Sunset on Long's Peak

J laughed as I headed out the door to go "sunset hunting" as I called it. I left about 1/2 hour before sunset to try and find a really nice vantage point to set up my tripod and camera for a nice sunset shot. About ten minutes later I found a park on a hill that had an unobscured view of the Front Range. Another ten minute hike and I found the perfect spot to set up the tripod and camera. I got everything set up, ready to watch the lightshow. I set up a warmer white balance and little longer exposure to capture as much detail as possible.

From my vantage point, the sun was setting right over Clear Creek Canyon. I took several shots, adjusting angle and exposure for the setting sun. All along the range, however, the light was reflecting off of the clouds with a very soft pink and orange cast - quite different from the brilliant sunsets I've captured before.

By this time, I am freezing! As the sun set, the temperature dropped. I kept right on snapping pictures. By the time the sun had set and the color had dropped from the clouds, I was shaking violently. I packed up the camera but my fingers were so cold that I couldn't close down my tripod. So, I put it under my arm and headed back to the car. Even though I had worn a hat and an ear muff, my ears were so numb I couldn't feel them. Forget about my fingers. I threw my stuff in the car quickly, turned on the motor and turned the heat up as high as I could. After this experience, my respect for landscape photographers has tripled!

Back home with a hot cup of tea, I started reviewing the pictures with growing disappointment. The "smog" that sets up against the mountains spoiled so many of my shots. I finally just cropped the mountains and clouds for this shot, hoping it wasn't too bad. I also increased the contrast about 15%, but decided to not make any color adjustments because I didn't want to spoil the soft pastel tones.

Time for another hot toddy before curling up under a warm blanket to watch the rest of my movie!

You might like to look at it Large to see the warm glow on Long's Peak.

Thanks for your great comments and stars on yesterday's trees.

Update: For any of you who had commented on this blip, I needed to make a few changes, and dropped the entire blip. I do apologize.