Rainbow over Mono Lake, September 7, 2006

It’s September 1st, a milestone for photographers in the northern hemisphere. Technically it’s still summer, and in most of the United States the weather remains warm. In Yosemite the waterfalls are barely flowing, and fall color is still at least a month away.

But the the light is changing. Every day is a little shorter than the previous one. Gradually the sun is taking a lower path through the sky. Sunrises and sunsets last longer. For the next eight months the sun won’t be directly overhead anymore during the middle of the day, beaming down harsh, unflattering light on our favorite subjects. Best of all, we won’t have to get up so early for sunrise!

So although summer isn’t officially over yet, it’s days are numbered. Here’s to more interesting light in the months to come.