It pays to get up at 4 am if you want to see the world in a different way. Everywhere I go, I try to get up early enough to get to my first destination before the sun rises. It allows me to have the place to myself and that in itself is a very cool experience, especially in places where there would otherwise be hundreds, if not thousands of people. Standing in front of the Roman Pantheon, or the Eiffel Tower at 5 am all alone, is a surreal experience. In a few hours, the places like this will be crawling with people. The sights and sounds of the place, morph from the tranquil nature of their pre sunrise persona, to the turbulent character they exhibit during the day. Lake Louise in Banff National Park was no exception.
On this morning I wasn’t alone for long. There were a couple of other photographers who had the same idea as I did, to get here before the crowds showed up. At first we all just nodded silently to each other while moving about, always looking for that perfect place to set up to take the next shot. After this incredible mist dissipated to reveal the glassy turquoise surface of Lake Louise, more and more people started to appear at the lake’s shores. But for a short while, those of us who got there early were able to enjoy the serenity, and majesty of the lake in silence.
Road Trip Update!
I’m in St. Augustine, Florida now and it is unseasonably FREEZING! It would seem that I attract cold and snow where ever I go. Sorry everyone in northern Florida! It looks like it will get warmer starting the day that I leave. You all may wish to pay close attention to my return route, to follow the ensuing blizzard that is sure to follow me as I head back home next week.
I want to give a big shout out and thank you to my friends Carl and Jaime in Atlanta. What a wonderful treat it was to see them again after a few years. I am truly blessed to have been the recipient of their generous hospitality. The delicious food alone was well worth the 2000km drive, but good food is always better when it is shared with good friends. Thanks guys!
Today’s photo, like all Monday blog images is now available as a limited edition print on canvas or brushed aluminum. So is the photo from last Monday’s blog that was shot from the top of the Cathedral in Florence. Check out the gallery here: Print Gallery
This is so beautiful! Just love the tranquility of it. It’s very hard for me to wake up early but photos like this show me that it’s definitely worth it!
Beautiful image – it radiates peace. I am sure the image conveys everything you felt while there at that time of the day to take the photograph :)
Beautiful shot Ken.
Perfect shot Ken!
Nice shot! I lived and worked at the Chateau Lake Louise for a year and felt very blessed to have many of these moments. I would also walk down to the lake at night in the winter, walk out on the ice to the middle of the lake and scream as loud as I could. The echoes off the mountains that you couldn’t see in the black of night were amazing. And the stars…there were so many stars. It was incredible!
Thanks for such nice comments! I’m a sucker for the magic of first light of day. It’s always a great show to see how the world unfolds in the ensuing moments after a sunrise.
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Michelle, how fortunate you were to live in one of the planet’s most incredible locations. I truly am envious, in the best possible fashion. I just got back from a nice long walk on the beach here in Florida and did a whole lot of stargazing myself. I love starry nights and the majestic sound of the ocean. Those nights on the frozen lake must have been incredibly cool!
Avalon…
Hi Ken! So glad I stumbled upon your blog! Beautiful work! And this one is exceptionally catching. Love the negative space composition. It works really well to make the red pop even more.
— Michelle
Gorgeous capture!
I love your pictures! This one is perfect shot. I always love Lake Louise at Banff specially during winter. It reminds me of winter wonderland. great blog!
Beautiful image! Absolutely perfect!
Great shot! I too am a fan of early morning photos.
this one has a very wonderful mist… very calm… i love this one… great shot
Great shot Ken. As a Canadian, I have visited the area and park many times – it’s a perfect backdrop. I guess I need to get up a lot earlier to get shots like this.