photography – Denise Bush's Photo Blog

One More!

My last post, ‘Endless Winter’ described our epic 2022-23 season. And it didn’t end there … it’s snowing today, April 25th! We got about 6 inches of wet, heavy snow with the temps hovering around 32-35 degrees. I really hadn’t planned on posting more winter shots. I thought that viewers, and maybe even myself, might be getting tired of snowy landscapes. In addition, April was not a great month for my photography. Besides having a lot of gray days, melting snow reveals ugly, brown vegetation. So, since I haven’t posted in a while, and our endless winter continues, here’s just ‘one more’ from last month!
UPDATE: Woke up the next morning (April 26th) to about a foot of new snow!

Distant mountain are subdued by clearing clouds after a fresh snowfall. — ‘Mountain Clearing’ © Denise Bush

WordPress Reader/Retina display Viewers: Please click on ‘Visit’, ‘Visit Site’, ‘View Full Site’ or the title of the post for the sharpest viewing experience. Images are optimized in the WordPress Reader, and will not look sharp using a Retina Display screen. denisebushphoto.wordpress.com

The Importance Of Clouds

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

Beginnings & Endings

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

Peak Winter Peaks

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

Before They’re Gone

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
*click here to view larger or order a print*

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

Aspen Patterns & Abstracts

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 tight group of aspen trees makes a pretty nature pattern. — ‘Tight Family’ © Denise Bush
*notecards, unframed, framed, canvas, acrylic & metal prints availabl*e

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

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!

Autumn Recap – Part Two

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
*click here to view larger or order a print*

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*

Lakeside aspens in all their autumn glory are enjoyed twice in this reflection scene. — ‘Reflecting Aspens’ © Denise Bush
*notecards, unframed, framed, canvas, acrylic & metal prints available*

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
*click here to view larger or order a print*

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!

Back Road Memories

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!

A quiet mountain road winds through the beauty of aspens in autumn. — ‘Curving Through Aspens’ © Denise Bush
*notecards, unframed, framed, canvas, acrylic & metal prints available*

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
*click here to view larger or order a print*

Autumn In The Mountains

I haven’t posted many autumn landscapes featuring mountains yet, but that isn’t because I didn’t shoot them! I’m actually a bit overwhelmed (and pleased) by how much I have to go through! As usual the mountain peaks started out bare, and during the first part of October received some snow … a little dusting at first, and then more a few days later. The snow has managed to hang around on several of the peaks but evaporate on others. The coating depends on how high the peaks are and what face you are looking at. North faces tend to hold onto the snow a little longer. As I write this, snow is in the weather forecast. The mountains will start accumulating more and more, but sadly without the aspen accents. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite autumn, mountain images … with still more to go through. Editing is a time consuming task for me. I have to process selected images to decide if they are something I want to use. Sometimes they go into the ‘not using’ folder and the rest end up here! Hope you enjoy my ‘autumn in the mountains’!

Storm clouds roll in to produce dramatic lighting on thes San Jauan Mountains, Colorado scene. — ‘Autumn Drama’ © Denise Bush
*click here to view larger or order a print*

This San Juan Mountain scene has both the colorful foliage and a snowcapped peak, creating a postcard perfect landscape. — ‘Postcard Perfection’ © Denise Bush

A look down adds perspective to this unique San Jaun Mountains, Colorado scene. — ‘Bottom Of The Hill’ © Denise Bush

It's that time of day ... when the evening shadows start to creep in at lower elevations, while the mountains still shine. — ‘Shadow & Light Landscape’ © Denise Bush

A dusting of snow arrives in time to accompany the colorful autumn foliage. — ‘A Little Autumn Snow’ © Denise Bush

A mix of sun and clouds creates a spotlight effect on an autumn, aspen ridge. — ‘Autumn Light Play’ © Denise Bush

From near to far, the mountains are especially beautiful in autumn. — ‘A Perfect Afternoon’ © Denise Bush

The deep golden color of this aspen tree really stands out against a foggy backdrop! — ‘Highlights In The Fog’ © Denise Bush

Clouds lift in the morning after a snowfall on Wilson Peak, near Telluride. — ‘A Peek At Wilson Peak’ © Denise Bush
*notecards, unframed, framed, canvas, acrylic & metal prints available*

Interesting clouds grace this autumn scene featuring Sunshine Mountain near Telluride! — ‘Sunshine On Sunshine Mountain’ © Denise Bush

Autumn aspens adorn the foreground of this San Juan Mountain, Colorado scene. — ‘Autumn Aspens & Sunset’ © Denise Bush

The peak of Mount Sneffels is above the clouds here to the left of the frame. — ‘Sneffels Under Cover’ © Denise Bush

Some final sunlight filters through the clouds to create a brilliant, last light over autumn aspens. — ‘Last Light Mountain Time’ © Denise Bush
*click here to view larger or order a print*

This is my third 2022 autumn post and there’s more to come. If you missed ‘Finding Fall’ or ‘Finding More Fall’. Click on Denise Bush’s Photo Blog at the top and scroll down through the most recent posts! Thanks very much for visiting!

Finding More Fall

I’m continuing to ‘find more fall’ and this post is another mix of autumn images. Beauty abounds and the area is busy with photographers from parts near and far, working to capture a piece of that beauty. I can relate to all those photographers as I too was once someone who would often travel for more scenic opportunities. Yes … I am very grateful to live where I can enjoy such wonderful scenery. It still takes work and I do consider it my job … one where I can happily put my skills (and determination) to work! Among the expansive landscape I enjoy finding smaller, intimate scenes like some I’ve posted here. I look to find aspen groupings that have an arrangement I can isolate and frame to create a pleasing composition. A walk to a less populated side of a lake provided opportunities to explore interesting reflections, instead of the overall view most come to capture and take home. I am always looking for subjects and compositions within the landscape that call out to me, and autumn is a time when that happens often!