Castle Lake by Steven Davis

Thursday, 2nd July 2009

Castle Lake & Mt. Shasta

by Steven Davis

This was one of the hardest 1.5 mile hikes I’ve ever made. You start from the lake down there and hike up this steep, crumbly mountain until you get to this ridge. I damn near killed myself stepping on unstable rocks over and over.
I loved the view here and set up for sunset. It took me about an hour to find a spot and composition I really liked. I really liked this shot more than later ones I took from the same spot, because the sun is falling across those trees in the front and adds a lot the depth of the image by having a nice middleground subject. Later, those trees were dark and it didn’t seem as strong of an image.
Thanks to Stephen Oachs and Brian Rueb for the workshop where I took this.
Castle Lake, near Shasta, CA

Equipment: Canon Rebel XS, a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, & a B+W CPOLcastle lake

Steven Davis

Steven Davis is a photographer specializing in landscape and occasional wildlife photography. He hasn’t been able to put down his DSLR since he got it back in December 2008

www.stevendavisphoto.com

26 Comments

Stephen Oachs Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:40 am
DUDE!!! You so owe me (LOL)

What more can I say that I already haven’t, but I’ll repeat it anyway — this is a really great shot. The clarify through and through is superb and the composition is very strong.

This is a money shot — mark my words, this photograph will bring you big reward.
Leslie Parsley Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:51 am
Oh my God. So clear – wonderful light in the foreground. Absolutely stunning. Keep it up.
Dianne Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:16 am
Excellent! Excellent! Stay the course.
su Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:14 am
Love the way those trees are highlighted, looks a great place. Congrats on POTD
Adrian Lim Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 am
Love this picture. Thanks for all the hard work bring it to us.
Mara Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:30 am
Wonderful colors!
Malta Photography Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:35 am
nice picture in all aspects. clarity, color, shades, composition.
wanda krack Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:39 am
There are so many elements in this picture that the eyes could return to it many times. It just needs a big wall and a large print! Well-done.
Ellen Empson Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I think that photography is just more than artistic/ comp/knowledge/equipment—it’s perseverance to make it to your goal, find the composition, competing for time and light…..

Awesome photograph!
Grete Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Wonderful landscape, I like it very much. The reflexes and colors are incredible!!! Congrats for you.
Kirk Jordan Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I’m laughing over Stephen Oachs reply. Reminds me of a time I joined a respected local photogrpaher. I saw the shot. We both took it. He printed it and made the money.
Jim Atkin Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Steve- Great shot. 1st Class. Thanks.
Stephen Oachs Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:05 pm
@Kirk, the funny thing is, I was so busy working with the students that I didn’t shoot a single frame!
varanasi Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Exquisite!
Steven Davis Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Yeah, gotta give major props to Stephen Oachs. His workshops are hard to beat. This was my 2nd one, and I hope to go to many more
planet lover Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:35 am
This picture is so rich in elements and color, each quadrant is full of clear details! I find it inspiring and well worth the climb on unstable terrain. Congratulations!
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:27 am
The white rocks & golden trees in the foreground are just the invitation to those beautiful shades of blue in the background; it’s quite stunning !
Mike Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:07 am
Very Nice, I had a walk like that yesterday. Very rewarding. Good on ya.
Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Mt. Shasta is a beautiful lady, isn’t she? The focus and depth of field combined with the lighting make the viewer feel as if she is standing beside you. Thanks for taking me back to a place I love!
Chris B Says:
July 4th, 2009 at 10:20 am
lovely contrast, good choice
Pauline Jones Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Lovely shot; you went to a lot of trouble to get it.
mike Says:
October 1st, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I love the scenery.
Su Says:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:13 am
So still and peaceful, you have certainly captured the mood.
Renee Says:
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Simply stunning!! Great shot!
Renee Says:
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:26 pm
I also love how still the water is, simply wonderful colors too!!
David C Says:
July 15th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Wow!! I took the same shot a couple of days ago, except in the afternoon. I should have waited til sunset! Amazing shot, truly superior work!