Fire

connecting with Fire...

Together

Sunset at Yellowstone Lake. Consistent smoke from the Western wildfires dominated the sky those days. Which in turn resulted in interesting light effects.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Fire and ash

One of the reasons I love photography is the absolutely priceless feeling of utmost balance and completeness that I experience when driving back after evenings like this. It doesn't matter what the final result, picture-wise, will be. What matters is the experience I've been lucky to live through.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Creases

The dry and hot conditions of Death Valley can sometimes result in a spontaneous combustion effect.

Death Valley National Park, California

Lake Manly

One doesn’t often have a chance to feel like a saint. Unless it’s gliding on a surface of a many-mile wide but just two-inch deep lake. What typically is vast salt flats of the lowest point in the North America, recently turned into ephemeral lake due to the unprecedented rainfall in the park the past 6 months. Previously it happened almost 20 years ago. Nobody knew how long it would last this time. The Death Valley is undoubtedly full of life. The quintessence of its fleeting aspect.

Death Valley National Park, California

Peeking through

The beginning of a new day brings a sense of life to this somewhat apocalyptic location.

Edisto Beach, South Carolina

Burned

Yellowstone, despite being an absolutely mind-boggling destination for nature lovers, does not offer many opportunities for photographers. I almost never see good pictures taken in this park. A huge part of the experience here is due to the place's crazy dynamics, where sounds and scents complete the visual part—something a still photo simply cannot convey. In addition, many areas are closed for free roaming and/or are simply dangerous to explore. Nevertheless, nothing is impossible, and the amount of inspiration this place can give definitely compensates for the challenges.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Red dawn

Crack of dawn at Arches National Park.

Arches National Park, Utah

A torch

I was extremely lucky to spend three mornings on this beach around Christmas time, with each morning bringing amazing sunrises and the entire beach all to myself.

Edisto Beach, South Carolina

Blast furnace

Winter in Virginia and nearby states typically means no foliage and no snow either. Which makes landscape photography not that fruitful. Well, it also makes rare snowfalls and foggy mornings even more precious. And sunsets… Sunsets are the best this time of the year.

New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

Loneliness

Sunrise over Yellowstone lake.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Sky on fire

One of the very few occasions when I — after looking at the sky — told myself, “There must be some beautiful light tonight,” and was right. Typically, my inner amateur meteorologist lies bluntly. Professional ones, however, lie even more. It's so good to be an amateur...

Acadia National Park, Maine

Before the rain

Photography as a hobby is a mini version of my life. It doesn’t make much sense; I'm just desperately trying to get as much beauty out of it as I can. And even though it often feels like a competition, there is actually nothing and no one to compete with.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Fire is the element of energy, transformation, and passion. It represents the driving force behind creativity, ambition, and willpower. Fire is both a destroyer and a creator, capable of bringing about significant change and renewal. It symbolizes the inner light, warmth, and the dynamic force of life that propels us forward.

Fire inspires us to harness our inner strength, pursue our passions, and embrace change. It teaches the importance of transformation, motivation, and taking decisive action. This element encourages us to be courageous, dynamic, and to use our energy wisely to achieve our goals. Fire also reminds us of the power of purification and renewal, helping us to let go of the old and make way for the new. Working with the Fire element through activities such as candle meditation, visualization, and physical exercise can ignite our inner power, drive us to action, and foster a sense of purpose and vitality.

Other elements:

Earth

Water

Air

Ether