Posted by Kane Engelbert on September 20, 2011 at 12:02 AM
Here's the gist, I'm hiking at 4:00 am with a freaking weather man (Stan Rose)that chases tornados and he says, "it doesn't look good for a shot this morning, maybe a 1 of 3 chance if that." Then it starts to rain..for at least an hour. We both stop, drop our packs, and both of us realize at that point we didn't bring rain gear. Later, I get confused as to where I want to shoot a potential dreary sunrise and I realize my GPS is out of power. I'll take my batteries out of my headlamp and use them in my gps! Glad I brought a second head lamp for that emergency time...What; my second headlamp is out of power to? Next I take Stan off into a nasty, wet bushwhack that leads us to nowwhere. Next I realize I left my gloves at the spot I was trying to transfer my headlamp batteries into my GPS. Once at Lake Halene, I lead us into another soaking wet bushwhack to the lake. We both realize that comp there is VERY limited.
With 15 minutes to sunrise we decide to book it up to higher grounds with hope to get better comp opportunities. The wind is howling and the peaks that we came to photograph are missing in the dense cloud cover. I head up a familiar slope on Joe Mills Mountain (climbed it two years ago.) I break out a down coat to combat the wind and cold. Stan chooses to stay low. I hustle to a flat, tree covered spot on the ridge and begin to pull my gear out for the first time that morning; just 3 min to sunrise. I look up, total cloud cover through the trees. I attach my camera to my tripod and begin to look for comp that will work with flat light; one minute until sunrise. I'm convinced at sunrise I'll have to make this trip a recon trip for future ideas.
Then, I notice a glow over my shoulder. I turn around and through the trees, a nuclear explosion. My heart pounds, the color is different. I grab my gear and run as fast as I can to the opposite side of the ridge to compose the brilliant light through the trees, just imagining the silhouettes of the tree branches against the nuclear blast.
Then, to my luck I run to the following scene...even better.
I hope you like it. Comments and critique welcome.
Very difficult 4 image blend. 80% of this image is two image blend. I used two more images to bring in the bright sun.
Posted by Todd Caudle on September 20, 2011 at 12:07 AM
No words...
Posted by Morris McClung on September 20, 2011 at 12:16 AM
Absolutley unreal! We must all suffer for our art, and man did you do some suffering this morning, 'cause this is PRIMO! I honestly don't remember ever seeing anything quite like this.
It takes my breath away. It's amazing that you were able to compose this while on the run like that.
Posted by Pam Colander on September 20, 2011 at 12:35 AM
I dibs this one at the Shindig swap.........
Posted by Art Escobado on September 20, 2011 at 12:39 AM
WOW!
Posted by Sarah Marino on September 20, 2011 at 12:39 AM
Wow, Kane, this is incredible! I was up at Two Rivers with Koveh and another friend that morning and this image captures the feeling of the morning so, so well. I love everything about this!
Posted by Jack Garrett on September 20, 2011 at 2:25 AM
Oh my, Oh my, Oh my!!!! That is incredible...post it in ESS for sure!
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on September 20, 2011 at 3:26 AM
Sweet!
Glad you stuck with it. Most "normal" people would have turned around and headed back to town for a good breakfast.
Posted by Jody Grigg on September 20, 2011 at 8:23 AM
Wowsa
Posted by Scott Bacon on September 20, 2011 at 8:55 AM
Yowza is right! Great composition and the color is just sublime. Fantastic image!
Stunning work - the blend looks very natural to me. One of the best I've seen from RMNP! (This might be the fall counterpart to Glenn Randall's Mt. Wuh Sunrise.)
Posted by Jack Brauer on September 20, 2011 at 1:02 PM
Gorgeous shot, Kane!!! I love how you can see the forest receding into the red mist... very beautiful. Also, it looks like you've done an excellent job controlling flare!
Posted by Howard Cihak on September 20, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Kane, that image and your account is what preceded it clearly demonstrates ... "You just never know what will happen next." Magnificent!
That warm light and golden tundra are made for each other! Glad you were there to capture it and had the skills to process it to perfection!
Posted by Anne K. Rusk on September 20, 2011 at 3:57 PM
Totally, totally awesome!
Posted by Richard Olsen on September 20, 2011 at 4:33 PM
Kane, this is one of those scenes that just takes my breath away and leaves me staring in wonderment. Beautifully seen, composed, and processes!!
Congrats on a very fine photograph!!!!
Posted by Don Grall on September 20, 2011 at 5:55 PM
Stunning, simply stunning! This was worth going through the agony you did and then some!
Posted by Brian Schrayer on September 20, 2011 at 8:13 PM
Extraordinary work, Kane. I especially like how the reds compliment the color in the tundra vegetation.
Posted by Kane Engelbert on September 20, 2011 at 9:09 PM
Such fantastic feedback. Thanks to all of you that took the time to comment. A few of you commented that the hard work was worth it in the end. I have to admit, I was actually trying to convey what a bumbling, unprepared fool I was that morning. Locating that spot was pure luck. I think I'll move this image to the Landscape Critique Gallery and see what happens. Thanks again.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on September 20, 2011 at 9:36 PM
These are the scenes we live for as photogs. Maybe I should only speak for myself. Great image!
Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 20, 2011 at 11:27 PM
Oh my redness I like the subtle shadow lines in the foreground and the overall flow of light. I wish the distant ridge continued behind the left side trees as it appears too light behind them.
Posted by John Mumaw on September 21, 2011 at 6:31 AM
'Bumbling into a nuclear explosion'. I like it!
Without a doubt, you stumbled upon one of your best images (that I've seen anyway). Congratulations on seeing this and capturing it so well.
Posted by Roger Rouch on September 21, 2011 at 8:51 AM
One of the more stunning posts I've seen for a while. Definately an "I wish I were there mood."
Posted by Kurt Bowman on September 23, 2011 at 11:04 AM
WOW!.....did I say WOW?..if not well...um....WOW! Love it Kane, just stunning in every way.
Posted by Koveh Tavakkol on September 26, 2011 at 12:03 AM
A beautiful shot man. Glad you scrambled up and walked away with something this great. Your blending skills are getting really good also.
Discussion
28 repliesWith 15 minutes to sunrise we decide to book it up to higher grounds with hope to get better comp opportunities. The wind is howling and the peaks that we came to photograph are missing in the dense cloud cover. I head up a familiar slope on Joe Mills Mountain (climbed it two years ago.) I break out a down coat to combat the wind and cold. Stan chooses to stay low. I hustle to a flat, tree covered spot on the ridge and begin to pull my gear out for the first time that morning; just 3 min to sunrise. I look up, total cloud cover through the trees. I attach my camera to my tripod and begin to look for comp that will work with flat light; one minute until sunrise. I'm convinced at sunrise I'll have to make this trip a recon trip for future ideas.
Then, I notice a glow over my shoulder. I turn around and through the trees, a nuclear explosion. My heart pounds, the color is different. I grab my gear and run as fast as I can to the opposite side of the ridge to compose the brilliant light through the trees, just imagining the silhouettes of the tree branches against the nuclear blast.
Then, to my luck I run to the following scene...even better.
I hope you like it. Comments and critique welcome.
Very difficult 4 image blend. 80% of this image is two image blend. I used two more images to bring in the bright sun.
Glad you stuck with it. Most "normal" people would have turned around and headed back to town for a good breakfast.
Congrats on a very fine photograph!!!!
Without a doubt, you stumbled upon one of your best images (that I've seen anyway). Congratulations on seeing this and capturing it so well.