Beth Young
@optimalfocus.bsky.social
🌿Creating inspiring nature photography for healthcare art
🚙Happy camper
👩🏻💻Architect
https://www.optimalfocusphotography.com/
🚙Happy camper
👩🏻💻Architect
https://www.optimalfocusphotography.com/
Armstrong Redwoods Natural Reserve, once a hub for logging, now serves as a peaceful sanctuary preserving a small fragment of untouched nature. Early in the morning, patches of fog ebbed and flowed throughout the towering #redwood trees providing peaceful solitude. #mindfulphotography
December 29, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Armstrong Redwoods Natural Reserve, once a hub for logging, now serves as a peaceful sanctuary preserving a small fragment of untouched nature. Early in the morning, patches of fog ebbed and flowed throughout the towering #redwood trees providing peaceful solitude. #mindfulphotography
The California coast is gorgeous in the wintertime. Dramatic clouds build up, swells pound the coast, and the sea spray illuminated by the low angle of winter light creates a painterly effect. I’m not much of a coastal photographer, preferring mountains, but the Sonoma coast was beautiful yesterday
December 28, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The California coast is gorgeous in the wintertime. Dramatic clouds build up, swells pound the coast, and the sea spray illuminated by the low angle of winter light creates a painterly effect. I’m not much of a coastal photographer, preferring mountains, but the Sonoma coast was beautiful yesterday
A snowy scene from the Canadian Rockies that to me, resembled a holiday postcard. Happy holidays to all who celebrate 💫
... #happyholidays #winterseason
... #happyholidays #winterseason
December 25, 2025 at 3:15 AM
A snowy scene from the Canadian Rockies that to me, resembled a holiday postcard. Happy holidays to all who celebrate 💫
... #happyholidays #winterseason
... #happyholidays #winterseason
Is there anything more inspiring than watching the setting sun piercing through a dense cloud cover to cast dancing slivers of light on towering snow-capped peaks?
The subtle warm and cool tones of the landscape after the first dusting of #snow creates a magical #landscape of violet and gold✨
The subtle warm and cool tones of the landscape after the first dusting of #snow creates a magical #landscape of violet and gold✨
December 20, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Is there anything more inspiring than watching the setting sun piercing through a dense cloud cover to cast dancing slivers of light on towering snow-capped peaks?
The subtle warm and cool tones of the landscape after the first dusting of #snow creates a magical #landscape of violet and gold✨
The subtle warm and cool tones of the landscape after the first dusting of #snow creates a magical #landscape of violet and gold✨
I love the winter season's quiet solitude and I love to celebrate #simple scenes such as a #subtle sunset's colors reflected in the #calm waters of Lake Minnewanka framed by bare winter trees in the Canadian Rockies 🩵 #naturephotography
December 19, 2025 at 9:27 PM
I love the winter season's quiet solitude and I love to celebrate #simple scenes such as a #subtle sunset's colors reflected in the #calm waters of Lake Minnewanka framed by bare winter trees in the Canadian Rockies 🩵 #naturephotography
I captured some black and white imagery of Chico & Redding for a corporate client this weekend, which was an entertaining challenge because I photographed 3 things I NEVER do: #architecture, #monochrome, and subjects in bright sunlight. It challenged my brain to look for architectural #simplicity
December 15, 2025 at 5:13 AM
I captured some black and white imagery of Chico & Redding for a corporate client this weekend, which was an entertaining challenge because I photographed 3 things I NEVER do: #architecture, #monochrome, and subjects in bright sunlight. It challenged my brain to look for architectural #simplicity
Our very last night in #Banff, I finally got clear skies which resulted in hastily dragging myself out of a warm bed at 1am, throwing on some winter clothes and braving single digit temperatures for starry shots, an #aurora display and even a little late-season Milky Way 🌌 #astrophotography
December 9, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Our very last night in #Banff, I finally got clear skies which resulted in hastily dragging myself out of a warm bed at 1am, throwing on some winter clothes and braving single digit temperatures for starry shots, an #aurora display and even a little late-season Milky Way 🌌 #astrophotography
A tiny sliver of sunlight illuminating the intricate textures and late season #autumn color of one of Yosemite Valley’s many stately black oaks just before the setting sun dipped behind the granite peaks. A fitting image for the waning season of autumn
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#yosemite #naturephotography
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#yosemite #naturephotography
December 7, 2025 at 5:26 PM
A tiny sliver of sunlight illuminating the intricate textures and late season #autumn color of one of Yosemite Valley’s many stately black oaks just before the setting sun dipped behind the granite peaks. A fitting image for the waning season of autumn
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#yosemite #naturephotography
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#yosemite #naturephotography
Is there anything more blissful than calm #autumn mornings spent on the Merced River?
