The Canadian Landscape Contest – Jonathan Huyer

Jonathan Huyer

©Jonathan Huyer

 

I went to Castle Junction in Banff at sunrise in December, hoping to bag a classic trophy shot of Castle Mountain bathed in the alpenglow that lasts for just a few minutes. But since it was partly cloudy, the shot didn’t pan out. Turning around to go home, I set my eyes upon a magnificent sunrise over the Bow River. I quickly assessed the scene, making post holes in the deep snow as I tried various positions. I liked this composition the best, as the soft domes of snow on the rocks added to the already immensely peaceful nature of the area. I leveled the camera, adjusted the 2-stop graduated ND filter, and fired away just as the reflection on the river reached a maximum. I had time for only a few shots before the show was over, which is just as well because by that time my fingers were completely frozen in the -21 degree weather. A couple of days later I went back and got my trophy shot of Castle Mountain, but this photo will always resonate with me because it was the surprise view that was waiting for me, right behind my back.

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