The Gods Have Spoken

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 10, 2010538 views42 comments

I'd been waiting all winter for the Colorado Springs area to get some snow on a morning i didnt have to work; finally it snowed sun-mon, just a few inches, but enough to justify forgoing sleep and driving up to Garden of the Gods for sunrise. It was still snowing as i slowly drove my 2WD up the unplowed hill to get to the main Garden parking lot, then a short hike up Rattlesnake Ridge to get a good seat for sunrise. I could see breaks on the eastern horizon, and i figured it would clear shortly--just wasnt sure it would be in time for the best light. Fortunately, it cleared quickly, and i was treated to the best sunrise ive seen in my dozen or so photo trips to the Garden. First, the alpenglow, then, the first light hit Gateway rocks in front as the storm clouds cleared around Pikes Peak. Amazing how close nearby, 100s of thousands of people slept or scurried to work, oblivious to the immense beauty nearby. It was just me and one other photog, and i only saw a couple people in the park for the next hour or so that i kept shooting.
5Dmkii; 70-300; 1/4s at f/16
C&C Welcome

Comments

42 comments

Comment posted by Mike Ryan on February 10, 2010 at 7:00 PM

Wow this is VERY nice. The various shades of light and color is astounding and looks great. Well worth you efforts to get here. One miniscule nit would be the bottom right where that little red spot kinda draws my attention. Great work!

Registered on June 29, 2008, 85 Posts, 636 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 10, 2010 at 7:11 PM

Fantastic scene Stan. I have been to Garden of the Gods about a half a dozen times in the 1980's (work related in Denver but always made a side trip here). Never saw light this beautiful. .....and the snow is just icing on the rocks! Another beauty Stan.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 10, 2010 at 7:37 PM

Thanks! Mike; thats an out of focus branch up front. I was going to clone it out, but i decided to leave it in to see how long it would take before the tough critics on ESS would spot it--and it only took one comment! Dang, you guys are good...

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Bret Edge on February 10, 2010 at 7:41 PM

Really nice image from the Garden, Stan. Great light and that dusting of snow kicks this up a notch.

Is that "The Incline" on the slope of the midground hill? Love that hike!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 10, 2010 at 7:41 PM

This is really nice Stan. Beautiful light and everybody else missed it. The snow made it special.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on February 10, 2010 at 7:49 PM

Great lighting and wonderful colors, Stan.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 10, 2010 at 7:59 PM

Brett, that is indeed the infamous incline. I did it when i first moved here and it took me 42 minutes to make the ascent--now four years later i suspect it would take me double that time

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on February 10, 2010 at 8:08 PM

Wow, Pikes Peak is so close we could just walk up there. Thank god there aren't any homes in this view, lets hope it stays that way. I like the way you pancaked the layers in this giant carot cake. That direct light really luminates the gods Stan.

So the question is, was Katherine Lee Bates inspired by Pikes Peak or the Tetons? Purple Mtns.. . .

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Art Escobado on February 10, 2010 at 8:24 PM

Nice to hear you had the park to yourself. I like the horizontal version on RMNP alot.

Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments

Comment posted by Erik Stensland on February 10, 2010 at 8:24 PM

WOW! That is light to die for. Stunning Mr. Rose! No nits here! Love the color of the light on the trees in the mid-ground!!!

Registered on September 27, 2004, 121 Posts, 718 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on February 10, 2010 at 8:34 PM

Great scene, Stan. Definitely worth getting up for. The light on the lower rocks is really nice and love the fresh snow.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Chip Phillips on February 10, 2010 at 8:34 PM

Beautiful image Stan. So many layers of goodness. The warm light on the foreground rock anchors the comp quite nicely.

Registered on November 26, 2007, 128 Posts, 1436 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Ellingsen on February 10, 2010 at 9:15 PM

This is killer, Stan. You can't ask for much better light than that. I just checked the RMNP forum, and this one takes the prize for me, although they are all very good. The gods definitely had a lot to say that morning!

It is always strange when I'm out early on a beautiful morning, and no one else is awake to enjoy the magic that is unfolding. I always think to myself, "WTF, people? Sleep is overrated! Get up, and come see what you are missing!" But then, at the same time, it sure is nice to be able to have a place all to yourself. Sometimes, peace and quiet is almost as coveted as some super photogenic light. Its a tough call, so for now I'll let the masses do their sleeping, and keep the good light for myself.

Registered on January 16, 2008, 56 Posts, 953 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 10, 2010 at 9:21 PM

I like your story, Stan. Sounds like northern AZ has more snow than you this year. I like the image too. Well planned. Glad the weather cooperated.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Duval on February 10, 2010 at 9:43 PM

Stan,

All of the accolades say it all, other than unless I missed it thanks for sharing. It's what we all carry a camera for that great image to share with the world and our friends and peers, you found another one ya dog. Green face right here.

