Posted by Nat Coalson on February 6, 2009 at 10:01 AM
I'm heading down to Garden of the Gods next Thursday afternoon. Scouting, then shooting sunset. Staying in Co Spgs overnight, then shooting sunrise Friday am.
I don't know the park well... would love to hear some suggestions for shooting locations!
Thanks in advance...
Posted by Dave Van on February 6, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Nat,
GOTG is a great location, if on Thursday you stop in the visitors center, they can hook you up with a map that will give you many great locations to shoot from. Take your Camera on thursday afternoon, and shoot sunset while your there :) The Park is not like really huge, and all the sites are a quick hike. Google is your friend :)
Enjoy the park -- its a playground for photographers.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on February 6, 2009 at 11:44 AM
In the afternoon you'll want to be on the west side of the main formations. One nice location is the little pullout with a stone wall on the NW side of the North Gateway rock. Keep in mind that Pikes Peak will block the sunlight early, especially at this time of year, so you won't really get sunset there. I don't have an example of this on my website, but you'll figure it out.
In the morning there are three real common locations to shoot. Its not really easy to move from one to another, so you kinda have to put your eggs in one basket. Here are some examples from each location. Unfortunately you'll be a few days after the full moon. This time of year it lines up nicely if shot from the Mesa Road overlook.
1) Mesa Overlook - As you are approaching the park from the north, there is a road (Mesa) which splits off at an angle and climbs a hill. This provides a nice shot with the North Gateway Rock (Kissing Camels) under Pikes Peak and the roads can be excluded, though there are some trails and telephone poles that end up in view.
2) Visitor Center parking lot. You are kinda stuck including the entrance road from this position, but it is a nice view. Seems to work best with a big sky.
3) Rattlesnake Ridge - To reach this area, use the main parking lot inside the park on the north end of the North Gateway rock (Kissing Camels). Then cross the road on foot and take the trail on the north side of the road east. When the trail makes a "T" look for a social trail going straight up the hill. Gain the ridge and you'll find the tree that everybody shoots.
There are of course many other options, but these are the most common.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on February 6, 2009 at 11:47 AM
PS, hopefully we'll get some storms through here between now and then. Last night Chinook winds ripped alot of the snow off the peak and it looks pretty bad.
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 6, 2009 at 12:26 PM
...it looks pretty bad.
Not possible.
Posted by James H Egbert on February 6, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Nat if you have GPS I can point out the Main Prime spots for you. I would be happy to meet you there but I'll be on assignment covering a story for CBS.
Most any of these positions are the same ones you see posted by many who frequent the park like myself, Todd C., Fireman Bob and such. These are the Iconic spots. If you browse through my site and my GOG Galleries and a particular location stands out you want to try, shoot me a note and I'll give the GPS for it. I am available to meet you Friday AM if you'd like at the Park.
Posted by Nat Coalson on February 9, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Thanks for the detailed info, guys! I'm working with a private client for two days in GOTG and having some solid shooting locations lined up will be a big help. I'll post a follow up report... hopefully with photos ;-)
Discussion
7 repliesI don't know the park well... would love to hear some suggestions for shooting locations!
Thanks in advance...
GOTG is a great location, if on Thursday you stop in the visitors center, they can hook you up with a map that will give you many great locations to shoot from. Take your Camera on thursday afternoon, and shoot sunset while your there :) The Park is not like really huge, and all the sites are a quick hike. Google is your friend :)
Enjoy the park -- its a playground for photographers.
In the morning there are three real common locations to shoot. Its not really easy to move from one to another, so you kinda have to put your eggs in one basket. Here are some examples from each location. Unfortunately you'll be a few days after the full moon. This time of year it lines up nicely if shot from the Mesa Road overlook.
1) Mesa Overlook - As you are approaching the park from the north, there is a road (Mesa) which splits off at an angle and climbs a hill. This provides a nice shot with the North Gateway Rock (Kissing Camels) under Pikes Peak and the roads can be excluded, though there are some trails and telephone poles that end up in view.
http://www.ladewigs.com/Gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=830
http://www.ladewigs.com/Gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1562
2) Visitor Center parking lot. You are kinda stuck including the entrance road from this position, but it is a nice view. Seems to work best with a big sky.
http://www.ladewigs.com/Gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=900
3) Rattlesnake Ridge - To reach this area, use the main parking lot inside the park on the north end of the North Gateway rock (Kissing Camels). Then cross the road on foot and take the trail on the north side of the road east. When the trail makes a "T" look for a social trail going straight up the hill. Gain the ridge and you'll find the tree that everybody shoots.
http://www.ladewigs.com/Gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=794
http://www.ladewigs.com/Gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=622
There are of course many other options, but these are the most common.
Not possible.
#1 38°52'48.86"N 104°52'45.11"W Buzzi Ridge
#2 38°52'47.62"N 104°52'45.69"W Buzzi Ridge
#3 38°52'49.62"N 104°52'35.11"W Rattlesnake Ridge
#4 38°52'54.63"N 104°52'41.52"W North Rim Ridge
#5 38°52'38.75"N 104°52'36.19"W Brietag Trail
#6 38°52'44.31"N 104°52'38.49"W Brietag Trail
#7 38°52'35.94"N 104°52'41.11"W Juniper Way View
#8 38°52'50.05"N 104°52'46.97"W The Pit Stop
#9 38°52'52.10"N 104°52'57.30"W Ridgeline View
#10 38°52'26.83"N 104°52'50.16"W Behind Moon Shot Hole
#11 38°52'22.38"N 104°52'36.99"W Ute Valley Cottonwoods
#12 38°52'11.76"N 104°53'18.34"W Siamese Twins
#13 38°52'11.85"N 104°53'9.89"W Sunset View
#14 38°51'52.47"N 104°53'50.44"W Balanced Rock View behind Steamboat Rock
Most any of these positions are the same ones you see posted by many who frequent the park like myself, Todd C., Fireman Bob and such. These are the Iconic spots. If you browse through my site and my GOG Galleries and a particular location stands out you want to try, shoot me a note and I'll give the GPS for it. I am available to meet you Friday AM if you'd like at the Park.