Photographing Breckenridge: A How-To Guide

The mountains of Breckenridge can be visually overwhelming to many of us, how do you capture such magnificent vistas on film? While landscape photography does require a few additional items for you camera, it doesn't have to break the bank, but it does require you to have a good sense of timing.

You have to think of the mountains as you would a still-life with apples and oranges, it is the quality of light falling onto the image that will make for the best shot, and the most memorable. Since they haven't invented a flash bulb big enough to rival the sun at such a distance, you'll have to rely on your sense of daily timing. Scouting out the location is a good idea, get a feel for the best angles of the Rocky Mountains, and the best hour to show up with your camera.

Obviously, dawn and evening are going to give you the greatest contrast for the rippled texture of those skyflung peaks. It would be a good idea to photograph both, and then sit down and compare which lighting you prefer the most. Dawn will be paler, and flatten out the image slightly, whereas the intense light of the setting sun will bring out the most depth, but at the cost of clarity. Talk to the other photographers in the town, they are very friendly, and more than willing to help set up a perfect shoot.

Using a standard daylight filter, which you can pick up in a shop down in Breckenridge, capturing the mountains purple majesty can become simple. Just take your time.