaf-peeping memories go back to childhood in Western New York Sate. Coming home from Gramma’s house, who lived about an hour away, we stopped to gather a bouquet of autumn maple branches. It was Mom’s idea that I could take them into school the next day. I remember it being a proud first grade moment and fall has been my favorite season ever since. An autumn without driving down colorful backroads, just would not be autumn for me. Come on …let’s take a little ride and have a look!

You just know these cattle are happy! Look at where they get to graze!agriculture,

‘Happy Cattle Hill’ © Denise Bush

A mountain road leads to the mountains in autumn.

‘Aspen-lined’ © Denise Bush

Beautiful aspens line a dirt road in autumn splendor!

‘Along An Autumn Road’ © Denise Bush

A quaint mountain road curves through beautiful golden aspens in autumn.

‘Curving Into Gold’ © Denise Bush
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