On my last morning in Jasper National Park, I decided to revisit the Pyramid Mountain area to get some sunrise shots before I headed to Edmonton for my flight home. The mountain can be seen from almost everywhere in Jasper, but the best location, in my opinion, is from Pyramid Lake. While there are some obvious vantage points along the shoreline, I did my exploring thing, and tried to find paths through the woods to get something a bit different. As I walked along the road, I noticed that someone had parked their car near what looked like a path (turns out they were sleeping there overnight). Down the path I went, and I discovered an opening, where there was a very small dock with five boats lying on it. It took a bit of a balancing act to compose this shot so that I could get the boats and the full reflection of Pyramid Mountain in the composition.
Saturday in the Park - Central Park, New York
This is an old photo that I took several years ago when I was documenting New York's Central Park for my son's movie short as part of his time with the NY Film Academy. I had been to New York many times, but spent much of that time in the Wall Street area. This was the first time I really walked the park and captured some of its beauty. The park is quite large, taking up almost 850 acres of some of the most valuable real estate in the US. As I walked around, I was surprised at the many tranquil scenes that I came across. When I walked past this pond with the pedestrian bridge in the background, the song "Saturday in the Park" by Chicago (originally known as the Chicago Transit Authority) came to mind.
God's Garden - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Almost every time I am in Denver, I make it a point to drive south and visit the Garden of the Gods. It is a park that is run by the town of Colorado Springs and it is free (that is right - free). The rock formations that are found in this almost 1,400 acre park are simply stunning. The sandstone colors are reminiscent of the southwestern desert although the area is clearly not close to the desert.
This particular photo was taken just I was heading down the trail from the main parking lot. On the left, near the top of the formation is a tiny opening (at least from this vantage point - I am sure it is really large) that is known as the kissing camels. Even though the sun was not shining on the formation, the colors still pop with that orange sandstone look.
English Window - Betws-y-Coed, Wales
On our cruise around the British Isles, one of our first stops was in Wales. After docking, we took a tour of a quaint little village in Wales, Betws-y-Coed. Located in the Snowdonia National Park, it was founded in the late sixth century. Today it is home to a population of less than 600 people. Regardless of it's size, the village was just what we imagined an English village would look like. Beautifully manicured surroundings wherever we walked. This photo is representative of the houses there, with stone walls and a beautiful flower box. Right out of a British novel.
Latourell Falls - Columbia Gorge, Oregon
Along the Columbia River that separates the states of Oregon and Washington, there are some of the most beautiful waterfalls that you will see anywhere. Many of these waterfalls can be found on the scenic Historic Columbia River Highway. The highway runs for 75 miles and starts just east of Portland. This waterfall, Latourell Falls, is the first waterfall along the road and is probably my favorite one along the route. There is a path that will take you to the bottom of the falls, where you can shoot the falls from below (see this post). To get a better view of the falls and to really capture the way that it drops straight down from the overhanging cliff, I took this photo from the beginning of the path.
Something Different Part 2 - Sagrada Família, Barcelona
On Tuesday, I posted this photo of the ceiling of the entranceway to the most famous architecture in Barcelona, namely Sagrada Família. I talked about how intricate and perhaps garish the features of this incomplete church was. So here we have a small section (this church is huge) of the ceiling on the inside. I have never seen anything like this in any church I have been to in my life. I am sure there is nothing like it anywhere. In fact, a famous quote by an architectural critic was "The most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages." Looking around, it is hard to disagree with the quote.
No photos can truly capture the essence of this place. Only when viewed in person can one walk away with an appreciation of the amazingness of it. It will have been under construction for 146 years if the estimated completion date in 2028 is achieved. God willing, I'd like to see it when it is completed.
