My wife and I spent part of the year in Palm Springs, California, and we had planned a trip to see the fall colors about four hours drive north in California’s Sierra foothills. This was an area we really wanted to explore, and we finally managed it in October 2024, following a very productive visit to California’s Yosemite National Park.
This was my first visit to the area, and I was really hoping for some nice colors, and all of my expectations were met! As we approached the area traveling north from Palm Springs, we began to see more and more color in the tree line along the highway, and by the time we got to Bishop, California, the whole place was really starting to light up with color. We set out for June Lake early in the morning, hoping for some nice shadows on the rocky crags surrounding the spectacular area.
The valley containing the June Lake Loop was formed by glacial action, and Silver Lake is one of the four lakes (June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake & Grant Lake) formed inside the June Lake Loop when the glacier melted about 10,000 years ago. The colors were spectacular all along the loop, and we also spent some time hiking along Rush Creek, which feeds Silver Lake, capturing close-up views of the fallen leaves along the creek and in the water. As we continued along the loop, the sky began to develop a prominent halo around the sun. This particular area was close to the Silver Lake Resort. The view was arresting, and I quickly found a spot to stop and set up for this image. My visit was spectacular, and I have already planned a return in 2025.
What are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!
This composition, showing what I believe to be Carson Peak in the background, demonstrates some classic fall color elements to highlight the bright yellows of the Autumn foliage, Rugged glacier peaks in the Sierra foothills, and that halo around the sun, reflected in the still waters of Silver Lake.
If you could make this photo again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?
I think I would probably stay later in the day to capture the sunset from this gorgeous spot.
Gary Litwin shared this photograph with the FRAMES Facebook Group.
Photographer
Gary Litwin, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Equipment and settings
Olympus OMD EM5 MK III Micro 4/3 camera, M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f4.0 IS PRO lens at 12mm, f22, 1/50 second exposure, ISO 200
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Thomas
January 4, 2025 at 15:50
Congratulations, Gary. Very nice image. Great composition and beautiful color.
I have to admit that I thought the image was taken in the valley of Engadin in Switzerland when I saw the image. If you enjoy these kind of landscape photography and you have the opportunity to travel to Europe, go to Engadin in Switzerland at the end of October. The whole valley is turning into vibrant colors of green, red, and gold with the mountain summits already covered with snow.
Thank you very much for sharing the image and the story behind it. Next time, I am in California, I will visit the June Lake Loop area for some landscape photography.