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I've been waiting an entire year to get this shot! First in a set of two.
This was taken on the hill behind my house, 20 miles east of San Francisco. A small but unusual May storm passed through the area, and as it left, a hole opened up in the clouds allowing Mt. Diablo to spend some time in the spotlight. I saw that this was going to happen by watching the satellite movies on a local weather website, so it was just a matter of waiting for it to happen.
The clouds were moving from right to left, so I waited for those dark clouds to move behind the mountian in order to highlight it even further. To get the full effect, see it at 1,000 pixels and turn off the lights.
I also had another shot planned with a grassy path as the foreground just a few hundred feet away. I ran over to that spot and took that photo 2 minutes after this one. I'll show that one next time.
This was taken in the opposite direction of my shot called 'The backbone.' My house is below the trees on the left side of the frame.
2 second exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9 + 0.3 It was calm so the grasses are still sharp.
| Title: | Diablo Dusk |
| Username: | 
PatrickSmith |
| Uploaded: | 22 May 2006 - 4:51 AM |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D |
| Lens: | Canon 17-40L @28 |
| Recording media: | RAW ISO 50 |
| Tags: | Landscape / travel |
| Votes: | 164 |
Comments
Well captured moment in time. Love the light on Mount Diablo - which I guess is the point of the shot 
Martin
Oh Patrick...wow! beautiful just doesn't come close...the depth and richness in this is simply astounding...well done!!!!!
Fantastic light. An excellent image that was worth the wait.
Alley.
Super image, the large version is a must see - glorious light.
C
Ooohhhh, Patrick, that's brilliant! Wonderful, wonderful light. Can't wait to see the next one!
Conrad
Like the light on the mountain and the sky above it...the rest has a certain local appeal, so should do well down the local shop.
Thanks for looking.
Yes Conrad, and have another one that has a more classic look to it.
That's the idea Keith. And yes, it is not a typical English landscape. There are shots of this mountian everywhere, but they are the typical mid-day blue sky shots. Let's see a shot taken from behind your house!
Patrick
Well worth the wait. It's great. Lovely constrast between colours and you're right, it better when seen larger. Well done.
Sue
smashing as usual Patrick nice to see another of your wonderful works
Angie x
Where have you been Patrick??
This is a stunner. Must be viewed large for the full impact.
Take care.
Mike
Thansk for your comments!
Mike, I've been sitting around watching endless days of completely blue sky with no atmosphere whatsoever. This was a lucky 'bad' weather break!
Patrick
Hi Patrick,
I hope i can take some stunning shots like this when i come to the USA. I am going to Dallas, so if you know any good places to go let know, i will there for one week only.
I will visting my son and seeing my frist granddaughter.
Brian.
P.S. This is my frist trip out in the big wide world,so wish me luck.
Totally gorgeous-- actually , as soupy implied--there are no words supurlative enough-- What a patient and purposeful photographer-- Thanks for this wonderful view--
Jennnnnnnnnn
Looks unreal and if it wasn't one of yours I'd probably assume it was. Worth the wait!
"Hello, California! Finland calling"!
Well, its about time you to get some clouds!
Fabulous light on those distant mountains!
Lucky you, having all this at your door step!
If I would take shot RIGHT NOW, the lake is calm as Lordi after the ESC victory! LOL...
Have to wait about four hours untill the sun goes down here...its 6.45 PM here...
Jouko
Showed this to John (husband) He says--that's about as good as a landscape image can get--thought it was 100% perfect! Jennnnnn
Hi Patrick. Haven't seen you for a week or so. This is stunning as usual. Love the graduation in colour and light from top to bottom. Paul
Getting to be a master of the filter,Patrick. Great shot,good discription.another winner.
. . better weather than South Coast UK Patrck 
. . our weather sat is showing Rain . . .Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain, and more rain .
