Lake Louise, Banff National Park.

U Gotta Look on Black

I dreamt about this shot.

As soon as I knew we were going to be in the Canadian Rockies for a couple of weeks and visiting the famous Lake Louise I knew what I wanted to do.

The lake is famous for it's view across the smooth as glass reflections and the greeny blue colour given to it by tiny granules of eroded rock from the Victoria glacier seen at the end of the valley.

I'd seen pictures of it before, some at dawn, with early morning clouds over the mountains and the crisp white glacier perfectly reflected in the lake.. So I knew I had to try it at night.

The day we arrived the wind was up and the lake was full of an armada of choppy waves, not good for any kind of shot. It didn't seem to deter the hundreds of tourists who turn up every day to see the view but as night fell, the cloud cleared and the wind dropped and after dinner a quick peek out the hotel window had me running for the tripod.

I thought I'd have to get out quick and nail a spot amongst the tens of eager photographers, 3 legs at the ready for some night action - but no. I was alone! I couldn't believe it!

I started my usual technique of starting high ISO and working down to hone in on the correct exposure. Eventually I was joined by a nice chap from Luxembourg, who also was after some night shots and we chatted whilst going from 2 minutes, 4 minutes and finally this 8 minute shot.

By this time the temperature had dropped, the wine was wearing off and I was wary of the fact that I was definitely gonna be up for dawn too but when I saw this come up on the screen I knew I got what I had planned for ages.

The rest of my pics from the holiday suck, so you won't see em here. I'll post some happy snaps to Facebook but this (and maybe one other..) are the only Flickr worthy.

Shot notes - mostly Full Moon rising behind me to the left. Foreground rocks illuminated by lights from the hotel.