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Those who love Pikes Peak and appreciate colorful, dramatic landscape photography may be familiar with the Pikes Peak Guy. The humble photographer from Woodland Park took on an ambitious project in June, 2010, capturing a photo of Pikes Peak every day for one year. Now, the results are in. His new book "365 Days of Pikes Peak: The Journey" contains 220 pages of his amazing photography and thoughtful blog excerpts. We caught up with the Pikes Peak Guy to learn more about his inspiration and the experience of making the book.
What attracts you to Pikes Peak? I think the easier question might be, 'What doesn't attract me to Pikes Peak?' The peak is an amazing mountain. For most of us, it's more than just a big hunk of granite. So many in our community recreate on and around Pikes Peak. We hike, climb, race, bike…you name it. If there is an activity that people can do on or around Pikes Peak, we do it. But I think what makes this mountain special is how it binds us as a community, and I think that is what really attracted me to doing a project like this.
You have taken photos every day of the year on the mountain, what was your best day or experience there?
There are so many experiences, I couldn't possibly narrow it down to just one. I think the entire experience of this project and the way that it has impacted people, touched people’s hearts, has been extraordinary. This project has given those of us lucky enough to live or visit here something tangible to share with our friends, family and the rest of the world. It's just an amazing place to live and one of those rare places where every day offers the opportunity to have a life-changing experience.
You have put in a lot of miles on foot. Tell us about your favorite Pikes Peak hikes. There are so many hiking opportunities around Pikes Peak, whether it be climbing to the top via Barr Trail or hiking in from backside into Catamount Reservoir from Teller County, or hiking to the Crags. I think my favorite hikes throughout the project were my hikes around the reservoirs. North Catamount, South Catamount and Crystal reservoirs are just amazing lakes and when you get out and hike all the way around and get off the trails to where the tourists and the people aren't, you find some of the most spectacular scenery and some of the most serene environments and natural beauty you can ever hope to see. But if I have to pick one favorite, I love the hike up the Crags. I know it's a short day-hike but that's what makes it great. You can pack a lunch, hike up to the top, climb around on the rocks see some the most beautiful sites you'll ever hope to see in this region.
Any interesting experiences with wildlife, weather or other people? Wow, I don't even know where to begin answering that question. Yes, I had had several, and that is one of the fun parts of the book. I share each experience every single day. I think the one that stands out the most happened on the night of August 13th. I went out to capture the meteor shower. I could write about it all over again, but I recommend you go onto my website www.mypeak365.com and browse the categories and click on August 13 and read the story. To summarize, I had an encounter with a bear in the middle of nowhere, off trail, at night, and all by myself. Needless to say, it was one of the scariest moments in my life.
Everyone has their own artistic tastes, but for you, what makes a good photo? I think a great photo is one that leads you through the photograph, one that has several layers or elements that draws you from one place to the next within that same photograph. Something interesting in the foreground, a primary subject in the shot and something really special that brings it all together, such as sunset colors or unique lighting. That is what I tried to with my landscape photography, but everyone has a different idea of what makes a great photo!
What type of equipment do you use? Can you get some detail about what you carry and how much it weighs? I carry about 40 pounds of gear with me most days. It sounds like a lot but it really is the basics. I usually don't give recommendations on camera brands because it really isn't the gear that makes the photograph. The gear is just a technical component of the process, but I personally shoot with Nikon cameras and Nikon lenses. The typical equipment in my camera bag consists of bodies, lenses, and battery packs. A lot of people think I use filters to get the colors I capture, but I don't own them. Of course, I always have a tripod and the remote shutter release to keep the camera from shaking from my shaking hands or the wind. I actually did a tour of what is in my camera bag on www.youtube.com– just search “The Pikes Peak Guy” and you can see everything in my bag.
What advice would you give a beginning photographer? I think the best advice I can give aspiring photographers is to believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to get out there and do it. When I say that I am an ordinary guy who set out to create something extraordinary, that is the absolute truth. I believed in myself and put my work out there for the world to see, regardless of what my status as a pro was, regardless of how many gallery shows I had done, regardless of what criticism may come my way... Just get out there and do something great!
