550

Carol Freshley October 8, 2016

We drove over I-550 numerous times as we photographed the San Juan Mountains. On several of those trips we were joined by Karen. Here is a collection of our favorite images taken along the road. If you know this region well you will recognize some favorites.

Taken before sunrise on our way to meet up with Karen for breakfast in Silverton.

Another 'find'.  As we drove by we noticed a line of cars and then a long line of photographers on a ridge.  You cannot easily see Crystal Lake from the road in the dark.  We parked, grabbed tripods and waited for the sun to rise.&nbs… — Another 'find'. As we drove by we noticed a line of cars and then a long line of photographers on a ridge. You cannot easily see Crystal Lake from the road in the dark. We parked, grabbed tripods and waited for the sun to rise. We did not stay as long as we needed to see a full sunrise. We had an important date with Karen and we did not want to be late! We would go again and have her with us. Notice how much snow there is on Red Mountain. There would not be so much on our return.

Tom's take on the lake.  He likes adding the shoreline.  I want you to believe that I am out in the middle of the lake in a kayak! — Tom's take on the lake. He likes adding the shoreline. I want you to believe that I am out in the middle of the lake in a kayak!

Karen, is that our Toad in front of you?  Nah!  You would not be clicking and driving at the same time.  Right? — Karen, is that our Toad in front of you? Nah! You would not be clicking and driving at the same time. Right?

Durango Silverton train arriving in Silverton.

This was taken on our return trip to Crystal Lake.  There was mist on the lake and just a hint of snow on Red Mountain. — This was taken on our return trip to Crystal Lake. There was mist on the lake and just a hint of snow on Red Mountain.

The sun rose and slowly Red Mountain lit up.  I had hopes of the whole thing becoming red!  Well, no such luck as the cloud cover increased and played tricks by hiding the sun, teasing me into thinking that 'just any second . . . .'  … — The sun rose and slowly Red Mountain lit up. I had hopes of the whole thing becoming red! Well, no such luck as the cloud cover increased and played tricks by hiding the sun, teasing me into thinking that 'just any second . . . .' I know that you are familiar with that routine. Right?

For me, this is as good as it was going to get.  By the way, a graduated neutral density filter came in very handy in keeping the brightest parts of the scene from blowing out.  Interestingly, the mist only shows up as reflections on the l… — For me, this is as good as it was going to get. By the way, a graduated neutral density filter came in very handy in keeping the brightest parts of the scene from blowing out. Interestingly, the mist only shows up as reflections on the lake. We noticed the same thing while in Ireland. Why does the camera not see the mist over the lake?

Karen and Tom stayed a while taking 'geometric compositions'.  I went back to the car to get warm.  They got some great compositions. — Karen and Tom stayed a while taking 'geometric compositions'. I went back to the car to get warm. They got some great compositions.

Karen and Dave stopped at Crystal Lake on there way home last Friday.  I put this here to show how much the fall foliage had changed from the first time we stopped to take our photographs of the fall color reflected on the lake.  WOW! — Karen and Dave stopped at Crystal Lake on there way home last Friday. I put this here to show how much the fall foliage had changed from the first time we stopped to take our photographs of the fall color reflected on the lake. WOW!

Karen and Dave went back to Crystal Lake to get some night photography, hopefully some good shots of the Milky Way.  Unfortunately, they had to contend with clouds, cold wind churning up the water and a pesky moon.  Some nights are just no… — Karen and Dave went back to Crystal Lake to get some night photography, hopefully some good shots of the Milky Way. Unfortunately, they had to contend with clouds, cold wind churning up the water and a pesky moon. Some nights are just not suited for night photography.

A few stars and a nice reflection of the moon on the water.

Long shutter speeds create interesting clouds.  But, there are a few stars.  Good effort. — Long shutter speeds create interesting clouds. But, there are a few stars. Good effort.

We hope you enjoyed the ride.

Return to Red Mountain

Carol Freshley February 18, 2014

We arrived the first time at Red Mountain rather late in the day. The mountain's orientation suggested that a morning shot with sunrise gold could be worth getting up for. Nancy and I agreed to meet at 5 am and make the drive to the other side of the world (or so it seemed at that hour). It was worth it! Later we were met by Elaine and Susan.

I am putting some times on the metadata this time just so you can see how the light changes over time at such a fabulous site.

The first image was taken facing east and capturing that well know mountain range, Four Peaks.

ISO 1600, f/6.3, 1/50 at 50mm with Nikon Df and 50mm Nikkor prime lens. Taken at 6:48 am.

It took longer than I was expecting to get enough light to see anything more than a silhouette of Red Mountain.

ISO 400, f/2.2, 1/250 at 24mm with Nikon Df and 24mm Nikkor prime lens. Taken at 7:13 am.

Finally, making the trip all worthwhile, the golds show up. The rock gets red and the water has a green hue.

ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/320 at 85mm with Nikon Df and 85mm Nikkor prime lens. Taken at 7:22 am.

As the sun continued to rise, the gold lost some of its intensity and the water was blue once again. Yes, that is my camera in the photos. I was shooting a time-lapse of the sunrise. It did not turn out well and, while I was disappointed, I learned quite a bit.

ISO 200, f/9, 1/40, at 50mm with Nikon Df and 50mm Nikkor prime lens. Taken at 7:42 am.

By now we were ready to walk upstream along the river's edge. The sunlight was so magical, playing with long shadows, open spaces and ever changing light. I noticed that the changes seemed to occur more rapidly than at mid-day. I had never sensed it quite that way before. Perhaps my sensitivity was heightened by my consciously keeping track of the time.

ISO 800, f/6.3, 1/125 at 50mm with Nikon Df and 50mm Nikkor prime lens. Taken at 8:30 am.

