Ken Papaleo: X Marks the Shot: aspen colorado

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Colorado - Aspen, Maroon Bells in the early Summer.

"X Shot" information.

Camera - Canon EOS 5D Mark II

ISO - 400

Shutter - 1/150 sec.

F/stop - 22

Lens - 16/35 mm zoom

I hadn't been to the Maroon Bells in Aspen, Colorado, during the early summer, so I decided to check it out. You can drive into the park if you get through the entrance gate before 7 am or after 4 pm, otherwise you have to take a buss in. The weather was great, with no wind and a nice sky. Once the busses started to arrive, it became crowded with visitors. Most would stop and take a photo before going on their way. The park is one of the most photographed places in Colorado with a lot of it in the fall. My "X Shot" is the one everyone wants, with the snow capped Bells reflected in a still lake. When we first got there the wind was blowing but stopped for a while, letting me capture this images.

Ken Papaleo

Colorado Landscape Photographer

kenpapaleo@highcountrycoloring.com

303-674-0615

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.