Cloud studies in a brilliant light (DIAL-UP WARNING)

[DemoTex]

Like Van Gogh's brilliant light in Arles, the low sun here in the high
desert can do amazing things. Here is a series of photos of some
cumulonimbus clouds to the southeast at sunset yesterday (8/18/10). The colors
of the clouds intensified as the sun got lower and lower (I was
between the setting sun and the clouds, shooting with the sun at my
back). Finally, after the sun disappeared over the Newberry Volcano
rim, the clouds lost all color. It was amazing.


The setting sun paints distant storm clouds in a brillant light. That is the moon up there too.


The cloud colors intensified as the sun got lower in the sky.


Ironically, the sunset itself was not that spectacular.




This was the tallest cumulonimbus just before the sun disappeared over the Newberry Volcano rim.


A few minutes later the sun was completely down and - POOF! - all color was gone.

[Pathwalker]

1. Awesome! Thank you for sharing the beauty of that sunset.

Western sunsets are magnificent.

[G_j]

2. beautiful!

thanks

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear DemoTex!

You have such great luck with your photos!

These are wonderful, of course, and I am burning up with jealousy...

Thank you for sharing this beauty with us...

Recommended.

:hi:

[bbinacan]

4. Excellent!

Thanks for posting.

[Suich]

5. Reminds me of the time I watched the sun set on the

Superstition Mountains.

Amazing colors! Thanks!

:hi:

[Control-Z]

6. Stunningly beautiful!!

Thanks for posting!

[northofdenali]

7. Spectacular.

Wonderful photos - but then, I expect that from you, DemoTex. I wish you could come up and catch some of the amazing skies we get up here due to weird atmospheric conditions. Wouldn't do much good right now as it's been rainy for 3 days (again. still.) but once the drier season hits, the skies amaze.

Thank you :hug:

[shireen]

12. where are you located?

And when's the best time of the year for interesting skies?
:)

[northofdenali]

13. Interior Alaska -

the best time is when the Aurora are out, which also means the coldest part of the year. Spring and Fall bring some fantastic cloud formations, as we are between the White Mountains, the Alaska and Brooks ranges, and have the clearest, driest climate in the state.

Visitors welcome!

[Bozita]

8. Really good stuff! ... Thank you.

[nemo137]

9. DemoTex, I've been loving these threads.

Thank you.

[shireen]

10. thank you!

i love the end of the 'golden hour' and clouds. The two together are magic.
:hi:

[MrScorpio]

11. Very Maxfield Parrishy

Thanks

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. You are an amazing photographer

[Tuesday Afternoon]

15. lovely. thanks for posting them.

[Roland99]

16. We had a similar sunset here in central FL last evening

Was out walking with my gf as towering thunderheads were nearby, showing off lightning inside as the sun was setting.

beautiful night.

[SalviaBlue]

17. Beautiful

[Blue_Tires]

18. brilliant....

you're gonna have to teach me how to take those kinds of shots...

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

19. Are you close enough to watch the fronts coming in over the Sisters?

I'm seen some dramatic weather there.

[DemoTex]

20. Yep. I love to see clouds spilling through the passes.

Dramatic weather indeed!