Butch Mazzuca
July 2025 - Rainbow Wheel
About the Image(s)
Rainbow Wheel
Canon R5 - Canon 24-70@24mm ISO -800 - f7.1 - 1/2000th second - handheld.
I was going to title this image Antisolar Symphony, however, I did a bit of research and came across the term “Rainbow Wheel” so I’m curious what the group thinks about the two titles.
I was shooting in the desert during monsoon season here in Tucson, but we were getting mostly showers instead of the monsoon rains ??“ hence no dramatic lightning shots; nonetheless, I saw this interesting phenomenon. There was nothing of real interest around me so I decoupled from my tripod (hence the high shutter speed - I did not want to blow this shot with camera shake) and I ran looking for something to put in front of it before the rainbow faded, and found a relatively clean paddle cactus. In this image, the rays appear as spokes radiating from the center of the rainbow. I’ve seen crepuscular rays many times but had never heard of anti-crepuscular rays, (also known as anti-solar rays), that unlike crepuscular rays that emanate from the sun, anti crepuscular rays appear opposite the sun. I’ve read this is an optical illusion, but physics isn’t my strong suit so I’m including a link with a better explanation than I can give plus it has some beautiful photographs of the phenomenon. en.wikipedia.org+1lukaesenko.com+1lukaesenko.com
8 comments posted
Your capture description made me laugh as I picture you running to find a foreground, I have found myself in that situation many times and rejoice to learn that I am not alone.
I like the composition with the light on the cactus. I feel the bright cactus creates some visual balance with the color in the sky. Just wondering if you took a shot from a few steps further back. while I like the current image it does feel like there is a lot going on a shot from a bit further away might create a more scenic view.
Posted: 07/08/2025 17:30:56
Personally, I don't care much for the cactus. For me, its brightness detracts from the beautiful rainbow and crepuscular rays. It draws my eyes away from what I believe should've been the primary focus of the shot. That rainbow emanating from the top of the butte with the rays below remind me of a colored wheel for sure. Posted: 07/13/2025 23:11:27
(Groups 4 & 15 & 58 & 59 & 72)
While the brightness of the cactus does make it stand out, to me it just slightly too bright, to where it competes too much with the rainbow for my attention. I would try selectively reducing the highlights on the cactus. Not a big adjustment, just a little tweak to it.
Posted: 07/20/2025 20:09:03