Lost

Uploaded: January 31, 2006

Description

On the last day of my trip, I started driving well before sunrise and planned to go to June Lake for the fall colors. Somehow I missed the exit to June Lake...I guess I was a bit distracted. The next exit was for Mono Lake. I took lots of Mono Lake pics on my last trip, so I wasn't planning on going back this time. But the sky that particular morning looked promising, so I said what the heck. I drove like crazy because right in front me was a spectacular sunrise in the making. I parked my car and ran as fast as I could, camera equipment in tow...there were other frantic photographers running ahead of me lugging their equipment -- cameras on extended tripods for quick setup. As I was running, I looked to my right and the sky had turned an astonishingly beautiful shade of red, and I still got a long way to go! Yikes! I ran as fast as I could, got to the tufas, and to my dismay, the place was CRAWLING with photographers! geeez... ..(continued in photo discussion)

Comments

David L. Luchowski January 31, 2006

Awesome color and clarity here,Francis. A beautiful image. #384042

January 31, 2006

Wow! excellent photo... love this one... #2362436

Jeffrey S. LeBlanc January 31, 2006

Francis, looks like your effort was worth it! wonderful colors and compo. really enjoyed it!

Jeff #2362458

Cathy Stancil January 31, 2006

Yes, but did THEY get an image like this... This is stunning Francis, once again hats off to you ! I am so envious of your talent... WTG ! #2362463

Jim Kinnunen level-classic January 31, 2006

Truly an awesome image, Francis!!! #2362473

Steven Gunnerson January 31, 2006

Beautiful capture Francis. Wonderful colors. #2362496

Cora Miller level-classic January 31, 2006

Looks like you made it in time but what'd you do with all those other photographers? There's not a one showing up anywhere. :) Man, you sure know how to maximize awesome light! This is spectacular!!! Glad to see you make another appearance, Francis! I miss seeing your inspirational images. :) #2362659

Pamela Shane February 13, 2006

Simply stunning Francis!!!! ~Pam~ :) #2415263

Tony Wilder February 21, 2006

fantastic image. Congrats #2446302

Cathy M. Gromball February 21, 2006

Congratulations on this wonderful finalist, Francis!

Cathy :) #2447661

Shirley Pearce February 21, 2006

Congrats Francis! It's great, but not as great as the story behind it!! Somehow, when I look at my images I regretfully know that no one appreciates them half as much as me because as the eye behind the camera I am the one with the first hand knowledge of the story behind the photo and most times it's the best!!! #2448000

Francis Cailles February 21, 2006

Thanks everyone.

Geez. I just realized my story behind the shot was cut short...here's the full text:

On the last day of my trip, I started driving well before sunrise and planned to go to June Lake for the fall colors. Somehow I missed the exit to June Lake...I guess I was a bit distracted. The next exit was for Mono Lake. I took lots of Mono Lake pics on my last trip, so I wasn't planning on going back this time. But the sky that particular morning looked promising, so I said what the heck. I drove like crazy because right in front me was a spectacular sunrise in the making. I parked my car and ran as fast as I could, camera equipment in tow...there were other frantic photographers running ahead of me lugging their equipment -- cameras on extended tripods for quick setup. As I was running, I looked to my right and the sky had turned an astonishingly beautiful shade of red, and I still got a long way to go! Yikes! I ran as fast as I could, got to the tufas ( http://www.monolake.org/naturalhistory/tufa.htm ) and to my dismay, the place was CRAWLING with photographers! geeez... every good spot was taken! So I went to the first available spot -- not the best spot, but at that point I'll take anything-- and shot frantically, hoping no photographer will show up in the frame. There were actually a couple of photographers behind the tufa on the right side of my image...they were kind enough to hide behind the tufas while I took a couple of shots...I kept shooting until my battery died....

#2448534

Mick Burkey February 21, 2006

Fantastic image, Francis!! Congrats on the finals, and thanks for the story. #2449956

Paula Showen February 21, 2006

Contratulations on your finalist! FANTASTIC image! #2450081

Daniel G. Flocke February 21, 2006

Francis - Congratulations on being a Finalist!!! good luck in the next round!

~Daniel #2450700

Pat Gamwell February 21, 2006

Wonderful story....made me feel like I was there, running, out of breath, equipment dragging behind me! With all those other photographers trying to capture the moment, it sounds like sale day at Macy's!!! lol. CONGRATS on a well deserved image, Francis! #2450925

February 22, 2006

Great light and color. #2451626

Kelly S. Andrews February 22, 2006

I have run for the sunrise or sunset countless times so I definitely know how it feels. It was so worth it here - what a magnificent image! Bravo! #2452005

Digvijay P February 22, 2006

Congratuations on your finalist !

..Jay
#2453683

February 22, 2006

Well, none of those photogs showed up in your wonderful picture, so you were lucky! Nicely done, beautiful colors. #2454589

Donna La Mattino Pagakis February 22, 2006

Great finalist, congratulations and best of luck!! Wow!! #2455101

Garth D. Beatty level-classic February 22, 2006

Very Nice!! #2455169

Chris Budny level-deluxe February 22, 2006

Congratulations! Your determination paid off handsomely in this shot! #2455172

Susan L. Vasquez February 22, 2006

Amazing shot Francis..definately a winner :) #2455348

Corinne M. Thompson February 23, 2006

Congratulations on your Finalist for this oustanding capture. :) #2455829

Sue L. Cullumber February 23, 2006

Francis, Looks like the run was well worth it - fantastic photo and congrats! #2459516

Donna Dunbar February 24, 2006

I haven't been to Mono Lake since I was a little girl but this image makes me want to take another trip. THis was well worth what you went through to get the image it seems missing the turn off for June Lake (another gorgeous place) was a blessing in disguise.Beautiful image and congrats on being in the finalist it's well deserved!!!!!!! #2461971

Terry L. Ellis level-classic February 24, 2006

Stunning image and fantastic story, Francis! Congratulations on your finalist! #2461986

Mick Burkey February 25, 2006

Congrats on the win, Francis! Sometimes things just work out that way. So glad your image won! #2467108

Kay Beausoleil February 25, 2006

Surely worth the effort, Francis -- congratulations on your win! #2467873

Garth D. Beatty level-classic February 25, 2006

Congratulations! #2468074

Corinne M. Thompson February 25, 2006

Well deserved win...Congrats :) #2468677

Donna W. Neal February 26, 2006

Congratulations on this outstanding winner Francis #2470038

Joannie Bertucci level-classic February 26, 2006

Again, another one of your soul moving images Francis!
Congratulations on a very well deserved win! #2472416

Darrell Hetke March 17, 2006

I always check out sunrises and sunsets on this site but this one jumped out at me... Very quiet, but powerful photo Francis, congratulations on your win... #2545157

James E. Coleman level-classic March 18, 2006

Francis,
We are all glad you took the shot! Very pretty. May I ask where is this? I am in the midwest, excuse my ignorance.

Jim #2547165

Jill Odice level-classic May 24, 2006

Dear Francis, I just KNEW I saw a sunrise photo from you like this! How lucky for you, I was there for 3 days and we never got anything close to this! It was meant to be, June Lake is nothing this cool! #2812264

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

BetterPhoto.com All Time Best Photo Contest Editor's Pick BetterPhoto.com Photo Contest SECOND PLACE Winner


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Francis Cailles.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.