Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Forums · RMNP

Beam me up, Scotty!

Discussion

11 replies
Posted by Todd Caudle on December 11, 2007 at 12:09 PM
Beam me up, Scotty!
The last few times I've been out shooting in the aftermath of snowstorms, I've come across several instances of shooting through ice crystals falling from the sky. This first one was as I was dropping down into Garden of the Gods on Rampart Range Road on Sunday. The sun was just clearing the cloud deck, and a perfectly defined beam of light streamed directly towards me.
Posted by Todd Caudle on December 11, 2007 at 12:10 PM
This second one was taken the Sunday before, above Ouray. Pennies from Heaven.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on December 11, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Super neat conditions. I expect to see Captain Kirk in the first one.
Posted by Adam Schallau on December 11, 2007 at 1:16 PM
Nice shots, Todd. The double sun star is cool.
Posted by Don Grall on December 11, 2007 at 1:19 PM
Neat! That first one is called a sun pillar, the second one looks a bit different, possibly a different reason for formation. I photographed one in Churchill, Manitoba back in 2003. It requires very cold conditions with lots of ice crystals in the air with the sun low on the horizon.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on December 11, 2007 at 2:07 PM
Very cool and unusual stuff, Todd. That first one really grabs your attention.
Posted by James H Egbert on December 11, 2007 at 2:20 PM
SA - - - WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET! Love the whole Independence Day Death Ray Beam in the first one!
Posted by Scott Borger on December 11, 2007 at 8:31 PM
No, I will not beam you up. However, that second shot is fantastic.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on December 11, 2007 at 8:36 PM
Very nice, Todd. That first one is really amazing.
Posted by Dave Showalter` on December 11, 2007 at 10:04 PM
Far out! I think I saw this once in the 70's.............seriously, great image!
Posted by Stan Rose on December 12, 2007 at 4:16 AM
Very surreal, i like it. I think id crop the bottom of the first shot, to put even more emphasis on the 'beam'.
Posted by Michael Renner on December 12, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Wow - #1 is a very cool capture, but then the second image is just over the top. I hate myself for snowboarding in the aftermath of storms rather than photographing in them... :rolleyes: