Mono Lake Reflections

BeachBill

I was at the Mono Lake Visitors Center about a week ago and was looking at the photography exhibit in the gallery there ("At Mono Lake" 100 years of photographs). The image that jumped out at me the most was Ansel Adams' "Mono Lake" which was mainly a reflection of the clouds in the water. I just said "wow".

Anyway, after viewing the images I stepped outside and what did I see? Clouds reflecting in the lake saying take a picture while we last (note that when I went in the visitors center, the sky was cloudless.)

So here is my best attempt at an Ansel Adams type photograph of clouds refecting in Mono Lake. Ansel's photo was taken looking east from where I was standing, mine was taken looking north because, well, there were no clouds to the east at the time.

erich6

Cool! Although I think Ansel's was mostly the water reflections so your take is definitely different. Mono Lake is one of those places still in my to-go list.

Erich

Andy

BeachBill wrote:

mine was taken looking north because, well, there were no clouds to the east at the time.

we have to use the cards dealt to us, eh?

Very, very nice work. I enjoyed this photograph muchly.

BeachBill

erich6 wrote:

Cool! Although I think Ansel's was mostly the water reflections so your take is definitely different.

Exactly. Looking north from the visitor's center there is more mountain than lake, looking east I could have gotten more water but the sky was blah. :

erich6 wrote:

Mono Lake is one of those places still in my to-go list.

Hey, it's only a 6 hour drive from LA and there are many other photo ops along the 395 on the way. Some pretty interesting architecture and scenery (i.e. abandoned buildings, Manzanar War Relocation Center, Alabama Hills, etc.) Unfortunately we were headed home from a two week vacation and didn't have time to stop to take pictures but now I know they are there!

BeachBill

Andy wrote:

we have to use the cards dealt to us, eh?

Very, very nice work. I enjoyed this photograph muchly.

Thanks Andy! I appreciate your comments.

This is my first real attempt at black & white conversion, which was suggested to me by my photography teacher a couple months ago when she saw my Joshua Tree photo. Since then I've been absorbing as much about the subject as possible, and have attained a fondness for Ansel Adams work...

I was only passing through Lee Vining on my way home after having spent the previous day in Bodie (for the photographer's day--I will be postings some of these images shortly.) This was my first time in the eastern Sierras, but I'm definitely going back soon. I've got a long list of things I want to see and photograph now!

ehughes

Nice B&W... The water is quite a bit higher than it was last year at this time, in 10 years I wonder if the tufas will be visable at all.. Get out there folks, it's changing quick.

I noticed last week that a spot I shot from last year, I would have been knee deep in water.

BeachBill

ehughes wrote:

I noticed last week that a spot I shot from last year, I would have been knee deep in water.

Thanks Ed. If I remember correctly they said the lake has risen 3 feet since last year due to the very wet winter.

One thing that I didn't know before visiting was the story behind the lake level and that it is rising on purpose. Anyone who is thinking of visiting should go soon because the tufa will be mostly under water when the lake reaches the mandated level.