Maroon Bells Aspen

ISO 250, 24mm, f/4.0, 1/1600sec

 Taunya and I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Aspen Colorado and to drive up to Maroon Bells.  Unfortunately, we went in the afternoon and the best time to photograph the mountain is in the morning since the sun sets behind the high mountain at about 3pm this time of year.

ISO 100, 38mm, f/5.6, 1/1000sec

So this is the view we had when we arrived at the lake.  I knew it was going to be snowy and cold with none of the beautiful fall colors left, but I still wanted the opportunity to visit.

Facing the other end of the valley the lighting was great on the mountains.  So if you have plans to photograph at Maroon Bells I recommend getting there in the early morning.  This time of year that is a little dicey since the road has snow on it in places and would be icy in the early morning.

ISO 250, 24mm, f/4.0, 1/2500sec

One of the pluses of this trip was a mother and child moose in the end of the lake.  The were obviously very use to people and I was able to get quite close to photograph them.  The difficulty was they were in the shadow of the mountain.

ISO 250, 75mm, f/4.0, 1/1600sec

ISO 250, 24mm, f/6.3, 1/500sec

I experimented with higher ISO settings and slower shutter speeds.  This first photo I used a slower shutter speed and the second I used a higher ISO.  I prefer the higher ISO and the faster shutter speed of the second.

ISO 400, 120mm, f/5.0, 1/160sec

ISO 800, 120mm, f/5.0, 1/320sec

I can get a little absorbed when I am photographing….The temperature was actually cold, 38 deg. F, and I was only wearing a long sleeve t-shirt.  Unfortunately I also had the keys to the car.  Taunya was ready to leave and headed back to the car a long time before I was ready to leave.  She let me know her displeasure when I returned to the car.  From then on when we would stop to take photographs I would immediately give her the keys!

ISO 500, 120mm. f/4.0, 1/500sec

I took this picture on the way to Aspen of Mt. Sopris.  The lighting on it was just perfect and so I had to pull over and take a photo. 🙂

ISO 100, 92mm, f/7.1, 1/160sec

I’ve included the rest of the keepers from the day below.  Enjoy!

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2 Comments

    • Thanks Dave! It was a great location to take photographs. It is now on my bucket list to go here in the fall before the leaves fall off the aspens!

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