We got up early. The clouds were low and the morning was quiet as we hiked to Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park. We encountered a few photographers with their tripods at the bottom of the trail, photographing the falls, but there were few others around at that time of day. It had rained the night before and the trail was damp. The only noise was the sound of our bear bell and the rushing water, when we were near the stream flowing from the lake.
After a two mile hike, the valley opened up into glacier-fed Avalanche Lake. Amazing waterfalls crashed down cliffsides from the glacier invisible above. The clouds reached down and touched the mountainside around us, muting the colors. There were layers upon layers everywhere. In the rock…
…and the ridges…
…and the mountains themselves.
Many of the images from this morning’s hike seemed to call for black and white. I’m normally a fan of color, but I can see how landscapes like these are perfect for black and white. You see the texture and variations in light in a completely different way. I’m not sure that these images are “done” in terms of processing. I edited them a couple of weeks ago and I tweaked them again today. I think I still have much to learn about creating an effective black and white image, but recognizing the possibilities is a start.
Oh, and our quiet, misty morning hike? By the time we left the lake, the clouds were dissipating and the crowds had arrived. While we saw almost no one on the hike up to the lake, we saw a steady stream of people on the hike down. We had just beat the rush of people and just captured the clouds as they were lifting. Timing is everything.
Kat, these are stunning. Truly superb. I am so glad you were able to enjoy the hike and the morning in peace before the crowds arrived.
Thank you so much!
Amazing! That last image is one that just pulls you and keeps your attention, simply beautiful.
Absolutely stunning, Kat. You should do these more! x
Thank you, lovely!
Kat, these are amazing. It never occurs to me to process landscapes in black and white, after trying so hard to capture all the colors of nature. I can see from these examples that I need to give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration!
Yeah, being a color-lover I tend to forget it too. But when black and white calls to me with an image… it usually turns out well.
Just stunning Kat. The ethereal mood of morning is captured beautifully.
Love your photos of Glacier Avalanche lake. Have hiked there many times and it is an awesome spot. One of my favorite anywhere! Did you get to hike to Iceberg Lake? These Black and Whites are amazing!
Thanks Jeanne! No, we didn’t hike to Iceberg Lake. I wish we had more time there, a week was not enough to do everything!