Paul.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on February 10, 2010 at 9:58 PM

The lighting and contrast make this image an over the top winner!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on February 10, 2010 at 10:07 PM

Very nice, can't go wrong with freshly fallen snow

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on February 10, 2010 at 10:28 PM

What lovely warm soft light Stan, and the snow sure adds a great contrast.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Mel Ladewig on February 10, 2010 at 10:51 PM

Ya done good Stan! I was shocked when I woke up that morning to see all the new snow and fog. I shoveled the drive the night before and it looked like it was done. When I saw the conditions, I really wanted to skip work and head into the hills.

Registered on July 24, 2005, 114 Posts, 1205 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on February 10, 2010 at 11:16 PM

A really nice shot Stan, the colors really sing. I lived in C. Springs for a number of years in the 80's and visited the Garden many times, unfortunately I wasn't into photography back then and I don't remember seeing light like this. This makes me want to revisit the area asap. Well done.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 10, 2010 at 11:45 PM

Easily the best of your series from there. Magnificent comp and light with the colors of the Gods and the snow conditions at their absolute best. Great timing.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on February 11, 2010 at 1:05 AM

Sensational image from GotG! Gotta love that dusting of snow all over.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Nielsen on February 11, 2010 at 1:14 AM

I not only like how the snow gives a nice contrast to the rock but I love how it is caked on all the trees of the midground mountain. Beautiful light, color and detail in this one!

Registered on October 6, 2008, 137 Posts, 720 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on February 11, 2010 at 1:51 AM

stan, light to die for. glorious colours illuminated by gorgeous light. lovely layers, and the pink flush in the sky rounds it all off.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on February 11, 2010 at 2:35 AM

Breathtaking view, Stan! It doesn't get better than this.

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 11, 2010 at 3:16 AM

BRAVO!!!

Wonderful place and wonderful shot.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on February 11, 2010 at 3:49 AM

You have it all going here Stan, color, light, snow, and one beautiful scene to go along with it, Gorgeous.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Verena & Georg Pop on February 11, 2010 at 4:09 AM

can't hope for much better conditions, can you?
sweet image, pays for all those mornings you are up and nothing seems to work!
you earned it, I'm sure.
georg

Registered on July 5, 2006, 272 Posts, 2823 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Rossbach on February 11, 2010 at 7:06 AM

Nice work Stan! The layers, light and compo all come together to form a wonderful image

Registered on November 25, 2005, 484 Posts, 1377 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on February 11, 2010 at 7:46 AM

Beautiful Stan, wonderful light and colors with a great comp. Well worth your efforts that morning.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Moore on February 11, 2010 at 9:08 AM

Wonderful conditions for this shoot Stan, I really like those high clouds/mist between GOG and Pikes Peak, and the lighting is stunning!. Great work!.

Registered on May 23, 2006, 93 Posts, 2228 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Reedy on February 11, 2010 at 9:12 AM

Stan, I like this capture. The colors are great, and I really like the texture of the trees on the background mountain. Looks like it was worth the drive. You were blessed.

Registered on October 8, 2009, 3 Posts, 17 Comments

Comment posted by Angela Classen on February 11, 2010 at 11:26 AM

The light is sweet, and I love the different layers of colors and textures. Stunning image. Glad you had the place practically to yourself.

Registered on June 13, 2007, 434 Posts, 2742 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on February 11, 2010 at 1:00 PM

Wow, this light is incredible. It was really worth while going there this morning. Fantastic colors, the contrast just right. I like how clear everything is.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on February 11, 2010 at 1:03 PM

Oh man, I'm not even going to get into the detail of what I like...this is just sweetness! Great image Stan!

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on February 11, 2010 at 1:58 PM

The light is absolutely fantastic Stan, and the use of layers is beautifully done. I am glad this day worked out for you. I know how hard it can be to get that perfect day to capture that perfect image.

Sweet image captured here Stan

Registered on February 20, 2007, 226 Posts, 4571 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on February 11, 2010 at 3:13 PM

Beautiful color and great conditions. Very inviting photograph. Good stuff, Stan.

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on February 11, 2010 at 7:28 PM

Awesome, Stan. One of my non-dunes all-time favorites of yours. The layers, the light, contrasts and atmosphere...all put together flawlessly. What more could you want?

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Mangas on February 11, 2010 at 8:05 PM

I believe the bottom half of the shot is great. the color just seems to fall away on the top half.

Registered on November 9, 2007, 94 Posts, 568 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on February 12, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Stan, very rich color and light. Great scene.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Roane on February 12, 2010 at 3:05 AM

stellar image, Stan.....oooooo the light!

Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 12, 2010 at 6:59 PM

Thanks for all the comments, folks!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments