Clouded Icon

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 7, 2012422 views21 comments

Maroon Bells is easily the most photographed spot in Colorado, and on this Thursday morning it was it's usual very popular spot. There were about 50 odd photogs shoulder to shoulder shooting this scene. It later grew to 70+. I keep going back (but never on a Fall weekend anymore, because it's even worse) to try to get the "perfect" shot. I didn't get that this year, but I liked the clouds covering the "Bells" and creating a different look to them. The light was eventually blocked from lighting up the main peaks which added to the frustration.

C&C welcome, and thanks for looking,

Morris

Large version included

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 7, 2012 at 12:16 PM

Well, i used to head to Crater to avoid the crowds--now you cant even do that because thanks to the drought there is no lake.

This is kinda nice, Morris--even thought it is Maroon Bells

I know it would be hard to part with the color up top--but comp trumps color so i'd crop the top and bottom for a 50/50 split.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on December 7, 2012 at 12:42 PM

Love the dark and forboding atmosphere here Morris! Great color as well. I agree with Stan to a point, but this works for me as is. It would be a shame to lose that color up top!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on December 7, 2012 at 1:02 PM

Morris,

Too bad you have to live in Colorado

I love this capture and agree with Stan that maybe a horizontal crop that emphasizes the bottom cloud reflection might take this to another level.

as is it is stunning

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on December 7, 2012 at 2:59 PM

Moody with rich color Morris. The kind of photography I love. I also like seeing the rocks in this as well though. It would kill me to give up the color in the sky and I probably wouldn't. (smile) However, I think the comp would be stronger with the crop. regardless, It's beautiful. Wish it were in my portfolio.

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on December 7, 2012 at 3:13 PM

I dont know Morris, I agree with the crop, but love the color, what to do, I'm glad its your decision. Anyway you look at it, beautiful scene, and beautifully presented.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Warren on December 7, 2012 at 5:19 PM

Great color; I agree with others' comments about cropping. Never been there but maybe I can get out next fall.

Registered on May 11, 2012, 84 Posts, 931 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on December 7, 2012 at 5:26 PM

To get something of this quality, Morris, I believe was worth the competition for finding a spot to set up.
The colors are strikingly beautiful.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on December 7, 2012 at 6:16 PM

Who cares if it's an icon? Must be incredible in person, and anyways, who wouldn't want this in their gallery?? Nice shot!

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on December 7, 2012 at 6:57 PM

Yes, iconic scenes are usually that way for a good reason. Intriguing conditions, but a little dark overall. I would try a crop of just the midsection and make it horizontal. the bottom half is a little too dark for me.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 7, 2012 at 7:12 PM

Very nice Morris! I really enjoy rich color and the beautiful reflection. You captured a great mood here! For me it doesn't feel like anybody is around...

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Palmieri on December 7, 2012 at 7:22 PM

Really gorgeous image. Looking at the larger one and likely if it were hanging on the wall it might work as presented. I am wondering if you actually have two images here. One from the the start of the reflection up to the top which would include the colorful sky. The other starting at the bottom of your image and cropping off the top.. Just my opinion...either way really nice work!

Registered on September 1, 2011, 35 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on December 7, 2012 at 9:56 PM

Greta take on a classic Morris. I really like the mood this one conveys. It's dark and somber, not the usual, and that's a good thing. Nice job departing from the predictable.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on December 7, 2012 at 9:59 PM

The touch of pink in the top clouds is a great addition to this icon. Well done.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 7, 2012 at 11:02 PM

No crop for me. Beautiful scene and nice take of this icon. I find it a bit dark, but it lends its own mood.

I was there once in the fall. Probably never again. Photographers getting in the way of other photographers who were yelling at each other. I turned and pointed my camera at the ridge to the right of the lake and 5 other guys immediately turned and pointed their cameras the same way. It was hilarious.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on December 8, 2012 at 10:48 AM

I guess spectacular scenery isn't going out of style any time soon. I'm glad you battled the groupies for this shot. It's got a wonderful mood and I like the intense color. Nicely done

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on December 8, 2012 at 11:17 AM

Morris: One of my favorite places on the planet superbly captured. I do like the color in the sky up top but the comp would feel better to me cropped to 4:5. I wonder how much of that color would have shown up in the reflection if you had angled the camera down some. Regardless this was a wonderful moment and a fine image.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 8, 2012 at 1:29 PM

Morris,

A tad on the dark side, but goes along perfectly with the conditions, light and time of day. I am really loving not only the reflection, but even more so the rocks underneath the water, what a wonderful compliment to the overall scene. In fact, I'd be tempted to crop some from the top just to emphasize the reflection even more; the pink cloud up top does add wonderful color to the image, but it's also pulling the eye away from the main subject, IMHO. I'd even go along with a 50/50 split here as Stan suggests, but I would absolutely not crop off the bottom!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on December 9, 2012 at 12:18 AM

Holy smokes, 70+? The deep colors in the early light look very rich.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on December 9, 2012 at 3:09 AM

I like that view, even if its very iconic. There have not been that many Maroon Bell shots here on NPN anway.
I agree with Stan and Lon about the color being a bit too high up in this composition, but I don't think I would crop it if it were mine.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Vlad Sadovsky on December 9, 2012 at 3:32 PM

Nicely done scene, Morris - stands out from most of the crows. The reflection contrasting colors is my favorite part here, rich.

Registered on November 12, 2010, 48 Posts, 358 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Plant on December 10, 2012 at 8:03 AM

Llamatastic! Epicly sweet bro

Registered on July 7, 2008, 271 Posts, 1657 Comments