P#36: A Dramatic Black and White Photograph of Mount McKinley
Ed Cooper explains how this spectacular photograph of Mount McKinley came to be
Some photographs just seem to stand out from the rest, and this picture of Mount McKinley is one of them. How did Ed Cooper create such deep contrast and drama? Here he explains...
The Right Equipment
Ed Cooper: This photograph is of a cloud cap over Mount McKinley. It's from the Eielson Visitors Center, over 30 miles away. I shot this with a 1000mm lens, the one that requires two tripods -- one for the view camera, and one for the lens. (click the image for a larger version)
There was an incredible cloud cap over Mount McKinley. I love this shot. It's taken with infrared film using a polarizer and a red filter. It just doesn't any better than that for black and white. This picture appears in the first Soul of the Heights book.
Audri Lanford: This is one of my favorites. You had sent me 30 pictures and I just couldn't pare them down. I have to agree with you -- this is one of my all-time favorites. It is just spectacular.
In Summary
It's not everyday that you come across a photograph like this one. What makes it so unique? The perfect cloud cap combined with infrared film, a polarizer and a red filter made this beautiful Mount McKinley shot possible.
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