Ansel Adams Tribute

This series was taken Christmas Eve morning, in the Wet Mountain Valley, SIlver Cliff Colorado. It's my way of paying tribute to Ansel Adams and his concept of previsualization. I envisioned this scene nearly year ago, as a wintery version of one of my favorite photos, Moonrise Over Hernandez.  I imagined a cemetary with crosses at sunrise and moonset, as snowcapped peaks rose above a layer of fog and fresh snow. I knew that this cemetary near Westcliffe, Colorado, sitting beneath the 14,000 foot peaks of the Sangre De Cristo Range, would be perfect for my vision.  I just had to wait for a light overnight snowfall, knowing that clearing conditions at sunrise would result in the fog in the valley.  Everything went as planned, and it was a truly magical morning, and an early Christmas present!

The moon sets over a cemetary in Silver Cliff, Colorado, as fog clears following a light overnight snowfall.
Christmas Eve Assumption

The moon sets over a cemetary in Silver Cliff, Colorado, as fog clears following a light overnight snowfall. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The same scene, in color.
Assumption II

The same scene, in color. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

I worked this amazing scene from various angles, periodically wiping off a thin coating of ice that was forming on my camera...
Assumption III

I worked this amazing scene from various angles, periodically wiping off a thin coating of ice that was forming on my camera lens. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Sunrise and moonset on a cold morning at the Assumption Cemetery in Silver Cliff.
Assumption IV

Sunrise and moonset on a cold morning at the Assumption Cemetery in Silver Cliff. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

One more look, as the sun continued to rise.
Assumption V

One more look, as the sun continued to rise. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

When I arrived at the cemetary at 6:30 am, the fog was still a bit sparse, and the valley was cold and blue under a bright moon...
Wet Mountain Valley Blues

When I arrived at the cemetary at 6:30 am, the fog was still a bit sparse, and the valley was cold and blue under a bright moon. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The fog thickened as sunrise approached
Pastel Assumption

The fog thickened as sunrise approached. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

In this vertical version, I 'replaced' the original moon with the same moon shot at the same time but at a longer focal length...
Moonset Assumption

In this vertical version, I 'replaced' the original moon with the same moon shot at the same time but at a longer focal length, so the moon here is about 50% larger than the origianl. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

A view of the peaceful cemetary
Cold and Alone

A view of the peaceful cemetary. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The same scene, in color.
Alone and Cold

The same scene, in color. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The scene looking Southeast was equally sublime.
Assumption Sunrise

The scene looking Southeast was equally sublime. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

This cemetary is purportedly haunted (home of 'ghost lights) but it just felt peaceful to me.
Haunted

This cemetary is purportedly haunted (home of 'ghost lights) but it just felt peaceful to me. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

More of the beautiful sunrise.
Silver Cliff Sunrise

More of the beautiful sunrise. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

No Ansel Adams tribute would be complete without lots of B&W images!
Crosses

No Ansel Adams tribute would be complete without lots of B&W images! Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The atmosphere was just spectacular as the fog cleared from the peaks.
Moonset over Silver Cliff

The atmosphere was just spectacular as the fog cleared from the peaks. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The scene was stunning as fog cleared from the peaks.
SIlver Cliff Remembers

The scene was stunning as fog cleared from the peaks. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The same scene, In Black and White.
SIlver Cliff Remembers II

The same scene, In Black and White. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The site was equally stunning as the sun rose higher and the fog continued to clear.
Assumption Revealed

The site was equally stunning as the sun rose higher and the fog continued to clear. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The flowers laid by gravesites were a striking contrast to the bright white of the fresh snow.
Remembrances

The flowers laid by gravesites were a striking contrast to the bright white of the fresh snow. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

I spent some time phtoographing various headstones and crosses, some of which were over 150 years old.
Assumption Cross

I spent some time phtoographing various headstones and crosses, some of which were over 150 years old. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The town of Westcliffe looked amazing as morning sunlight broke through the low clouds.
Westcliffe Christmas

The town of Westcliffe looked amazing as morning sunlight broke through the low clouds. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

This scene called for a Black and White version as well!
Westcliffe Christmas II

This scene called for a Black and White version as well! Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

I headed for the far side of the cemetary to take some shots of the Sangres in spectacular morning light.
Sangres Revealed

I headed for the far side of the cemetary to take some shots of the Sangres in spectacular morning light. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The 14,000 foot peaks of the range reveal themselves above the clearing fog layer.
Sangres Majesty

The 14,000 foot peaks of the range reveal themselves above the clearing fog layer. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

A panorama of the range as it emerged from morning fog.
Sangres Panorama

A panorama of the range as it emerged from morning fog. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The valley was spectacular after a fresh light snowfall.
Wet Mountain Valley Holiday

The valley was spectacular after a fresh light snowfall. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

This yuuca was particularly interesting under the light coating of snow.
Silver Cliff Christmas

This yuuca was particularly interesting under the light coating of snow. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

As I headed back over the Wet Mountains in late morning, the fog was still hanging strong over the peaks.
Rocking Wets

As I headed back over the Wet Mountains in late morning, the fog was still hanging strong over the peaks. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The Wet Mountains are always spectacular following a snowfall.
Rocking Wets II

The Wet Mountains are always spectacular following a snowfall. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Seeing the bighorn sheep following a snowfall in the Wets is almost a sure bet.
Bighorn Breakfast

Seeing the bighorn sheep following a snowfall in the Wets is almost a sure bet. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

One last shot of this amazing family of bighorn sheep, as I headed back to Pueblo. An amazing Christmas Eve morning!
Bighorn Gathering

One last shot of this amazing family of bighorn sheep, as I headed back to Pueblo. An amazing Christmas Eve morning! Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.