Volcanic Expression
Exploring the Heart of an Ancient Volcano — Sutter Buttes with My Son
A rare invitation into the private interior of the Sutter Buttes — the "world's smallest mountain range" — led to an unforgettable photographic experience alongside my son, Brad. This ancient volcanic landscape offered not only breathtaking views but also a deep sense of connection to the land, to history, and to family.
Exploring the Heart of an Ancient Volcano
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to photograph a remarkable and rarely accessed landscape in Northern California — the Sutter Buttes, often called the world’s smallest mountain range. What made this trip especially meaningful was the company of my son, Brad — a devoted hiker, photographer, and explorer of the Sierra Nevada. Sharing this experience with him brought a deeper dimension to the journey.
Ancient Origins
Our mid-morning arrival followed careful research into the geological history of the Buttes. This circular formation, spanning ten miles in diameter, is the heavily eroded remnant of a once-active volcano that last erupted 1.2 million years ago. Today, it rises in bold relief from the Sacramento Valley floor — a geological time capsule in plain sight.
A Rare Invitation
Much of the Sutter Buttes lies on private property, and we were fortunate to be invited by one of the landowners to photograph from within the inner ring. This area is generally inaccessible to the public, and we were both honored and excited for the opportunity. We hiked a short distance before settling into a quiet vantage point surrounded by golden grasslands and the ancient volcanic hills.
Photographing the Moment
For this shoot, I used my Nikon Z9 full-frame mirrorless camera with a NIKKOR 24-70mm telephoto lens. The midday sun danced through light cloud cover, revealing the layered texture of the hills and the scattered oak trees dotting the slopes. The light was ever-changing, creating wonderful tonal variety and contrast.
I titled this image Volcanic Expression. The quiet presence of a lone tree in the foreground speaks to the enduring spirit of this ancient land. The monochrome rendering emphasizes texture, contrast, and form — bringing attention to the Buttes’ rugged beauty and timeless silence.
A Meaningful Journey
This outing was not just about landscape photography. It was a chance to connect — with the land, with history, and with Brad. Capturing a place so ancient and private, in the company of my son, made this one of the most personally fulfilling photography experiences I’ve had.
Thank you for reading, and I hope this image conveys a small part of the awe we felt while standing within the Sutter Buttes. Until the next journey —
Bob Keller
📷 Behind the Shot
Camera: Nikon Z9 full-frame mirrorless
Lens: NIKKOR 24-70mm telephoto
Aperture: f/16
Shutter Speed: 1/125 second
Tripod: Yes
🛒 Own This Moment
Limited Edition Print: “Volcanic Expression”
Available in two sizes, printed on Hahnemühle Photo Rag:
20×20” – $395
30×30” – $595
(Edition of 25 in each size. Signed and numbered with certificate of authenticity.)
Stillness and Fury
Yosemite National Park, November 2010
On a cold November morning in 2010, I left Sacramento well before dawn and drove into Yosemite National Park, just after an early heavy snowfall had blanketed the Sierra. The Valley was quiet—deep, still, and wrapped in winter’s hush. I made my way east of Yosemite Falls, drawn as always to the commanding presence of Half Dome.
I had set up my tripod and my Mamiya 645 medium format camera, loaded with Ilford Delta 100 Professional film, and spent time composing several exposures of the iconic granite face. The air was cold and crisp. Everything was calm. I began walking to another spot when, without warning, the silence shattered. What sounded like both thunder and a freight train echoed through the Valley.
I turned back and saw it — snow, massive and voluminous, spilling off the sheer face of Half Dome in an avalanche. It was a staggering sight. I rushed to reset my camera: 100mm lens, f/11, shutter speed 1/250. I managed to frame and fire off an exposure just before a dense cloud of snow-mist obscured everything.
It all happened so quickly, but the timing couldn't have been more perfect. I captured the moment — the raw power of nature breaking through the stillness. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I knew it even as I pressed the shutter. In that moment, I felt like the luckiest landscape photographer alive.
I’ll never forget that day.
📷 Behind the Shot
Camera: Mamiya 645 medium format
Film: Ilford Delta 100 Professional
Lens: 100mm
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 1/250 second
Tripod: Yes
This image was captured moments before a rising cloud of snow mist enveloped the avalanche entirely. Timing and preparation aligned at just the right moment.
🛒 Own This Moment
Limited Edition Print: “Stillness and Fury”
Available in two sizes, printed on Hahnemühle Photo Rag:
16×24” – $550
24×36” – $800
(Edition of 25 in each size. Signed and numbered with certificate of authenticity.)
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