Description
One of my all-time favorite photographic memories and experiences circa Sept 27, 1991.
Four or five feet off the edge of Maroon Lake a skinny ridge of rock pierced the waterÕs surface. I jumped from the shore with two cameras and five lenses in my bag and my tripod slung over my shoulder to a narrow perch on the rockÕs edge. I landed perfectly.I stayed put for an hour--captivated and mesmerized by the most predigious sunrise reflection I had ever witnessed.
The view wasnÕt perfect for the first 45 minutes. It was cloudy, gray and the sunrise was closed out. There as no ambient light gracing the peak or alpen glow filling the valley surrounding Maroon Lake.
Wait. Check! Film in camera; 20mm lens for 35mm kit and 55mm lens for medium format kit; camera on tripod; tripod in water; extra roles of film in jacket pockets Ð 3 rolls of 35mm and 4 rolls of 60X70mm for backup. Nothing happening. Just taking it in. Exposure and composition perfect. Wait.
I canÕt remember how long I waited before ÒIt Happened.Ó The cloud cover to the east opened over the Continental Divide and then sun peaked through. The underbelly of the clouds over North and South Maroon Peaks illuminated a bright red. The light bounced, lit and filled the tree lined valley with a brilliant golden alpen glow.
Time stood still. The rush. The exhilaration. The senses on high alert. The sensations filling my body head to toe. IÕd witnessed and captured a post sunrise solar flare arcing and lighting clouds. The moment was remarkableÑno it was extraordinary.
A Pentax 67II Medium format camera with a 55mm lens w focusing ring, f-22, shutter speed at 2 seconds and Fuji Velvia Film (ISO50) were used to capture the reflection of Maroon Bells.
