It's hard to take a bad photo in Colorado. Sunshine and blue skies add a surreal glow to snow-capped mountains, aspen-lined streams, red-rock formations and glassy alpine lakes. For amateurs who need a little push in the right direction to find and capture that quintessential Rocky Mountain image, here are five must-shoot Colorado locations:
Maroon Bells (Maroon Lake)
Where: Drive north out of Aspen on CO 82. Turn west on Maroon Creek Road and follow it for about 10 miles. Park in the paved lot and walk west on the trail about 100 yards to the lake.
Scenery: The Maroon Bells mountain range is one of the most photographed in the state. This picturesque setting, with a crystalline lake in the foreground reflecting rugged, snow-capped peaks in the background is quite possibly one of Colorado's most quintessential shots.
Hints: This area is accessible year-round and photographs well during any season. However, remember that the best light to photograph in occurs at sunrise, when the sun is at your back.
Garden of the Gods
Where: From I-25 in Colorado Springs, exit at 146 and go west on Garden of the Gods Road. Turn left on 30th Street and head south for about 1.5 miles. The visitor's center is on the left and the park entrance is on the right.
Scenery: This natural park features dramatic red sandstone formations that make for excellent photographs. Wide shots are enhanced by the stunning 14,110-foot Pikes Peak in the background, which is snowcapped most months.
Hints: Again, ideal lighting is at sunrise and approximately a half-hour following, and it's the east side of the formations that will shoot best during early-morning hours. Consider scouting favorite formations by driving along park roads or walking the trails first.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Where: From Colorado Springs, go about 90 miles south on I-25. Exit at Walsenburg and follow US 160 about 65 miles west. At the intersection of CO 150, turn right (north) and follow it about 15 miles to the park. Inside the park, take your first left past the visitor's center and follow about it 1 mile to a parking lot. Hike west across the Medano Creek and into the dunes.
Scenery: These vast mounds of sand can produce amazing photos. Since the scenery is somewhat muted and desert-like, composition is best enhanced by including some surrounding elements like sagebrush or mountains.
Hints: Late afternoon and sunset shots seem to work best here. If you have the capability, split-neutral density filters are helpful for making the sand dunes look most natural. Reconsider shooting if it's too windy—sand tends to get in everything, including expensive camera equipment.
Dallas Divide
Where: From Ridgway, drive west uphill on CO 62 for about 8 miles. At the top of the hill there are two parking lots on the left.
Scenery: This portrait of the dramatic, jagged San Juan range is just one of many excellent views in the area. Dallas Creek Road and West Dallas Creek Road are two roads in the Dallas Divide area that turn south off of CO 62 and deserve exploration.
Hints: The property on both sides of CO 62 through the divide is private, so please respect this when you shoot.
Bear Lake
Where: From Estes Park, enter Rocky Mountain National Park at the Beaver Meadows Entrance. Turn left on Bear Lake Road and continue 9 miles until the road ends in a parking lot. The lake is about 100 yards from the lot and has an easy loop trail for your choice of angles.
Scenery: Majestic, 14,255-foot Longs Peak shadows this lake. To capture it best, shoot from the north side. On the east side, you can shoot views of Hallett Peak reflecting in the water. If you don't mind a little hike, head farther up the trail to Dream Lake for more breathtaking scenery.
Hints: Come at dawn for excellent lighting and smaller crowds. If you arrive before dawn and park, however, place a sign in your window informing rangers that you haven't parked overnight or you might get a ticket.
Locations were provided by local photographer Andy Cook, author of a book called
A Guide to Colorado's Best Photography Locations. Cook also runs photography workshops throughout the state. For more information about the book and workshops, visit
www.rockymtnrefl.com