Fireball by Marc Adamus

Wednesday, 30th December 2009

Fireball

by Marc Adamus

Oregon’s Alvord desert, one of the most remote road-accessible places in the US, has gripped my attention for more than two decades. Steens mountain looms 6000ft. over the dry playa to the west and creates enough of a disturbance in the atmosphere to cause an abundance of lenticular waves (shown here) in winter. The region is also host to a number of other treasures worth exploring.
On the evening of December 31, 2008, myself and a couple members of the high desert preservation group ONDA caught this light show as it spread onto the lenticular formation at least 10 minutes after we thought any chance of a sunset had passed. Red saturation was barely even touched in the RAW file. It was truly incredible. The foreground is comprised of slightly raised cracks and streaks left behind by muddy water and wind.
I hesitate to name or describe this place, as for me, its most enjoyable quality is the solitude here.

Equipment: Canon 1Ds Mark III, 14mm f/2.8

Marc Adamus

I am a professional landscape photographer based in the Northwest US. My love in life is wilderness. I seek to bring my experiences to you through photography.

www.marcadamus.com

30 Comments

Dianne Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Marc, again you capture the immense beauty of this region. As a child, my Dad took me hunting in the Steens mountains and many times we saw incredible sky sites. Lots of snow also!! Truly a place beyond description. Absolutely gorgeous!!! Thank you for capturing and sharing such an awesome photo. It is incredibly eerie, and quiet, can just feel the air. I so enjoy your talent.
ali shokri Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Wonderful shots,
texture and sky clouds are amazing ,
thanks for share
Adam Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 6:03 am
I had no idea Oregon has desert. Amazing shot. Thanks.
Anurag Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 8:03 am
This is a most amazing and incredible shot Marc. You are a genius.
I am truly mesmerised.

Just my 2 cents – how about opening up the foreground just a little bit?
Waseem Asmar Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 8:13 am
awesome work dear Marc…as always
best wishes…
Danette Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Never seen anything like it – spectacular!
John Harrison Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Marc,

Another stunning beauty! Really love the composition and lighting. Wish I had been there! Keep shooting,
John
Pauline Jones Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 9:31 am
This picture looks as if it has been super saturated; if it is natural then it must have been a really spectacular sight.
Chris Boynton Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Great Shot – I’ve seen these colours 15-20 minutes after sunset in the UK.
su Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 10:26 am
What an awesome shot, thanks for sharing, the love you have for the place certainly shines through. Congrats on a well deserved POTD
Pedro Afonso Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 11:11 am
This one of best images that i ever seen. The colors are so good in this one!
Örvar Atli Þorgeirsson Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Spetacular display of colors and textures Marc. As you show there are still alot of spetacular things and areas to explore which are rarely photographed.
Linda Strawn Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Marc, you are a special gift. I ordered 2 of your Wild Journeys 2010 calendars and the demand exceeded your expectations. Your representative Brian called me personally and searched the distribution outlets for these calendars and then FedExd them!!! Somehow your photos capture the essence of nature’s integrity and prove your own.
Andrew Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Heavens waffle maker?

Pretty incredible shot even though I see some added pixelation, but its still a great shot.
Andrew Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Mark, I just ordered your 2010 calendar. Great shots, simply amazing wilderness footage. You definitely have a gift .
Renee Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Marc, I am in such awh this shot is incredible, you have captured it wonderfully! Keep up the excellent work!
Grete Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Incredible image, is amazing, I can not stop staring it! Mark, really you are a superb photographer! I like very much the saturation touched in the RAW. Congrats ans Regards from Argentine.
pierre Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
WOW ….. an amazing photo Marc…. surreal
varanasi Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Amazing color
Matt Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Oh …. my … God ;o)

Stunning
Evan Spellman Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Marc, You’ve created a magical scene with your camera here. Its like Dante’s inferno–Spectacular Natural Photograph!!
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Commenters before me have said it all & with great respect for you as the photographer, this is spectacular. thank you.
mike Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 3:39 am
I never seen a sky like that before. Amazing.
João Ganhão Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 4:50 pm
One of my favorite shots! Nice work! Happy 2010!
Laurie Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Absolutely amazing! I love sunsets, but this is beyond description!
Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
January 3rd, 2010 at 6:43 pm
OMG–said aloud when this came up on screen! Spectacular! Thanks for taking me there.
Photos by Nik Says:
January 8th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Wow this is an amazing picture
Vlad Says:
January 14th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Awesome, it’s stunning.
paul whitton Says:
January 30th, 2010 at 11:13 am
even as a portrait orientated photo the impact is stunning! I cant imagine what it was like to see this first hand! you have put the time in and have reeped the rewards! congratulation, truly amazing photograph!!!
jack garratt Says:
March 14th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Right place, right time, right eye, camera in hand…Caught!