Spirit of the Rockies, a photo from Alberta, Prairies

Photographer's Note

This is Spirit Island, in Jasper National Park. To get to this place you have to take a boat excursion, as the the nearest road is more than 20km away, at the end of the lake. When we were on the boat the tour operators told us the story of the lake and of the island. Apparantly in the early days (1930's) when there was not even a road to the lake, a few people carried a canoe in to the lake. They then could paddle around and explore the place at their leisure. One of them was an avid amateur photographer, and he took some pictures of this island. A few years later, his wife found the pictures at the bottom of a drawer, and entered one in a photo contest sponsored by Kodak. The photo won first place, and was blown up to a mural size and displayed in Grand Central Station in New York for many years. They asked the photographer what the name of the island was, and he said it didn't have a name - they said "well, you have to come up with one because people are going to want to know where this is". So he made up the name Spirit Island, and it is still called that today.

For this shot I used a grad filter and a polarizer, really darkening the blue of the sky and making the clouds stand out better. The light blue/green colour of the water is natural, and very characteristic of the lakes in the Rocky Mountains. It's caused by tiny particles of dust in the water, and the dust comes from the glaciers grinding down the rocks of the mountains.

japiey, Floydian, belido, AiresSantos, maximage, derek3755, JPlumb, Dyerco, jjcordier, delkoo, josepmarin, Gerrit, keribar, mehmetemin, John_F_Kennedy, ChrisJ, jhm, pierrefonds, Angshu, npecanhuk, artesia ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

PJE (20758) 2007-11-24 8:21

Good Morning Alvin. I can see a wonderful capture you took from earlier this year. This is an excellent viewpoint from here being a little higher than your previous photo from this place. The fact that the Spirit is positioned in dead center?....well in this setting it deserves that place of prominence. Excellent capture Alvin and thanks for sharing!

kozerog (1288) 2007-11-24 8:22

Beautiful view, Alvin. Nice compo and colours, but I'm not sure about colour of the sky. The blue looks not very natural.

gravatar (1586) 2007-11-24 8:29

This quite lovely. Very vivid colors, positively painterly.

harlyn (380) 2007-11-24 8:29

Hi Alvin,

This is a fabulous view and the eye is drawn straight to the stand of trees. I'm also not sure about the blue of the sky but it's still a great shot and nicely exposed.

Regards
Lindsay

mcenteesalas (1618) 2007-11-24 8:32

Hi Alvin, beautiful shot of this scene, well done, I really enjoyed admiring this view, good composition, position of view and exposure, simply brilliant, well done, thanks for sharing it with us and keep them coming, regards, Salas

japiey (10163) 2007-11-24 8:32

Hi Alvin,

BEAUTIFULL....
A PARADISE.

Salutes.

jean paul

aybars1965 (60) 2007-11-24 8:46

hi Alvin;
beautiful photograph. colors very nice.

regard
Necati

tudor (220) 2007-11-24 8:51

Hi Alvin,
Very well captured, I like the colors of the water a lot.
A truly American XXL scenery!
Thanks for sharing,
Tudor

jonathan_hart (21276) 2007-11-24 8:52

hi Alvin
maybe one of the best POV tho show the place
good light and nice saturated colours
regards
jo

Floydian (30970) 2007-11-24 9:24

Hi Alvin,
Yes this is the place...can't wit to go there ;-)
Using the pola and the ND filters worked very good, keeps the full contrast in, especially in the blue.
I wonder, because you have to go by boat, how long can you stay there before the boat leaves?
And second, i saw on a time table the first boat leaves at 10am and for the best light you have to be there as early as possible?
I like your photo, also the note is very interesting, i never heard of this story.
Have a nice weekend, Henk

Fis2 (172049) 2007-11-24 10:39

Witaj Alvin!
Excellent colors! Wonderful landscape and beautiful place. Good composition and frame. Very impressive picture!
Nice sunday
Krzysztof

gneufeld (15890) 2007-11-24 10:50

Hi Alvin,
I love images I've been seeing on TE but still have not visited the place - a must for the coming year? I like your shot - as always, great clarity and well saturated colors perfectly composed in excellent light. Have been observing your use of the ND filters - I can see the impact - am learning about this, so I think you made wise use of the filter. Great shot and TFs. Gerald

bizsu (1015) 2007-11-24 11:06

Hi Alvin !
Very beautiful photo. Beautiful colours. Congratulate ! TFS.
Greeting, Zsú

