The place we call Tahoe is, to put it simply, one of the natural wonders of the world. Each time I visit the lake and look out over its expansive surface, I am struck anew by its awesome scale. After all it is America’s largest alpine lake, and its 1,645-foot depth extends roughly 100 feet lower than the floor of the nearby Carson Valley. One can only marvel at Tahoe’s jewel-like quality, with waters transitioning through sapphire and turquoise hues. Its setting, encircled by snow-capped granite peaks, makes it the crowning gem of the Sierra Nevada.

In the summer of 2005, I made this series of photographs in an attempt to capture my impressions of the lake: warm rays of the rising sun streaming through the cascading snow-melt of Eagle Falls; pine needles silhouetted against a late afternoon thunderstorm; an elegant Jeffrey pine perched over a shallow cove; a formation of gracefully eroded granite boulders catching the last rays of sunset light.

Of course, this fragile resource of immense natural beauty has understandably become one of America’s most popular vacation destinations, which has resulted in pressures of pollution and development that place the lake in danger of being loved to death. It is my hope that these images resonate with those who cherish this unique landscape, inspiring participation in efforts to preserve a healthy Tahoe basin, wisely balancing ecological needs with human desires.

—Justin Black, Fall 2005