Before the Storm on Convict Lake

This award-winning black-and-white photograph captures a daring yet powerful moment on Convict Lake in the Eastern Sierra during springtime. A single fishing boat floats in still water, dwarfed by the massive, glacially carved granite peaks and threatened by a brewing storm to the west. I had been traveling in this area and set up to capture the lake and scene as the morning light arrived over my shoulder. When the light arrived, I saw that an impressive storm with massive dark clouds were about to take over. I dressed in rain gear just in case. The media I used captured the image perfectly, emphasizing contrast and depth; light falling on the steep mountain face while clouds coiled like smoke above. The photograph speaks to the power of nature’s scale and unpredictability, emphasizing human inability to affect its dramatic events.

I release limited edition California fine art prints in small runs of 25. "Before the Storm on Convict Lake" is available either in Collector's Print (Unframed) on Hannemühle fine art paper, or in Museum Framed Edition on Hannemühle fine art paper, under Acrylic glass and framed with mounting hardware installed. Each will be produced by WhiteWall (Germany), one of the most respected art labs in the world. A Certificate of Authenticity indicating the print number within the edition, and signed by the Artist, will be provided to each collector.

HONORS

I am honored that five of my images—Before the Storm on Convict Lake, Sierra Crescendo, Solitude in the Valley, Storm on the Pass, and Volcanic Expression—were chosen for publication September 2025 in Collect Art’s 77th special edition magazine “B&W Photography.” This recognition highlights the power of black-and-white to reveal timeless textures, contrasts, and moods within the Sierra landscapes. The feature also includes my biography and interview, offering readers insight into the creative process behind these works.

DPReview Editors’ Challenge, July 2025Placed in Top 25% for “Before the Storm on Convict Lake." This landscape photograph Before the Storm on Convict Lake earned 56th place out of 238 entries in the July Editors’ Challenge hosted by DPReview. As a globally respected authority on photography gear and technique, DPReview’s editorial recognition underscores the image’s strong compositional and tonal qualities. The placement reflects competitive peer reviewed merit within a large and skilled field of photographers.