AiresSantos (56155) 2007-11-24 11:14

Again the wonderful lakes, my friend !
Lovely clouds in the sky. Excellent satured colours and details.
Have a nice weekend
Aires

maximage (15537) 2007-11-24 12:33

Bonjour Alvin,
Un paysage de rêve que tu as su capturer merveilleusement bien.
Couleurs et lumière magnifiques.
Amitiés.
max

eric77 (617) 2007-11-24 13:47

Phantastic photo. Very good POV and composition. I like the colours especialy colour of the water also vyry good choice with use tree on right side like a frame. Congratulations.
Regards,
Eric

derek3755 (2341) 2007-11-24 15:26

Hello Alvin

what a beautiful view, would love to visit Canada one day, and i am sure we will get round to it eventually. love the composition and the combination of polarizer and Grad ND filter works very well.

Derek

JPlumb (3159) 2007-11-24 17:28

Hey Alvin, it's a beautiful spot and very well presented in this shot of yours. You should look at getting into the post card or calendar business (maybe you already are). This shot of Spirit Lake is just one more example of the Jasper beauty presented by yourself. The colour and lighting has been handled very well with great definition throughout.

Thanks, John

Dyerco (10185) 2007-11-24 21:02

A splendid shot Alvin. Nice saturated colours and well framed on either side. I will have to take that boat trip next time I go to Jasper.
Phil

jjcordier (79299) 2007-11-24 22:01

Alvin
L'endroit est splendide et les couleurs fantastiques, en particulier celles de l'eau du lac. Très bonne composition mais, pour ma part, je trouve que tu as un peu trop accentué la netteté créant des découpes des sommets dans le ciel un peu irréelles.J'admire toutefois cette image et surtout cette petite presqu'île au centre.
Amicalement
JJ

leo61 (0) 2007-11-24 23:46

Hi Alvin!
Good use of the filters,the colors are fantastic.This little peninsula looks great surrounded by the green colored water,and the clouds give depth to the image.
Regards,leo

delkoo (68) 2007-11-25 2:33

hi alvin
Another fantastic landscape from you. this is truly exceptional, the subject, the light, the color of water all combine to make a masterpiece.

best regards

didier

josepmarin (59385) 2007-11-25 2:41

Hi Cormac,
Fantastic landscape of the Rockies, with the whole natural beauty that already we know, but that continues astonishing us. This scene is a postcard, in the good sense of the word, for its setting, its depth, its light and its splendid colors, specially the turquoise in the lake.
I do not have any more words, it is a wonderful photo. Congratulations!
Best regards,
Josep

Gustaw (21670) 2007-11-25 2:50

Hi, my friend!
It is very interesting photo. I like your very oryginal composition. Beautiful colours and good light. Nice all natura! Well d one.
Marek

belido (19934) 2007-11-25 3:17

Hi Alvin,

amazing place, great scene, excellent shot. Is this our world? Everything works perfectly for this stunning work. Simply beautiful!
Regards,
Carlos

PixelTerror (0) 2007-11-25 5:27

Hi Alvin,
Well nothing much to tell here, just enjoy this superb combination of shouting colors and fine rockies wilderness, although I know from your previous posts the area is not as virgin as it seems, so I guess it's a performance to get such an empty view !
Have a nice sunday JY

chpp (4283) 2007-11-25 10:59

Hi Alvin
beautiful view, amazing colours and great composition
I laso like the light in this iamge
cheers
chris

Gerrit (62042) 2007-11-25 17:13

HI Alvin,
exceptional quality and spectaculair colouring. The centering of the island and beautiful framing work very well here providing a fairy tale atmosphere.
Great work.
Groeten Gerrit

keribar (43841) 2007-11-25 21:30

Hello Alvin,
I am learning all the story anew, because I thought that this parctilar place was a classical shot of Lake Moraine, but I find out it is Spirit Island. I also started to used a light gray grad filter recently and as you say it balances the harsh white light above. I am really stunned by the greenish tone of the lake. Good picture as usual !
Friendly regards - Izzet

mehmetemin (7231) 2007-11-25 22:27

Hi Alvin
Excellent POV, light and good sharpness.
The composition is beautiful.
Have a nice day.
Mehmet Emin

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2007-11-25 23:44

Wow !!! Another lovely landscape. Good detail, colours and sharpness. Exposure and lighting are very good, I like the balance of the green and blue in your iamge. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

jhm (211738) 2007-11-26 4:12

Hello Alvin,

This is an excellent viewpoint from here being a little higher than your previous photo from this place. I'm also not sure about the blue of the sky, I think that the filter here this cause, but it's still a great shot and nicely exposed. I'm no defender for filter use.
Excellent capture Alvin and thanks for sharing.

