Vidya Kane Photography

Bowling Ball Beach - Series

PLANETS

I had been planning to make photographs at Bowling Ball Beach in Mendocino County, but couldn’t quite make it there due to its rather remote location. I was thrilled to have since had that opportunity.

I really liked some of the photographs I had made earlier in the day. The conditions started to change quite dramatically when the evening progressed as the light got softer, tides bigger and coastal fog added an element of mystery. While making this photograph, the bowling balls seemed to appear other worldly.

STRATIFIED

Point Arena, Mendocino Coast

WINTER STORM, YOSEMITE

Here’s a series of monochrome, ultra low contrast photographs from Yosemite. All these images were made in the midst of winter storms with the landscape barely visible. The light filtering through the fog gave a luminous quality to the scene. I intended to reflect this ethereal feeling in these photographs. Very little, if any, processing has been done as I have tried to keep the images at very low contrast.

PEEKING THROUGH # 1

Yosemite National Park

STORM, CLIFFS, YOSEMITE #2

STORM, CLIFFS, YOSEMITE #1

I enjoy making photographs when storms engulf Yosemite Valley. During a storm, the light and atmospheric conditions are constantly changing. This allows me to react to the unfolding drama thereby making the whole experience extremely dynamic.

While making this photograph, I was drawn to the swirling mist, that simultaneously revealed and obscured Yosemite’s high cliffs.

DOGWOODS ALONG MERCED RIVER

Dogwoods are particularly beautiful in early spring. While making this photograph, I was drawn to the contrast of the delicate dogwood blooms against the backdrop of surrounding bare trees.

DOGWOOD TAPESTRY

The sight of dogwoods blooming all over Yosemite Valley must rank as one of the most beautiful spring scenes. Its crisp, white blooms make it a favorite subject for my photography. While making this image, I was drawn to the cascade of dogwoods blooming over the entire length of the tree, creating a veritable tapestry !

I am so thrilled to have an image of mine in May’s Landscape Photography Magazine ! thank you !

More photos from the series

SWIRLING FOAM, MERCED RIVER

SWIRLING FOAM, MERCED RIVER

I have been fascinated by the myriad of abstract patterns that are created by foam swirling on Merced River. While I was making this image, I was looking to find order in the otherwise chaotic movement of the foam !

APPALACHIAN SPRING

Dogwood blooms come alive as spring descends in the Appalachian Mountains. These blooms complement beautifully with other flowering trees to create a veritable floral tapestry. While making these images, soft early morning light coupled with a slight bout of rain accentuated the colors of spring.

APPROACHING STORM, YOSEMITE CLIFF

Winter in Yosemite is an incredible time for photography. I find it a particularly creative process due to all the compositional possibilities. The light and conditions are constantly changing making for dynamic interpretations of the landscape.

I made this photograph during an oncoming storm. The fast moving storm seemed to be enveloping the valley and turning it into a white blanket. I was drawn to the barely visible silhouette of the foreground cliff which provided an air of mystery to the scene otherwise being engulfed by the storm.

SIGN OF SPRING

Blue Ridge Parkway

SPRING MELODIES

The morning I made this photograph is still fresh in my memory. A significant storm was forecast to descend upon the Smoky Mountains. I headed into the park early looking to make some photographs before the rains came, but just as importantly, hoping to catch some “interesting” atmospheric conditions leading up to the storm.

The morning was so bitterly cold that I was practically the only soul who had ventured out. Almost as just reward for my dogged determination, I was treated to some of the most incredible light I have seen in the Smoky Mountains.

When I came upon this scene, I let out a loud gasp as the light that permeated this section of the park was beyond my wildest imagination. It appeared as though nature was humming a beautiful spring melody by casting an irresistibly radiant glow through the mist. While composing the photograph, I used the meandering river to provide depth while the dogwoods flanking the banks added balance.

As I started to work on this photograph in my "digital darkroom", I looked to stay true to the memory of all around radiance I experienced while making this image.

Fun with ICM !

