Spirit, a photo from Alberta, Prairies

Photographer's Note

This is Spirit Island, located on Maligne Lake, in Jasper National Park. The place is relatively inacessable, even today, because there is no road to it. There is a road to the end of Maligne Lake, however, the lake is 22km long (it's the second largest glacier fed lake in the world). The island is more than half way down the lake, and there is no trail or overland route to get there as there are steep cliffs along the lake shore. There are no motor powered boats allowed on the lake, so can rent a canoe, but its a 3 hour paddle each way to get to the island. There is also a tour boat that will take you to the island, on a 90 minute round trip. Sounds ideal, except for one thing - they only stay at the island for 10 minutes! You have to take whatever weather conditions you get, because you can't wait until things get better. The day I was there the weather was highly changable, with the sun going behind clouds and coming out again. In my brief time at the island the sun was on the island, then the island was in shadow, then the sun came out again, so I was lucky to get a variety of different shots.

The other problem with taking pictures there is that the view point is basically looking straight south, so for most of the day the sun is more or less right behind the island. I caught the last boat of the day, 5PM, so this was taken around 6:00 in the evening. This was my third attempt to get to this place, and I finally made it there. Last year there was so much smoke from forest fires that you could hardly see the mountains, and 2 years ago I missed the last boat because it was sold out. Oh well, sometimes you get good shots right away, and other times you really have to work at it!

rcrick, Dyerco, Floydian, Gerrit, eza1701, crhieatt, pierrefonds, asajernigan, BlkDaffyDuck, AiresSantos, chicken, Angelillo, singuanti, ChrisJ, euryan, darrasin, danielswalsh, john_c, erdna, plimrn, carper, josepmarin, jemaflor, cfreire, maximage, pboehringer, fulvio52, banyanman, fryz, antyqjon ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

gneufeld (15890) 2007-08-20 20:14

Hi Alvin,
Wow, what a great Rocky Mountain panorama featuring Spirit Island. Your colors are stunning and the clarity and detail is incredible. I have yet to visit this place so your suggestions about lighting and time of day are most helpful. Absolutely great work and thanks for sharing. Gerald

jurek1951 (42198) 2007-08-20 21:06

Hi Alvin,
Beautiful composition with nice colours,Great sharpness and clarity,well done,
Georg

rcrick (346) 2007-08-20 21:18

Hi Alvin, Very impressive place, and an impressive shot, excellent dof, stunning colours, and well presented Cheers Rick :)

berek (50518) 2007-08-20 21:35

Hi Alvin ,
beautiful landscape. I like framing and nice nature colours. have a nice day.
B.Erek

keribar (43841) 2007-08-20 21:36

Hello Alvin,

This is a new picture ! I thought you kept sending pictures taken dome time ago. Nice to see that you had a great weather, and I cannot keep thinking about my visit in 1983 when the weather became terrible on the second day in Lake Louise and stayed bad until the end. On the other hand I thought that Spirit Island was on Lake Moraine, and many thanks for correcting me.
This one is another splendid addition to you fabulous collection of Canadian Rockies.

Dyerco (10185) 2007-08-20 21:51

Hi Alvin

The island in the middle of the image works well here as it is nicely framed by mountains on both sides. I like the rock and logs in the foreground and the clouds provide some definition to the mountains.
well done
Phil

PJE (20758) 2007-08-20 21:52

Its really funny how you see these photos thinking in your head that all you have to do is hike a few miles of trail or so to this part of the lake. Now that you laid out the obstacles to getting here on your own I have to say this makes this very remote place more beautiful to those who appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. I think one of the many prizes is this wonderful photo Alvin. I bet you took many shots in the ten minutes allowed. Wonderful capture and one amazing remote place of beauty. Thanks for all your efforts and prize winning photo. Almost a once in a lifetime capture.. almost until next year!

fserajian (2299) 2007-08-20 22:15

Hi Alvin,

This is an excellent shot, well composed with beautiful display of colours and details. TFS

Fara

Valerka (8171) 2007-08-20 22:57

Hi, Alvin,
It's a very beautiful landscape. It is as beautiful as at the time of its divine creation.
TFS
Valerka:)

Andro (4) 2007-08-20 23:16 [Comment]

Show Comment

Graeek (31) 2007-08-20 23:27

Hi Alvin,
Beautiful photo, nice color and clarity.Super.

