P#36: A Magnificent Mountain Portrait of Bugaboo Spire
Ed Cooper discusses his shot of Bugaboo Spire -- one of his personal favorites
How did Ed Cooper get such perfect lighting in this Bugaboo Spire shot? Here he explains exactly what it took to create such a beautiful scene.
The Right Place at the Right Time
Ed Cooper: This photograph is the east face Bugaboo Spire in the Bugaboos. That's a climbing area in British Columbia that is very popular with climbers. (click the image for a larger version)
This image was taken with a 5x7 view camera that I packed way up to the top of some peak. I had to take the heavy tripod all the way up there and some 5x7 film holders.
This was a planned picture. I knew that the lighting on this face would be just about perfect at about two in the afternoon, so I planned the trip so that I would be up there at that time.
This was infrared film, again a red filter and a polarizer. The highlight on the face just makes this picture. This was the picture on the cover of the Soul of the Heights book.
In Conclusion
Ed Cooper didn't just luck out when it came to the lighting in this photograph -- he made the shot happen. By planning when the sun would be in a particular place, and being there at that time, Ed was able to capture this beautiful Bugaboo Spire photograph in just the right light.
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