Pikes Peak from Garden of the Gods

Howdy all! I'm finally (FINALLY!!) back from several different trips (see my latest few images) and will have more time to post & comment on PN. Here's a teaser from my most recent trip to Colorado. Snow covered Pikes Peak in the distance, and the red rocks in Garden of the Gods in the foreground.

I used my new 10-22mm lens for this shot, so I'll dedicate it to Colin, who first inspired my purchase. Colin is also the one who recommended that when I use this lens, to always have *something* in the foreground. Did I find something prominent enough for the foreground? :-)

I have to laugh ... this lens is SOOOOO wide when set at 10mm, that I often had to check to make sure that my toes and/or my camera bag weren't in the bottom edge of the shot. I was actually standing VERY close to that rock formation on the left, yet it looks farther away. Lots of fun!!

I have lots more great shots from this trip ... especially of Pikes Peak. The weather was gorgeous, the skies were fabulous. But, before I post more Colorado stuff, you'll see some more of my shots from Europe this summer.

As usual, any comments on the composition, technical stuff, or Photoshop work are greatly appreciated. I always look forward to learning from ya'll!!

This shot was taken from Garden of the Gods park in Colorado

Springs. In the distance you can see Pikes Peak. I am new to this

10-22mm lens. For this shot, it was set at 10mm. Any comments,

suggestions, or ratings are greatly appreciated!! :-)

But jealous of your new lens. :)

Congratulations on your new lens, Lou Ann... new equipment is fun to get and fun to get accustomed to using. IMO the foreground rock is too dominant for a photo of Pikes Peak in this particular shot. I love the wide angle. Regards.

Thanks for all of the comments about using this wide angle. I do have some other shots with it that are probably better with the composition. I wonder if I had titled it differently (not referring to Pikes Peak) if anyone would have noticed anything but the prominent rock in the foreground. I obviously have lots more to learn ... but the lens is FUN and I'm having a great time with it.

 

By the way ... it wasn't mid-day sun. It was about an hour after sunrise. In Colorado the sun is really bright really fast, especially on clear days. I was amazed at how difficult the lighting was so quickly after the sunrise. (I had gotten stuck in TRAFFIC, of all things ... and got to the park later than anticipated. I left DC for my holiday to AVOID traffic. Apparently Colorado Springs has a rush hour, too! What's THAT all about???)

Hi Lou Ann, welcome back ,and enjoy your new wide lens, I have it as well, but still learning how to use it.... takes time. Colin is a real inspiration, he is doing it so well...

 

It is hard for me to evaluate that one,I think that it neads to have a closer object still in the fg. colors though are very beautiful.

 

I have prepared one for upload soon with that lens, lets see what people will think....

 

It looks you have had a good vacation!, Pnina

very nice shot...congrats.

Hi Lou Ann, looks like you are having fun with that new lens. The wide angle is fun to use, but takes time to work out the obstacles. I love those red rocks. Sondra

"I have to laugh ... this lens is SOOOOO wide when set at 10mm, that I often had to check to make sure that my toes and/or my camera bag weren't in the bottom edge of the shot"

 

Your funny Lou Ann, you got to love that. :o)

Nice picture, going by the picture you have a very nice lens.

 

DK.

 

Dave, I'm glad that I made you smile! :-D But I swear ... that lens is SOOOO wide. The first few times I used it, I'd find myself wondering what those *things* were in the bottom of the frame that I was looking at ... and finally figured out that my camera bag was in the way, or a very short shadow (of mine), or something else that surprised me. It's GREAT!!

Too much dialouge above so I'll just say, I like the image.

Thanks, Howard ... it basically says, "Learn more about your new lens ... but glad you're having fun." :-D

Nice work Lou Ann, have fun with that 10-22, I know I do :D

Fantastic use of that super wide angle, Lou Ann. Welcome to the club where, I'm sure, you'll become and addict to it!

Hey, Lou Ann - thanks! I am honoured. (I nearly missed this. I got sent on a course for several days about a new computer system we are getting.) You are right about the toes thing - and fingers too if you hold a square filter in front of the lens as I do a fair bit. I love the strong rock shapes you have here and the receding landscape. The sky is a good even colour - it is often a problem with very wide lenses esp when using a polariser that the sky colour will change across the frame. regards - Colin

Thanks for the visit, Colin. Amazingly, the sky really was this color. It was about 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. ... about an hour and a half after sunrise. I had been hiking around for about an hour and a half or two. I didn't use a polarizer ... don't have one yet for that lens (it takes a huge one!) Thanks, also, for the inspiration.

Good, rich color. I've been there...and put my little Canon Snappy camera out of commission...got sandblasted with high winds blowing that red dirt all around and into the lens workings. Beautiful capture.