Have a nice week,
John.

batalay (41261) 2007-11-26 11:47

Hello Alvin,

As I first viewed this surrealistic image, I thought of an old movie set in Alberta with Howard Keel and Ann Blythe (he is a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman in the movie). This is the kind of scenery that was rife in the film. Superb colors, exquisite perspective and resolution. I like this shot very much.

Warm regards,

Bulent

ChrisJ (172440) 2007-11-27 0:58

Hi Alvin

Wonderful colour, sharpness & saturation. I hope to see this lake, when I visit Canada in 2008. Tfs!

anes_lc (14968) 2007-11-27 2:31

i saw in so me other shots this place ...but yours is the best :)
i love this colors and the way you compose it
great one
thanks sharing
regards,anes

Signal-Womb (13048) 2007-11-27 13:32

Stunning capture Alvin! This must be one of the most beautiful places on earth and I really hope that some day I shall see these places. As for the photo, I love how you framed the shot with these tree - works for me. Colour saturation is well balanced for maximum impact. Very fine work..

danyy (0) 2007-11-27 15:00

Bonjour Alvin,
ce coin est vraiment séduisant et je ne me lasse pas de le regarder au travers des nombreuses photos qui le représentent.
Ici, les couleurs sont bien poussées et agréables.
J'aime aussi les contrastes dans le ciel.
Amicalement.
Daniel.

Etienne_C (440) 2007-11-28 8:57

Hi Alvin

This image is simply wonderful... Wow it is incredible !
The colors are very great, I love this shot.

Etienne

Ann75 (0) 2007-11-28 19:33

Hi Alvin,

Hmmm...those beautiful Canadian Rockies again! I love this view and you have captured it in all it's beauty. You had such beautiful weather conditions and excellent light. The colors are amazing, as well the lighting and the details! Fantastic work, Alvin!

Greetings,
Ann

steliosk (4802) 2007-11-29 4:27

Another great masterpiece of you, this photo has a great 3D depth!!

greg64g (11193) 2007-11-29 23:33

hello

what a typic and beaufiful view from Canada.
all is perfect on this landscape shot
cheers
greg

pierrefonds (115645) 2007-11-30 4:14

Hi Alvin,

A good POV of Spirit Island, of Maligne lake and of the Canadian Rockies under a beautifil sky, the photo has a good composition, DOF and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

toni_al (15875) 2007-12-06 14:44

Hi Alvin
Le paysage qui tue, le top des top, superbe
@+
Toni

Angshu (56760) 2007-12-09 6:12

Hello Alvin
A fabulous landscape shot and our eyes are drawn straight to the group of trees in the centre. Amazing colours, the turquoise of the water, the blue of the sky… Also loved mountain in the BG, lit up by the glow of the low sunlight. Nice combination of reflections & shadows in the FG. Excellent work!
With Regards
Angshu
PS : Thanks for your critique to my 300th post. Well written & really appreciated. I wish I can take some cue from your fabulous landscape shots.

Bluejeans (64251) 2007-12-19 2:02

Ola Alvin ,
Lindissima paisagem , tem uma cores fabulosas a natureza , e um belo ponto de visão , boa profundidade de foto , a penisula no meio do lago e fantastica , parabens!!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Didier38 (710) 2007-12-21 12:28

Bonsoir Alvin,

Superbes couleurs, belle composition.
un paysage fantastique avec une belle lumière.

bien vue

Didier

ArtLook (2348) 2008-01-06 9:50

Hi Alvin,
Waw, amazing landscape... I wish to be there to take some picture too! :-) I like the colors and clarity of the picture, very good framing with mountains and trees. Also I like the small piece of the island with with trees in the middle... Very good shot, Bravo!
With BEST Regards from Russia,
Arthur

BoisBarb (10369) 2008-01-13 11:11

Incroyable! Les couleurs sont exceptionnellement belles, le cadrage splendide, du grand bonheur pour les yeux!
BoisBarb

npecanhuk (79329) 2008-05-27 3:33

Hi Alvin!
That's a painting! It isn't real, is it?
Such wonderful landscape! I hope I can see it personally sometime!
TFS - Congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan Peçanhuk

tober (8797) 2009-11-12 7:50

It was uploaded two years ago but I've just noticed this beauty and do not want to pass by without expressing my admiration. Simply wonderful !

Congratulations, Tolga