Notes from the field :

This image is from our recent trip to Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. A destination that was not planned until just the week before we left.

We originally planned on visiting the lush fields of California poppies in the hillsides north of Los Angeles, with no intention of focusing on the Joshua Tree area of the desert. Due to the early dry, hot climate in the region this year (2004) - poppies were very scarce, and certainly not covering the hillsides like we had hoped. It forced us to scout other location possibilities that we could visit with an arrival in Los Angeles.

By searching wildflower reports in the internet, they seemed to indicate while the poppies were poor, Joshua Tree was the best it has been in a long time. Upon arriving there, we not only found wildflowers in abundance, but other subjects as well. This shot was planned in this location as the sunset was predicted to be a colorful one by the clouds in the sky.

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About the subject :

Joshua Trees are members of the Yucca (Lily) family and each one grows to form its own character. However, as unique as they are, making an interesting image out of them seemed to be quite a challenge at times. Using silhouettes here seemed to highlight their unique shape and character - while portraying them against the mountainous landscape they are part of.

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Technical details :

This image is a digital capture with the Nikon D2H camera. A 500 mm lens was used to compress the trees and the surrounding landscape.

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About the composition :

1] As much as I love sunsets, the light created by them aside from the setting sun itself is what most nature photographers crave. Every once in awhile, you find that great light, combined with interesting landscape elements (like the layered mountains here) that give great complimentary backdrops to your main subjects.

2] By allowing the colorful, bright sky to mandate the exposure readings, the Joshua trees were forced into silhouette (the desired effect). A long focal length lens gives the appearance of 'compressing' the trees against the mountain backdrop.

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