Smoking Fuego

High above the heart of Guatemala, sunrise from Mt. Acatenango unfolds like a celestial symphony. Plains stretch endlessly, dissolving into a deep indigo haze beneath a sky brushed with twilight pink. Volcanic peaks pierce the morning clouds—smooth, conical silhouettes rising in quiet defiance against the rolling sea of valleys below. As the sun climbs, the palette shifts: blues and pinks melt into molten gold, igniting the horizon with warmth and wonder.

Sunset mirrors the magic in reverse. Sometimes, remnants of afternoon storms catch the last light and blaze like fire across the sky. Other times, the rain lingers, veiling the stars until late into the night. And on rare occasions, a sudden eruption breaks through the clouds—a violet burst, a shower of glowing embers, a plume of smoke curling into the dusk.

Though I only witnessed a few sunrises and sunsets, each one etched the sublime beauty of this volcanic realm into memory. A place where light dances with shadow, and the Earth breathes in color.

Guatemala

Silver Linings

Expectations: A crisp autumn weekend hiking through the Cascade Mountains, chasing golden larches and postcard-perfect vistas.

Reality: A fierce and unannounced winter storm barreled through the region, plunging temperatures into the low 20s and unleashing winds strong enough to flatten tents. The landscape was blanketed in a fresh inch of snow—beautiful, but brutal.

None of the forecasts hinted at the severity we encountered in the high country. The mild conditions at the trailhead gave no warning of what lay ahead. As we climbed, thick banks of clouds rolled in swiftly, unloading icy rain and snow across the peaks. We knew then: the night would be unforgiving.

By morning, the storm had passed. In its wake, it left behind a breathtaking scene—crisp air, golden larches dusted in snow, and light that danced across the ridges. A photographer’s dream, even if our fingers were numb.

North Cascades National Park
Washington, USA

Churches of Slovenia

One of the things that fascinated me about Slovenia was the preponderance of hill-top churches dotted around the rolling countryside. In many places, they are set high above the surrounding landscape (or even lakes), offering a focal point for photographers and people alike. These churches aren't particularly big, but they make up for in their neat aesthetic, making them stand out against landscape.

While I didn't have the opportunity to capture them against the much-favored golden light, I still enjoyed the scenic setting of the different churches I photographed.

Slovenia

Larch Madness

The mark of fall in the Pacific Northwest is undoubtedly the synchronized color show put on by the larches. 

As per the Washington Trails Association: Larches are a pot of gold in the fall hiking season as their flaming yellow needles turn the Cascade mountain landscape into something ethereal and otherworldly. The few short weeks when the larches’ needles turn golden—typically late September into early October—make them all the more precious to spot. It’s no wonder we call our annual search “Larch Madness.”

With Larch Madness hitting the mountains over the next couple of weeks, it is primetime for landscape and nature photographers seeking to capture landscapes with swathes of gold coat all over. And while I missed the prior years, I am excited to go this time and indulge in this spectacle of nature.

Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness
WA USA

Shades of Fall

Its officially fall in the Pacific Northwest. After a long spring where the average temperature slowly meanders up, and a blissful long summer where the mountains showcase all their splendor, the mercury drops in a matter of a few weeks in the mountains as the weather becomes wetter thanks to the storms from the Pacific. The vegetation responds to the changes in weather rather dramatically, as short brush in the high-alpine terrain turn to a scarlet red, while the larches in the drier reaches of the PNW switch to gold. And before long, they are replaced by a coat of white as winter sets in the mountains. All within a span of 4-6 weeks.

Naturally, it is one of the best times to be out there to capture this dramatic change in colors. Here are a few examples from the North Cascades range.

Mt Baker Wilderness

WA USA

Timeless outdoors

After a tiring hike in the mountains, the sight of this glistening blue lake spread across the landscape was a welcome sight for my sore eyes. I immediately made my way to the shore, dipping into the cool waters to relax my worn out legs. And I sat there on the shore, enjoying a bit of warm sunshine while watching the shallow waves slowly come ashore, and listening to the gentle rustling of trees.

I could not have thought of a better way to spend the afternoon than being here.

Lake Bohinj
Slovenia

Smoky Layers

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Landscape photography often challenges us to simplify complex scenes by carefully selecting key visual elements and controlling color and tonal range. In this image of Mt. Adams, shot from Mount Rainier, I focused on isolating the interlocking ridges to create a layered composition that emphasizes depth through atmospheric perspective.
The cool blue hues and gradual tonal shifts highlight the receding mountain layers, while the smoke from a nearby fire introduced additional haze, enhancing the sense of scale and distance through diffused light scattering. Typically, this effect is captured during the golden hours of early morning or late evening, but the smoke uniquely extended that window, adding mood and texture to the frame.
It’s a reminder of how environmental conditions can become creative tools in landscape photography.

Mount Rainier National Park
WA USA

After the rain

It is not always possible to predict the weather down to the minute when planning weeks out. Often, one has to go with the flow, and adjust to the ongoing conditions. I experienced this during a recent hike in the Tatras in Slovakia. 24hrs of continuous rain was followed by some of the most atmospheric lighting that I had experienced in the mountains thus far. As water evaporated from the wet rocks, they caught the last rays of afternoon light, glowing in an explosion of light and colors. It didn't last very long, and I was fortunate that I was at the right place at the right time.

Tatras National Park
Slovakia

Olympic Spring

Deep in the valleys of the Olympic peninsula lay enchanted forests where towering trees stand stalwarts to a rich emerald green undergrowth. These forests, which enjoy abundant rainfall, are home to a labyrinth of winding paths that invited hikers to explore serene beauty of nature's untouched splendor. Moss drapes over fallen logs like velvet, ferns unfurl in the cool mist, and the filtered light weaves a dreamscape of greens. Every step into this realm feels like crossing into a timeless sanctuary of an ancient land.

I got to explore this enchanted land earlier this year during its peak spring growth. Decades ago, this campground was a more developed establishment that has since then been slowly taken over by nature.

Olympic National Park
WA USA

Spring in the Palouse

The Palouse region of eastern Washington is a striking landscape of rolling hills, shaped by a unique climate in the rain shadow of the Cascades. While the western Pacific Northwest stays lush and green, this drier area is ideal for growing legumes, grains, and oilseeds.

From higher vantage points, you can see the vast farmland stretching out, marked by silos, barns, and intersecting roads. On a clear spring day, the blue sky is filled with white clouds, creating a strong contrast with the green fields below.

Much of the native vegetation has been replaced by agriculture, but small pockets remain along creeks and atop the buttes that rise above the region. If you visit now, you’ll get to experience this seasonal transformation firsthand.
Palouse, WA, USA