Carl Prothman Photography

A close view of Little Tahoma Peak, the sharp jagged volcanic remnant rising from the eastern slopes of Mount Rainier. The scene is captured at sunrise, with warm golden-pink alpenglow lighting up the rugged cliffs and ridgelines. Below the peak, glaciers sprawl in icy ribbons, their cracked surfaces spilling down the mountain. The contrast of glowing rock, shadowed valleys, and gleaming ice creates a dramatic and textured alpine landscape against a pale morning sky.

Little Tahoma Peak glowing golden red from sunrise light.

Mount Rainier National Park
#CascadeMountains #AlpenglowMagic #LandscapePhotographer #PNW

A single tall plant with thin, delicate stems catches direct backlighting from the sun, causing every small bud to glow in bright yellow and orange tones against a shaded wooden fence. Surrounding the stem are deep green leaves and clusters of blue hydrangeas, with additional vine growth climbing the fence behind. The contrast between the luminous plant and the darker background creates a strong separation in tone and texture. The overall feeling of the photo is that quick spark of wonder when light hits just right.

Loved how the sunlight lit up this wild stem in my backyard

Have you caught any little pockets of good light lately? Post a pic

#photography #pnw #nature

Got a peanut?

A winding gravel path moves through a bright green Pacific Northwest forest under clear summer light. Ferns line the right edge of the trail beside a short wooden fence, and tall trees rise above the scene with a mixture of evergreens and broadleaf leaves glowing in the sun. A moss-covered branch arches over dense shrubs in the mid-ground, and the overhead canopy filters the light into soft patches across the path. The image shows a tranquil woodland scene with layered greens and gentle shadows. The feeling of the photo is peaceful and refreshing.

Such a good day for a walk in the park here in the PNW.

Wishing you and your loved ones a truly happy and heartfelt Thanksgiving! May your day overflow with gratitude, delicious food, and the precious people who make every moment richer.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 🦃❤️
#Thanksgiving

Took this from the top of Crystal Mountain on one of those perfect January days. Mount Rainier was in full form, 14,411 feet of glaciers catching the bright winter sun. I’ve seen this mountain hundreds of times growing up here in the PNW yet views like this still stop me in my tracks.

Thanks Daniel, that sounds incredible. I’d love to see the Outer Hebrides in Scotland someday. I’ve heard the water there can look almost unreal.

A shallow section of Lake Wenatchee in summer sunlight shows perfectly clear water revealing smooth, multicolored stones and scattered driftwood on the lakebed. Green reeds sway just offshore, and a sun-bleached fallen log rests along the back edge near dense shrubs. Ripples shimmer across the surface, allowing every detail beneath to stay visible. The feeling of the photo is calm, warm, and quietly joyful, like a slow August afternoon by the lake.

Thinking back to an August trip out to Lake Wenatchee, and how unreal the water clarity was that day. I stood there for a long time just watching the stones glow under the glass-clear surface, feeling pretty lucky to be in a place like this.

Where’s the clearest water you’ve seen this year?

A paved walking and biking path curves gently through a park-like setting, flanked on both sides by rows of trees in peak autumn foliage. The trees display vibrant red and orange leaves, some of which have already fallen and scattered across the path and surrounding grass. On the left side of the image, water is visible beyond the trees, possibly part of a lake or river. The sky is overcast with a soft blue-gray hue, diffusing the light and bringing out the saturated colors of the foliage. The image conveys a peaceful, reflective feeling of seasonal transition and quiet beauty.

Autumn color in full display along the Cedar River Trail in Seattle. 🍁

#photography #pnw #autumncolors

Crystal Mountain 50 Year History The first visitors to what is now Crystal Mountain came seeking their fortunes, not fresh snow or wild flowers. Traces of gold were found in them there hills (of…

I just watched this throwback 2012 documentary, "50 Years of Crystal Mountain." It covers Crystal’s journey from a 1962 T-bar and rope tows to the full resort it became by 2012. If you’ve skied Crystal, or dream of it, it’s a great 10-minute hit of history and vibe.

vimeo.com/56827819

A layered view of Waimea Canyon with rust-colored cliffs, bright green vegetation, and a winding valley below. Morning light catches the erosion lines and soft haze, giving the distant peaks a gentle blue fade and a huge sense of depth. Wispy clouds float above the ridges, and the warm earth tones mixed with cool greens create a vivid, peaceful scene that feels timeless and full of quiet wonder.

