Aspens on Fire

Though Jupiter didn’t align with Mars, a few more earthly things did to make this scene possible. This image is a result of the combination of smoke from a distant forest fire tinting the sky a shade of slate gray, the most dramatic cloud filled skies of my entire week in the mountains, and the late afternoon sun setting over my right shoulder causing the vibrant color cast in the foliage. As much as I would like to take credit for planning this image, that was not the case, it just happened, I was in the right place at the right time for once. The lighting conditions that caused the aspen trees to appear as on fire lasted only about thirty seconds.

Even though it was those colors that caused me to take this picture, the lines, the layers, and the contrast, the same elements I like in a black and white photo, are what make me consider this image a keeper.

Thanks for visiting, hope you enjoyed. – john