This image is lit with literally the last rays of the setting sun. The sun was setting directly behind me, which gave a unique axis lighting to the scene. I set up the camera with Ruth's help and waited for the constantly swirling clouds to complete the composition. At the moment of exposure, the sun was sinking below the horizon and within one minute, the light was gone from the mountaintop.

The small areas of light blue sky showing through the colored clouds give a color contrast depth to the image, as well as visually showing that the color balance is correct (otherwise, the cyan would be degraded with a red or orange veil).

The image almost knocked me over as I composed the photograph on the ground glass. When I view the finished exhibition print, especially in the large size, it has a majestic, monumental fiery quality that takes my breath away.