Regards, Nedeljko

jjbach (9326) 2007-08-21 0:29

Hi Alvin,
Amazing composition with great (really great) lighting and wonderful vivid colours. The place seems to be pleasant and the nature there is fantastic. Splendid work!

Regards John

PixelTerror (0) 2007-08-21 0:52

Hi Alvin,
This shows how motivated a trekker can be, I also have one to post I've been trying on since 2003... But a 3 hour paddle shouldn't be so much of a challenge for you, or ? ;-)
Oh, and there is a photo shared here as a souvenir... what to say, i could comment about DoF, clouds, colors etc... but if I tell I'd have it enlarged and framed in my living room doesn't it tell you just as much ?
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

Gerrit (62042) 2007-08-21 1:20

Hi Alvin,
excellent picture. Ideal colours and sharpness. Perfect POV and composition and what a place.
REgards, Gerrit

eza1701 (3345) 2007-08-21 1:39

Hi Alvin,

This shot was well worth the several attempts you took to get it. The photo is beautiful and the view is simply breathtaking!

Best regards,
Paul.

sebinho342 (19329) 2007-08-21 1:52

Hi Alvin, congratulations for this shot as i read your note, yes sometimes you have to fight to gain vantage POV and subject to shoot. I think a good quality for a photogrpaher in abnegation, to insist and persist and this is what you did ... and the result worth it, this is truely beautiful.
... Hard to handle when a spot is located toward south, but you did very well (next time you could go the morning)

dkeus31 (27739) 2007-08-21 3:20

hello Alvin,
the only point I could raise in your composition is the cetered position if the trees in the island, otherwise, looks great.
regards
didier

crhieatt (5347) 2007-08-21 3:26

Alvin,
Well, you finally got there and, despite your reservations, pulled out a really good shot with an exemplorary composition, placing that little cluster of trees dead centre. They act somewhat like a natural architectural focal point, almost they could be a little church in these grand surroundings.
Very nice.
Regards
colin

pierrefonds (115572) 2007-08-21 3:53

Hi Alvin,

A good image of Spirit island, of Maligne lake and of the Canadian Rockies mountains, the photo has a very good composition, DOF and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

asajernigan (21427) 2007-08-21 3:56

Alvin,
It was definitely worth the trouble to get this great shot! The landscape is outstanding with no sign of people or man's influence. The lighting and colors are great with nice sharpness and DOF. Your composition is very good showing the reflection form the trees with the clear water in the foreground.
TFS,
Asa

Fis2 (171961) 2007-08-21 4:23

Witaj Alvin!
Next interesting your photo. Wonderful landscape and place. Super colors. Well done.
Regards
Krzysztof

BlkDaffyDuck (385) 2007-08-21 5:09

Hello Alvin,

What a lovely shot !
Landscape is so beautifull and framing, colors and sharpeness are perfect.

Regards,
Damien.

Floydian (30970) 2007-08-21 6:59

Hi Alvin,
A very well known place and not easy to bring up something new from this wonderful location. You gave it a more center and also a panorama look which i like a lot. Gives it a much wider perspective to it...i like that.
Colours are very bright, light is indeed a important key here reading your note, not easy to make it work. But the overall view is really wonderful.
Maybe the first boat of the day, is that an option?
Regards, Henk

AiresSantos (56155) 2007-08-21 7:34

Hi my friend !
I have no Doubts about the beauty of your country.
Another wonderful view of the Jasper National Park.
Great colours and contrast
TFS and greetings
Aires

fkokol (1636) 2007-08-21 8:52

Amazing landscape. Mountains, lake, little island and beautiful sky. Wonderful colours and lights.
greetings,

figen

crckt (7222) 2007-08-21 13:08

Hi Alvin,
WOW! what a heavenly sight! Really well captured. Excellent colors and light. Reminds me of the Glacier National Park, in US.
Regards,
Shaeri

Bluejeans (64251) 2007-08-21 14:40

Ola amigo fantastica paisagem que lugar maravilhoso , muito bonita a cor da agua do lago , gostei muito dos pinheiros no centro da foto com as montanhas nas laterais , parabens!!!
Um abração
Gonçalo

Angelillo (9374) 2007-08-21 14:42

Hi Alvin,

Finally, your patience has win! The light is perfect here, it's very good to show the relief and the depth... everything is perfect here. The pano format is very good too, we can observe this beautiful landscape, feeling its beauty from left to the right, it's involving this image! Thanks.

