Headed down to the CB area for the 4th to partake in the madness. Although I grew up in Alamosa, I had never really explored this area much and definitely not with a photographic mindset. Camped at the pond on Paradise divide the first night, near Lake Irwin the second, and up Gothic the third. I had my first Kebler pass experience and my mind is officially blown-MAN what an amazing aspen forest!!! Definitely have to get back there and Ohio this fall, but amazing just to stand in some of those gigantic groves and soak it all in. Anyway, here's a few pics from the trip. I appreciate all feedback as I'm here to learn and improve, even if it's only in regards to the annoying overdone borders around the pics. Thanks!
Saturday morning I awoke and hadn't had much time to scout Paradise Divide. I was hanging out at the pond and shooting some fog hanging in the Slate River Valley, and notices some peaks poking out from behind the ridge. As I was scrambling for high ground, the sky started to do it's thing. I scrambled to get a few shots, and kicked myself for not having my 70-200 on me. I tried my best with my wide, and here's what I got. I hiked up the ridge to the left after the fireworks and noticed this looks like the backside of the Bells. So this shot is from Paradise divide looking north toward Schofield and the backside of the Maroon Bells (please correct me if I'm wrong)
This was taken on Slate River Road-stopped to scope a creek/cascade and on the way back to the car I spotted this scene on the roadside. I was intrigued by the curving aspens growing out of the lupine. Not sure if this works or not.
Finally, this was taken along Kebler pass. I'd scouted this spot earlier but the sun was too harsh and I didn't get the exposure I liked. The next morning was a cloudless sunrise, so I headed back and tried to get this scene again while in the shadows of the mountainside. Thanks for looking!
I see what you're referencing from my work computer Stan, and agree. I actually "softened" these lupine shots up a little bit using a very slight Orton effect, so could stand to sharpen a little more for the web. Still trying to get the balance right between my retina burning Imac and every other display (almost there). Thanks for the feedback.
Discussion
18 repliesI love the Orton treatment on #2, it really, really works well.
Nice series!