I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of images where the photographer shares harrowing stories of traversing the unknown, or the dangerous, or the difficult, in order to capture the impossible image? I know, It’s become a bit of a cliche. Truthfully, it’s not uncommon to go through some challenges in trying to capture an interesting image – you never really know what you’re going to get, or if the weather will be what you want, or if your effort will be worth it in the end.
I’m not sure that this was a harrowing tale of photography, but it did involve getting up extra early, driving for 2.5 hours through a blizzard in complete darkness, and travelling much of the way in clouds with limited hope for light. My friend and I spent much of the drive on the edge of our seats both in anticipation, and trying to keep focus on the road since the snowflakes whizzing by the car were reminiscent of the StarWars light-speed effect. Once we’d arrived at this spot, it was completely overcast, pitch black, and we had to scout for compositions in the dark. That was when the landscape-luck shined on us both.
Minutes after finding our compositions, and setting up our shots, the moon absolutely blasted through the snow and cloud to reveal the mountain and reflect incredible moonlight throughout the valley. It only lasted for maybe 5 minutes, and as soon as it was over, I remember Scott’s excited voice piercing through the quiet “WERE YOU SET UP IN TIME TO GET THAT LIGHT?!”
I sure was!