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03/20/2012 04:33:51 PM · #1 |
The blue color of the sky is caused by the scattering of sunlight off the molecules of the atmosphere. This scattering, called Rayleigh scattering, is more effective at short wavelengths (the blue end of the visible spectrum). Therefore the light scattered down to the earth at a large angle with respect to the direction of the sun's light is predominantly in the blue end of the spectrum.
At sea level, there is additional scattering due to humidity, dust and pollution. There will be much less blue sky at sea level elevations.
Out in space, the sky looks dark and black, instead of blue. This is because there is no atmosphere. There is no scattered light to reach your eyes.
In between sea level and out in space, there are varying levels of blue sky. If you travel to the high elevations of the mountains, there is much less atmosphere. There is little to disperse, or scatter, the light. I have recently experienced people telling me my blue skies in Colorado look "fake", or "overprocessed" or "what's with the blue?". I suspect experiencing the Colorado blue sky is not within the life experiences of these people. I forgive them. However, if they feel I have broken some challenge rules, they should be sure to report the suspected rules violations and vote as if the image is legal. |
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03/20/2012 04:57:00 PM · #2 |
Makes sense. I noticed when I was in New Mexico, that the quality of light and the skies midday were appealing and photogenic.
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03/20/2012 05:43:18 PM · #3 |
My wife and I own some property in Silver City, New Mexico, so we visit fairly often. I am always amazed at just how blue the skies are there (at ~6,000 ft). Living near San Diego, it's rare that our skies even approach that "blueness". I think that's why so many artists end up in New Mexico...the quality of the light, and the incredible skies are tough to match elsewhere in this country...maybe in Colorado.
On another note, we've been watching Breaking Bad recently. What a great series! It's filmed in Albuquerque, and the landscapes/skies are often showcased. I think there have been four seasons so far, and we're about halfway through season two on DVD. I highly recommend it. |
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03/20/2012 09:04:25 PM · #4 |
| You're not the first Coloradoan to encounter said comments, if it makes you feel any better. Some of mine I know I've overdone, but I seem to recall getting those comments on images that I thought were reasonable, especially if I used a polarizer. |
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03/20/2012 09:15:23 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
You're not the first Coloradoan to encounter said comments, if it makes you feel any better. Some of mine I know I've overdone, but I seem to recall getting those comments on images that I thought were reasonable, especially if I used a polarizer. |
when we become desensitized to colorful Colorado over time, we forget about how glorious are the light, color, landscape and wildlife. |
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03/20/2012 09:31:17 PM · #6 |
| And we're almost done with the brown season! Time for technicolor green ;0 |
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