My turn + new edit

After spending an hour following the wrong directions and hiking off-trail through the forest, I finally stumbled onto the same spot that Morris shot the other day above Bear Lake. (I probably should have just climbed up from the bottom, like I think Morris did.) Even though I didn't get the great reflection, I got better aspen color. I was hoping to be there for sunrise, but I don't think that it mattered in this case.

Thanks Morris for the inspiration.

I decided to shoot this both horizontally and vertically and I think that it works well both ways. Comments?

Here's the horizontal version from the same spot.
BTW, these were both shot Wednesday morning before the rain moved in for the rest of the day.

Hey Jim, I think I saw you up there yesterday...do you remember a guy coming up there looking for a filter holder that I'd left behind? I was up there at sunrise and got a couple decent exposures. I may post one later. As for these 2 shots, I can't say one is better than the other. I think the color in the first one is a tad bit better than the second one.

I actually didn't get to this spot until almost 8:00 (I started from the parking lot at 6:30!), because of the bad directions and then wondering through the forest. I only found this spot because I followed some voices from another guy leading two other photographers. (His name was also Jim.) I then went the wrong way back and didn't get back to the parking lot until 9:00. I'm pleased with the results, but very frustrated from wasting two hours going the wrong ways.

Now that you mention it, it looks like the first one is a little brighter. Thanks for noticing.

They both look good to me. I wish I would have thought to get a horizontal, too. It's cool how only 5 or so days can make a difference in the color. I'm glad the wind didn't strip too many leaves off, so you could get good shots!

I much prefer the vertical composition - although I would be proud of either! I'm sure JPG compression is hurting the details in this. It begs to be printed BIG!

Vertical for sure.

I'm curios what makes the vertical version more attractive. Is it the boulders in the foreground? Thanks for the feedback.

Jim, both are very nice.Congrats on stumbling onto Morris' tripod marks. The vertical seems to work a bit better because the rocks show a path into the image.

Bill Brennan

Definitely a popular place this season (seems to get more that way every year). Sorry you went the wrong way, there are some bad directions floating around in the forum *cough*fall color thread*cough* but you captured it well despite the late arrival.

OK, I'll bite, where *is* the correct spot? It's on my list for next week.

Anyone sees a guy in a Del Sol with Missouri plates, that's me. Say hello; I'll be lonely. ;)

Chris: the spot is not viewable directly from any trail. Read my thread from a couple of years ago and you'll know what you have to do to get there. If you are visiting very late into next week I would probably just skip this shot since most of the leaves will have likely blown off by then. You will have better chances with the aspen in Beaver Meadows, Bierstadt Moraine or Horseshoe Park.

I went back and re-edited my horizontal photo to include some rocks in the foreground and less sky based on the helpful feedback that I got. I also adjusted the levels a little more to brighten it up. What do you now think?