If I had to prove the world is beautiful with just one frame, it would be this moment from deep inside Waimea Canyon on Kauai. Standing on the edge of those red cliffs looking down into that glowing green valley felt like the planet was showing its true colors.

Crystal Mountain 50 Year History The first visitors to what is now Crystal Mountain came seeking their fortunes, not fresh snow or wild flowers. Traces of gold were found in them there hills (of…

I just watched this throwback 2012 documentary, "50 Years of Crystal Mountain." It covers Crystal’s journey from a 1962 T-bar and rope tows to the full resort it became by 2012. If you’ve skied Crystal, or dream of it, it’s a great 10-minute hit of history and vibe.

vimeo.com/56827819

A peaceful sunset scene at Lake Wenatchee, Washington. The mountain rises in deep blue silhouette against a warm orange and pink sky, its reflection soft across the calm lake surface. In the distance, a single small boat floats quietly in the center of the lake, surrounded by the glow of dusk. Driftwood and trees frame the foreground. The photo feels calm and reflective, like the world is slowing down at the end of a good day.

A quiet evening settles over Lake Wenatchee as a lone boat drifts across the glowing water beneath a fading orange sky.

#photography #pnw #lakewenatchee

This photo shows a steep volcanic coastline rising sharply from bright turquoise ocean water along the Na Pali Coast on the island of Kauai. The cliffs are tall and deeply sculpted with vertical ridges and narrow valleys that fall straight to the shoreline. The lower rock layers show darker and weathered tones while the upper ridges catch bright natural light revealing patches of green vegetation in narrow bands across the slopes. Puffy white clouds drift above the jagged peaks against a blue sky. The overall mood feels powerful, dramatic, and awe inspiring.

Rugged Na Pali Coast cliffs towering above vibrant turquoise ocean.
#Photography #Kaui #NaPaliCoast

A wide view of a calm shoreline scene on Lake Washington with dozens of white gulls resting on exposed driftwood and sandbars in shallow water, with floating logs and broken tree trunks scattered across the foreground. In the background are lakeside homes, docks, and boats surrounded by colorful fall foliage in shades of orange, yellow, and green beneath a cloudy blue sky. The image shows a peaceful lakeside environment with birds quietly gathering on natural debris, and it feels calm and unhurried.

No close-ups on that one, I only had the 14-42 with me that day. Here’s a cropped version that gets a little closer though. 😀

A wide view of a calm shoreline scene on Lake Washington with dozens of white gulls resting on exposed driftwood and sandbars in shallow water, with floating logs and broken tree trunks scattered across the foreground. In the background are lakeside homes, docks, and boats surrounded by colorful fall foliage in shades of orange, yellow, and green beneath a cloudy blue sky. The image shows a peaceful lakeside environment with birds quietly gathering on natural debris, and it feels calm and unhurried.

White gulls resting on driftwood
#photography #pnw

Love that, Dave. ALT text feels like this hidden storytelling space where you can add context, mood, and meaning without cluttering the main post. I’ve been trying to treat it almost like a mini behind-the-scenes note so people can feel what it was like to be there, not just see it.

Tip, on every photo I post you can click the ALT icon to see extra details about what’s in the shot.

Make sure to click the ALT icon on the photo and read the details.

Hey Dave, yeah it’s basically a generic camera stand-in, just there to support the theme and feeling of photography rather than represent a specific model.

This photo shows a classic film camera resting at a slight angle on a tripod, catching soft light through its lens. Instead of just snapping anything, the photographer thinks through how to shape the light using proper exposure, subject placement, and intentional composition, then frames the shot so everything lines up with real photography principles. The final image looks like it’s sliding out of the back of the camera, showing that a true photograph is built with emotion, purpose, light, and meaning, turning an everyday moment into something people can actually feel.