. .if we/ I get any opprortunities in the next month or so? I will be happy to post um! . . LOL
. .great image bye the way
Mike.W
Hmmm....Beautiful, now if we had landscapes like this in this country and I could be arsed to get out of bed for the best light, I could almost be persuaded to become a landscape photographer......Inspiring stuff Patrick!
Ade
What a masterpiece of work Patrick, very well done and I always look forward to your work now because you bring us some stunning images from state side.
Chris
Thanks for looking!
Wow Jennnnnnnnn, that is so nice to hear. it was an amazing 10 minutes or so!
Brian, have a great time in Dallas! I don't know much about it photographically. I know there are some lakes that make good shots. Look on Google/Images and search for 'Dallas' and see what comes up. Then look for those spots on a map.
LOL Jouko, you and those Lordis! Are those your average Finns? You seem to get these skies every day, but It has been over a month for me. Good luck with tonight's sunset. And 10:45 too. Soon you can take a sunset and just wait for the sunrise.. then go home!
LOL Ade, no frilly flowers then! You know you want them!
Patrick
Great lighting and the spotlight affect works really well here. Love the detail and colour of the foreground tree's too. Another excellent image. I must get out...when the rain eventually stops!
Mark
a simply magic shot there great compostion and colours .
Dougie
Marvellous warm light at the horizon, great composition wonderful detail in the sky.
Woderful sky and light on the mountains,well done for not giving up on this shot!
hayley
Striking image with a perfect warm light illuminating the mountain. Love the depth on this shot.
Antonio
Almost unreal with the stunning piece off light over MtDiablo, but for persistent the sky opens up now and then
Peter
This is a quite stunning shot altogether, Patrick. I love that warm light on the mountain.
Jim
Patrick - a stunning image
You have a special talent
This is brilliant
jeff
Hi Patrick,Well worth waiting for,it's perfect.The lighting,exposure,colour/tone,detail,just everything it is absolutely breathtaking.I have a lot to learn.Perfect composition.Take care.Ann
thankyou for your kind comments and advice,much appreciated.
Superb Capture Patrick along with your regular WOW factor
Wow! Looks unreal. Your patience certainly paid off. Wonderful light
Having been arround the country outside of SF, (not Diablo) then it is indeed a good capture of the locality. Lovely light touching those hills as well.
Hello Patrick.
Excellent composition, Superb light conditions, Amazing colours.
Best regards.
Jan
That light on the mountain was worth waiting for...
Kathy
Fabulous light on the mountain and in the sky! Well done on a superb shot!
gill
Patrick, another fantastic shot. As usual, thanks for the detailed commentary and tech info. -=Walter
The light on the hill looks amazing. Worth the wait Patrick
Mike
A fantastic shot the lighting is amazing
Also thanks for the comment and advice spot on
Brian....
Great shot.
I really like your description of approach to getting this shot. Haven't heard of someone tracking the view to get the right conditions for a shot, but the results wow. Haven't read all the comments but I guess most has been said. Must have been as you said impressively calm.
Impressive.
Ken
It's a stunner, caught at the perfect moment. Well done again Patrick.
Neal.
great sky and superb composition using that rock in the foreground, i see what you mean about the lack of sunrays coming out of the clouds, maybe you could add one in photoshop?
I'm almost lost for words Patrick, I'll simply say this shot is stunning.
Nigel
Quote: To get the full effect, see it at 1,000 pixels and turn off the lights.
Oh yes.
Another cracker Patrick.
--Den--
Fantastic shot Patrick,looking forward to the next one. Thank you for your clicks & comments on my photo's.
Dot
Super light on Diablo Patrick, certainly wish I had just half of your patience.
Gwyn
You have worked your magic again! Beautifully timed shot the mountian looks stunning in the spot light.
Ted
You have projected another beautiful scene Patrick which now qualifies you to have your holidays, lol...seriously fine work and have a good break.
Doug.
Fantastic....looks like you are looking through a window at the real thing!
Thanks for looking in!
LOL Ann, so do I!
Ken, I guess it comes down to having a good list of future shots for when the weather is right. Then you just wait..and wait....