Greetings,
Angel.

jonathan_hart (21276) 2007-08-21 16:43

Alvin
your landscape photos are a fresh moment of calmness, beautiful :))
wonderful place, good POV and framing
beautiful light and colours
about colours what do you think about the version in WS, it's just an idea,
regards
jo

[workshop] [compare]

ChrisJ (172436) 2007-08-21 19:09

Hi Alvin

A fantastic alpine view of Spirit Lake in the Candian Rockies, with wonderful colour, sharpness & reflections in the water. Good work!

singuanti (15250) 2007-08-21 19:10

Hi Alvin. I'd say that it was worth all the trials and tribulations that you had to go through before you got there. That's too bad you only get 10 minutes. That was a good filter to have as well with the sky you had to get that extra oomph. Very nice one Alvin.

euryan (8442) 2007-08-21 21:38

Third time was the charm Alvin. This is one of the best shots I've seen from this famous location. You really nailed it. The panaromic crop works great with this composition. I had the same problem you had last year when I visited this place in 2004, too much smoke. Hopefully I get a chance to visit the Canadian Rockies again someday.

darrasin (2860) 2007-08-21 22:03

Hello Alvin! Very well done and it's nice to hear that there are still beautiful places that you have to work to get to. Your perseverance really paid off as you came away with a stunning image. I suppose usually you would try to stay away from centering the pines like you did in the frame but here it works wonderfully. Sometimes you have to break the rules and it paid off beautifully. The centering of the pines makes them seem all the more majestic to me and in some ways resembles a great pipe organ to me in an outdoor cathedral.

Congrats!
Doug

danielswalsh (13597) 2007-08-22 1:02

Great shot Alvin,

Needless to say, I'm more then jealous of your proximity to the rockies. I was only up there for a few days- but already I'm dying to head back...

Wish I could say the weather was as good as yours- but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Mostly overcast with alot of showers most of the time I was there... so I'm quite sad and dissapointed to say that I have nothing on par with you or my other fellow Trekers of the area.

Nice amount of contrast here with good shadows- both of which I'm help to enhance the great color.

Well done buddy,
- Dan

john_c (24666) 2007-08-22 7:57

Hi Alvin,
It appears like your efforts paid off, as the lighting here is just fine, with a good exposure level. The hues and tones seem natural and not oversaturated, with very fine light striking the grassy area leading to the clump of trees. The overall quality and clarity of detail is first rate. Cheers.
John

erdna (5713) 2007-08-22 8:26

Simply beautiful!

Your photos are all very professional and artistic. Your photos are part of the "measuring stick" I use to take better pictures.

Andre'

plimrn (21344) 2007-08-22 10:47

Hi Alvin,
The islandneatly separates the lake view with the foreground showing the transparency of the water. The island seems to highlight the lake color behind it to the most incredible tourquoise color. After three years, it does seem fair that you should be blessed with those perfect clouds. Paul has pretty much described exactly what I was thinking about you three year effort to get this extraordinary composition. HLJ, Pat

carper (96) 2007-08-22 10:49

fantastic photo Alvin,
what can I say more then the standard words, I can not improve this, fantastic job here. with my compliments. have a nice day.
gr, jaap

leo61 (0) 2007-08-22 13:03

Hello Alvin!
A fantastic landscapeshot.The peninsula with the treesn in the center looks great and is surrounded by the wonderful color of the water.Great POV and an interesting foreground.
Regards,Leo

josepmarin (59385) 2007-08-22 13:30

Hi Alvin,
Fantastic composition of this landscape of amazing beauty. It is a place that I would like to know some day.
Your photographic work of this beautiful region is very good, and illustrates us perfectly of all the places, mountains, forests and lakes that exist there.
Excellent balance of the light and good quality in the colors, is a great shot.
Friendly regards,
Josep

Ann75 (0) 2007-08-22 18:25

Hello Alvin,

Wow, what a fantastic shot of this beautiful Spirit Island! You sure got lucky with the weather and the colours come out so beautiful! Fantastic light, stunning colours and amazing details! Excellent work, Alvin!!!

