An early November sunset in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico - Nikon D750 with Tamron 15-30mm @ f/11 ISO 100 7-bracket HDR tripod mounted
Last week I spent four days in Taos and the Rio Arriba County area photographing rural properties. When traveling back to Taos from a property 2 hours away in the mountains, going around a bend revealed this spectacular sunset valley view.
Vivid autumn colors on this mountainside in Rio Arriba County in New Mexico - Nikon D750 with Tamron 15-30mm @ f/11 1/5th ISO 100 tripod mounted
What I found even more striking than the sunset itself, was the light on the mountainside looking vivid burnt orange contrasting with the blues and purples in the sky above. After taking this shot I just stood there and stood at this rare light combination, especially for someone only one year out of Florida. We never get autumn colors because we do not have one!
Turning a sunset black & white in Rio Arriba County New Mexico - Nikon D750 with Tamron 15-30mm @ f/11 ISO 100 7-bracket HDR tripod mounted
I like to flip colors too and wanted to see what this sunset would look like in black & white. It makes it a very different photo, disconnecting the viewer I feel with the scene because the sunset goes from warm and inviting to harsh and stark. Contrast in how one makes and shoots photos is a good thing to practice though.