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Q & A with the Pikes Peak Guy
by Tim Bergsten
Nov 14, 2011
What attracts you to Pikes Peak?
I think the easier question might be, 'What doesn't attract me to Pikes Peak?' The peak is an amazing mountain. For most of us, it's more than just a big hunk of granite. So many in our community recreate on and around Pikes Peak. We hike, climb, race, bike…you name it. If there is an activity that people can do on or around Pikes Peak, we do it. But I think what makes this mountain special is how it binds us as a community, and I think that is what really attracted me to doing a project like this.
Win a copy of the Pikes Peak Guy's new Book "365 Days of Pikes Peak...
You have taken photos every day of the year on the mountain, what was your best day or experience there?
There are so many experiences, I couldn't possibly narrow it down to just one. I think the entire experience of this project and the way that it has impacted people, touched people’s hearts, has been extraordinary. This project has given those of us lucky enough to live or visit here something tangible to share with our friends, family and the rest of the world. It's just an amazing place to live and one of those rare places where every day offers the opportunity to have a life-changing experience.
You have put in a lot of miles on foot. Tell us about your favorite Pikes Peak hikes.
There are so many hiking opportunities around Pikes Peak, whether it be climbing to the top via Barr Trail or hiking in from backside into Catamount Reservoir from Teller County, or hiking to the Crags. I think my favorite hikes throughout the project were my hikes around the reservoirs. North Catamount, South Catamount and Crystal reservoirs are just amazing lakes and when you get out and hike all the way around and get off the trails to where the tourists and the people aren't, you find some of the most spectacular scenery and some of the most serene environments and natural beauty you can ever hope to see. But if I have to pick one favorite, I love the hike up the Crags. I know it's a short day-hike but that's what makes it great. You can pack a lunch, hike up to the top, climb around on the rocks see some the most beautiful sites you'll ever hope to see in this region.
Any interesting experiences with wildlife, weather or other people?
Wow, I don't even know where to begin answering that question. Yes, I had had several, and that is one of the fun parts of the book. I share each experience every single day. I think the one that stands out the most happened on the night of August 13th. I went out to capture the meteor shower. I could write about it all over again, but I recommend you go onto my website www.mypeak365.com and browse the categories and click on August 13 and read the story. To summarize, I had an encounter with a bear in the middle of nowhere, off trail, at night, and all by myself. Needless to say, it was one of the scariest moments in my life.
Everyone has their own artistic tastes, but for you, what makes a good photo?
I think a great photo is one that leads you through the photograph, one that has several layers or elements that draws you from one place to the next within that same photograph. Something interesting in the foreground, a primary subject in the shot and something really special that brings it all together, such as sunset colors or unique lighting. That is what I tried to with my landscape photography, but everyone has a different idea of what makes a great photo!
What type of equipment do you use? Can you get some detail about what you carry and how much it weighs?
I carry about 40 pounds of gear with me most days. It sounds like a lot but it really is the basics. I usually don't give recommendations on camera brands because it really isn't the gear that makes the photograph. The gear is just a technical component of the process, but I personally shoot with Nikon cameras and Nikon lenses. The typical equipment in my camera bag consists of bodies, lenses, and battery packs. A lot of people think I use filters to get the colors I capture, but I don't own them. Of course, I always have a tripod and the remote shutter release to keep the camera from shaking from my shaking hands or the wind. I actually did a tour of what is in my camera bag on www.youtube.com– just search “The Pikes Peak Guy” and you can see everything in my bag.
What advice would you give a beginning photographer?
I think the best advice I can give aspiring photographers is to believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to get out there and do it. When I say that I am an ordinary guy who set out to create something extraordinary, that is the absolute truth. I believed in myself and put my work out there for the world to see, regardless of what my status as a pro was, regardless of how many gallery shows I had done, regardless of what criticism may come my way... Just get out there and do something great!
Check out the Pikes Peak Guy's website for more info, or to purchase a copy of the book.