A Year: 52 Photographs | Week 32

Week 32 | Nason Creek Autumn

I first visited this spot with photographer friends quite a few years earlier, and this scene is one that has really stuck in my mind. Every year or sometimes every couple years I strive to come back out here in the fall to see how this little oasis looks.

My wife and I decided to stop here on a rather dreary and wet day. I got super excited upon our arrival and despite the steady rain, I knew this couldn’t be passed up. After a short while the rain stopped and fog began rolling in by the cliffs. This image was one of my favorites. Definitely a good call to visit this little gem in the rain….

Nason Creek Autumn, Washington | Slavomir Dzieciatkowski

A Year: 52 Photographs | Week 30

Well, the project is still continuing, but I’m only posting some images here.  Just posted Week 30!  Check my website for more images!

Week 30 | Mt. Diablo Oaks

Mt. Diablo (Mt. Diablo State Park in California) captured my imagination in the late 1980s when I first saw a few photographs by the landscape photographer Carr Clifton. It took me about 20 years to finally visit this park, and it was even more spectacular than I had imagined! The oaks were everywhere on the hillsides, and were so full or character my head was practically spinning with excitement. I would like to return here again, in hopefully less than another 20 years….

Mt. Diablo Oaks, Mt. Diablo State Park, California | Slavomir Dzieciatkowski

A Year: 52 Photographs | Week 21

Week 21 | Emerald Forest

I keep returning to this forest along the Stillaguamish River in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. It is simply beautiful, fragrant, resounding with birdsong, and has every shade of green imaginable. This July day was cool and drizzly, but eventually the sun bathed the landscape in its soft light when I made this composition.

Emerald Forest, Washington | Slavomir Dzieciatkowski

A Year: 52 Photographs | Week 20

Week 20 | Aspen Sky

After departing from Capitol Reef National Park, Fish Lake was to be the last location to visit before heading back home. The area was mostly deserted and quiet. Although some color remained on a few of the numerous aspen groves, this leafless grove grabbed my attention. The brilliant white of the boles and electric clear blue sky made me actually think of the approaching winter, but I was pleased that the sun’s warmth could still be felt on this day.

I really like how the aspens on the left are almost mirrored on the right, with those on the right bathed in light but not those on the left…

Aspen Sky, Utah | Slavomir Dzieciatkowski

A Year: 52 Photographs | Week 19

Week 19 | Luminous Aspens

After many years since our last trip, we were able to return to Utah and revisit a few favorite locations. Although the colors were not as glorious as during our previous trips, this particular grove caught my attention. The soft sunlight was filtering through the canopy giving the leaves a beautiful glow…and I really liked how the branches appear to be reaching out from the glowing boles. I can still remember the sweet aspen aromas and the crisp autumn mountain air.

Luminous Aspens, Utah | Slavomir Dzieciatkowski

A Year: 52 Photographs | Week 18

Week 18 | Cainville Mesa Dusk

Utah is a place of dream-like formations, unlike anything a person can imagine. It has been many years since our last explorations here, and it was great to be back! The mesas on the edge of Capitol Reef National Park caught my imagination back in 1999, during my first excursion to the region, but I was unable to capture the mood.

We spent the day exploring, watching the light change, the ravens circle. This image, composed at dusk, is one of my favorites. The landscape carved by wind and water, yet so silent at this moment at the edge of night.

Cainville Mesa at Dusk, Utah | Slavomir Dzieciatkowski

A Year: 52 Photographs | Week 17

Week 17 | Autumn Tapestry

The Mountain Loop Highway is a place I never tire of exploring. It is close enough to where we live and that allows us to head over there even if we only have a few hours. This was such a day. Drizzle, fog, fresh air. I was attracted to this composition by the beginnings of autumn and the twisty trunk of this vine maple.

Autumn Tapestry, Washington

A Year: 52 Photographs | Week 16

Week 16 | Early Summer Wheat Field

On our return trip from Zumwalt Prairie in north-eastern Oregon we decided to hurriedly pass through part of Washington’s Palouse region. It was fantastic! The day was beautiful and sunny so meandering through the endless sea of fields felt like a great way to close an already fantastic trip.

This composition was made in the warm afternoon light on the western edge of the Palouse.

Early Summer Wheat Field, Washington

A Year: 52 Photographs | Week 15

Week 15 | Paradise Valley Autumn

Autumn arrives very quickly, lingers for a moment, and vanishes without hesitation. We were able to time it just right on this particular trip. The day was gorgeous and sunny, filled with the crisp aroma of changing seasons. We were fortunate to see a mother bear with her year-old cub near by as they were preparing for the oncoming winter….

Paradise Valley Autumn, Mt. Rainier NP, Washington

A Year: 52 Photographs | Week 14

Week 14 | Autumn Japanese Maples

I usually attempt to make a couple annual journeys to Seattle’s arboretum – in the spring and then again in the fall. This time we only managed one trip for just a brief few moments. The day was rainy at times, but that was a good thing…the colors were vibrant and saturated from the moisture.

In this composition I was attracted to the beautiful color layers of these Japanese maples. Sometimes even the briefest visit to a photogenic location may be rewarding; this was such a day.

Autumn Japanese Maples, Seattle, Washington