Jagged Formation at Red Rocks Amphitheater

The Story:

My family had traveled to visit me in Colorado over Labor Day weekend in 2007.  After a stop at the LoDo Tattered Cover Book Store, I roped them into one of my pastimes.  We took a trip to a geographic feature so I could wander around looking for catchy sights; nearby Denver is one of the best in Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater. I knew it mostly for its legendary concerts, like that of U2, but I finally got to experience the majestic nature of its stature.  Luckily I had the trusty yearbook Nikon with me; I was personally working with my Minolta Maxxum 7 normally.

It was my first adventure there, and I remember it being pleasant with a cooperative sky.  Whether it is a b&w composition, a sunrise, or sunset, the clouds can easily make the image.  This important detail in many landscape photos typically happens only by luck for me.   Most of the photos that I post are not from everyday, but taken on trips where I can hardly be picky about timing.  Fortuitously, on this occasion and several others, the clouds have been beneficial at the right time, and not too scarce or too obscure.  My picture from Loveland Pass in 2012 is another example.

As I was surveying the park, I happened to notice this somewhat large tree being dwarfed by the monolith Creation Rock.  The mid-day sun cast interesting shadow patterns down the contours of Creation Rock, leaving the evergreen a dark silhouette.  Even in my rambunctious youth, I still worked with the discipline of film conservation and only snapped two frames of the scene.  Luckily it worked out, and this ended up being my first print sale; it found a good home with a guy some call Tim.

Once my family had had enough of exploring the park, we packed up and headed to the Cherry Creek.  If you ever get the chance, the Cherry Cricket has a great atmosphere and good food; we enjoyed the stop, and have been repeat customers.