Stark and Rugged - Waterfowl Lake, Banff National Park
Over the past month, I have been posting some photos of the amazing lakes that line the Icefields Parkway in Alberta. It is hard to pick a favorite lake, as they all are different in their own way. This lake is Waterfowl Lake, and it is literally mere steps from the highway. What makes this lake different from the rest is the stark and rugged Mount Chephren in the background that dominates the scene. The mountain's original name was Pyramid Lake, but was renamed (after an Egyptian Pharaoh) because of confusion with Pyramid Mountain in Jasper National Park, a few hours to the north.
We visited this location quite a number of times during our time in Banff. The scene can be dramatically different depending on the light, weather and sky. This image was taken when the skies were overcast, but the clouds were pretty decent and did not obscure the mountains peak. I scrambled down to the shoreline of the lake, where there were some great reeds that I felt would be a great foreground. Because of the light, I processed this in black and white, as it brings out the starkness of the scene. Click on the image itself to get a better look at the details in it.
And Now for Something Completely Different - Sagrada Família, Barcelona
Barcelona is renowned for its unique architecture, and, when we visited there for the first time, we couldn't help being amazed. The diversity of the architecture is everywhere. The centerpiece of Barcelona's architecture is Sagrada Família (a Roman Catholic Church) that is not even finished, despite the fact that the construction began in 1882. About a year after construction started, the famed architect Antoni Gaudi took over the project and design, combining Gothic and Art Nouveau design. Gaudi worked on the church until his death in 1926. Final completion of the church is estimated to be in 2028.
Seeing it for the first time from a few blocks away, my first thought was that this is the biggest church I have ever seen, by far. The outside spires had so many cranes around it that they outnumbered the eighteen spires (you read that right) by a large margin. As we got closer to it, there are so many statues, intricate designs and nuances that it is hard to take it in. The designs are quite unique and, pardon the pun, a bit gaudy. In fact, most of the structure looks that way. That is why I shot this particular photo of the ceiling right as we walked through the front doors. It was one of the few parts of the church that did not have that intricate and garish look to it. I will post another image later this week of Sagrada Família's ceiling that will better display the uniqueness of the building.
Golden Glow - Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Just past the eastern entrance to Badlands National Park are a couple of trails that take you to some great sunrise locations. We were staying in one of the two motels near there (the eastern end is remote), so, on my first morning at the park, I headed out for a short drive to the trails. There is a very large parking lot there, and I headed out on the Deer Trail. The trail is actually only about a half-mile of boardwalk, and, at the end, there are stairs where you can walk in the surreal landscape. That is a must if you are going to photograph there.
There was only one other photographer there (it was mid-September), and I had my pick of locations. For this shot, I climbed up on one of the mounds, and just took in the formations, as the rising sun created this amazing orange glow to them. The blue sky and clouds gave a great color contrast to the scene.
Sailing into the Sunset - Key West, Florida
Quick post and run today. This is a view from Mallory Square in Key West, Florida. For those of you who haven't been there, it is quite the party city. There is one street, Duvall Street, where most of the action occurs. Late in the day, as sunset approaches, people (and photographers like me), gather in Mallory Square to enjoy the sunset.
The Astronomical Clock - Strasbourg, France
European architecture always fascinates me, especially the awesome cathedrals that almost every city seems to have. There are always surprises that await me when we tour them. On this particular trip, we took a river cruise on the Rhine River that originated in Amsterdam. One of the stops was in the town of Strasbourg, France, located in the Alsace region. It is quite a wonderful city, and I wish we had more than one day to spend there.
As in most European cities, the dominating building is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame. You can see it's spires from just about anywhere. Of course, I had to go in and take a few shots. Unfortunately, it seemed like every tourist within a mile was in the cathedral when I was. I noticed this huge crowd in the corner waiting for the Astronomical Clock to begin it's procession of the figures of Christ and the Apostles. I was able to inch in and capture this procession, which starts daily at half past midday.
