It has been a very busy summer and I haven't had much time to read or post here on the forum, hopefully I'll have a bit more time once the leaves drop and the tourists leave town. Nonetheless, I'm managing to get out once or twice a week for a little photography.
Yesterday morning I headed up to Thunder Lake in RMNP to re-take a photo I shot in August 2004. I left the TH just before 4am and arrived in time for sunrise. When I left the house in the morning it was dark and stormy with lightening in the south. About a mile down the trail, the sky cleared and I was so hot I hiked in my t-shirt. By the time I reached the lake the temps had dropped dramatically, the clouds had moved back in and the wind was howling. It was freezing and I could barely feel my fingers as I waited about 45 minutes for the light to break through the clouds. The mountains had all received their first blanket of snow in the storm and I could watch the south side of Longs completely covered with thick clouds blowing by it at incredible speeds. It was a chilly but dramatic morning.
(I'm posting this from my laptop so it may be too dark or off in other ways. I'll check it on a real monitor later in the day.)
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 25, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Great shot, Erik! I love the way everything pulls you into the frame. And the clouds are awesome.
Posted by Brian Jackson on August 25, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Looks like an awesome location, Erik. The photo has lots going for it, including great light and awesome clouds. Of course, the composition ain't half bad either.
That's a portfolio centerpiece, Erik - every part of this is equally strong. I agree with the comments about being pulled into the scene. The stream would do that all on it's own; the texture in water just makes the effect that much stronger.
Posted by Tony Bouchard on August 25, 2007 at 7:09 PM
I can feel the cold in this shot! Nicley done.
I was at Sky Pond this morning and it was freezing and the wind was holwing... but most of the hike up it was nice and warm. Starting to feel a bit like fall up high.
Posted by Jack Brauer on August 26, 2007 at 3:37 AM
Very nice Erik. I agree with Todd's comments. I can see the wind ripping across that stream!!!
Posted by Jody Grigg on August 26, 2007 at 11:18 AM
Me like! Nothing to fault this.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on August 26, 2007 at 5:00 PM
Great light, Eric. Well worth the trip!
Posted by Paul Beiser on August 26, 2007 at 7:24 PM
Very nice, Erik! Glad to see you have been busy . I was at Bluebird Lake this morning, no good shots, but I saw lots of great clouds over Mt Alice on the way in, and there are some spectacular spots along the way in on that trail. Wish the NPS allowed bivys in that area. I was really surprised at how many flowers we saw still!
one word....coooooooooooollllllll........ it looks like an amazing place. Where in the park is this?
Posted by Tony Bouchard on August 27, 2007 at 1:04 PM
About 7 miles up the trail from the Wild Basin trailhead. Not a particularly difficult hike, but a long way to go before sunrise. There are several campsites by Thunder Lake.
Posted by Jesse Speer on August 27, 2007 at 4:09 PM
Great comp Erik, and wonderful capture of some awesome light! It's been said, but there's a lot to enjoy here. Boy, am I salivating for Wild Basin now!
Discussion
19 repliesYesterday morning I headed up to Thunder Lake in RMNP to re-take a photo I shot in August 2004. I left the TH just before 4am and arrived in time for sunrise. When I left the house in the morning it was dark and stormy with lightening in the south. About a mile down the trail, the sky cleared and I was so hot I hiked in my t-shirt. By the time I reached the lake the temps had dropped dramatically, the clouds had moved back in and the wind was howling. It was freezing and I could barely feel my fingers as I waited about 45 minutes for the light to break through the clouds. The mountains had all received their first blanket of snow in the storm and I could watch the south side of Longs completely covered with thick clouds blowing by it at incredible speeds. It was a chilly but dramatic morning.
(I'm posting this from my laptop so it may be too dark or off in other ways. I'll check it on a real monitor later in the day.)
Brian
John
I was at Sky Pond this morning and it was freezing and the wind was holwing... but most of the hike up it was nice and warm. Starting to feel a bit like fall up high.