Photographing our state’s frigid landscapes requires a quality camera and a keen eye. These NOCO landscape photographers braved the cold to capture the beauty of the backcountry.
Featured Image: Micah Baird – Neota Wilderness, midday, late November, the panorama from Thunder Mountain
Sony a7sIII, Vintage Minolta 200mm Lens; 1/250 sec; ISO 200; Manual
Stephen Howe – Sheep Lakes, Rocky Mountain National Park
“I was on my way out of the park when I noticed this bull elk. He was kind enough to pose for a shot for me before wandering off to a more secluded area.”
Nikon D80, 70-300mm lens; 1/250 sec; f/5; ISO 640
Brianne MacRunnel – Cameron Pass
“This frosty morning near Cameron Pass had a quiet stillness that brought peace and expectance of a beautiful day.”
DJI FC7203; 1/320 sec; f/2.8; ISO 100
Joanie Pettigrew – Loveland
“We were out photographing this old shed on a county road in Loveland…. It was dark that night, but it looks like daylight.”
Nikon D850; 10 sec; f/3.8; ISO 2000
Dan Baumbach – Eldorado Canyon
“Eldorado Canyon is this amazing place known mostly to climbers and summer picnickers…. This is the view looking west into the canyon after you’ve just entered it.”
Nikon D850; f/18; ISO 200
Micah Baird – Thunder Mountain
“I was taking photos of the gorgeous panorama when a young male bighorn sheep came up over the ridge. As he started trotting down, he found a deeper spot filled with fresh snow. I was lucky enough to get a shot just as he splashed into all that fluffy goodness.”
Sony a7S III, vintage Minolta 200mm lens; 1/200 sec; f/11; ISO 200
Andrew Shafer – Unaweep Canyon
“As I was capturing the layers of this geologic timeline, a vertical landscape presented itself with this small patch of snow. Even though the temperature was in the teens, sunset colors began painting the landscape with a warm, soft glow.”
Sony a7 II, 24-70mm lens; 2 sec; f/2.8; ISO 200
Joseph Traynor – Dream Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
“Anyone will tell you that Dream Lake is captivating, but to be there with the moon in the frame on a cold winter morning really sells the idea that it’s a dreamy lake.”
Canon EOS R, 16-35mm f/4L IS lens; 30 sec; f/11; ISO 320
Thomas Riley – Larimer County Ranch
“It would be amazing to spend every day visiting and photographing Rocky Mountain National Park. The leading lines of the wheat field draw the viewer into the photo and the impending storm above the Mummy Range.”
Canon EOS 7D; 1/1250 sec; f/11; ISO 400
Drew Rumsey – Lake Agnes Trailhead
“After snowshoeing at Lake Agnes, it was getting darker and had been completely cloud covered all day. The shift from day to blue hour really started to define the lights and darks, bringing this ominous, dramatized feel.”
Nikon Z7, 70-200mm VR lens; 1/1200 sec; f/2.8; ISO 400
