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Early winter sunrise at Prussik peak
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Early winter sunrise at Prussik peak



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upload_dateDec, 2019

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Awards

Action Award
Runner Up in Awesome Landscapes Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Awesome Landscapes Photo Contest
Runner Up in Mother Nature Photo Contest 2021
Contest Finalist in Mother Nature Photo Contest 2021
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Top Ranks

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10 Comments |
RSeanC Platinum
 
RSeanC December 24, 2020
Beautiful shot
JRosewarne Platinum
 
JRosewarne January 01, 2021
Just stunning
NeioriCreative PRO
 
NeioriCreative February 23, 2022
Congratulations on your win! Beautiful shot!
Sandypartlow4
 
Sandypartlow4 February 24, 2022
congratulations
dayrancher PRO+
 
dayrancher February 27, 2022
Congratulations
UntetheredPhotography Platinum
 
UntetheredPhotography March 27, 2022
Beautiful colours and capture
p_eileenbaltz Platinum
 
p_eileenbaltz March 27, 2022
Beautiful work! Congratulations on your Runner-Up award.
Pjerry
 
Pjerry March 16, 2023
Second runner -up!!! Wow, congrats.
trevorpreston Platinum
 
trevorpreston March 16, 2023
One of my favorite places in the world! Prusik is a gem of a peak. Wonderfully shot, and congrats on your Runner Up award.
pennylawe Platinum
 
pennylawe March 16, 2023
Gorgeous

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Tags

#tree #plant #abies #fir #nature #outdoors #mountain #water #conifer #mountain range #larch #landscaoe #sunrise #fall #autumn #winter #snow
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Behind The Lens

Location

This shot was taken in the Enchantment region of the Cascades mountain range in Washington state. This area is coveted by photographers for a few reasons, one being the difficult permits required for an overnight stay here.

Time

An early rise was required for this sunrise photo, I really wanted to showcase the first light of the day glazing the yellow larch trees and hitting the face of Prussik peak.

Lighting

Lighting is an extreme challenge during fall in the mountains. I actually spent five nights in this area after a difficult hike in waiting patiently for a window of sun. I took this the fifth morning, during a very short lived window of golden morning light.

Equipment

I took this shot using a Sony a7r and a Zeiss lens at 16mm.

Inspiration

A lot of inspiration was at play when planning this shoot. I knew it would be difficult, and maybe even impossible to capture something like this. The larch trees only turn this orange for a short period of time, and during late October mountain weather is fragile. I enjoy a good challenge, but in a lot of ways this was a test piece for me. I knew I would need to brave extreme cold, volatile mountain weather, and face a good chance of failure altogether. In the end all the elements came into play, but a lot of work and a little luck assisted me.

Editing

My post processing is quite simple in theory, my goal here was to really showcase the golden larch trees in the sunrise lighting. I draw attention to that detail using a bit of dodging and burning, really highlighting the part of the image that I feel is striking. Graduated filters are also in play, with a darkened foreground and sky, which draws the eye to the center piece of this image.

In my camera bag

My bag varies depending on the mission, but for a trip like this I knew I would be covering dozens of miles in the backcountry. Therefore, packing light becomes key. Since my goal for this shoot was showcasing the vast landscape I packed only one wide lens and a lightweight mirrorless camera body. I also carry a lightweight tripod. I spent several days in nature, so I also brought a good handful of batteries and a lens cleaner.

Feedback

When planning a landscape shooting experience such as the one I've described, I cannot recommend flexibility enough. Shooting in the mountains can hold an element of risk, which is something to be aware of. During this trip I dealt with extreme snowfall, bitter cold, and ever changing light. You have to be prepared for anything, including abandoning your agenda to the woes of the weather! Patience is also an important virtue. I woke well before sunrise every day, and was met with cloudy skies for the first several days of this trip. As a landscape photographer I have learned that not every shoot is a success, no matter how well the planning goes. So be prepared to improvise, and always make the best of the conditions that are presented.

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