New snow in the garden

I spent the last two mornings in the Garden for sunrise. Yesterday I was wandering, looking for new compositions while a cloud shrouded Pikes Peak. I found an OK new spot, but it doesn't work in the winter with the angle of the sun. I'll have try again in the spring. This morning I went to an old standard spot.

Plumes of snow were lit by alpenglow on Pikes Peak.

That tree again, but it always looks so nice with a fresh dusting of snow (and no tracks). I had rattlesnake ridge to myself this morning.

And finally something from yesterday. The tracks are from wildlife.

I shot some 4X5, but the local lab doesn't process until Friday, so you'll have to wait for those.

Hope you all made good use of this snowy morning.

Mel-

Nice imagery, Mel - especially 2 and 3. I like the space you left at the bottom of the Rattlesnake Ridge shot - the untracked snow makes it look fresh.

This morning was killer! Nice deep powder. I saw the spot you made in the snow up on rattlesnake ridge. I came a little later due to the slippery roads and my 2WD car. But man what a gorgeous day!!!

Nice shot from 'the Tree.' I took more than a few from there myself. Those trees never look better than when covered in snow. I really want to find some more trees like that one. So I was exploring on the ridge on the south side of the road as well. I know there has got to be a few more of those things in the Garden with a nice perspective. It was a great day for exploring.

Mel, All are very sweet!! But I'm really lovin" #1.

Thanks Laurie, Derek and Dave.

Derek, There are more trees like the one in #2 on the white ridge east of the north gateway rock (kissing camels), but the perspective is much tighter and I can't think of any that would allow you to include the peak. I checked further south on rattlesnake this morning and didn't find anything else.

There are some on the south ramp of south gateway rock, but the spires west don't receive morning sunlight right now. There might be some additional compositions like #3 in that area.

The other area where I need to go back and explore in winter is the section between Cathedral Rock and the red formation west of it (named sleeping giant or sleeping Indian if I remember correctly). It doesn't get sunrise light in the summer, but is getting some now. And then there is the overlook trail east of Cathedral Rock. There are some of the junipers up there as well.

Mel-

Nice, Mel. I thought about getting out but didn't - late night. That cloud yesterday was lit up pretty nice at sunrise from my angle, but I was driving. Good stuff!

I know what you mean about the white ridge (Buzzy Ridge). It has some really nice Junipers I have shot there as well. But I have not been able to see the Pikes Peak from there either. Still a nice spot though.

I guess icons are icons for a reason. Hey, it makes for a great shot!

But it would be cool to do a little more exploring. I'm sure Todd C. or James E. have hiked almost every Garden ridge, trail, etc... So maybe they have some ideas as well.

I really like #3 a lot, since the others have that been-there-done-that quality to them. I'm not knocking those first two, because I know from personal experience how difficult it is to pass up those comps when there's fresh snow. But #3 stands out as a powerful, and less often seen, view.

I think I like #1 the best for the nice morning light and the color it provides the entire scene.

Did you shoot 4x5's as well?

Did you shoot 4x5's as well?

Yes, but the lab doesn't do E-6 until Friday. Also, I only have the 65/8 mounted, so its only ultra-wide angle or panoramic shots. My shutter for the 150/5.6 isn't home yet.

My new (to me) 210/5.6 just arrived today, but I don't have a lensboard ready for it yet. Holy cow this thing is heavy though (1.2 pounds I think). I was originally thinking about putting it in a bubinga wood board, but now I think I'm going to get a metal board instead and save the rest of the bubinga for the lighter #0 shutter lenses.

It will be interesting to see how the wide 4x5 shots compare with your digital shots from the tree. I would imagine the color and contrast might be a bit different depending on how you post process.

I shoot Provia and to my eye it looks very similar to how I process my digital shots. Film scanner is #2 on the list of things to acquire this year. Until I get that, its difficult to share these shots though I'll bring some shots to the shindig. #1 is a new tire carrier for my jeep (for 33+ inch tires and 2 military gas cans).

Mel-

I really like these. I like the comp in the first one best, though I would suggest a left crop, just to remove most of the left peak. Thanks for sharing.

Nice Mel! If I were not getting over the crud bug I would been up there myself this morning.
John

Good stuff Mel. I really like #2.

Nice shots, Mel. I'll vote with Derek and go with #1, especially if you crop a little of the left. I like the soft light. #2 is great but has the problem Todd mentioned. #2 is very cool, but the light is harder. I was too lazy to wake up that early, stopped by for sunset