Mt. Hamilton Road near Twin Gates, Joseph D. Grant County Park, Santa Clara County, CA, 3/14/2015
While exploring the Mt. Hamilton area east of San Jose, CA, I spotted this beautiful, and very steep oak covered hillside near the eastern edge of Joseph Grant County Park. The grazing angle of the late afternoon sunlight sharply delineated the bare tree branches against the hill. The scene was so rich with detail that I decided to flout the compositional convention of providing a center of interest, and instead fill the frame with intricate elements, all competing for our eyes' attention. Now when I look at this photograph, that's precisely the effect I've achieved; my eyes search the picture in circles for one special place to stop and rest, without ever finding it. Having no sky in the scene is another fun exception this photo makes. Although dormant, these trees are not bare; a close look reveals they are covered with moss and lichens.
