Carl Prothman
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Carl Prothman
@carlprothman.bsky.social
3.4K followers 5.9K following 320 posts
Pacific Northwest landscape photographer and skier, chasing light and mountains. Seattle, WA, USA
#photography #pnw
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Summer View of Mount Rainier from Chinook Pass
I love this view from Chinook Pass. The rugged peaks in front give Mount Rainier depth and scale, making it feel larger and more dominant.

#pnw #landscapephotography
A layered mountain landscape viewed from Chinook Pass, Washington. In the foreground, rugged rocky peaks and ridgelines with sparse vegetation rise unevenly, creating a jagged silhouette. Beyond them, dense evergreen forest fills the midground, darker in tone and texture. Mount Rainier stands in the background, its broad, glacier-covered summit bright and smooth against a clear blue sky, sharply separated from the rough terrain below. The composition emphasizes contrast between the broken foreground and the massive, unified mountain, and the overall scene feels grounded, powerful, and quietly commanding.
January 16, 2026 at 11:49 AM
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Winter Light and Low Clouds
Caught the last light on this ridge as low clouds moved through the trees. It only lasted a few minutes, but it was worth stopping for.

What draws your eye first here, the warm light on the ridge or the low clouds moving through the trees below?

#pnw
A steep, rocky mountain ridge rises sharply against a pale evening sky, its upper faces illuminated by warm golden light near sunset. Snow clings to shaded ledges, cracks, and gullies across the rock, while nearby ridgelines remain partially snow-covered. In the foreground, dark evergreen trees form a dense silhouette, their pointed tops framing the base of the mountain. A layer of low clouds drifts horizontally through the mid-slope and treeline, softening the transition between forest and rock and partially obscuring the lower terrain. The contrast between warm light on the stone and cool shadows below emphasizes the depth and scale of the landscape. The scene feels quiet, fleeting, and contemplative.
January 15, 2026 at 12:52 PM
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Winter Clarity in the Cascades
This peak caught my attention the other day. I love how the trees hold the snow, and how the snow-covered peaks contrast against the deep blue sky. I remember stopping just to look before taking the photo.

What keeps pulling you back to winter mountain scenes?
#pnw
A snow-covered mountain summit rises above dense evergreen trees coated in thick winter snow. The peak is centered in the frame, surrounded by tall trees, with a deep blue, cloudless sky filling the background. The scene feels crisp, quiet, and contemplative.
January 14, 2026 at 5:40 PM
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Silver King at Crystal Mountain, WA.
Steep, raw, and unmistakable from every angle. This peak has a presence that commands respect whether you ski it or simply stop to take it in.
A steep, snow-covered mountain peak rises sharply against a pale sky, with jagged rock bands cutting through the white slopes. Evergreen trees frame the lower foreground, emphasizing the scale and severity of the terrain above. The mountain feels imposing and humbling, carrying a quiet sense of challenge and respect.
January 13, 2026 at 2:20 PM
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Winter Storm Sky
This ominous-looking storm cloud filled the sky this afternoon. The sunlight beneath it created a striking contrast that completely changed the mood of the mountain. It felt like one of those moments where you pause and wait to see what the storm decides to do next.
#pnw
A dramatic sky filled with layered storm clouds hangs over snow-covered ski runs and evergreen forests at Crystal Mountain in Washington. Dark blue-gray clouds dominate the upper frame, while a soft opening near the horizon allows light to spill through. The scene feels intense, calm, and quietly awe-inspiring.
January 11, 2026 at 2:47 PM
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Fresh snow at Snoqualmie Pass.
This was taken just after a storm, when the forest goes quiet and every sound feels absorbed. The snow softens the edges, slows your pace, and makes familiar places feel new again.

#pnw #outdoorlife
A dense evergreen forest at Snoqualmie Pass is covered in thick, fresh snow, creating layered textures across the frame. Beyond the trees, a snow-covered mountain ridge rises beneath an overcast sky. The untouched snow and muted tones create a quiet, reflective mood.
January 7, 2026 at 1:54 PM
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Clear blue sky over Rainier. Dark evergreens pull the eye in, jagged ridgelines add depth, and the mountain rises quietly beyond it all, giving the frame both structure and air.

Where did your eye land first in this scene, and what do you think held it there?

