Photos of Rocky Mountain National Park – Day 5: A Sprague SunrisePosted by drfl on October 15th, 2010

Because Sprague Lake is highly accessible and since I did not have much time, I decided on this final location for sunrise.  To my amazement, clouds finally rolled in for this last hour I was to spend in Rocky Mountain National Park.  The water was calm as the sun rose behind me illuminating the peaks of the Continental Divide.  The center peak, Hallet Peak glowed especially fiery.  It was a beautiful end to my visit.

Next week I plan on presenting the more intimate landscapes I captured while in Rocky Mountain.

Technical Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40 f/4l @ 23mm, f/13, 4 sec., 2-stop soft Singh-Ray grad, 3-stop hard Singh-Ray grad (upside down)
Sprague Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Photos of Rocky Mountain National Park – Day 4: A Morning ReflectionPosted by drfl on October 14th, 2010

Early one morning I rose and walked up the trail to Emerald Lake in the dark.  Uncertain as to how long the nearly 2 mile hike would take, I gave myself quite a bit of time.  When I arrived I took the time to simply sit near the serene and perfectly still lake, feeling the cool autumn mountain air on my skin, listening to the sound of a waterfall across the lake and the occasionally chirp of a Stellar Jay.  As sunrise approached, I expected to be joined by others at this very popular destination, and yet no one arrived.  I solely enjoyed this scene for almost 2 hours before heading down the trail.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, my trip to Rocky Mountain National Park was without clouds.  Because of the conditions, filters would not be as necessary.  Without filters, panoramic stitches are easier so I took this opportunity to take multiple photographs to later join them together.  This image is a result of 2 images from my Canon 5D Mark II resulting in a detailed 30 Megapixel image. 

Technical Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40 F/4l @ 21mm x2, f/8, 1.3 sec
Emerald Lake – Hallet’s Peak and Flattop Mountain, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Photos of Rocky Mountain National Park – Day 3: Long’s LightPosted by drfl on October 13th, 2010

One defining item about the weather while I was in Colorado was there was no clouds.  One evening I had a couple of small clouds hanging over Long’s Peak and I took a long shot of Long’s in order to capture them.  From Bear Lake I captured this image, while the last light of sunset emblazens Long’s Peak with a crimson hue before dimming into night.

Technical Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200 f/4 @ 140mm, f/11, 4 sec., Polarizer
Long’s Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Photos of Rocky Mountain National Park – Day 2: Alluvial IllusionsPosted by drfl on October 12th, 2010

Water falls down the Roaring River and into the Alluvial Fan in Horseshoe Park. Recently created (in cosmic history standards) in 1982 by a tremendous flood that killed 3 campers, the boulders and sand sediment will exist and continue to change for centuries. For more information regarding the flood visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn_Lake_Dam.

Technical Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40 f/4l @ 21mm, f/10, 10 sec., 3-Stop ND Filter, Slight Orton
Alluvial Fan – Horseshoe Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Photos of Rocky Mountain National Park – Day 1: Whisperings of BierstadtPosted by drfl on October 11th, 2010

Noticeably absent for the past two weeks, I have been capturing some new images.  Over the next three weeks I hope to present some new and varied material.  Today’s image comes from Bierstadt Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.   A beautiful hike and a beautiful lake I was almost alone on a crisp, quiet autumn morning.  I was alone save two deer who visited the lake shore briefly. 

Technical Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40 f/4l @ 19mm, f/10, 4 sec., 2 stop soft Singh-Ray ND Grad, 3 stop hard Singh-Ray Grad
Bierstadt Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Photo Friday: Under Pinpoints of LightPosted by drfl on August 20th, 2010

Today’s Photo Friday was captured last fall when I went out to Toadstool Geologic Park in western Nebraska.  Being as isolated as it is, it is a prime location for stargazing.  Of course, a night without a moon helps!

Technical Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40 f/4l @ 17mm, f/4, 2 exposure blend (1 taken just after sunset, 1 taken about 45 minutes after)
Toadstool Geologic Park, Nebraska