LOL Terry. The amazing thing about this one is I hardly had to do anything to it in PS. Just a small adjustment of the levels to get some contrast, then a small sharpen, resize and I was done. Good light makes things a lot easier.
Gwyn, it is just that I have nothing better to do than to wait a year for a shot!
I will Doug.
Patrick
Cracking light capture on Mt Diablo. You waited and you got your shot. Nice work Patrick.
PS.You should not have asked Mr H (keithh) for a shot from behind his house - He will put up that blxxdy awful Bluebell shot again.LOL
Happy holidays.
Brian.
OOh wide angle moniter required, what happened to the screen here
A wonderful shot Patrick. There was you thinking you'd seen the end of clouds like that till autumn too.. The colours are just fabulous.?
Jeanie
This is just beautiful Patrick, - gorgeous layered shot.
W
Fabulous depth to this Patrick.
The light on the far hill is the icing on the cake.
Simon
Hi Patrick. I'm with Simon on this one. Great DOF and light. Good work. Nick.
Patrick beautiful sun on the moutain range and could only imagine living near and haviung that view out my window!
stay well
tonymarq
Hi Patrick - I can see exactly why you were so delighted with this outstanding capture. Congratulations, it's fabulous and especially so when viewed large ...
Susie :o)
PS Filters ordered!
That is one special moment! Well done for your vision and planning.
Great shot!
Atu
Thanks for looking!
Brian, I'll have to check this out. I did not know!
Jeanie, I thought the clouds were gone until fall too, but they came back for a rare late season appearance!
Patrick
Congrats, I know how hard it is to wait for a shot that you plan for, but the results of your wait is stunning, the mountain really takes front stage! Nice camera Patrick, funny though don't see any birds in this shot either! 
Spot on! Click!!!
Greg
Absolutely worth the wait. What a great shot of a beautiful scene.
Hope you have a splendid day.
Georg
Beautiful light and colours on the hills in the distance, nice detail in the fg too.
Mark.
It's all been said, and what a stunning image this really is... soooo nice. helen
Stunning shot Patrick. You have caught the light just at the right moment. Well done. John
Beautifully exposed and the light and colours on that mountain are awesome. I bet you couldn't believe your eyes when you saw this. Well worth the wait.
Chris
Hi Patrick...don't know how i missed this one..just amazing
Chris
you sure caught the light on that mountain well, a wonderful image
click clint
Patrick the light and colour tones are superb...Fantastic view..great comp..
Don
great view Patrick from your house...I do know that area..you did an outstanding job to make this look so inviting to sit on that hill top...i love what you did with the background to wait for that color...of course you never dissappoint anybody on this site...your work projects very high quality..you should open up a gallery of your work in the Bay.
Excellent, Patrick, that light on the distant peaks is very special and such depth of field, a special shot
Mari
Patrick another inspiring image, what can i add that has n't already been said? Superb!!!
Im interested in the placement of grads did the sky require 4 stops or was the 1 stop grad placed over the foreground to bring that down and further highlight the light on the mountain?
Thanks for looking!
LOL Greg, I think that pixel 457x731 has a bird in it. Notice the camoflagued plumage?
Alex (theimagepoint), maybe someday I'll open a gallery or something. I might start by having a booth at a local art festival. Do you do them?
Paul, I placed the soft ND 0.9 and the 0.3 so that the sky and mountian became dark but the flat land was left alone. Fortunately, the line between light and dark area was nearly a straight line, so it was an easy choice.
Patrick
I think this picture has many layers of interest: it looks marvellous, before you put up the Larger version. It is just a wonderful sky, then theat golden range of hills,I notice to that the nearest rocks are in focus as is the distant clouds, so all in all a wonderful piece of work. I.d like to know what the secret is of keeping it all in focus.Good saturation,composition, and presentation.
(*.*)D
well worth the wait, you have a fantastic veiw, great shot fantastic sky.
eve.
Mount Diablo really lives up to its name in this one! Fabulous capture, definitely worth waiting for. I wish I had this kind of a view behind my house!
