Thinking out loud...

So I apologize for this rant but I feel like I have to get this off my chest. Everyone here has been a little down about the fall color conditions this year. And I have to admit, it wasn’t ideal. After what I’ve seen last year this is pretty depressing but…

I just got back from a very short weekend of shooting. During those few days I had some time to think about what I do and why I do it. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been out shooting in a while (missed the wildflowers and most of the summer) or maybe it’s because I haven’t had that dream image, money shot, whatever the name is, pop up in front of me as I roll out of the car. But I think there was plenty of beauty to photograph all around Colorado this weekend, it just wasn’t as easy as we’re used to. Being new to Colorado and photographing here I got used to working with what’s in front of me; I have the great un-luck of having clear skies every time I hold a camera which drives me crazy. I think a lot of people got spoiled by being able to show up at a pull off on Kebler Pass Rd, etc, pulling out a camera and getting the winning shot. Well, apparently it’s not always like that. Just because we’re fortunate to live in a state that has some of the most scenic autumn doesn’t always mean getting that shot should be this easy. Sometimes, gasp, you might have to walk a few feet to a few miles away from the car to find that perfect composition of good light, golden aspens and a majestic peak. And I realize some/most don't want to or can't climb 14ers but we are all talented photographers and our best skill is seeing beauty. So my thought of the season is: take advantage of what is in front of you, even if it’s not what you expect or are used to. I’m sure there is an aspen stand that hasn’t lost its leaves yet and looks great. I think we all get so caught up with chasing the aspens that we forget why we are out there in the first place. No matter what my ultimate results are from this weekend I had an amazing time improvising and putting more thought into my images. And I guess there is always next year to get that “money shot” but for now I’m focusing on having fun and enjoying beautiful Colorado.

I will try to back up what I just wrote with some images once I get out of work and then everyone can tell me to get lost and to stop rambling so much

Here's to that... stop the whining! If you can't make a good picture it's not nature's fault

Amen, Sister! I was just talking to Dave Showalter this morning, once again mangling my favorite Dewitt Jones paraphrase as follows: If you go out to shoot fall colors one day, but Mother Nature is doing rocky spires that day, then you better do rocky spires. That's something we have over places like the Appalachians. If there's no flowers or fall colors at a particular time, there's still plenty to shoot.

Here, Here! This last weekend was the first time I'd been out on a dedicated photo trip since June - severe withdrawal from my last couple of years. So I was really enjoying JUST BEING OUT! I've lamented the colors a little too, but I decided early on, based on the reports, that this would be a fall for intimates - isolate the nice color, work inside the groves, play with the small stuff. Even if some of the traditional grand vista's aren't quite as nice as past years, I still managed to fill a few cards (filling is easy, good shots not so)
Hope you got something you like, Alex. Sorry we didn't run into each other.

I'll quote a good friend of mine whose name shall remain...Todd.

A bad day in the mountains is always better than a good day in the office. So long as you don't have to chop off your own arm.

I learned a while ago that when I go out to photograph my main goal is to have fun and enjoy the time outside. If I make a great photo - awesome. If I come home w/ nothing - oh well. I wasn't cooped up in an office staring at a stupid computer monitor. I think for most of us, our love affair with photography came along after we fell in love with nature. We were able to enjoy being in the canyons, deserts and mountains without a camera in hand. Why can't we now?

Leave your camera at home next time you head out, find a nice rock to nap on and enjoy the warm sun on your face, a cool breeze on your skin and the sound of marmots whistling from a boulderfield!

Very well said Alex! I was a little down about the lack of color, or for that matter even leaves, on a lot of the aspens when I came over Kebler the weekend of the 12th on my way home from a few days in Moab and parts south but then I remembered the fantastic shooting days I'd just had and somehow it didn't really matter. I was there and the air was clear and the birds were singing...far far better than my best day at work.

In summary: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. If life gives you limes, find someone that life has given tequila and make margaritas. (quote stolen from Ron White)

Nice try, Aleks, but everybody knows that yellow aspens are the only thing worth photographing in Colorado. And there's no point even being outside if you're not taking pictures. That's why I wear a headcam whenever I leave the house.

