Motivation Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

"Motive: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act" (courtesy of www.merriam-webster.com)

What's my motivation for photography?

- Not money. I don't have the talent or time for that
- Not to impress others. There are far better photographers on this site than me.
- Not just as a hobby. I have a hard time getting motivated to shoot anything other than nature.

My motivation is the experience of waking up early and trekking to a pre-determined spot, full of anticipation for the beauty I'm about to experience.

It's seeing the sun first kiss the tips of the mountains, then spread gradually to cover the entire valley.

My motivation is the solitude, the stillness, the escape from the noise of "real life," the ability to rediscover myself and rediscover God's creation.

My motivation is the beauty of nature.

This is Lake O'Hara an hour or two after sunrise. After getting a couple inches of snow in spots the previous day, I wasn't too hopeful for the morning. When I woke up at about 5:40 am, the sky was still completely overcast, so I went back to sleep. When I woke up again at about 6:45, the clouds were breaking up. By the time I hurried to Lake O'Hara, the skies were largely clear.

I walked the short trek around the lake, stopping every 20 feet or so to take it all in and shoot. This is Mt. Schaffer, taken about 20 minutes after the sun finally broke through the final clouds and illuminated it.

It was dang cold this morning, a little above freezing at this point once the sun had come out. It got a bit below freezing the night before, as you can see if you look closely at the water in the bottom left corner.

Besides the polarizer, I used a Hitech 2-stop soft-edge grad.

robertosalguero, fulvio52, asajernigan, luisafonso, kiks, westozman, crhieatt, dareco has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Cormac (26455) 2008-09-08 21:34

Wow, this is a brilliant shot! The light dusting of snow on the peak of the mountain really serves to highlight the shape and texture of the mountain. Nice reflection too, and I like the inclusion of that tree on the left and also the rocks at the bottom of the frame, as they really add some depth to the shot and help to frame the main subject. I'm happy to see more shots of Lake O'Hara on TE, as this is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited, and surely one of the most photogenic. I see that you discovered on of the amazing things about this place, that the weather is constantly changing, with clouds and sun coming in quick succession and creating a multitude of photo opportunities. Excellent work!

dcawker (5691) 2008-09-08 22:32

Really beautiful! I love the rich colors and the crispness of the image is amazing too. Well done! Regards, Doug

anes_lc (14776) 2008-09-08 22:47

saw many shots from this place ..but seams there are never enough ...fantastic picture ,love the way you frame this one and the perfect quality that alow o see every detail
good motivation
best regards,anes

danyy (69417) 2008-09-08 22:55

Bonjour Clark,
une photo parfaite qui met bien en valeur cette région parmi les plus belles de la planète. Belle symétrie qui offre ces reflets parfaits et colorés.
Amicalement.
Daniel.

HimalAnda (1072) 2008-09-08 23:04

Hello Clark,

What a wonderful picture ! The reflection of the mountain in the frozen lake is so beautiful. The sharpness is very good too.

Stephane

kyrneucciu (1344) 2008-09-08 23:08

Hello Clark, a soft quietude emerges from this stereotype to control very well on the level of the Bravo light. JO

vixchris (277) 2008-09-08 23:47

Hi Clark
Thanks for the wonderful picture of Lake O'Hara. The reflection and the light are absolutely amazing. I am not so keen on the framing, but that is my own personal taste - I'd have given it a softer colour.
Cheers, Vicky

DKarine (3852) 2008-09-09 0:15

Hi Clark
A magnificent reflection in the magnificent colors.
I like very much the mountain which seems to retain clouds to its summit.
It looks like the water is icy below on the left, nevertheless to see the date of recording that countered difficult.
Bravo
Karine

dkeus31 (26361) 2008-09-09 3:17

Hi Clarc,
very nice image, the colors, light and reflection are crisp and nice.
not su sure about the inclusion of the left black tree.
regards
didier

enderartur (216) 2008-09-09 3:23

Hello Clark Monson,

This photo is in one word:E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T!!!
It is like a postcard.Spotless reflection,dramatic composition,saturated colours,good enough sharpness.
I realy like it very much.

