Crater Lake

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 26, 20068,004 views58 comments

Recently, I completed a four-day snowshoe-backpacking excursion around the 33 mile rim of Oregon's spectacular and unique Crater Lake. It was the least I could do after the 30+ consecutive rainy days that have plauged the Pacific Northwest.

The lake formed in the caldera of a once giant mountain after it blew its top around six thousand years ago. There was 240 inches of snow on the ground along the rim upon my arrival, including nearly 100 new that fell the week prior to my trip. Consequently, the trek was slow, especially breaking trail in the less windswept regions. I saw only one other group the entirety of my stay, feeling as if I was the only person to ever behold this grand landscape. This was one of the finest sunrises of the trip, from my second campsite.

Canon EOS 5D. 3-stop hard grad.

Comments

58 comments

Comment posted by Michael Hardeman on January 26, 2006 at 8:54 PM

Spectacular!

Registered on November 26, 2005, 150 Posts, 233 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Dolde on January 26, 2006 at 9:02 PM

This might be your best..fantastic image.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 305 Posts, 3900 Comments

Comment posted by Manjesh Lingamurth on January 26, 2006 at 9:07 PM

Wonderful

Registered on June 10, 2005, 43 Posts, 91 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Kayne on January 26, 2006 at 9:14 PM

The light is fantastic. I have a minor nit in that I would like to see a little more room at the bottom, especially where the evergreens touch on the left portion. Man, that light is good.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on January 26, 2006 at 9:19 PM

I agree Joe. However, I made the mistake of leaving a snowshoe print there and my 'cloning' skills leave much to be desired. I may go back and work on it later. For right now, just a small crop.

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

Comment posted by Joseph Kayne on January 26, 2006 at 9:20 PM

Marc...take me when you go back!

Joe.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Greer on January 26, 2006 at 9:21 PM

Registered on November 1, 2003, 404 Posts, 1977 Comments

Comment posted by Dane Glueck on January 26, 2006 at 9:37 PM

Really spectacular. Sounds like a intense, awesome experience. Great stuff.

Registered on November 10, 2003, 193 Posts, 1748 Comments

Comment posted by Josh Anderson on January 26, 2006 at 9:42 PM

What an experience. I hope to be there this June.

Brilliant light and comp here, Marc.

Registered on June 2, 2005, 493 Posts, 2996 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on January 26, 2006 at 9:49 PM

There will undoubtably still be ten+ feet of snow on the ground in June! Good luck.

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

Comment posted by Robert Sojka on January 26, 2006 at 9:53 PM

Just awesome! The light is spectacular and I really love the composition. I agree about the bottom, I just don't like seeing that curve get cut-off. Small knit for an otherwise perfect image.

Registered on January 26, 2006, 5 Posts, 15 Comments

Comment posted by Alice Scoggins on January 26, 2006 at 9:55 PM

Fantastic!! My first thought was it was cropped a little tight at the bottom, but I'm sure you'll get that snowshoe cloned out! What beautiful light! I wish I had your "winter" skills...I almost froze to death on Roan mountain and probably never got a mile away from the car, and the deepest snow was just a few inches. It must be awesome to stay out there four days!

Registered on February 21, 2005, 430 Posts, 5959 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 26, 2006 at 9:56 PM

Absolutely stunning! This has to be in your top 2 or 3, if not 1. The light is remarkable, but it's the reflection on that beautiful lake that just turns my legs to butter.

How about sharing the technicals?

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Jess Lee on January 26, 2006 at 10:00 PM

Very nice Mark, Fix the bottom

Registered on November 1, 2003, 114 Posts, 929 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on January 26, 2006 at 10:04 PM

Beautiful, Marc!

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on January 26, 2006 at 10:10 PM

Hopefully this completes the scene better.

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

Comment posted by Jayne Caruso on January 26, 2006 at 10:18 PM

Now its simply perfect! That sky looks like its on fire

Registered on November 17, 2004, 66 Posts, 373 Comments

Comment posted by Thomas Biggs on January 26, 2006 at 10:26 PM

Oh my!!!

Registered on January 13, 2005, 310 Posts, 1257 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Bernabe on January 26, 2006 at 10:37 PM

Much better!

