Soaring
Aspens and pine trees tower into a perfect blue sky in the mountains of Colorado near Allenspark.
Aspens and pine trees tower into a perfect blue sky in the mountains of Colorado near Allenspark.
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Aug, 2021Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I was visiting a small town called Allenspark for the first time, a community in the Colorado Rocky Mountains that I had driven through but never spent any time in. The cabin was in a quiet spot near a creek, with these amazing groves of aspen I just couldn't get enough of.Time
This was in the morning, chilly enough to wear a jacket (even in the middle of summer) but late enough for the sunlight to reach down past the treetops and highlight the white aspen bark.Lighting
Only sunlight and shadow - my favorite tools.Equipment
I used a Fuji X-Pro2 with the 18-135mm zoom lens at its widest focal length, and a lightweight tripod with ball head tilted as far as it would go. I think I used the remote camera app on my phone to click the shutter, since I got tired of crouching pretty quickly.Inspiration
I loved living in Colorado because gorgeous scenery is simply everywhere. This weekend was the first time in a while that I'd been able to spend time in the mountains, and I'd really missed the smell of pines and the sound of aspen leaves in the wind. This was meant to convey the sense of wonder I felt standing in the middle of these interconnected giants.Editing
Only minimally to lighten a few shadows. The sky really was that blue!In my camera bag
Now I use the Fuji X-Pro2 and the 18-135mm zoom. I look forward to trying out some other Fuji lenses, especially the primes they are famous for. I like using an old Pentax Takumar film lens with a Fujifilm adapter for that old-school look. I also have used Olympus equipment, and love the small size, weather resistance, and amazing quality. Mirrorless cameras help me enjoy the experience of photography, without dragging around heavy equipment.Feedback
Get inspired by your local environment, get to know the seasons and times of day, and how the light falls. Make sure you take the time to get some different perspectives or try a new technique. And don't be afraid to look a little silly!