#pnw #photography
Mount Rainier rises prominently in the center of the frame beneath a clear, vivid blue sky. The upper slopes are covered in bright white snow and ice, with subtle textures and wind-shaped patterns visible near the summit. Below the snow line, rugged gray and brown rock formations form steep ridges and gullies, creating strong diagonal lines that guide the eye upward toward the peak. In the foreground, tall evergreen trees with dense, dark green needles frame the lower portion of the image, their vertical shapes contrasting with the mountain’s broad, rounded form. The scene is evenly lit by clear daylight, with crisp visibility and strong color separation between sky, rock, snow, and forest, creating a calm, spacious feeling that feels steady, grounded, and quietly awe-inspiring.
January 4, 2026 at 4:56 PM
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How we actually see a photograph.

At first it’s just ducks on calm water. But the eye moves, starting on one bird, following the ripples, then drifting to the logs and shoreline. The scene builds step by step, not all at once.

Where did your eye go first?

#photography #composition #howwesee
A group of ducks swims across a calm lake from left to right, arranged in a loose line. Each duck creates a visible V-shaped ripple that trails behind it, forming gentle, repeating patterns on the water’s surface. Dark floating barriers stretch horizontally across the midground, separating the foreground water from the far shore. In the background, a lakeside park with docks, small buildings, and leafless trees sits beneath soft winter light, with muted earth tones and pale blue water dominating the scene. The overall mood feels calm, steady, and quietly meditative.
January 3, 2026 at 12:48 PM
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Skookum Falls, White River, near Greenwater WA
I caught this on a damp, gray day when the mist kept drifting through the trees and the falls faded in and out of view. One of those places that reminds you how powerful quiet can be.

#pnw #landscapephotography #waterfall
A tall, narrow, multi-tiered waterfall descends a steep, forested cliff in the distance, partially obscured by drifting mist. Dense evergreen trees cover the hillside, with darker conifers contrasting against lighter fog and exposed rock faces. In the foreground, leafless winter trees line the riverbank, and the White River flows calmly across a wide, rocky bed. The overcast sky mutes the colors and softens the scene. The overall mood feels quiet, cool, and grounding.
January 2, 2026 at 2:55 PM
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Winter clarity in the mountains.
I love days like this. Fresh snow, blue sky that only comes after a storm clears. These are the days that remind me why I keep coming back out here with a camera.

What keeps you coming back to winter landscapes?
#pnw #winter #landscape
A snow-covered mountain slope with evergreen trees heavily coated in fresh snow. The trees rise along a steep hillside, with a rugged ridgeline visible in the background under a deep blue winter sky with a small patch of cloud. The light is crisp and clean, highlighting texture in the snow and branches. The scene feels calm, steady, and quietly energizing.
January 1, 2026 at 6:12 PM
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Happy New Year!
Wishing you a great start to 2026 from Seattle.
#pnw
A winter photo of Mount Rainier viewed from the top of Alpental in Washington’s Snoqualmie Pass. The massive volcanic peak dominates the background, covered in soft, golden-tinted snow as afternoon light highlights its ridges, glaciers, and broad summit dome. In the mid-distance, layered foothills and deep blue mountain valleys fade gradually into atmospheric haze, adding depth and scale. In the foreground, rugged rocky spires and cliffs at Alpental rise sharply, coated in thick, wind-sculpted snow. Evergreen trees cling to the steep terrain, their dark green needles contrasting against the bright white snowpack. A rounded, snow-loaded ridge sits prominently to the right, its smooth surface marked with subtle curves from wind and winter storms. The entire scene feels crisp, cold, and expansive—classic Pacific Northwest alpine terrain—showcasing both the dramatic jagged peaks of Alpental and the towering presence of Mount Rainier glowing in the distance.
December 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
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Early morning at Summit West.
I had driven up to go snow skiing, and the snow covering the beginner magic carpet immediately caught my eye as a perfect leading line into the early morning sky. It’s moments like this that I love noticing and capturing as a photographer. ❄️

#pnw #photography
A pre-dawn winter scene at Summit West Snoqualmie shows a snow-covered beginner magic carpet forming a strong leading line through the center of the frame. The conveyor belt is fully buried in fresh snow, bordered by low snowbanks and thin rope fencing with snow-capped posts. Groomed corduroy snow is visible on the left, while deeper, uneven snow piles fill the foreground. In the distance, a small ski lodge glows with warm yellow light from its windows, contrasting with the deep blue tones of the surrounding snow and sky. The background fades into darkness with faint outlines of ski infrastructure barely visible. The overall mood is quiet, calm, and anticipatory, capturing the stillness of the mountain just before the day begins.
December 30, 2025 at 3:59 PM
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Winter light, fleeting magic ✨
As the sun dipped behind the ridge, a rare circumzenithal arc, an upside-down smile of color, flashed over snowy PNW peaks. Gone in moments, but worth the chill. ❄️🌈

