This photo was taken in Los Glaciares National Park in Southern Argentina. While hiking up to the lookout above Lago Torre, my wife and I heard the distinct sound of a flowing waterfall on the other side of the ridge we were walking on. Eventually a path opened up and we were treated with one of the most beautiful waterfalls I had ever seen. Stretching for kilometers up Mt. Techado Negro, it presented a plethora of photographic opportunities. We spent the next two hours shooting and this photo is just one in a series of images that I plan on releasing in the coming days.

Camera: Canon 5D Mark II
Lens: Canon 24-70 2.8L IS w/ B+W 6 Stop ND Filter
ISO: 100
Exposure: 6.0 sec at f / 13

You can purchase this print HERE

Maroon Bells is arguably the most photographed mountains in Colorado, possibly even in the lower 48 states. While some may disagree, once you have the opportunity to to see these magnificent mountains up close, it will make much more sense. Because of Maroon Lake, the majority of people that come to visit this protected area only take photos of Maroon Bells from the edge of the Lake that is closest to the parking lot. Given that if you have zero wind, a little snow on the mountains, some clouds and the Aspens in full fall color, that probably is the best location, but how ofter do all of those variables come together? Almost never! That being said you have to search out for more creative locations and times to shoot these beautifully scared peaks. Just before the final bend that takes you up to the parking lot, there is a small reflecting pool on your left hand side that can offer beautiful reflections. Another great location for photos is the location where I took this photo. By climbing up the hill in the same general area as the reflecting pool, I was able to get to a high enough vantage point to capture this Aspen Grove along with the peaks.

My favorite advice to give to other photographers is, “If you look to your left and to your right and there are more then 5 people within a 20 ft radius, you are in the wrong place.” Get creative and think outside the box, only then will you get unique photographs.

This print can be purchased HERE

My absolute favorite time of year in Colorado is Fall. If you are fortunate enough to catch the change of colors at their peak you will be amazed at the colors you will see. “Colorado Aspens” was taken in the later afternoon as the light began to get soft throughout Maroon Bells area just outside of Aspen, Colorado. This photo was taken handheld with my Canon 1D Mark IV and 70-200 2.8L IS II Lens as my wife and dog walked around Maroon Lake.

This print can be purchased HERE

This photo was taken in the middle of the night over the infamous Maroon Bells Peaks, just outside of Aspen, Colorado. With my Canon 1D Mark IV and Canon 15mm Fisheye lens mounted on a tripod, I snapped this photo with an aperture of 2.8 and an exposure of 30 seconds. While I find that mountains are certainly my place of solitude and peace, I am loving the ability to capture the vastness of space over these amazing rock formations that make me feel at home.

This print can be purchased HERE

Colorado is know for its population of Aspen trees throughout the state. So it was fitting to find large pockets of Aspens near Aspen, Colorado….who knew? Even though I was in Aspen at the height of the Fall Aspen color change, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for some quality black and white photography! This particular grove was located just past the end of Maroon Lake on the Western Side. While I spent the majority of time this morning waiting to grab reflections in the lake of Maroon Bells, I had my eye out for a scene much like this one. With my Canon 1D Mark IV and Canon 70-200 2.8L IS II set up on a tripod, I composed this shot to catch some of the soft morning light light up a few of the Aspens.

This print can be purchased HERE

This photo is a blend of three differently exposed images, allowing me to showcase a much higher dynamic light range with this scene. While vastly different then HDR, blending images can be time consuming and requires a fairly extensive knowledge of utilizing “layers” in Adobe Photoshop. However the end result is almost always worth the time and energy when it is done right, as it more accurately conveys the colors, light and ambiance of this cold fall morning in Maroon Bells, Colorado.

This print can be purchased HERE

As I have mentioned before, I can’t stand being right next to 20 other photographers taking the exact same shot from roughly the exact same angle and the same exact time of day. Something about the whole thing just seems to suck the creativeness right our of me. However when you go to a place like Maroon Bells, Colorado, it is virtually impossible to find yours isolated, especially in the fall and more importantly at the heigh of the fall aspen color change. As my wife, dog and I made our way up to the parking area for Maroon Bells this morning, it was hard to miss the other 50 cars already sitting in the parking lot at 6:10Am, the price I pay for wanting to shoot something that is WAY too accessible :)

Stepping out of the car, I turned to my wife and gave her the annoyed look I get when I find myself losing the very solitude that I love when it comes to doing nature/landscape photography. As we approached the lake, I saw everyone lining up in the exact same spot that everyone who visits Maroon Bells does, right at the very base of the lake, closest to the parking lot. I smiled, gritted my teeth and continued on, not ever even contemplating the thought of setting up with the masses. The wind was slightly blowing this morning, causing about 90% of the lake to lose that magical reflection that we as search for when trying to capture sunrise at Maroon Bells. But as my Wife, dog and I continued to push our way further and further, I noticed that just after the slight bend in the Lake, the water became like glass. Even better, there wasn’t a soul within 800 yards of us. I set up my camera, made sure that I wasn’t visible to any of the other people taking photos and captured this shot.

The reality of the situation is that everyone has a right to enjoy the beautiful places in nature and I truly do wish more and more people got the opportunity to experience these amazing locations. I have no more right to these places then anyone else and that is something that all professional photographers should remember from time to time. That being said, make sure to think outside the box. If just one of those people at the end of the lake took a chance in an attempt to find something unique they would of been blown away by the views just 800 yards away from the spot that every guide book and internet blog told them to shoot from. Photography is about being creative, taking chances and being prepared.

These prints can be purchased HERE

This artistic photo was taken of a grove of aspens just 15 feet from my tent. By slowing my shutter speed down to a crawl and carefully zooming out while exposing, I was able to create this image. I added a small amount of saturation and slightly adjusted the the exposure, but that is it. This is virtually straight out of my Canon 1D Mark IV camera. Enjoy!

This print can be purchased HERE

This photo of Maroon Bells was taken in the White River National Forest area just outside of Aspen, Colorado. These mountains are some of the most photographed in the US and if you have ever been there before, you know why. Throngs of photographers line up at the lake edge for the very “typical” photo of Maroon Bells, but I can’t sit next to 40 other photographers who are all taking the same photograph. I saw this pond just before I entered the standard parking area for the lake. While 2 other photographers ended up joining me eventually, it was a much more peaceful and enjoyable scene to take in as the sun began to dance across the peaks.

These prints can be purchased HERE

This print can be purchased HERE