And the first one was pretty damn good too

Registered on November 24, 2004, 180 Posts, 1545 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on January 26, 2006 at 10:41 PM

Welcome back...
The second one is better...the swoop completes the scene. I'm not a fan of crater lake images (I know...I'm wierd), but this is one of the better one's I've seen. I'd expect no less from you, Marc.

Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on January 26, 2006 at 10:45 PM

What an unusual place to photograph Crater Lake is. Not only for its unique geographic and geological features, but because you're always looking down at the subject. You're not alone Rick. For years I saw the images from the masses and even some talented photographers that failed to capture the amazing grandeur I thought was inherent of the place. I visited many times before I knew what I was doing with a camera and my images failed as well. The problem seems to be the inability to show scale, perspective and depth from above (not to mention they don't make a lens wide enough to encompass the whole lake). Things I kept in mind during this trip at all times. I wanted a truly vast landscape capture of the park and thus far, this has been my best attempt.

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

Comment posted by Guy Tal on January 26, 2006 at 10:51 PM

This is without a doubt the best image of Crater Lake that I have ever seen.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Bret Edge on January 26, 2006 at 11:09 PM

Exactly what Guy said. Hands down the best image from CL I've ever seen.

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

Comment posted by Slavomir Dzieciatk on January 26, 2006 at 11:28 PM

Absolutely fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!

Registered on November 24, 2004, 61 Posts, 708 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick McCormick on January 26, 2006 at 11:35 PM

Outstanding! I also agree with Guy -- this is by far the best shot I've seen of the lake.
Absolutely wonderful work!

Registered on December 28, 2004, 27 Posts, 76 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Hansen on January 27, 2006 at 1:06 AM

Stunningly Beautiful Marc... the Wow factor is off the charts!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 121 Posts, 505 Comments

Comment posted by Erik Lundh on January 27, 2006 at 1:50 AM

Marc,
Holy frickin crap(I hope I can say that) What an awesome shot. The best I've seen of the lake. You inspired me to go out and get some nuetral grads. I'm armed and ready.

Registered on May 27, 2004, 267 Posts, 753 Comments

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on January 27, 2006 at 2:04 AM

S P E C T A C U L A R!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Juza on January 27, 2006 at 3:57 AM

Hi Marc,
ths first image was already awesome, and the second version is perfect!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on January 27, 2006 at 6:10 AM

Marc, this (2nd version) is in my opinion the best of your stunning work and there is a lot of it. I haven't seen very many pictures of Crater Lake but you certainly encourage any photographer to pay it a visit. I have mentioned the exquisite blend of warm and cool colours elsewhere. A truly glorious picture.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Frank Winters on January 27, 2006 at 7:51 AM

Lovely, surreal image! It would be difficult for the finest painter to top the impact of this image (yet the 'fixed' version is even better -- goes to show that impact is what images are about). Thanks for bringing this one back!

Registered on January 5, 2006, 123 Posts, 717 Comments

Comment posted by Oscar Gutierrez on January 27, 2006 at 9:09 AM

Incredible image! The second image is better but you can't beat those colors and the detail in the foreground. Beautiful job.

Registered on January 31, 2005, 4 Posts, 58 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on January 27, 2006 at 9:22 AM

Absolutely gorgeous shot. I prefer the second. My thoughts echoed Joe's when I saw the first. Great work!

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Krehbiel on January 27, 2006 at 9:58 AM

All superlatives have been used but I must also comment. Simply spectacular!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 59 Posts, 155 Comments

Comment posted by Lee Corkett on January 27, 2006 at 10:57 AM

Brilliant! were you using an ND grad?

Registered on August 4, 2005, 1 Posts, 13 Comments

Comment posted by Lee Corkett on January 27, 2006 at 10:57 AM

woops! n/m, 3-stop hard grad..........think before you speak!

Registered on August 4, 2005, 1 Posts, 13 Comments

Comment posted by Ned Fenimore on January 27, 2006 at 12:34 PM

2 thumbs up.. 5 stars.. the whole tamale!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 467 Posts, 2803 Comments

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on January 27, 2006 at 12:41 PM

You spent 4 days in a tough environment and the results speak for themselves. Congrats on a great image. Adding that little bit back on the bottom in the repost really makes a difference.

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on January 27, 2006 at 2:09 PM

Marc,

I don't think anyone used Sublime and Majestic. That's what I see here at the same time.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Sutherland on January 27, 2006 at 3:25 PM

Without a doubt this is probably one of *the* finest photographs I have *ever* seen!