Thanks for saying it Aleks! I also was at first really disappointed with what I saw. I for one wanted that "Epic" shot, when that couldn't happen I followed some advice that Nat gave me. I started taking pictures of what I found and unique compositions. I even took landscape pictures during mid day. ~gasp~
I don't think that I got anything "Epic". I do know that I had more fun and got more shots that inspire me to create my own unique photography.

Leave your camera at home next time you head out, find a nice rock to nap on and enjoy the warm sun on your face, a cool breeze on your skin and the sound of marmots whistling from a boulderfield!

Let's not go gettin' all carried away and stuff...

FWIW, i just got a $130 RT to the coast--airfare is dirt cheap right now!

Thanks for the bridle check on all of us party poopers. A bad day photographing nature is better than a good day at work, as they say. I did get really disappointed on Saturday, but a lot of that was my friend's car wouldn't start when we got back to the overflow lot at Maroon Bells, so 7 hrs. later I left him in Glenwood Springs at a service station knowing he would have to spend the night there and try to come home the next day. I also get so stoked for Fall every year because it is my favorite time of the year and it is my favorite subject to shoot in all of the world, so if it's not a stellar year I get a little down. But Jim and Nat are right. Find something else to shoot and enjoy the time we get out there. There are always gifts given to each of us, it's just up to us to find them.

For some reason I can't seem to be able to add images to this thread so I'll post a new topic. And I also now have an image in my head of Jack climbing a 14er with a 4x5 duct-taped to his forehead

And btw, if any of you were sleeping at the overnight parking lot at the Bells on Friday night I apologize for my alarm going off in the middle of the night. I'm having some electrical problems with my truck and things tend to have a mind of their own, like check engine and break lights... and the stupid alarm.

Awesome comment Aleksandra! I'm heading out at midnight tonight for 5 1/2 days and I already have a couple out of the way spots I want to hit in the Kebler, Ouray area. Not to say I won't look for the spectacular pano image but somehow just strolling down some of those out of the way trails can produce an excellent comp. Plus you get to slow down and truly appreciate what nature has to offer. Thanks for helping us to remember that!

Great perspective!
My disappointment isn't so much in what's happening now but what may be ahead. Is this a taste of the future? I know, a pessimistic or alarmist view (and I normally am not). I know the scene was similar 3 or 4 years ago with an early, heavy snow and everything seemed to rebound.

I'll be very happy to be out this next weekend making photos of whatever presents itself.
I just hope this doesn't become the norm. I don't think I would be alone in that sentiment.

I wouldn't know what I was missing, since I only picked up photography earlier this year. To me the colors are awesome, but you make a great point. =)

Great reality check, sometimes the greatest images we make are the ones we weren't planning on.

Well spoken Aleks! LIke some one said here a while bake.... if yoou don't like what you see through your view finder point your camera the other way! (might have been TC).

Great reality check, sometimes the greatest images we make are the ones we weren't planning on.

I can't begin to count how many times that has happened to me (which speaks volumes about how bad my planning must be. )
Good commentary Aleksandra!

Well, like many others have essentially said, you're right on Aleks. Just think of where we get to live. People pay big money and spend months dreaming of coming here to photograph this place we call home. This years' color may not be as good as last years, but remember, last year was an abberation. Better than most years. And, I bet if we look hard enough around the state, there just may be a little other beauty to shoot other than yellow trees. I'm heading out Wednesday for several days. Maybe I'll see some of you down south. Pewter Trailblazer, CNP sticker on back, green ribbon. Smiling.

Absolutely! I can't tell you how many times my favorite photos are the ones where I just happened to turn around and look at what is behind me. Like Aleks says basically be creative that's what it's all about. My motto is stick around and take a good look and enjoy (even if you're not snapping away). When I see the photographers that show up, take a photo, and are gone in 10 minutes, I always think "you just don't get it, do you?" Taking photos is when time goes in slow motion, yet it goes so fast because of your thorough enjoyment of being present in the moment.