If You Want Great Landscape Photos, You Have To Embrace The Suck.
Beautiful images of the world we live in is something nearly everyone can appreciate. There are few things in this world that majority of the world’s population can agree on, but beautiful and moving image of the landscapes around us is one of them. As a photographer, capturing a scene like this is top tier thrilling. From being on the ground experiencing it (and often the only one there), to post processing an image that really makes you excited is among the top sensations in the world in my opinion. It develops a sense of pride, accomplishment, and joy that leaves you hooked and needing another fix. But, like anything good, it doesn’t come without having to first overcome some type of challenge. For landscape photography, often this means sub zero temperatures, howling winds, torrential rain, and long hikes through the darkness of the forest at 2am. If there is one thing I can confidently say every successful landscape photographer knows, it is that the worst weather conditions often create the most dramatic images.
Brutal Weather, Great Photos:
Whenever I discuss this concept with landscape photography, I immediately go to a trip I took in the Rocky Mountains to Estes Park Colorado during the month of January. A trip I have actually done twice now and is one of my favorite places to be in the Winter. It is no secret that this is a much less popular time to visit this area. The temperatures are extremely cold, the wind is powerful, and there is feet of snow covering the trails that can make navigation, let alone simply walking, difficult. To access anything in the park, you have to be willing to brave steep and windy mountain roads with ice and snow. To top it off, as mentioned earlier, you need to do all of this in the darkness to reach your photography destination before sunrise and return after sunset. It is a trip and experience not for the feint of heart.
BUT, these conditions create amazing opportunities to photograph this beautiful landscape at a unique time of the year. The howling winds create epic shots of the snow whipping across the landscape, strange textures form in the snow and ice of frozen lakes, the stormy clouds beautifully reflect the sunrise/ sunset light. Did I mention tons of snow? It is in a desolate place like this that those once in a lifetime shots are found. Braving these conditions allows you to create something spectacular and one of a kind even in place that is as popularly visited as Rocky Mountain national Park.
Here is a perfect example. The video shows how brutally cold and windy the morning was and the image was the result of those conditions. The morning started at 3am, long drive in on treacherous roads, hiked through DEEP snow, and stood still in this wind for something like 1 to 1.5 hours. (Sorry Mom!) It was the single coldest day I have ever had to endure so far! But the photo (and arguably more importantly) the story were well worth the beating we took that morning! Make sure your volume is on for the full experience!
Here is are a few other images I captured from the same trip. Each one with its own version of the story of being absolutely frozen solid, nearly blown over by wind, and hiking through deep snow on steep terrain at high altitude to capture.
So sure, maybe the weather will just be bad and it doesn’t turn into something epic. You get a fun story out of it at least, even if it is type 2 fun. BUT, what if you took the chance to brave the storm? Maybe you’ll just come out of it with a photo that makes you feel truly excited?
Before You Go, A Caution:
It would be irresponsible of me to highlight the benefits and joy of adventuring in these brutal conditions without leaving a word of caution to you. Going into the wilderness always brings extra danger. Entering these wild places under bad weather conditions increases your risk to these dangers. ALWAYS ensure to pack prepared for the conditions you are entering, have a way to communicate even without cell service (like using one of these), ensure someone else knows where you are going to be and when to expect you back, and adventure with another person if at all possible. NO image is worth your life or injury. Always adventure with a plan and planning. Always use common sense. Trust your gut, its an instinct to keep you alive not make you a coward. Understand the difference between courage and stupidity. Understand your limits and your knowledge of safely navigating the terrain and conditions you are entering. Always consult local professionals on current conditions and safety whenever possible.
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If you’ve ever wanted to pack big adventure into just one night, this Bend, Oregon backpacking trip delivers. With not too challenging trails, glacial streams, and the unforgettable beauty of No Name Lake high up on Broken Top. To make it even better? Get rewarded with stunning night skies that are sure to stir up some epic philosophical discussions!