To avoid the crowds in #Yosemite during the shutdown, I elected to explore quieter scenes along the Merced River and found some beautiful reflections of fall color. 💛#mindfulphotography
To avoid the crowds in #Yosemite during the shutdown, I elected to explore quieter scenes along the Merced River and found some beautiful reflections of fall color. 💛#mindfulphotography
November 17, 2025 at 12:41 AM
I love photographing along the American River near home every November when the #Sacramento weather gets #atmospheric, the water gets calm reflections, and there’s the slightest hint of fall color along the shoreline. A collection of images from this morning's jaunt. #shootlocal #healthcareart
November 15, 2025 at 9:42 PM
I love photographing along the American River near home every November when the #Sacramento weather gets #atmospheric, the water gets calm reflections, and there’s the slightest hint of fall color along the shoreline. A collection of images from this morning's jaunt. #shootlocal #healthcareart
Swiftcurrent in Blue💙
Overcast conditions dramatizing the dark mood of Mount Wilbur that rises prominently through the clouds at Swiftcurrent Lake in #Glacier National Park while the cool air stirred ripples across the water carrying the exhilarating scent of pine
Overcast conditions dramatizing the dark mood of Mount Wilbur that rises prominently through the clouds at Swiftcurrent Lake in #Glacier National Park while the cool air stirred ripples across the water carrying the exhilarating scent of pine
October 25, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Swiftcurrent in Blue💙
Overcast conditions dramatizing the dark mood of Mount Wilbur that rises prominently through the clouds at Swiftcurrent Lake in #Glacier National Park while the cool air stirred ripples across the water carrying the exhilarating scent of pine
Overcast conditions dramatizing the dark mood of Mount Wilbur that rises prominently through the clouds at Swiftcurrent Lake in #Glacier National Park while the cool air stirred ripples across the water carrying the exhilarating scent of pine
This morning’s beautiful #sunrise created a stunning blend of cool violet and fiery orange hues. The unseasonably early #snowstorm we got in California blanketed the peaks of Conway Summit which contrasted beautifully with the bright #autumn aspens of the eastern Sierra on a crisp, clear morning.
October 19, 2025 at 10:44 PM
This morning’s beautiful #sunrise created a stunning blend of cool violet and fiery orange hues. The unseasonably early #snowstorm we got in California blanketed the peaks of Conway Summit which contrasted beautifully with the bright #autumn aspens of the eastern Sierra on a crisp, clear morning.
This fall season, I took a risk and took some time off from my corporate career to focus on my health and get my head screwed on straight. Grateful for this time in nature and thank you for letting me share with you!! ❤️✨ #naturephotography #colorado #happywifehappylife
October 15, 2025 at 10:47 PM
This fall season, I took a risk and took some time off from my corporate career to focus on my health and get my head screwed on straight. Grateful for this time in nature and thank you for letting me share with you!! ❤️✨ #naturephotography #colorado #happywifehappylife
During a winter storm last season, #Yosemite Valley was shrouded in #fog and precipitation, hiding many iconic peaks, creating an opportunity to focus on smaller scenes, like this scene of sugar pines and Sierra granite boulders dusted with #snow. Hopeful for more conditions like this in the West!
October 14, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Clear days with increasing clouds create perfect opportunities for bringing out the #monochromatic drama of Colorado’s iconic peaks, from Sneffels to Chimney Rock, revealing striking patterns of light and bare aspen.
Happy #monochromemonday !
Happy #monochromemonday !
October 13, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Clear days with increasing clouds create perfect opportunities for bringing out the #monochromatic drama of Colorado’s iconic peaks, from Sneffels to Chimney Rock, revealing striking patterns of light and bare aspen.
Happy #monochromemonday !
Happy #monochromemonday !
55 years around the sun today and what better present I could have had than to wake up to this view of clearing storm light (my favorite! 🤩) and a fresh blanket of snow while sipping my morning coffee 🩵
October 9, 2025 at 9:44 PM
55 years around the sun today and what better present I could have had than to wake up to this view of clearing storm light (my favorite! 🤩) and a fresh blanket of snow while sipping my morning coffee 🩵
On a memorable camping excursion in the eastern Sierra, we awoke to see the mountains illuminated by clearing storm light and adorned with a fresh layer of #snow. While I came for the fall color, I was most inspired by this ephemeral #atmosphere.
October 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
On a memorable camping excursion in the eastern Sierra, we awoke to see the mountains illuminated by clearing storm light and adorned with a fresh layer of #snow. While I came for the fall color, I was most inspired by this ephemeral #atmosphere.
During a family visit, I got to watch these tiny #hummingbirds feeding in the backyard garden, and inspired by their playful activity around my aunt's favorite purple flowers, I grabbed the telephoto to capture some shots as they were gathering nectar 💚💜
October 2, 2025 at 5:12 PM
During a family visit, I got to watch these tiny #hummingbirds feeding in the backyard garden, and inspired by their playful activity around my aunt's favorite purple flowers, I grabbed the telephoto to capture some shots as they were gathering nectar 💚💜