Registered on September 1, 2004, 50 Posts, 111 Comments

Comment posted by renae sandberg on January 27, 2006 at 6:13 PM

The redo completes it perfectly. It's all been said above. This is one of the finest sunrise pics I have ever viewed.

Registered on December 29, 2004, 313 Posts, 2476 Comments

Comment posted by Todd Caudle on January 27, 2006 at 6:44 PM

Only 41 comments? Geez, what gives?! Mark, this is yet another in your seemingly unending ability to capture magic. Maybe lessen the obviousness of the nd-grad along the far shoreline, but you could leave it as is and still have a photo worthy of most of the rest of us bowing down and kissing your ring. Add to that the incredible lengths (literally!) you go to to achieve your images, and, well, you're in a class by yourself.

Registered on November 9, 2003, 472 Posts, 3705 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Langton on January 27, 2006 at 6:50 PM

Marc...

Your photographs are simply stunning. As I cruise through the forums, I can pick your's out without even seeing the name. I'll echo what was said above, this is one of the finest color landscape photographs that I have ever seen. It takes my breath away!

My wife and I own a second home in Ashland, Oregon and recently spent 10 days there. One of my goals was to head up to Crater with my snowshoes and take some photographs from the rim facing east to capture the earth's shadow and it's reflection at sunset. I have been pre-visualizing the image I hoped to capture. Unfortunately, as you know, it rained (and snowed) cats and dogs for the entire time we were up there so I was not able to make it.

Now, after seeing this, I think I'll have to rethink my vision because yours just blows it away...

Keep up the good work - all of us enjoy seeing it!

Bill

Registered on February 26, 2005, 8 Posts, 26 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on January 27, 2006 at 7:14 PM

This absolutely rocks, Marc.

I will have to echo everyone else's comments. Well worth the effort and planning you put into the trip!

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Schroeder on January 28, 2006 at 11:23 AM

Marc,
Inspiring from a photographer's point of view and from a personal introspective point of view.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 147 Posts, 518 Comments

Comment posted by William Vrolyk on January 28, 2006 at 2:06 PM

Thanks for sharing this remarkable scene with us, Marc. It truly is beautiful and inspiring.

Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

Registered on November 1, 2003, 278 Posts, 3524 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Ebbesen on January 28, 2006 at 5:49 PM

Wow, preatty much all that comes to mind even after I´ve been coming back to view this photo severel times today. Simply makes me speachless.

Regards

Registered on November 18, 2003, 1 Posts, 23 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Hillegass on January 30, 2006 at 2:53 AM

Unbelievably beautiful, Marc! This one shows your skills off well. Everything is perfect!

Kevin

Registered on August 11, 2004, 29 Posts, 166 Comments

Comment posted by Toni Lankerd on January 30, 2006 at 8:58 AM

Having been there a few months ago (before the snow) I can certainly appreciate this beauty.

Absolutely stunning, Marc!!!!!

Registered on January 3, 2005, 360 Posts, 4004 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on January 30, 2006 at 9:36 AM

Let me be the 50th comment - the repost is simply magnificent.

Congrats on its EP pick.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 30, 2006 at 10:17 AM

Congratulations on what had to be the easiest EP choice ever; and that's not because the competition was bad last week either!

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on January 30, 2006 at 2:41 PM

Awesome!

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Elizabeth Kimes on January 31, 2006 at 1:29 AM

Absolutely Gorgeous!!!! What an incredible trip that must have been, congrat.

Registered on June 10, 2004, 256 Posts, 249 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on February 1, 2006 at 5:46 PM

This is the greatest shot i've ever seen of Crater Lake, and one of the most epic shots i've seen period. Congratulations on this incredible photograph.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Benner on February 3, 2006 at 7:13 PM

Again and again and again. Don't you ever take any shot that is less than fabulous?? Your work is awe-inspiring.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments

Comment posted by David Stokely on February 4, 2006 at 6:31 AM

WOW!

Registered on February 3, 2006, 71 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by David Kjaer on February 23, 2006 at 12:16 PM

Stunning you certainly nailed that sunrise!

David

Registered on January 4, 2006, 128 Posts, 4170 Comments

Comment posted by Brian VanDenzen on July 10, 2006 at 9:40 AM

I agree that this is best shot ever of Crater Lake!

Registered on April 17, 2005, 60 Posts, 1245 Comments