22 Feb
2013
Posted in: General
By    12 Comments

Flashback!


While in the field, sometimes things happen that are so outrageous as to defy description. I was leading a workshop in the White Sands National Monument in New Mexico for the Friends of Arizona Highways, and we were late due to some  unavoidable logistical issues. I was trying to bird-dog a suitable scene for the morning light and attempting to move a group of 18 photographers across the dunes. Well you know how that can go. Kinda like herding cats. My shooters were dropping out in one’ and two’s as they saw details that interested them, while up ahead, I saw an amazing situation developing. I urged those remaining to pick the pace, literally breaking into a run.

Anyway when the light show began, we (the few that had stayed with me) were pretty much forced to shoot where we were standing, and make the best of the situation.

Windowpane

5DMII; 24-105L @ 24mm; 4 seconds@ F11; ISO 100

The sunrise was so amazing that I felt like I might be flashing back to the 70′s and had somehow got a little windowpane mixed in with my morning cornflakes. The colors are real. One side of the ripples is reflecting the blue from the left side of the sky while the other side of the ripple reflects the magentas. Sometimes I regret the fact that we were late, and hadn’t the time to find a better shot; however, the shot has been very successful for me so I can’t complain.

About George Stocking (52 Posts)

George Stocking is a professional freelance photographer, residing in Phoenix, AZ. He works regularly as a contract photographer for Arizona Highways, and his work often graces the pages of Arizona Highways Magazine, Calendars and Books. In addition to capturing the natural beauty of the Arizona Landscape, George also photographs the western United States and Canada. His work has appeared in numerous national publications, such as: Backpacker, Outdoor Photographer, USGA Golf Journal, Country Magazine, Audubon Calendars, Adventure West, America West Airlines Magazine, Portal Publications (posters), Impact, Towery Publications (books) and Smith Southwestern. Other publications include: Oregon Outside, Arizona Foothills, Arizona Adventure, and Plateau Magazine


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12 Comments

  • James Hamilton February 22, 2013 at 11:07 am

    George,
    Fantastic image with gorgeous colors! Pity the students who chose to lag behind…

    Jim

    P.S. Regarding the ripples: now THOSE look more like brain tissue!

    • George Stocking February 22, 2013 at 12:02 pm

      speaking of brain tissue, I had to check the images when I got back just to make sure the above mentioned had not in fact, happened.

      James, as always, thanks for the kind word, and for stopping by..

  • Doug February 22, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    Fabulous, and timely……I’m hoping this is a good omen. I’m on a plane to Albq for a photo NM photo safari as I am reading this. I can only hope for such good fortune!

  • LAJ February 22, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    Wow!!!!! Wish I’d been there! I’d have stayed right with ya, George, because this shows exactly why you’re the expert!

  • yardstick February 22, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    Wow George. Did you borrow Ken Rockwell’s camera for that shot? I kid. :)

    I love the light on the sand, and I have a question about the sky. Saturated reds and oranges present unique exposure challenges in that it’s easy to blow highlights in those color areas, but difficult to get the exposure correct for the rest of the image. Did you have to blend multiple images here?

    Thanks for posting this inspiring image.

    • George Stocking February 22, 2013 at 2:38 pm

      actually Yardstick, I posted from my IPAD and so the sky is a little over the top…easily fixed. The answer to your question is no, this was one image. I can’t remember if I used the NDG, but the file looks like I did, so I guess I did. Probably a 2 stop.

  • Joe Przybylo February 22, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Excellent!! Just love it.

  • Ambika February 22, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    George — This is a sweet image! Love it. The light in your images are always spectacular.

    • George Stocking February 22, 2013 at 6:34 pm

      AMBIKA! thanks for stopping by…always good to hear from you…

  • Kurt Budliger February 22, 2013 at 7:57 pm

    Wow, flashback or not that’s some sick freakin light! I’ll have what he’s having…

  • Michael Flaherty February 23, 2013 at 2:53 am

    You don’t get light and color like this too often. It’d be nice to see what the slightly dialed-back version looks like, though I guess you wouldn’t want to fight that natural fuschia too much.

  • Dave Noordhoff February 25, 2013 at 9:28 am

    George takes images with the same equipment I get access to, and visits places I have visited or plan to go to …. I look forward to getting shots even vaguely reminiscent of his work …


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