Dying Leaves - Lake Waramaug State Park, Connecticut
Almost can't believe that we are halfway through the summer already. When I was browsing through my Lightroom catalog looking for images to edit, I came across this shot that reminded me of how fast this summer has sped by. Before you know it, the Connecticut countryside will be lit with the bright colors of dying leaves. This photo is from one of my favorite locations during foliage season, Lake Waramaug State Park. Located about an hour from my house, I can always take a run out there to see if the foliage is peaking. It is a very pleasant drive, and I have often driven there a few weeks in a row to get the best of the fall colors. This particular area is actually just around the corner from the park and is privately owned. The property is large and I wish that I had the run of the place to photograph it. Perhaps one day, I will get the courage to drive the very long driveway, knock on the door, and ask permission.
Spiral - Hunting Island Lighthouse, South Carolina
For those of you who have followed my blog for a while, you know of my love for lighthouses. As soon as I start to plan a trip, one of the first things I do is to see if there is a lighthouse anywhere within driving distance. So when we planned a trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina, last year, I found the Hunting Island Lighthouse was only an hour away. Located in a state park, it is the only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina. For a minimal fee, visitors can climb the 167 steps (almost 140 feet) to the top. This photo shows the view from the bottom of the climb.
The lighthouse was originally built in 1859, but was destroyed during the Civil War. It was rebuilt in 1875. Due to severe beach erosion, it was relocated about 1 mile away from the original site, thanks to it's unique "segmented cast-iron" construction that allowed it to be moved in pieces. Although it is not operational today, when it was, the light could be seen from 17 miles away.
Peyto Lake Beauty - Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park
By now you are probably getting tired of seeing images from my trip to Alberta a couple of weeks ago. I will be going back to varying my postings to include different locations, starting tomorrow. Today, however, is a different story. This uniquely shaped lake (It sort of looks like Italy from above) is Peyto Lake, and it can be found just off of the Icefields Parkway north of Lake Louise. Besides its unique shape, many may wonder if the lake is really that color (it is). The turquoise color is caused by suspended rock particles from glacier melt. This view is from Bow Summit and is arguably one of Alberta's iconic views.
I have shot from this location at sunrise, mid-day, and sunset, and I have come to the conclusion that mid-day (when I shot this photo) is the best time to shoot Peyto. At sunrise, the valley is too dark, and, at sunset, the glare shooting into the sun is not ideal. The mid-day light, as can be seen in this photo, lights up the valley wonderfully.
Canoes for Rent - Lake Louise, Banff National Park
It just occurred to me that I have blogged three posts this week that featured canoes. It was not intentional, but there was probably something in my subconscious. Anyway, when we got to Lake Louise, it was mid-morning, and the crowds were out in force. We knew we were in trouble just by the number of tour buses in the parking lot. After surveying the lake, it was clear that there were few places that wouldn't have hundreds of people in the shot. From my stay there in 2006, I knew that the best place to shoot was by the boat house. I quickly headed there, and the boats were being rented out at a frantic pace. There were only six canoes left to be rented, and I knew I had little time to capture them before they were gobbled up. I quickly shot off a few brackets and before I knew it, they were gone.
For those wanting to capture the lake, glacier, Chateau and mountains without the crowds, my suggestion is to either stay at the Chateau (quite pricy) or get up quite early in Banff and get there at sunrise. Having stayed at the Chateau my last time in Banff, if you are there at dawn, you practically have the lake to yourself.
Leisurely Afternoon - Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park, BC
A quick writeup today on our visit to Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. Emerald Lake is located in British Columbia about 40 minutes west of Lake Louise, Alberta. To get there, you drive over the Continental Divide and it is well worth the time to visit. The color of the lake is deep emerald (hence its name), and when we got there, it was quite crowded. The time of day wasn't the greatest for photography, and the lake's surface was quite rippled. Despite that, it was still a beautiful place to visit. I decided the best way to capture the lake was by shooting visitors doing what they come here to do: rent a canoe and spend a leisurely afternoon paddling the lake taking in the surrounding beauty.
Town of Banff View - Banff National Park, Alberta
When I tell people that one of my favorite destinations is Banff, they often ask me where it is and why do I like it so much. One of the ways to explain it is to talk about Banff's location and history. Banff is not really that old as far as history goes. It was founded in the early 1880s when the Canadian Pacific Railway was built through the Bow Valley. The name Banff was given to it by the president of the railroad, who was born in Banff, Scotland.