"You don't take a photograph, you make it." – Ansel Adams

This photo shows Wailua Falls, a double-tiered waterfall located on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, near the city of Lihue. Two parallel streams of water plunge over a tall volcanic cliff, with exposed basalt and warm orange rock layers visible behind the flow. Dense green vegetation surrounds the top and sides of the falls, creating a contrast with the white water. At the base, mist rises from the plunge pool and refracts the sunlight into a full rainbow arc across the lower part of the image. Dried grasses and fresh leaves appear in the foreground, adding depth and scale. The scene is brightly lit and clearly detailed, and the combination of mist and color gives the photo a feeling of calm wonder.

Morning mist at Wailua Falls in Lihue, Kauai where twin cascades catch double rainbows. 💦🌈

#Photography #Waterfalls #Rainbow

A woodland trail curves gently through a dense green forest filled with ferns, moss, and tall evergreen trees. The path is a compacted dirt walkway bordered by thick vegetation with small plants, low shrubs, and sword ferns lining the edges. Overhead, a wide canopy of leaves filters soft daylight, creating a diffused glow across the scene. A moss-covered tree leans at an angle near the center, adding a natural focal point against the deeper background of tree trunks and layered branches. The entire image is rich in shades of green, from the bright canopy overhead to the darker tones deeper in the forest. The overall feeling of the photo is quiet, cool, and deeply peaceful.

Who needs a map when the forest calls? 🌿🛤️
#NatureReset #PNWvibes

A bright summer scene along the Cedar River near Renton, Washington. Tall grasses with thin seed heads rise in the foreground, mixed with small yellow flowers at the river’s edge. The water is clear, shallow near the front, and perfectly calm, reflecting the green shrubs and trees on the far bank. A weathered log sits half in the water on the left side. Beyond the river, a forested ridge rises with scattered houses partly visible through the trees. The sky is a clean, cloudless blue. The overall feeling of the photo is quiet and peaceful.

Morning light along the Cedar River in Renton, WA,
where the calm water makes everything feel a little easier.
What’s your go-to river spot? Got a pic to share?
#photography #pnw #landscape

Totally agree, Jim. It really does look AI generated. Hard to believe those colors are real, but this shot’s all natural. Just a bit of light touch-up, no AI or heavy edits needed when Kauai shows off like that. 😀

Just a reminder, no matter how hard you push the envelope, it will always be stationery.
- Dad Jokes

A deep, multi-layered photograph of Waimea Canyon in Kauai showing steep, rust-colored cliffs interwoven with bands of vibrant green vegetation descending into a winding valley. Sunlight filters through the morning haze, revealing intricate erosion lines and subtle color shifts across the canyon walls. The ridges in the midground are sharply defined, while the distant peaks fade gently into a soft blue mist, giving a powerful sense of scale and depth. Wisps of clouds hang above the horizon, blending seamlessly with the pale sky. The contrast between warm earth tones and cool greens creates a vivid tapestry of natural beauty and geological time. The photo feels vast, timeless, and deeply peaceful, evoking a sense of quiet wonder and connection to the land.

Morning light spills through the Waimea Canyon ridges, painting the canyon in soft reds and vivid greens.
#photography #Kauai

That reflection is absolutely beautiful, love how the calm water mirrors the sky perfectly. Nicely done!

A coastal scene shows weathered driftwood scattered along a gravel beach beneath leaning evergreen and madrone trees. The largest tree juts dramatically toward the sky, its upper branches stripped bare while others remain green. Puffy white clouds float in a bright blue sky, contrasting with the dense green foliage on the slope. The image conveys a peaceful, windswept feeling of nature’s endurance by the sea.

A quiet stretch of Washington coast where twisted trees meet the driftwood shore under a bright summer sky.
#photography #pnw #coast

Ski season’s sneaking up fast! Here’s a quick clip from last year—carving down Upper College at Sun Valley Resort, Idaho.

If you’ve never hit the slopes before, this gives a real feel for what it’s like to navigate down a crowded run. Buckle up and enjoy the rush. 🎿❄️