Greetings,
Ann

PS: I am so glad you made it to Spirit Island, I would say that it's my second favorite place in the Canadian Rockies...definitely my favorite place in Jasper National Park. I am glad you were able to take the boat later in the day because you get a view such as this without having the sun looking right at you!

donluicu (24741) 2007-08-23 1:42

hi Alvin
again, a wonderful image, nice colors, wonderrful postcard..

concerning the centered tree..i'm ok with it..

bye

jemaflor (148260) 2007-08-23 2:53

Hi Alvin,
Lovely shot, great light and colours for this famous island ... as you said in your note, sometimes difficult to take with the strong sun in the background while the day, here, on your shot it si perfect, congratulation.

cfreire (11741) 2007-08-23 12:18

Hi, Alvin,
Very great capture! This park is fantastic. You worked well with all the photos elements.
Regards,
Consuelo

maximage (15537) 2007-08-23 13:25

Bonjour Alvin,
Panorama exceptionnel! d'une incroyable beauté!
Un paysage de rêve que tu as capturé comme un Maître.
Amitiés.
max

brevbrev14 (140) 2007-08-24 7:23

Hi ALvin, ohh this park is fantastic!
and you have captured a great piece of it...
the water is so pure!
beautiful iamge!
ciao!
Valeria

danyy (0) 2007-08-24 14:56

Bonjour Alvin,
Une de ces photos qui fait inévitablement rêver.
Région belle en toute saison, parce que la nature est belle en toute saison.
Les bleus et les teintes émeraude sont si séduisants.
Une photo d'une clarté étonnante.
Bien cadrée panoramique et avec pas mal de profondeur.
Une vallée entourée de sommets.
Bets regards.
Daniel.

pboehringer (770) 2007-08-25 15:53

Alvin, to get real remarkable shots you always have to do that additional extra mile and reading your note I have the impression that this exactly what you did here. Although I'm not quite sure if you took the easier approach with the boat or you did some additional excercing and rowed a total of 6 hours. Nevertheless, the outcome of this tour is notorious!
Regards, Peter

fulvio52 (8314) 2007-08-26 8:45

Wonderful shot, my friend.
A most incredible display of colors in a most incredible location. Everything I see in here is just perfect!
Have a great day.

Ciao,
Fulvio.

Seb82 (2467) 2007-08-26 13:49

hi alvin
simple mais iddylique, j'ai envie de retourner en vacances quand je vois ca ....
seB

corsicastorm (3236) 2007-08-28 10:28

Mon dieu que c 'est beau!! l'image ne respecte la règle des tiers mais parfois il faut transgresser

presidente (1122) 2007-09-13 4:10

IMO this is an excellent shot of Spirit Island.
Nice color, light and POV.
I've been there 5 years ago and for most of the reason you explained the picture I made were not so good.
Andrea

banyanman (7797) 2007-10-02 8:26

You certainly went to a lot of effort to get this shot, Alvin, but your persistence was well rewarded. This is a superb landscape in all respects (composition and technically) and I very much appreciate being able to see - through your camera lens - some of these parts of Canada's wilderness that I will probably never get to see myself. Excellent work. Cheers . . . David

fryz (1735) 2007-11-13 13:52

Wonderfull place with these trees in a peninsula.
Thank you very much Alvin for yours messages
See you soon
Vincent

Rooster_kool (860) 2008-01-15 4:01

Very impress

Photo Information

Copyright: Alvin Brown (Cormac) (26565)
Genre: Luoghi
Medium: Colore
Date Taken: 2007-08-17
Categories: Natura
Camera: Nikon D200, 12-24mm F4 ED AF-S Zoom Nikkor, Singh-Ray 2-stop soft edge ND
Esposizione: f/7.1, 1/125 secondi
More Photo Info: view
Versione Foto: Versione Originale, Workshop
Tema(i): Spirit Island [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-08-20 20:10
Preferiti: 2 [vista]