Autumn Along the Carson River, California Sierras

Posted by Barbara (Oakland, United States) on 3 November 2009 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.

Ok, here is another shot from my 4 days in the Hope Valley/Highway 89 area in the California Sierras. This is a look back at the Carson River as I was driving south on Highway 89. I do not often take classic postcard photos, because I often find it very challenging to get the best composition in a big landscape like this; hence, I often stick to a smaller focal plane for my work. This time, however, I think it worked for me. The S curve of the river which takes the viewer into and through the photo, ending up at the snowy mountain peak, does succeed compositionally.

It is interesting - even though I know that this is most likely the kind of image to attract a viewer - the picture that would lead one to pull the postcard off of the rack - I am still more drawn to a more unique perspective in my photos.

Is this photo a cliche? Does it work for you?

To view more of my images, visit my portfolio at Barbara Lee Photography.

Comments (9)

Stu from Kyoto, Japan

This is picture postcard perfect Barbara. The river leads my eye right in, and those splashes of yellow and the blue sky reflected in the river are wonderful. And to top it all (literally) the snow-capped mountain peak. Wonderful work.

3 Nov 2009 8:54am

Fred from Manila, Philippines

Wow! The colors are perfect and the composition is excellent! I could die in this place. I wish we could experience this kind of season here in the Philippines. Good job here Barbara!

3 Nov 2009 12:10pm

Piia from Helsinki, Finland

This is absolutely gorgeous. Framing is perfect and those colors just compliment each other..

3 Nov 2009 2:24pm

Barbara Kile from Ft. Worth, United States

Lovely curves and lines here and nicely presented.

3 Nov 2009 2:39pm

LauraS from Chico, United States

Boy, it works for me. I love it. And I want to know where the Carson River is, now. I know HWY 89, but not this part of it. Nicely composed and well shot.

3 Nov 2009 5:43pm