The bad news, the Grand Tetons is crawling with photographers right now. The good news, they all tend to shoot at the same four or five iconic viewpoints, with the beautiful Oxbow Bend being at the top of this list. This makes it easy to avoid the crowds - which is what I have been doing all week. But my Grand Teton collection wouldn’t be complete without an image from this famous location, so I braved the crowds and shot it at sunrise. This is one of the least crowed sections of the bend, I bet there were over a 100 photographers there this morning. I have never seen anything like it. Some of the guys next to me said the morning before was even more crowded! Why is it so popular? Not only is it a beautiful spot, but it is right next to the main road with lots of parking.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I gotta admit that the crowd shot you took is probably better than what those other photographers came away with. Does the park open during the winter? I don’t recall seeing any winter shots of this location.
Hi Richard,
I don’t know if this shot is better, but it might be more marketable.
It is open during the winter – I would love to shoot here then. I haven’t seen too many winter shots, but the few I have are beautiful.
Personally, I find this to be a far better photo _because_ of the people in it. There’s something about having the human element involved in nature that really helps to connect people to the place.
Local (to Juneau) photographer Mark Kelley (www.markkelley.com) has refined the process and publishes an amazing wall calendar each year with similar tactics for his photos.
Well done. I like the different perspective.
Thanks Cody,
I agree with you about Mark Kelly – he has great photos including people. I love his images from up in the hills above Juneau with a tent / hikers looking down on a glacier. I have the privilege of having breakfast with him a year ago when he past through Seward.
By the way, or you related to Joel?
Thanks again,
Ron
…. I don’t know about the photog’s in the foreground not getting as good of shots! (see: http:www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/views/460873) I also like your shot showing the crew braving the cold (upper 20’s) as it depict’s the turnout Oxbow Bend receives this and I suppose any time of year!
Hi Spence,
I can’t get your link to work, but I agree, along the shore there is awfully nice! That is where I was shooting for first light.
Ron
hello there,
Glafd i wasnt in that shot…LOl…great work u do…i enjoyed looking through…I accidently stumbled across your work by goggle…keep up great work