Here’s to unexpected beauty today. What are you looking forward to?
#PNW #CircumzenithalArc
A breathtaking winter sunset scene over a snow-covered mountain landscape in the Pacific Northwest. In the deep blue sky, a brilliant circumzenithal arc—often called an upside-down rainbow or "smile in the sky"—arches high overhead like a colorful upward-curving smile. The vibrant spectral colors transition from red at the bottom outer edges through orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet toward the center. A fainter secondary arc appears above the main one. Below, dense evergreen forests dusted with fresh snow stretch across rolling ridges, leading to jagged, cloud-shrouded peaks glowing softly in the last rays of sunlight breaking through dramatic storm clouds. The overall mood is serene, magical, and fleeting.
December 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
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Winter depth
Taken yesterday at Crystal Mountain, looking east. Winter light settling into the ridges, shadows filling the valleys, and layers stacking into the distance.

What detail pulls your eye first?
#pnw #winter #landscapephotography
A snow-covered mountain landscape photographed from Crystal Mountain, facing east. Rocky ridgelines catch the winter light while forested valleys remain in shadow below. Soft cloud layers stretch across a blue sky. The image feels calm and reflective.
December 27, 2025 at 3:45 PM
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Merry Christmas!
An old favorite ornament, warm lights, and a reminder to be thankful for simple traditions that keep showing up year after year.

Wishing you a gentle and grateful Christmas from my family to yours. Much love from Seattle! 🎅🏻🎄✨

#Christmas #Grateful #PNW
A snowman ornament with a black hat and red scarf hangs on a Christmas tree branch. Tiny lights glow near its hands, creating soft starbursts, while green pine needles and warm, blurred lights fill the background. The image feels cozy, nostalgic, and quietly joyful.
December 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
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Christmas Eve stillness
Quiet snow, soft light, and a moment where everything feels calm and gently illuminated. 💫

What does Christmas Eve stillness look like for you?
#pnw #winter #mountains
A tall evergreen Christmas tree stands outdoors at night, heavily covered in fresh snow and wrapped with multicolored holiday lights glowing blue, green, red, and purple. A warm golden light at the top illuminates the dark winter sky while snow-covered fir trees and a small lodge frame the scene below. The snow blankets the ground and softens the surroundings, creating a peaceful winter atmosphere where the calm and gentle brightness feel especially present.
December 24, 2025 at 2:59 PM
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Mountain Perspective
When I took this photo, the snowy ridges naturally pulled my eye toward Mount Rainier, with the forest and winding river below adding depth, and the layered clouds reinforcing just how vast this PNW landscape felt.

What detail do you notice first? �
#PNW
A wide alpine view photographed from the summit area of Crystal Mountain, showing rocky foreground slopes and snow-covered ridgelines. Powder Bowl appears on the left with a steep, wind-textured snow face and scattered evergreen trees. The ridgeline drops into a forested valley where the White River winds through the center, with the road to Sunrise visible below. On the right, Mount Rainier rises prominently with its glacier-covered summit, and Mount St. Helens can be seen farther in the distance on the horizon. Layered clouds and an open sky emphasize the scale and depth of the PNW landscape, creating a calm and awe-inspiring mood.
December 23, 2025 at 12:50 PM
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Alpenglow on Rainier
Soft sunrise light turns the summit warm while the forest below stays cool and quiet. These few minutes of transition are always my favorite part of the day.

#pnw #landscapephotography #nature
A portrait photograph of Mount Rainier at sunrise, with the summit glowing in pink and orange alpenglow. Evergreen trees frame the mountain, and the lower slopes remain in shadow, creating a strong contrast between warm and cool tones. The image conveys a calm, contemplative feeling.
December 22, 2025 at 5:16 PM
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How long does it take to get to the top? ⛷️❄️

Watch this speedy chairlift ride blast off with intense beats, from loading up with the crew to unloading and getting ready to drop into fresh lines at the summit! Who's ready for that rush? 🚀

#PNW #WinterAdventures #OutdoorLife
December 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
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Winter clarity on Mount Rainier
This shot came together on one of those rare days when the sky stays perfectly blue and every ridge stands out in clean contrast. Moments like this are why I keep coming back with a camera.

