Fall color and Grand Teton Range after clearing storm.
Canon 5DMKIII, 30mm, f/16, 1/20th, Singh-Ray LB Polarizer, Singh-Ray 2-stop soft edge GND, Lexar Digital Media

It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that just two weeks ago I was basking in the balmy tropical breezes of Hawaii’s Big Island. Yesterday, I stepped off the plane at Jackson Hole, Wyoming and was immediately thrust into frigid winter conditions. “Where in the heck did fall go,” I thought to myself.

Light snow flurries and a stiff breeze greeted me as I walked towards the terminal. A frozen-looking airport employee told me she was not ready for this type of weather so early in the season. The dismayed look on her face told me that she was not kidding.

I could see the Teton Range slowly emerging from the clouds and knew I may have a window of opportunity to capture two seasons in one. The fall color here in Jackson Hole is at what I would consider nearing peak. Some cottonwoods have already leafed-out while others (along with some aspens) are just now starting to turn.

I am here for the next 11 days teaching two fall color workshops. Our bonus, at least if the temperatures stay relatively cold, it that the Teton Range, spectacular regardless of the season, is covered in snow 2/3rds of the way up.

After I picked-up my rental car and checked in to the hotel, I immediately grabbed my camera gear and headed into the park. Fortunately the clouds were still lifting and the peaks were in full view covered in snow. One of my first stops was near Moose Junction. After composing some grand scenes, I became a bit dismayed as I noticed clouds starting to envelope the range once again.

I decided to wait things our but the snow became heavier. My goal was to stay close to the range in the hopes that the clouds would again break. Soon after entering the south entrance gate along Grand Teton Road, I came across this scene that I have always liked. Much to my surprise, the snow flurries subsided and the clouds did indeed lift, leaving me with this incredible scene of fall color and dramatic peaks of the main portion of the Teton Range.

The soft light made the exposure very easy (I did use a 2-stop soft edge grad to hold down the bright parts of the sky), but other than that, I just worked the scene for various compositions. What was even more incredible was the fact that no other photographer was there – I had this all to myself.

Grand Teton National Park is quickly becoming one of my favorites of all the National Parks. Add some fresh snow and fall color, and it becomes a spectacular site.

It was snowing again this morning when I met up with my long-time neighbor Ali. She has been living in Moose for the past four months and had some out-of-way locations to show me. To say the least, they were incredible and I will use them as part of the workshop – thanks Ali The forecast for the next five days is trending towards more normal conditions with warmer fall-like weather. Conditions couldn’t be more perfect. Workshop #1 begins tomorrow!

2013 Photo Workshops

2nd Annual Fall Color in Grand Teton National Park – September 28 – October 2, 2013 (WORKSHOP SOLD OUT :: WAITING LIST ONLY)

2nd Annual Fall Color in Grand Teton National Park – October 2 – October 6, 2013 (WORKSHOP SOLD OUT :: WAITING LIST ONLY)

5th Annual Arches/Canyonlands National Parks – Full Moon Over Red Rock, Arches and Canyons – October 15-19, 2013 (WORKSHOP SOLD OUT :: WAITING LIST ONLY)

3rd Annual Bryce/Zion National Parks – Hoodoos and Fall Color – November 4-8, 2013 (WORKSHOP SOLD OUT :: WAITING LIST ONLY)

2014 Photo Workshops

5th Annual Magic Light, Moonlight, and Pfeiffer Arch Workshop – Winter in Big Sur and the Monterey Peninsula – January 15-18, 2014 (Only 6 spots remaining)

6th Annual Northern Arizona Workshop – Grand Canyon (full moon), Page (Horseshoe Bend and Upper Antelope Canyon) and Sedona – March 14-18, 2014 (Only 4 spots remaining)

7th Annual Springtime in Big Sur and the Monterey Peninsula – Wildflowers, Misty Fog and Headland Color – April 14-17, 2014 (5 spots remaining)

5th Annual Kauai Workshop – Garden Isle and Tropical Paradise – June 20-24, 2014 (early-bird signup discount – contact me for details!) (6 spots remaining)

2nd Annual Monsoon Photo Workshop – Grand Canyon National Park – August 9-13, 2014 (co-taught by Don Smith and Gary Hart)

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