Sunset
Light from the setting sun reflects off clouds formed from coastal moisture being pushed up over Mt. Rainier. Turbid waters of the Inter Fork of the White River carry sediment and debris downstream.
Looking west. A freshwater side stream cascades over granite boulders as it joins with the Inter Fork.
To capture the first shot I had to position myself on unstable boulders alongside a rapidly flowing stream. Muffled thuds and clacks could be heard coming from below the surface of the water as the strong flow pushed boulders along the stream bed. The sky was clearing and I considered waiting for stars to emerge but thought better of it imaging myself stumbling my way back along the shoreline in the dark.
The second shot was actually captured a bit earlier. My original composition was turned 90 degrees to this orientation but included the roofline of a RV parked in the campground nearby. I shifted my location to eliminate the RV and found the lighting on the distant mountains a pleasant addition to the shot. A better composition all around.
Sunrise
Morning light illuminates Mount Rainier. A meadow of late summer wildflowers provide an appealing foreground.
Not being familiar with the area around Rainier I studied the map the evening before and decided to travel to the area on the mountain with the encouraging name of Sunrise. Arriving while still dark I followed a trail leading out along a ridge hoping for a view spot. In the predawn light I happened upon this scene. As the sun broke over the horizon the the mountain quickly illuminated and the sky brightened very quickly leaving the foreground dark and relatively indistinct. I quickly made several exposures adjusting for both exposure and focus, my objective being to not overexpose the mountain, underexpose the wildflowers, and all the while capturing both in focus along with intermediate mid ground.
Several weeks later while processing images back home I merged a collection of images allowing for a final composition reminiscent of the scene I saw that day. Arriving at a proper white balance was probably the most challenging aspect of this photograph. I'm content with this result, but it is likely I will revisit the processing again in the future when I remember less but desire more.
Addendum
I stopped to capture these images on the way down from the Sunrise Area. Taken with a simple point-and-shoot the quality is not very good, but I especially like the feel of the second shot. Driving down off this location I encountered the fog below and at one point rounding a bend I was presented with a spectacular scene. Fog streaming up from the below was being pushed through a set of conifers as the sun's light created an ethereal glow. There was no where to stop and pull off. I drove beyond. Found a place to turnaround and went back, only to find the opportunity gone. It would have made an amazing photograph. Sigh.
Goat Island Mountain captures the morning light as it sheds a mantel of evening clouds.
Valley fog begins to dissipate with the warming sun.