#pnw #landscapephotography #naturelovers
A snow-covered Mount Rainier fills the frame, its rounded summit and steep flanks coated in fresh white snow. Dark rocky bands and crevasses break through the snow, adding texture and scale. Below the mountain, dense evergreen forests form a dark band at the base, emphasizing the mountain’s size. Above, a deep blue sky with faint horizontal cloud streaks provides strong contrast. The image feels calm, powerful, and quietly awe-inspiring.
December 19, 2025 at 3:18 PM
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Riding the lift up through a winter wonderland at Crystal Mountain last winter – blue skies, fresh powder, and endless runs ahead. Moments like this make the PNW unbeatable!

Who's got their ski gear ready for the season?
#PNW #Skiing #MountainLife #WinterVibes
A chairlift ascends a snow-covered ski slope at Crystal Mountain Resort lined with tall evergreen trees heavily coated in fresh snow. The lift cables stretch diagonally across a deep blue sky, creating strong leading lines toward the upper ridge. Sunlight touches the treetops near the crest, adding warm highlights against the cool winter tones. The slope below is smooth and bright, framed tightly by dense forest on both sides. The photo feels calm, crisp, and quietly anticipatory, like the peaceful moment before the day fully begins.
December 18, 2025 at 3:25 PM
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Nothing beats the crackle of a fire after a cold day on the slopes. 🔥❄️

Snow on the rim, warmth in the center — pure winter magic.
#PNW #WinterVibes #MountainLife
A circular stone fire pit sits outdoors, its rim thickly covered in fresh snow. Bright orange flames rise from dark stones at the center, creating a strong contrast against the surrounding white snow and gray winter sky. Snowflakes are visible falling through the frame, while snow-covered trees, picnic tables, and a lodge structure appear softly in the background. The warm glow of the fire reflects subtly on the stone, emphasizing the contrast between heat and cold in a mountain setting at Crystal Mountain. The scene feels cozy, grounding, and deeply satisfying after a cold day outdoors.
December 17, 2025 at 4:57 PM
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Winter clarity in the mountains.
Fresh snow wraps every tree in thick layers, and that deep blue sky makes the contrast feel almost unreal. I remember stopping here just to take it all in, no wind, no noise, just stillness and light. ❄️
#pnw
Tall evergreen trees are heavily coated in fresh winter snow, rising from a gently sloping mountainside. Thick layers of snow cling to every branch, forming rounded, sculptural shapes that emphasize the trees’ natural structure. A narrow, snow-covered path curves between the trees, with subtle texture and faint tracks visible in the packed snow. Above, a deep, cloudless blue sky contrasts sharply with the bright white snow, highlighting the crisp winter air and clear conditions. The scene feels peaceful, immersive, and inviting, encouraging a quiet appreciation of being outdoors in winter.
December 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
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Last winter at Snoqualmie Pass.
That rare mix of fresh snow and deep blue sky that makes winter in the mountains feel extra sharp and clean.

#SnoqualmiePass #Winter #PNW
A snow-covered mountain peak rises in the center of the frame, its rocky summit and steep forested slopes blanketed in fresh white snow. Tall evergreen trees coated heavily with snow frame the scene on both sides, creating a natural border that draws the eye toward the mountain. The sky above is a vivid, cloudless deep blue, emphasizing the sharp contrast between the bright snow and the winter sky. The image feels calm, crisp, and quietly powerful, capturing the stillness of a clear winter day in the mountains.
December 15, 2025 at 8:23 PM
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From the top of Crystal Mountain last winter, looking down Powder Bowl with Mount Rainier rising in the distance. Those two lenticular clouds hovering like UFOs made the whole scene feel otherworldly – one of those days where the mountains just hand you perfection on a plate. 🌞
A wide winter landscape view at Crystal Mountain Ski Resort shows snow-covered alpine terrain under a deep blue sky. In the foreground, groomed ski runs and soft snowbanks curve gently downhill, with a few skiers visible as small figures moving across the slope. The Powder Bowl ridge rises prominently to the left, its steep face coated in bright white snow and dotted with dark evergreen trees clinging to the ridgeline. Dense evergreen forests fill the midground, creating strong contrast against the snow. In the background, Mount Rainier stands clearly defined, its massive, glaciated peak illuminated by winter light. Above the ridge, two stacked lenticular clouds hover smoothly in the sky, their layered, lens-shaped forms appearing almost sculpted and motionless. The overall feeling of the photo is calm, expansive, and quietly awe-inspiring, capturing the stillness and grandeur of a clear winter day in the mountains.
December 12, 2025 at 2:44 PM