Notes from the Woods

seeing · environment · exploration · photography

Alaska fall colors

Written by Mark

Born and raised in Detroit, c. 323 ppm CO2, Mark Graf is a Michigan photographer, naturalist, and diver whose muse is summoned by exploring the endless connections in nature; land, sea, and sky.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Alaska fall color panoramic

It is hard to believe nearly a year has passed since my trip to Alaska.   I still have quite a few images lingering around that I need to process and publish, and milk for a few posts.  🙂  I quite fondly remember the majestic landscapes with fall color drapery.   This scene was in Cantwell, Alaska just outside Denali National Park.   I don’t do panoramics very much, but this particular shot seemed well suited for the format.   I imagine these colors are just getting started about now.

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17 Comments

  1. David Leland Hyde

    Beautiful image. I also looked at those on your site. It is interesting how both you and my father, landscape photographer Philip Hyde, had subtle, refined taste but made completely different photographs of Alaska. Interesting how unique vision happens naturally with experience.

  2. Andy

    Mark: This is just “as good as it gets.” I love the difference between the foreground colors and the more ephemeral pastels shrouded in fog in the background. Really portrays the vastness and beauty of Alaska. To bad fall is so shore-lived.

    My next trip to Alaska will be during this time of the year, I hope.

    • Mark

      Thanks Andy. It is definitely a great time to visit there. Hope you get to go back.

  3. Aswirly

    Has it really been a year? The pano is very nice and the colors…wow. Beautiful!

    • Mark

      No kidding! Thank you Amber.

  4. Paul Grecian

    Mark, the panoramic format was a good choice. I think the composition you made clearly works that way. I also like the tonalities, subtle.

    • Mark

      Thanks Paul!

  5. Seung Kye Lee

    Hello Mark.

    This is a fantastic photograph from Denali!
    The format is perfect and the fall colors are captured
    extremely well. Love this photograph.

    Tell me, have you witnessed any way-too-early snow yet, Mark?
    The strangest thing happened a couple of days ago, when the snow
    made a visit and did not have the patience to wait for fall colors 😉

    May the light be with you.

    Best Wishes
    Seung Kye

    • Mark

      Thank you Seung Kye. Near me, elevations are not so high. People would be very concerned if they saw snow this time of year.

  6. Howard Grill

    Mark…all really wonderful shots! It does seem hard to believe that has been almost a year since I was reading about your amazing trip! I would love to get there someday.

    By the way, did you read this interesting Alaska piece about going in Winter and going way north?

    http://www.luminous-landscape.com/locations/alaska-winterscapes.shtml

    • Mark

      Thanks Howard. Yeah, where did the time go? I haven’t seen that LL article yet but will check it out.

  7. Mark

    Thanks everyone. Edward – this scene was photographed on September 7, 2009.

  8. Edward Mendes

    Great image, Alaska looks like an amazing place. I’d love to plan a fall color trip did you go in August or September, and what week?

  9. Tomas Turecek

    I enjoy walking through the photos taken in past trips and holidays. They capture the atmosphere of the certain time and every time I look at them the atmosphere is recalled and I can enjoy the moment for a little bit longer than it lasted in reality. Thank you for providing us such a great photo with beautiful and very strong atmosphere. I can almost smell the damp air full of smells of the leaves and perhaps a fresh blows with a reminiscence of ending summer.

  10. Ron Niebrugge

    Dang, you have been holding out some great photos – love the color and looking forward to this years fall!

    Ron

  11. Larry Eicher

    I love your composition, the light and the color. I think it does lend itself to a panorama. Good job!

  12. Lana

    Gads…I can’t imagine colors starting to change NOW already. Ick! (Even though they’re absolutely stunning. Cold & I will be bitter enemies until I die, I suspect. Get it? “Bitter” enemies? I’m not getting out enough…)