Light Angle is Everything

[AlanLichty]

It took years for fellow photographers to convince me that shooting in the middle of endless agricultural fields was a desirable goal since I have always preferred things that were natural. It wasn't until last fall that I finally drove into the Palouse of eastern Washington to see what the fuss was about. The place was bone dry and dusty but I decided on the spot I needed to go back in the spring.

The Palouse is unique for the endless patterns that are created by the tilling activities and secondary to that as a consideration is the angle of the light. Early in the morning or late in the day are the times of day when things get interesting for the contours of this landscape. This image was taken in early morning light from Steptoe Butte and comes about as close as I could get a view without being overwhelmed by the freshly tilled brown fields. I was at least a month too early for an endless carpet of green.

Palouse Hills

• AlanLichty
• May 9, 2019

The angle of the light is what makes these hills so special. Steptoe Butte, Washington.

C&C always welcome.

 

[JimFox]

Very cool Alan. It’s always fun to find places we have avoided that ended up being really cool when we finally get there. I had avoided the Black Canyon of the Gunnison for years and years because every photo I saw of it looked horribly boring. I mean like ultra boring. But I finally went there and found it super cool. I am not sure how so many photographers had managed for so many years to take nothing but bad photos from there. My mind still has a hard time processing so many years of bad photos by others.

 

[Ben Egbert]

This is a great representation of the Palouse in spring.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

I love this area and you have done it justice.

 

[BarryHamilton]

Delightful catch of that great terrain! Nicely done, Alan!