ummmm, the mountains dimly lit by the light reflected off the clouds. Is that what you mean. That would look cool! }:=)

Beautiful

Alpenglow.

Beautiful start!!

Well, yes and no. I think you live in Nevada, so you are familiar with this kind of reverse alpenglow, where the mountains receive that alpenglow which occurs on west facing clouds. I want to go with that, plus some orographic caps that still shade the upper part of the mountains - creating the horizontal band of light. I've seen it often in Round Valley area, or any deep wide basin like Truckee Meadows.

The challenge is how much red to keep... I think in the end it'll really drop out and give way to the sky light.

Yes, and that is what I meant. Magical... I'm sure looking forward to your next steps!

And, thank you.

your icon says it all for me...

So far so good !