Like Ray’s shot of Kirkjufells last month I don’t submit images of iconic locations into competition because everyone will have seen dozens (perhaps hundreds) of similar shots, which is why I hesitated before I selected this month’s image.
Since I’ve never submitted into competition, I decided to present it here. (As an aside, I’ve seen images of the Maroon Bells submitted at the two photo clubs I used to be a member of when I lived in Colorado, and when displayed on the screen, you could hear the subtle sniggering of the membership as if to say - c’mon, you can be more creative than that - neither image even received an honorable mention.)
Arriving before dawn, I spent the next 2½ hours waiting with about 600 of my closest friends for the sun to light up the valley. I shot the image around 7:40 a.m., but as noted, hundreds of others arrived earlier or camped overnight so I had to set up in 3-4 inches of water in Maroon Lake - there was no room anywhere for the perspective I wanted.
Knowing Colorado weather I wore waterproof boots with ski socks, nonetheless, standing in Maroon Lake for two plus hours waiting for the sun was decidedly unpleasant. Actually, I left my camera and tripod and walked back onto firm ground a few times just to get out of the freezing water, but when I did, I was blocking someone else’s position. But I got the shot :-)
Canon 50D Canon EF-S 10-22mm@ 22mm (35mm equivalent) ISO 100 f13 1/30th second Tv
6 comments posted
Raymond Tice
Butch - its a wonderful image - snow on the peaks, fall colors with the aspens, a great reflection, what more could you ask for and of course the story makes it even more special. What I have found is that the impact of an "iconic" image depends almost completely on the audience - e.g., showing a photo of bison in the snow to the camera club in Jackson, WY gets a ho-hum at best while the same photo submitted to a local camera club competition in North Carolina gets an award and congratulations. This photo would do well in several competitions that occur locally (meaning NC). This is not to say that there are not photos that win everywhere but in general relative uniqueness to a specific audience is a big plus. Ray Posted: 08/03/2026 01:05:05
Butch Mazzuca
Could not agree more about iconic images - but I still thought yours was special last month :-) Posted: 08/03/2026 02:05:03
Ian Cambourne
A superb image Butch, great composition and use of the elements in front of you. Great balance and use of the reflections which provide great depth. As far as competitions are concerned, personally, I believe it all depends on where the competition is being held. Down here, I would never submit an image of the opera house into an Aussie comp, but in a European or Asian comp, why not? It would be seen by a completely different audience. Posted: 08/09/2026 05:23:17
Sherry Icardi
From a Northeasterner it is an iconic image of mountains! Knowing nothing about Colorado makes it unique to me....and there is nothing ho-hum about the image. It's all about the eye of the beholder! The depth and breadth of the image is magnificent! and I've been to many iconic and breathtaking places in my travels, and while others may not think it's anything new, it does not make me enjoy my efforts or others any less! In fact seeing other's images makes me want to go back and try again. I'm not sure I could have withstood the environment personally though and give you props that you made it back without frostbite! Beautiful images! Posted: 08/10/2026 20:11:32
Gary Jones
Butch, I like the image and I don't get too obsessed by iconic shots. I've taken a few myself and they help me compare my overall work with some of the best for that particular image and location. I think your version is a wonderful image and you've captured all aspects of the composition, foreground with the water and reflection, but with the rocks in the water showing, both sides with great texture, contrast, and color, and the mountains with texture and snow. The usual boring blue sky never really comes into play, other that providing a bit of interest around the mountains when I begin to look through the image. Best of all, there is no trace of your 600 best friends and you appear to be all alone at a beautiful location. Posted: 08/21/2026 18:51:21
Butch Mazzuca
Thanks for your comments Gary, and believe me, they were there :-) Posted: 08/21/2026 20:15:50
