While it’s not typical of the imagery I usually look to create, even I could not resist photographing this sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park last week. I headed up to Rocky ‘winging’ it so to speak. I prefer to have a location in mind when I head up to the Park to photograph. While I may often alter my plans depending on weather, wind or other elements, I find for myself it’s a good idea to have a starting point in mind. I do this because it helps to keep me focused and allow me to concentrate more on creating images instead of wandering around aimlessly. Many photographers I know, do the opposite, but this approach works best for me.
This morning, I was driving around the east side of Rocky Mountain without any particular location in mind which typically ends poorly. I was expecting light snow when I arrived at Rocky but found only clear blue skies. The small weather system that was supposed to bring snow to the Park in the morning, had not yet materialized. I drove Trail Ridge Road up to Many Park’s curve which is where the road is now closed for the season. Looking southeast past Deer Mountain, I could see that clouds were beginning to form on the horizon. I setup my camera, framed a silhouette of Deer Mountain and watched a beautiful sunrise take form out on Colorado’s eastern plains. Cliché, yes but It’s turned out to be one of my better images of Deer Mountain. So I guess its cliché for a reason.