Marc
Wow! Amazing mood and atmosphere Patrick, wonderful capture.
Tracy
Thanks for looking!
Daphne, if you set the aperture to F16 or a higher number and focus at or near infinity, everything from a few feet away to infinity will be in focus. Look up 'hyperfocal distance' in Google. And after doing a lot of testing I tend to set it closer to infinity that what they recommend. At F8, I would have to back up so that the closest part of the image is about 10 feet away. Experimient with your own setup while at your house using F22, F16 etc and then you don't have to worry when you go out shooting.
It sure does Marc! It doesn't always look like this. Right now it is sunset and the sky is clear and flat once again.
Patrick
Certainly worth the long wait Patrick,nearly as long as it took me to get here !
Love the distant light on the mountains,excellent photography !
Janet
Another superb shot Patrick!
The composition is very good indeed and the sky is just fantastic. I'm mot 100% sure on the mountain though, it looks so saturated, almost to the point of being unreal. I had a similar experience in one of my shots a Lake Louise (in my folio), the sunrise took on such a strong colour when reflected in the glacier that in the end I toned it down before printing.
Bags of impact though and its certainly a unique moment in time which afterall is what this photography thing is all about!
Look forward, as ever, to the next one!
Ben
Thanks for looking!
Ben (ghibby); yes, the light on the mountian was quite extraordinary. Behind the camera was a brilliant orange and red sunset and all of the colour focused itself into the mountian. I actually had to desaturate it a bit after adjusting the contrast etc. The sun was slightly dimmer in the next on that I'll upload perhaps on Monday, so you may like the subdued effect a little more.
Patrick
It looks and though its on fire Patrick. The clouds are superb and the whole composition is spot on
Hawk
hi
great image great portfolio
great place for taking images
mike
Wonderful in small size...and absolutely spectacular in the large version!
Rania
Cracking landscape pic Patrick and a great portfolio as well.
Paul
Patrick this is one perfect executed performance from you! The gradual shading of the inclines are just magnificent! Exposure is outrageously genius! Proud to see the overwhelming number of votes....as it is just that OVERWHELMINGLY STUNNING!
Ricochico
Dj Vu, Patrick,
Think I was in this spot roughly 2 weeks ago.....
Very Very Nice, lighting is exceptional!
Have a Wonderful Holiday,
Suze
PS: Project ended up at the top of the class...Thank You, P!
Thanks for looking!
Well Chris, this doesn't happen very much. This was two weeks ago and not a single cloud since. Not even ocean fog! When I see clouds, I run outside with my camera and go somewhere.
LOL Rico, lets see if you like this next one as much. It has a different foreground.
No Suzan, *I* was at this spot two week ago! You were working on your award winning project. For some reason, I expect nothing less. You seem to be someone who succeeds at everything. Yes, today will be good. The whole Bay Area is deserted. Everybody is up at Tahoe or Yosemite. The freeways are empty and the weather is sunny as usual. You have a great one too.
Patrick
An extraordinary image, Patrick, but I think I prefer your most recent upload. I'm not sure if it's my PC or something to do with the number of comments you've received for this image, but my screen's gone haywire - I have to scroll along to read all the comments!
Thanks Tanya!
LOL Ian, it's probably just your internet connection, I have to keep resetting mine today!
Patrick
Why do you have to take the Vu out of the Dj.....ARGH!
Fantastic light,amazing mood and atmosphere... Fantastic photograph,this is special!!!!!!
What amazing colour and lighting! A beautiful view, very well caught.
What a view! Fantastic capture of the warm light on Mt Diablo in the background, love the detail in the fg rocks and all the different shades of green!
Charlotte
Thanks for looking!
Have a great summer break Charlotte.
Patrick
WOWWWW! What a super view! Great timing and worth the wait. Excellent detail, colours and composition!
What a fantastic view ..... and what glorious colours! Such amazing detail too! I love it! Click*
Karen
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