Best regards,

Ender ARTUR

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-09-09 8:58

Outstanding one, Clark.
A wonderful view, perfectly framed, and featuring amazing colors and great light management. Those reflections are awesome!
I'd give ya several extra smileys for your note, if I only could. I happen to think exactly the same way, as simple as that.
Have a nice day, thanks for sharing.
See ya soon,
Fulvio.

asajernigan (14284) 2008-09-09 9:39

Clark,
This is a fantastic shot. I like the vertical format which gives the shot nice depth. The reflection is great providing nice balance and symmetry for the scene. The lighting and colors are great with outstanding sharpness and DOF.
TFS,
Asa

luisafonso (858) 2008-09-09 14:41

I think this photo needs a bit more space to breath... But that's my personal taste. It's a bit packed between the elements close to the edge of the frame, like the tall pine tree in the left or the group of rocks in the bottom. That dark L is giving me some troubles... But the rest is so beautiful. Your exposure is really nice and the scenery out of this world. Well, at least my part of the world... :) Great photo!

robertosalguero (110) 2008-09-09 23:10

Hi Clark,

I like this image because is clear and has nice colours. I look at this picture and realize how beautiful this little lake is in the eyes of everyone. The vertical format work fine to capture the mountain in the background and give a better balance to the composition. I also like the use of the pine on the left to frame this view. The point of view from across the chalet is very interesting. Nice work Clark :-)

Roberto

gneufeld (15233) 2008-09-10 10:55

Hi Clark,
Just noticed your gallery tonight - some awesome landscape photography for sure. This one is brilliant - gorgeous colors and stunning reflections. I love it and keep up the excellent work. TFS. Gerald

Yosedolo (1152) 2008-09-10 11:36

hi Clark ,
it's a frozen reflection with à marvelous mountain.
Thanks for sharing.
regards
Fabien

stevesaba (3970) 2008-09-14 9:37

Hi Clark!
What a wonderful shot! A really lovely feeling with the early light of morning. My Lake O'Hara shots had a harder light for sure. You have really nailed this one perfectly! The ice in the foreground is great, and the reflection is stunning. Nice work! cheers,
Steve

kiks (6147) 2008-09-14 14:50

I like the diagonal lines on this composition and the depth of it with interesting frozen refection.
TFS
KIKs

danielswalsh (13330) 2008-09-15 7:53

I have to agree with the others- this is a stunning shot! Excellent tonal levels, the mountain is very well reflected in the crystal waters. No visible noise what so ever, but a bit over sharpened for my personal preference- but that's a personal thing.

Great work!
- Dan

westozman (2887) 2008-09-16 20:00

Hi Clark!
Just gorgeous, mate! Don't you just love that Tokina lens, eh? And you have some great shots in the rest of your gallery, too.
I'll be asking you for some hiking tips in this area around Fall '09, when I hope to be there again.
Best wishes,
Jeff

crhieatt (5145) 2008-09-17 15:17

Clark,

Fantastic interpritation of this location - despite your self depreciation - right up there with the very best shots from this area - I mean - how could it be better? Even at TE's resolution the incredible detail is apparent - right down to the foreground ice!

Regards
Colin

p.s. PLEASE don't listen to that guy complaining about the framing. You really can't go wrong with plain white or plain black, kept simple. Colour's sometimes - and only sometimes - work well on printed photographs in physical frames, but I've yet to be impressed by one on a PC monitor. If in doubt, check the complainers' efforts - yuk!

dareco (17104) 2008-09-20 14:05

A very nice note which I have enjoyed reading, and a beautiful image. I love the lighting and colors, and this pov really adds to the beauty of the scene. TFS

Nelu_Goia (2742) 2008-10-24 21:21

Hello Clark,
This is a superb representation of this small lake.
Composition,colors,light,clarity;they are all exceptional.
Lucky you for the weather,Clark.
Thanks and have fun shooting.
Nelu

Bruno40 (6442) 2008-10-26 5:57

Great note and even better photo. I love the dynamic range, the framing, and colours. Excellent work
TFS
Jorge

orica77 (149) 2008-10-29 2:09 [Comment]

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Photo Information

Copyright: Clark Monson (cdmonson) (2767)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07-11
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon EOS 400D, Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X AF Pro DX, Digital ISO 100, Cokin 77mm Circular Polarizer
Exposure: f/11, 1/20 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Canadian Rockies
Theme(s): UNESCO World Heritage Sites [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-09-08 21:19