BREATHTAKING HUDSON VALLEY LANDSCAPE PORTRAITS NOW

This week, as we celebrate the beauty of favorite nearby place, we are focusing on the magnificent Hudson Valley, in New York State. National Geographic Traveler has proclaimed the region as one of the Top 20 destinations in the world.

MICHAEL NELSON

Michael Nelson has been photographing in the Hudson Valley for over 40 years.

Based in the antiques-laden village of Saugerties, a small Hudson River town, many of Nelson’s Hudson River photo series were taken in and around this area. He finishes his images in his hand-built studio behind his house.

The epic beauty of the Hudson Valley is apparent in its epic landscapes, with big skies, big mountains, and, of course, the mighty big Hudson River. 

Beauty is also found in quaint villages, family farms, churchyards, and quiet spaces tucked away from the maddening crowds. Nelson captures them all with righteous flourish.

Designated as a National Heritage Area, the valley has a rich history. Native American tribes lived, for thousands of years, along the fertile banks the life-sustaining river. Explorer Henry Hudson “discovered” the river in 1609 and Europeans soon began to settle at key points along its southern stretch, dotting the banks with farms and industry.

The Hudson Valley loaded with astonishing natural beauty, but it is also steeped in culture.

Long a favorite landscape muse of artists, from painters, such as Frederick Church & the Hudson River School of Painters, to sculptors, such as Harvey Fite with his monumental earth work known as Opus 40, to contemporary artists, such as Portia Munson, whose works are often made of local flora, to photographers, such as Nelson himself. 

Nelson studied at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and has taught at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Storm King Art Center, & the Museum of the Hudson Highlands. See more of Nelson’s work here.

The Hudson Valley is also a favorite destination for foodies, oenophiles, music lovers, hikers, boaters, equestrians, among others. Be sure to check BeautifulNow posts all this week for more exceptional Hudson Valley beauty.

And share your favorite nearby places with us on our BN Share and BN Facebook pages.

Read more about Beautiful Favorite Nearby Places this week. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Mountainville. Beacon, NY.
2. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Saugerties, NY.
3. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Saugerties, NY.
4. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Hudson River. Near Saugerties, NY.
5. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Saugerties, NY.
6. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Saugerties, NY.
7. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. West Saugerties, NY.
8. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Opus 40. Saugerties, NY.
9. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Saugerties Lighthouse. Saugerties, NY.
10. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Hudson River. Near Saugerties, NY.
11. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Hudson River. Near Saugerties, NY.
12. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Saugerties, NY.
13. Image: by BN App - Download now!
14. Image: by Michael Nelson. Hudson Valley Series. Hudson River. NY.
15. Image: by BN App - Download now!