Ken Papaleo: X Marks the Shot: Summer Scenics in the Aspen, Colorado, Area.

"X-Shot" information.

ISO - 100

Shutter - 1/5 sec.

F/stop - 16

Lens - 70/200 zoom

LOCATION.

1. Aspen is about a 5 hour drive from Denver.

2. Good places to shoot are Maroon Bells, Ashcroft, Basalt and up behind Ruedi Reservoir.

3. If you go to the Maroon Bells, there are driving restrictions during the day, you have to take a bus in.

You can drive in before 7 am or after 5 pm, which is the best shooting time anyway.

CHALLENGE.

I was spending the mornings and evenings shooting wildflowers at the above locations. Once the good light was gone I decided to try for a real nice running stream shot.

THE SOLUTION.

First thing to do was find a nice location, totally in the shade. I found this one in the Maroon Bells. Being in the shade would let me use a slow shutter speed with a high f/stop. This combination would give me the blurry look in the water and everything in focus. I didn't have my tripod with me, don't use one unless it is really necessary, so I found a rock, laid my coat on it and then placed my camera on top, in position. This gave me solid shooting platform.

OTHER SCENIC SHOOTS FROM THE ASPEN AREA.