Banff is situated in the Canadian Rockies and is at the second highest elevation in Alberta. It is surrounded by mountains, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs and all of the other beauty that nature provides. Banff became a municipality, and is the first Canadian municipality to be located in a Canadian national park (Banff National Park was formed in 1885). The town is surrounded by mountains (Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay, Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain). There are two rivers that flow through it (Spray and Bow); one waterfall (Bow Falls) and numerous lakes (most notably the Vermilion Lakes). For these reasons, Banff has become a huge resort destination, and the people visiting this small town have grown greatly since I first visited it in the mid-1990s.
One of the best compositions that gives an idea of what surrounds the town is this one, shot from Mount Norquay. It shows the town (not very large by town standards), with Mount Rundle towering over it on the left. The clouds were great in this early evening shot and hopefully it conveys why this is one of my favorite destinations.
Nice Rack - Bull Elk, Town of Banff, Banff National Park
Most photographers will tell you to have a camera with you at all times, as you will never miss a shot if one happens to appear in front of you. It is the unexpected photo opportunity that you will always remember the most. Just like this occasion, when we encountered this bull elk. First a little background. Jeff Clow and I had just finished our shooting together--five days of intense shooting. Jeff was heading home the next day and I, being a glutton for sleep deprivation, was heading north to Jasper for another three days of shooting by myself. We were heading to our hotel, and, as we passed the train station in the town of Banff, we spotted this bull elk sitting in the weeds. Being very careful (these animals are big and fast), we dug out our cameras that were put away for the day and began taking photos of this beautiful specimen. After about 15 minutes (it seemed a lot longer), the elk got up to graze a bit. I inched up behind a tree and was able to get this shot. I know he saw me with my head and camera sticking out from behind the tree, but, thankfully, he was more interested in munching on the very delectable (at least for elks) dandelions in the field.
Iconic Moraine - Moraine Lake, Banff National Park
Moraine Lake is a great photo destination that every photographer should visit. The lake is 16 kilometers from Lake Louise, which is more well known, but, in my humble opinion, it can't hold a candle to Moraine. One of the reasons is that Moraine is located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, which tower around it.
As a photographer, there are four things that you wish for when shooting there: 1) great light; 2) still water for a reflection of the mountains in the lake; 3) enough clouds in the sky to add interest to it; and 4) a good foreground element. On my trip to Banff last month, despite visiting several times, I never got to shoot with all four elements present. The one I missed every day was the still water. I think the photography gods were not smiling down on me, as on the last day of my stay in Banff, I got to the lake and all four were there. I quickly hiked the trail to the top of the "rock pile", and, in the short 10 minutes it took to get there, ripples appeared across the lake.
Although dismayed, I composed this image and minimized the lake's surface. I took advantage (as so many photographers have before me), and used the great color of the canoes to anchor the shot.
Torrent - Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park
There are two waterfalls that can be found within walking distance along the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park. One of those is Athabasca Falls, pictured in this image. The falls are located about 18 miles south of the town of Jasper, and are known for the amount of water that quickly flows from the Athabasca River. There are a number of viewing platforms where visitors can get close and see (and hear) the speed and force that is generated.
I stopped here as I made my way from Banff to Jasper. I had taken about three shots when the heavens opened up and I headed back to my car. Undeterred, I returned the next day when the weather improved. I knew that to capture the falls properly, long exposure was called for. I popped on a 6-stop ND filter and began photographing. When trying to get the "right" exposure to get that silky smooth effect, I would suggest experimenting with the aperture. It is more of a hit or miss approach but if you take enough shots with different apertures, you will get one that works for you. Don't rely on your camera's LCD screen--just experiment.
I processed this in black and white as I find these type of shots look better, especially when there isn't a lot of color anyway. For the best look at the image, look at it on a black background by clicking on the photo.