Nature/Landscape
My landscape collections are never complete. Each year, I visit the same location and try to take a better shot of the composition. The images you see are what I have today, and I continue to work on them to produce something better than what you see.
I drove 4+ hours (from Edmonton) overnight and reached the lake at 6:30 AM. It was packed, but thankfully, I found a very good spot. The sunrise was glorious (despite the weather prediction being cloudy) - for few minutes before it became cloudy. Those few minutes were more than enough for me to capture this beauty with the GFX.
I photographed this picture on August 11'th, early morning, waking up from camp and walking to the lake. Despite reaching well past the golden hour, the cloud patterns and their reflections made me and my son stand without words enjoying the view. Then my photographer instinct made pushed me to photograph what I saw.
A couple of friends and I walked more than 20 kilometers in Banff looking for photography opportunities. Eventually, tired, we crashed at Maligne Lake for a while. It was beautiful and lonely (I couldn't believe it). Arriving there an hour before the sunset, I could not let the scene go waste. Despite being very tired and awaiting a five-hour drive back home, I spent some time composing this picture and the one to follow in this album.
After staying in my comfortable home, enjoying the warmth, and not wanting to step out into the cold for photography, I finally decided to step out in the new year (2023). I drove through the farmlands, looking for a composition, racing against the sunrise. I finally came across this one, and the frozen (frosty) row of trees, fog at the front, and the pink sue to sunrise made this a beautiful picture I have to photograph.
I took this picture five years ago with my then cutting-edge camera - Canon 5D Mark IV, as a casual shot. I shot this bridge in Kerala - India, visiting my wife's family with my relatively newborn son. The light was just brilliant and the bridge — showcasing the last piece of history added to the scene.
It does not matter how many times you have been to Niagara Lake; it still steals your heart. I had the privilege of being here many times, and recently I witnessed three sunrise — having the lake entirely to myself. Although I am not done photographing this lake, I am satisfied with this one for now.
A picture from one of my earlier days of photography — about five years ago. I shot this from the banks of Lake Ontario, from Arnprior — Ontario. I loved the colors and the merging of the scene into oblivion.
I woke up from the camp and walked towards the river with a friend, not knowing what to expect. By this time, I was already frustrated because I had forgotten my L-Bracket, which is very important to a landscape photographer like me. However, this scene's serenity and tranquility just made me forget the disappointment, enjoy the quietness and eventually capture this photograph.
My first picture of Athabasca in 2019 winter did not do justice to the place when I saw it in all its glory in summer. Arrive at this spot early in the following summer — usually, early morning when the rest of humanity is still under the blanket, waiting to catch nature when it is fully awake. Disappointed by the overcast morning, I stood there listening to the sound of the waters, leading me to take this picture. Nature is always beautiful.
I took this picture after a long 20+ km hike with a few friends. We were exhausted by this time, and hiking with the GFX-50s + a few lenses was difficult for me (they weigh a ton). Reaching Maligne Lake, I had to wrestle with myself wanting to rest and still pick up my camera to shoot a series of images. Then when the sun hit those peaks - they were simply breathtaking. I forgot to press the shutter for a few seconds and stood in awe. All those 20+ hours of hiking and the five hours drive back home seem worth it.
The majestic athabasca
Donut in the middle
Paddy island
After driving through many such compositions, I finally stopped to take this one. I like the simplicity of this composition.
Calm and quiet
All quiet in the river front
Lady aurora making an appearance
Campers and auroras
I expected an epic sunset, and waited late in the evening (in summer, sunset takes longer). Unfortunately it rained heavily. So, I took few long exposures before I left the spot.
Reflections
Hazy
There are a few places in the Rockies that blow you away regardless of the day and season, and Maligne Lake is one of them. Nature takes care of the rest as long as you find a good composition. It was a privilege to have the entire lake to almost myself.