Hillside Sunset 10-13-2017

I captured this scene at the 2017 Adirondack Balloon Festival in Queensbury, New York, just after the evening sun dipped below the surrounding Adirondack foothills. While the balloons were tethered down across the airfield, the western horizon exploded with deep evening color, creating a minimalist landscape that demanded a shot before twilight took over.

The composition features a heavy, dark mountain silhouette anchoring the lower third of the frame against a glowing orange sky. Bold horizontal cloud layers catch intense golden backlighting from the setting sun, creating a striking two-tone gradient that transitions from blazing amber to deep twilight shadows.