The Cloud and Mount Tom

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
1

Image(s)

MF-101-1-645-npn.jpg
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Image Description

On October 1, 2005, this cloud formation formed over the Sierra Nevada. It stretched from Lone Pine in the south to near Lake Tahoe in the north.

I was fortunate enough to be spending time in the Bishop Creek area and my campsite was up high enough to get a great view of Mount Tom and the cloud.

My friend Micheal Gordon was leading a LF workshop and was camped at the same spot, so this group of photographers and I waited for the cloud to light up. We had no idea that this scene would unfold.

Feedback Requests

Any comments you may have will be appreciated.
-P

Pertinent Technical Details

Mamiya 645E (6x4.5cm) with a Mamiya 55mm lens.
Exposure data not recorded.
Astia 100 film.

2 Likes
2

That’s quite an impressive cloud formation, and the golden light makes it stand out even more. I think your choice here of a tighter crop works out well as opposed to a wider view of the landscape.

3

That’s some really incredible light in that sky – something one doesn’t see that often – at least I don’t. I love the diagonals and triangles here and well, the name of that mountain! :wink:

4

Preston what an outstanding and dramatic image. As well as colorful. I wish I could have been there with your group to capture it. Bob Engle

5

Wow! Spectacular!

6

This is spectural!! I love how the cloud is framing the mountain so nicely, still leaving it some breathing room. Really beautiful!

7

Preston: It’s hard to choose between the light on the mountain and the light on the cloud. Of course the ephemeral nature of the cloud makes this an incredibly unique moment so superbly captured. Most excellent. >=))>

8

Preston,

I was not there that day, but I remember when this photo, as well as many others from that day were posted on NPN1.0. Still as stunning as the day it was taken and posted.

9

Ahhh, the “Sierra Wave” EPIC! Talk about a dramatic sky!

Like Youssef, I wasn’t there, in fact we didn’t meet until the next year. But I too remember images from this day being posted.

Wonderful to see this one again!

10

Hi Preston,
This is striking; it looks as though the cloud is getting set to envelop the mountain! I love the warm tones in this landscape as well as the layering with the mountains. This has to be jaw dropping to witness first hand. Absolutely no suggestions from me.

11

Preston, this looks great! Amazing light on both the cloud and the mountain. I like how you’ve “abstracted” both and balanced them in the frame. The cloud looks like a lenticular cloud, created as warm moist air rises to get over the mountains.

12

Wow!! The Sierra wave at its best, and you captured it perfectly! I love the framing!! One very small thing I notice is the light below the clouds in the LR corner – I wonder about darkening it to effectively bring the cloud down to the horizon? But that’s a very small thing for a fantastic image!

13

Thank you all for your kind comments! :+1:

For you Sierra denizens, this was taken from the 4-Jeffrey USFS campground located on the road to South Lake.
-P

14

Preston, this is just gorgeous. So glad you were in the right place and was able to capture this.