SWAYING SPRING BLOSSOMS

This photograph was made along fruit orchards at the Sierra foothills. I used an intentional camera movement (ICM) to create a brush stroke effect ! The near painterly effect seemed to accentuate the feeling of spring blossoms swaying in the wind.

APPROACHING STORM, YOSEMITE VALLEY

This is an ongoing series of photographs on the portfolio “Winter Light, Yosemite”.

A powerful autumn storm rolled into Yosemite and was moving rather quickly to envelope the valley. I drove to higher ground looking to make photographs that included its ridgeline.

For just a brief opening, I was able to see the storm descending from the top of the cliffs and snake its way through the valley floor. The storm was moving in so quickly, I barely had time to setup and compose the photograph. I made just a couple of images before the entire valley was blanketed in white. I could scarcely believe the dramatic spectacle I had witnessed, even if it lasted for only a brief moment.

WINTER LIGHT, YOSEMITE

This is a series of photographs I have been putting together on a portfolio titled “Winter Light, Yosemite”.

I thoroughly enjoy making photographs in Yosemite National Park in winter. Conditions are often dramatic, the light is incredible and the subjects varied for photography. Having the opportunity to witness this grand spectacle is itself a remarkable experience. Being able to immerse myself in these conditions to create a portfolio is an absolute privilege.

WINTER LIGHT, YOSEMITE

CLEARING STORM, TUNNEL VIEW #1

Watching a storm clear from Tunnel View in Yosemite ranks amongst one of my most incredible life experiences. I consider myself fortunate to have experienced this many times through my trips to Yosemite. However, each experience is just as thrilling - be it the anticipation or watching the drama unfold as the storm clears!

ROCK ART

I’m thrilled to have my work “Rock Art” be featured on the latest edition of On Landscape magazine’s “4x4 Landscape Portfolio”. On Landscape features an incredible array of talented photographers who serve as a rich source of inspiration and learning in my photography journey !

https://www.onlandscape.co.uk/2024/03/rock-art/

INTERTWINED # 1

This is another one from the archives !

I made it to Yosemite National Park just as a powerful, late autumn storm descended upon the valley and stayed inside the park until the storm cleared. Such experiences are not just filled with photographic potential, but are also deeply spiritual. They show that no matter how hard things may get, brighter times are always round the corner !

I made a few photographs that morning in the snow storm. As the storm showed signs of clearing, I headed towards a grove of oak trees in Cook’s meadow. This grove of trees not only had a fair sprinkling on autumn foliage, their thick branches were also holding onto a lot of snow!

As the storm cleared, it was quite an amazing sight to see the autumn foliage be backlit by the rays of the morning sun. I zeroed in on a pair of intertwined oak trees and timed the shutter release to capture the snow showers falling from these trees.

WEDGED

Bowling Ball Beach is situated in a remote corner of the Sonoma coast. I found the drive to the beach to be both exhilarating and arduous. The drive hugs the coastline along most stretches, showcasing jaw dropping clifftop views of the Pacific Ocean. However, the constant switchbacks forced my attention back to the road in front of me !

The arduous drive meant that I had the beach all to myself. I chanced upon less than a handful of people during the entire evening I spent making photographs. The sight of giant bowling ball shaped boulders scattered all along the northern stretches of the beach seemed almost other worldly.

I waited until the sun had dropped well below the horizon for soft light to descend on the beach. The higher tides made the giant boulders appear as though they were floating on water ! I zeroed in on a rock that was wedged between these giant boulders, despite being bombarded by high and mighty waves lashing the coastline.

CLEARING STORM, HIGH CLIFFS, YOSEMITE

I have really missed going to Yosemite during this year’s winter season. I did the next best thing - to look for images from prior winters in my own library !

Here’s a photograph I made many years ago during a clearing winter storm. The storm had been powerful to drop a lot of snow at higher elevations. It was fascinating to witness the top of cliffs be revealed during the clearing. Backlit clearing storm clouds added much drama to the scene. I was thrilled to relive that memory while retrieving this photograph from my library.

I'm super stoked to be a Featured Artist on the latest issue of Landscape Photo Magazine. I have always admired the photographic art and artists who have featured in their magazine. It is incredible to be featured along with so many incredible artists !