Ken Papaleo: X Marks the Shot: Walden, Colorado, June, 25, 2012.

"X Shot" information.

Camera - Canon-1Ds Mark III

ISO - 400

Shutter - 1/500 sec.

F/stop - 8

Lens - 16/35 mm zoom

LOCATION.

1. Walden Colorado is about 3 hours from Denver.

2. A good place to stay is North Park Inn and Suites. They have air conditioned rooms.

3. Walden has always been one of my favorite locations for sunset/sunrise photos.

THE CHALLENGE.

To get a really great sunrise or sunset shot. Walden is the perfect place for this, the area is pretty flat with some small rolling hills. You have a 360 degree view.

THE SOLUTION.

The first thing I do before going on any scenic photo shoot is to check the percentage of cloud cover. I find a group of days with at least a 50% cover in mornings and evenings. Once there I located a dirt road, out of the way, that has some elevation for the area. I found this spot inside the Arapaho National Wildlife Reserve. Sunset was at 8:30 pm and I was there about 7pm. Most of the best sunsets are shot after the sun has dropped behind the horizon so I stay until it is almost dark. Make sure you use an assortment of lenses. I was using a telephoto lens just before switching to a wide angle, to get this image.

OTHER PHOTOS FROM THE WALDEN AREA.