Sneffels Sunset

Well, I relearned an important lesson on Sunday...don't try to second-guess the weather in Colorado!

I was in Montrose for a graduation and hoped I could get away to shoot sunset. All day long the skies were overcast with a low layer. There didn't look like much chance that the sun would break out on the horizon. Still, I knew if I didn't go the sunset would be spectacular. So I headed up to CR5 out of Ridgeway, found a spot, and waited. The layer started lifting away from the horizon and my hopes lifted too. At 8pm the sun popped below the horizon and lit the valley below me in wonderful golden light that slowly crept up the ridges to the peaks. I had 15 minutes of sweet light. I was in a shooting frenzy getting all kinds of comps and pano shots.

This shot was just before the light started to leave the peaks and the clouds started to fade. The layer dissipated enough that I didn't get a blanket of color but I'm not complaining.

I've posted some other variants on my site . I'd love to hear which compositions you think are strongest and any ideas for improvement.

Thanks for looking!

Nice selection of shots, Kalin. My favorite is #8 because it’s the only shot where the horizon is not dead center, making it a little less static. Also, you are showing more sky which is brighter, has more contrast, and is visually more interesting than the dark trees. You might consider cropping the bottom of some of your images.

Looks like you had fantastic light at sunset.

Kalin, Very nice series. It didn't take me long to discover NEVER give up on a Colorado sunrise or sunset. I like them all but if I have to pick some favorites I'd choose #1, #2 and the pano #10. I really like the way the foreground valley is lit in 1 and 2. On the 2nd one I like the lit tree you included in the foreground. Very nice gold tones. I think I prefer these because you've included more foreground. It seems to give them more dimension.
The pink warm red tones in #10 are very sweet.

I like #1/#2 for the composition. Best placement of the trees that impose on the bottom of photos from this area. Actually, I guess I really agree 100% with all of Laurie's comments. Beautiful evening!

I like the second and last shots best as well. Although you've got a few hot spots in the last one. On the image you posted, I'd crop just above the big cloud and go for a pano.

Kalin,

I really like #1, #2, and #8 too.

Mel-

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your input! I'll relook at some of the crops. I was shooting over a bunch of scrub oak that is still leafless. I can imagine this location in the fall with the red oak leaves.

Kalin,
Nice shots. It's interesting how the gold sunset light makes some of the aspen look like they are clothed in their fall foliage. you've got to love Colorado weather and light.

In addition to the one you've posted here, I like #s 1, 8, and 10--they all have great light and color. That cloud in the one here is crazy--it looks heavy to me, like it should fall down behind the mountain and hit the ground! I love it .

I like #2 and #8 a lot. They all seem a little dark to me, like the one posted here.

Great collection Kalin! My favorite is #5, the pano! With the warm late day light, and the new growth on the aspens, it almost looks like fall colors!

Just curios, how far up is County Road 5 open? All the way back into the Forest Service land?

I went about 1/4 mile past the forest boundary. The road was open further but the cuts through the snow banks were getting deep and the opportunities to turn around were uncertain so I stopped. There had been a bulldozer up there so they must be working on it.

I haven't been up that road past where I went. Does it open up again for close vistas of Sneffels or are you too close to the range by that point?

I like #8 and the one you've posted here (9?). Nice work.

Kalin, after the point you stopped, County Road 5 becomes probably my favorite road in the state! Love that place. It does open up a little in one more spot, but not any other really grand views of Sneffels itself. Just before the snapshot above though, you have this awesome scene, as shown in one of Mr. Caudle's incredible image. Once you get a bit further in, you have some spectacular "road through the cathedral of aspens" type of shots, like #'s 42 thru 49. Next time you are there, definitely check it all out!

Oh, and watch out for the "bear". (ask Darren about that sometime! )

Kali....the last three on the website( including this one) are amazing!! Beautiful colors and composition. I love Mnt.Sneffels. Great job.... sorry that I am a late posting comments...regards, Rajeev.