A Road Less Traveled

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