Fall Forest fire; backlit fall trees from the rising morning sun, Michigan
“Hmm, this image reminds me of a forest fire.” is what I was thinking when processing one of my few fall color images from this year. I photographed this scene while driving around one morning during our brief getaway to northwest Michigan. I was really looking for some atypical scenes to photograph, and I stumbled upon this area where these fall trees had strong backlighting from the morning sun.
Fall color around here seemed to go through here like a fire actually, giving a little hidden symbolism behind this shot and my title for it. Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula were reporting one of the most vibrant falls ever. In contrast, Southern Michigan was well —- meh. Either it peaked while I was away for a few days, or it was simply not as vibrant due to the drought conditions we have had this summer and fall.
Even when we did see some really great color driving around in the north, I didn’t find many scenes that really spoke to me. This was after my high of photographing at the dunes – which gave me a bit of a lift from being so different. As beautiful as the trees were, they were, well, “just fall colors.” That concerned me a bit. For something that is so photogenic, it really didn’t inspire me to make many photographs. Sometimes there is just no way a photograph capture the feeling of being there.
Foggy forest in fall color, Michigan near Miller’s Overlook
This bottom image was the result of just some road exploring. It was a very rainy morning and there were some roads that went up so high they were in the low lying clouds. So this created a rather moody looking forest.
The leaves are gone now. Winds from Sandy this week made certain of that. Now we enter the challenging season of “Brown.” 🙂
Incredible images Mark.
Thank you Bernie!
Like a couple of other commenters here, I’m a little jealous of the first image. We were in Utah in early October and spent some of our time around Capitol Reef. If you drive south of Torrey, Utah, on SB-12 you’ll cross Boulder Mountain. And in October, that means seeing an amazing display of Aspens turning bright yellow and bright Orange. Long story short, I was trying to capture an image like this one. Took lots and lots of frames, but never got the one I wanted. Bummer. Very well done, Mark.
Hi Paul, believe me, it took quite a few trial and errors with this one, mostly errors. These vertical blur shots are always hit and miss to try to get them to look how you want them to. Thanks!
I like both of these a lot, but the first is most amazing, Wow.
Much appreciated David, thank you.
beautiful colours Mark. The might be “just fall colours” to you but they are much nicer than dingy London grey!
Thanks Suzy!
Your photography makes me envious. Lovely places you’ve captured and you have photographed them like a master. I am quite amazed by the different feelings that each image evokes.
Cedric – that is a very kind thing to say. I am quite undeserving of the suggestion that I have mastered anything. I try and delete like anyone else, hoping and praying that inspiration in the field can stand a chance of coming through in the images I edit and share afterwards. Thanks very much.
I really enjoyed finding and reading through your blog, particularly the ‘forest fire’ images – very nice!
Well I am glad you found it Kurt. Thanks a lot.
Great shots! I really love the editing, looked more like a painting than a photo
Thank you!
The top image really looks quite inspired to me! Beautiful!
Thanks Howard.
Well these images certainly count as vibrant, Mark. Beautiful work! It’s been a nice fall here as well and there’s still some color about since Sandy only brushed the coast in these parts.
I would estimate our leaf drop has to be 80% or so. Except there are a few trees that are still green if you can believe that. Very wierd. Thanks Earl.
Mark, both images have stunning colors! With the second image, it feel like I’m about to jump into the forest.
Thank you very much Anne!
I really love both of these images. It’s so rare to find clean forests around here without a lot of under-brush like you have shown us in these images. It’s those kinds which are perfect for making the forest blurs. Well done!
I know exactly what you mean about the underbrush Roberta. The woods around my home are exactly like that. In Northern Michigan, it is much easier to find them without too much clutter. Thank you for the comment.
You are an artist, Mark, which means you will go through inspired and uninspired times. These two images are an example of your creativity and skills. I love the second one and glad you two went up there. I agree when you said, “Sometimes there is just no way a photograph capture the feeling of being there”, but we try and can be amazed at what is captured.
Very true Monte, all we can do is try. Making that effort is what it is all about. I am glad you enjoyed these.
These images are absolutely beautiful, Mark, much more than “just fall colors”!
Thanks Paul!
Great job on both images, especially the top one. It almost looks like some kind of double-exposure technique. Is it actually motion blur?
Thanks Bill. I used some motion blur in combination with the image overlay function in my camera. So in a sense, it is double exposed and motion blurred. 🙂
Hi Mark.
The top image is really great with that one you did pull out an unusual and very compelling fall image.
Hi Randy, thanks! I am glad the uniqueness I was after came through.
Both of these images are stunning, Mark, almost surreal. This is a great way to showcase a season at it’s peak.
Thanks Ken!