You may have spotted the wildflowers along the path in the photo above (hint . . . lower left).

ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/500 at 55mm with Nikon Df and 55mm Nikkor micro non-AI lens. (My new 'old' lens)

Everywhere we looked we enjoyed backlighting. It made usual objects appear magical.

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/2500 at 90mm with Canon EOS Rebel T4i and EF-S18-135mm Canon lens.

Nancy is an artist and her drawings of trees are just exquisite. She sometimes takes photos to inspire her drawings. As she described the photo below I saw so many details that I would have missed. The roots are fascinating! Nature is so wondrous.

ISO 400, f/4, 1/100 at 7mm with Panasonic Lumix DMG GH3 and a Lumix G Vario lens.

When you photo trip with Elaine you could bet that her lens is facing up. She loves birds! And right there with the rest of us gals . . . her glass often does not get her the photo she wants (not long enough). But we keep them and celebrate them as being in our experience at the moment. We really chuckled at this bird flapping out of her reach.

ISO 200, f/5.8, 1/640 at 150mm with Canon Powershot SX40 HS.

ISO 400, f/5.8, -.33EV, 1/800 at 150mm with Canon Powershot SX40 HS.

ISO 400, f/4, 1/100 at 7mm with Panasonic Lumix DMG GHS and Lumix G Vario lens.

It was such a gorgeous morning and Elaine caught . . . ah, that looks like such a temptation. Just find a rock and enjoy.

ISO 200, f/5.8, 0.33EV, 1/320 at 150mm with Canon Powershot SX40 HS.

It was time to move on so down the road we drove.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/2500 at 79mm with Canon EOS Rebel T4i and EF-S18-135mm Canon lens.

Time to move on. We headed to Stewart Mountain Dam.

Lower Salt River and Red Mountain

Carol Freshley February 16, 2014

We love exploring new places or returning to places we have not visited for a very long time. This short trip was organized by Rick and he gave some descriptions of the hills and how tough they can be when your are on a 100 + mile bike ride. Yikes! I could only imagine.

We started at Saguaro Lake, dropped down into the Lower Salt River and then drove to Red Mountain.

I was much more fascinated by Desert Belle than the speedboats.

ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/800 at 112mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

Rick promised that we would get much closer to the imposing rocks when we got to the other side of the dam. He was so right!

Our first stop was just below the dam. The water being let out is just a trickle! But, at least we are close to the big rocks and looking for reflections.

ISO 400, f/11, 1/80 at 24mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EF24-105mm f4/L IS USM lens.

ISO 100, f/9, 1/125 at 44mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

We always seem to have a side story. This is it. Rick saw some horses go across the creek when we first got there. But we were not set up. After shooting for some time and on the way back, he hustles down to the riding stable and asks if he can take pictures of the group that is just getting started. Sure! Everyone was fine with it. He almost ran to his spot to get ready. It paid off! This is one of my favorites of the day.

ISO 400, f/9, 1/100 at 40mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 24-105mm Canon lens.

A bit further down the road, another pull off and more clicking. It was just the most beautiful day and there were many people out along the river enjoying the early spring weather. Tom had a different take on the red and green!

ISO 400, f/8, 0.5EV, 1/500 at 15mm with Nikon D600 and 15mm Sigma fisheye lens. Processed in Nik Silver Effects.

ISO 300, f/16, 1/40 at 24mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 24-105mm Canon lens.

ISO 640, f/13, 1/400, at 38mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 400, f/16, 1/80, at 24mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 24-105mm Canon lens.

Sometimes, when we get home and I see some of Tom's photos I am in wonderment at a scene that looks familiar but he has turned it on its heels. This is so below. He created magic out of what might have been an ordinary 'along the creek with mountains in the background and people in it' kind of shot.

ISO 125, f/11, 0.5EV, 1/180 at 15mm with Nikon D600 and 15mm Sigma fisheye lens.

Back into the car and off down the road. Next up Red Mountain. For those who read this . . . this is such an easy destination to reach. The parking was easy, the short walk to water's edge could be done by most anyone. We walked along the river looking for different vantage points. Enjoy our many takes on this jewel.

ISO 63, f/16, at 24mm with Nikon D600 and 24-70mm Nikkor lens. Processed in Nik HDR Effects Pro 2.

ISO 100, f/22, 1 EV, 4 seconds at 45mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 24-105mm Canon lens with a ND8 filter.

ISO 800, f/8, 1/320 at 50mm with Nikon Df and 50mm AFS f/1.4 Nikkor lens.

ISO 63, f/11, at 24mm with Nikon D600 and 24-70mm Nikkor lens. Processed in Nik HDR Effects Pro 2.

ISO 63, f/16, at 24 with Canon D600 and 24-70mm Nikkor lens. Processed in Nik HDR Effects Pro 2.

For a panorama of our site as we stood there, Tom put this together for us.

ISO 63, f/11, at 15mm with Nikon D600 and 15mm Sigma fisheye lens. Processed in Nik HDR Effects Pro 2.

Then the kayak came by. Photo op!! "How's fishing?" Not sure what the hand answer was!

ISO 63, f/5.6, 1/750, at 300mm with Nikon D600 and 70-300mm Nikkor lens.

Then the canoe came by. Photo op! The woman was painting a water color and kept dipping her brush into the river as the drifted upstream! Now, this photo is a catch, waiting patiently for just the right moment before the canoe gets too far upstream.

ISO 63, f/5.3, 1/125 at 240mm with Nikon D600 and 70-300mm Nikkor lens.

As the evening approached, the colors change to a softer more pastel appearance away from the setting sun. Looking toward Four Peaks . . . (mom, this one is for you).