Posted by Les Barstow on January 31, 2008 at 12:36 AM
I'm officially older tomorrow, and I got a Tokina 12-24mm lens to celebrate!
Now all I need to know is, what the heck do you shoot in winter in Colorado that takes advantage of a wide-angle zoom like that? I haven't had regular use of a wide-angle lens in 3 years, and never had regular use of an ultra-wide lens outside of a few specific situations that demanded it. So what's a good subject area for testing? Colorado Springs area through RMNP are preferred - I don't think I can make it much further over the weekend.
Posted by Stan Rose on January 31, 2008 at 8:48 AM
Well, welcome to the crap shoot this weekend. I plan on being out shooting at least one day, but it will be a definite roll of the dice. Most of the snowflakes will be falling west of the front range, but there could be some spill-over. It's quite possible we could get lucky and like yesterday, there will be clouds spilling over the ridges: Pikes Peak was amazing yesterday morn, and Greenhorn the best ive ever seen it with clouds wrapping around the summit. So any vista along the Range might work. I'm going to probably really roll the dice and head into the mtns, hope for a brief break in the clouds/snow! Good luck!
Posted by Rick Dunn on January 31, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Happy Birthday, Les. That 12-24 will be a lot of fun. I use(d) my wides a lot around/above Bear Lake and Dream Lake in RMNP, and Red Rock Lake in Indian Peaks.
For Bear Lake, try getting up above the lake and using the wide to capture Longs and the lake. Plenty of wide angle opportunities at Dream Lake. Shooting Red Rock wide requires finding some interesting patterns in the ice or dramatic skies, but that was the first place I went when I got a new 17-35 (back in the olden 35mm film days, that was wide) and got some great shots.
When I'm shooting wide - which is most of the time - I'm looking to compose with interesting foreground elements as opposed to filling the frame with the main subject. This time of year, snow-dusted grasses, ice/snow patterns, partially frozen streams... all make for good wide angle material.
Enjoy!
Posted by Mel Ladewig on January 31, 2008 at 9:11 AM
I'm with Rick, both on technique and locations. I think Dream lake is a good, usually easy, place to break out the wide angle.
I've gotta go with RMNP too. I snowshoed up there last weekend, and the amount of snow was incredible! I was out with friends just to hike, so not any shooting, but opportunities abound! Here are a bunch of snapshots and videos if you want to see conditions: RMNP SNowshoe 1-26-08
Good luck where ever you go!
Posted by Stan Rose on February 1, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Les--should be a slight break in the snow Sat through early Sun--if you go to RMNP snow conditions should be epic, as Brent said. Hope you have 4WD!
Posted by Les Barstow on February 1, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Thanks, Stan! I'm looking at Sunday morning as my best hope for getting out. The Subaru Forester will get me there, I think.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on February 1, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Hopefully it won't be snowing like it was last Sat. The snow was so deep on the road that I really needed a high clearance 4x4 to avoid getting stuck. Remember your snow shovel if you go.
The funny part was it was clear in Estes Park with now heavy snow until I started climbing toward Bear Lake.
Posted by Les Barstow on February 1, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Derek, that's not too unusual for RMNP; the road to Bear Lake is an education in mountain weather changes!
I'll keep the snow shovel in mind; I have a little portable shovel for situations like that.
Posted by Doug Andrews on February 1, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Well, I'm thinking of heading up there for a morning shoot this weekend too. Will have to see what the weather brings to decide for either Saturday or Sunday.
Discussion
9 repliesNow all I need to know is, what the heck do you shoot in winter in Colorado that takes advantage of a wide-angle zoom like that? I haven't had regular use of a wide-angle lens in 3 years, and never had regular use of an ultra-wide lens outside of a few specific situations that demanded it. So what's a good subject area for testing? Colorado Springs area through RMNP are preferred - I don't think I can make it much further over the weekend.
For Bear Lake, try getting up above the lake and using the wide to capture Longs and the lake. Plenty of wide angle opportunities at Dream Lake. Shooting Red Rock wide requires finding some interesting patterns in the ice or dramatic skies, but that was the first place I went when I got a new 17-35 (back in the olden 35mm film days, that was wide) and got some great shots.
When I'm shooting wide - which is most of the time - I'm looking to compose with interesting foreground elements as opposed to filling the frame with the main subject. This time of year, snow-dusted grasses, ice/snow patterns, partially frozen streams... all make for good wide angle material.
Enjoy!
Good luck where ever you go!
The funny part was it was clear in Estes Park with now heavy snow until I started climbing toward Bear Lake.
I'll keep the snow shovel in mind; I have a little portable shovel for situations like that.