Louise

Paul Tupman

Louise

Surely one of the most treasured spots to sit and watch as a new day breaks.

Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
July, 2009

Lake Louise, set in the Banff National Park in Canada is perhaps known as the Diamond of the Rockies for no other reason than its sheer beauty alone.

Having arrived in Canada on the previous afternoon after a long trans-Atlantic flight, the idea to beat the effects of jet lag were adopted with a 3am alarm call and the chance to shoot Lake Louise in all its splendour at dawn.

Following a 45 mins drive from Banff accompanied along the way with storms over the mountains lighting the otherwise black night sky, we arrived at Lake Louise in good time for sunrise.

Some may know the lake as a bustling tourist spot with coaches coming and going throughout the day. Dropping off their cargo at the water’s edge to take in the majesty of Louise before whisking them off to a further destination all to the sound of clicking shutters and the gentle whir of digital handy-cams.

For Claire and I the experience was to sit alone in silence; the only guests at Natures matinee performance…

The dedication to early starts could not be better rewarded.

Louise belongs to the following groups:

Canadian Rocky Mountains, Landscape Photography, Light and Reflection 1/24, Out of the Blue (75%+ Blue) and Photography Fun Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

Louise by Paul Tupman
Louise by Paul Tupman
  • Phil Deaves

    Phil Deaves

    Happy memories of this delightful spot. This is a great job Paul…well done.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thanks Phil… this was the second time for me to this spot, the first time it was frozen and covered with a blanket of snow! Lots of happy memories!

  • Ian  James

    Ian James

    Stunning shot paul an instant favourite. I love the way the rocks in the foreground are framed by the reflection in the water.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Cheers Ian… after setting up in the dark, it’s always a bit hit and miss as to what you will get from a long exposure, but once the light and colours started appearing then that’s when things started getting intresting and you can start framing your shot!

  • Dan Biggins

    Dan Biggins

    Paul, that’s fabulous-I love the rocks in the foreground, the rocks under the water and the stillness of the water itself. A fave? Oh yes!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thanks Dan… It was a great experience to be there. Knowing the colour of this lake and then waiting for those colours to start appearing as the light came through was (without sounding too much of a geek) more exciting than I had imagined!

  • Cornelia Togea

    Cornelia Togea

    great comp and colors!. Lovely nature, well captured.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Cornelia… :-)

  • Stuart Chapman

    Stuart Chapman

    An absolute beauty of a shot Paul and this is such a great place to have to yourself when so normally crowded. The cool cool blues add to the immense sense of calm and the rocks stand majestically even under the water.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Stuart… I always look forward to what you have to say. It was a brilliant morning to have to ourselves, broken only when an American staying at the nearby hotel at got up to watch the sunrise and get some snaps. Nice chap and I hope we didnt intimidate him when we suggested he tried long exposures, etc… too much, too much!

  • Simon Gladwin

    Simon Gladwin

    Sorry to favorite and run…I hate to do that but I had company and didnt want to loose the image. A super piece Paul. I love it from top to bottom. The crispness of the rocks is just perfect and the way they disappear from view as the lake deepens is just dreamy. The turquoise/cyan colour of the water gives or rather adds to a huge feeling of peace and serenity that I feel when I look at this photo. The depth is wonderful and the way the dramatic dark vee of the mountains in the background reveals the higher snowy peaks beyond is superb. Fabulous image Paul…just lovely.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Simon, I really appreciate you taking the time to come back and really take in the image and give such a detailed comment. It’s a stunning setting so it’s a great joy to read such opinions and know that you have got some of that across to the viewer.
    Thank you again… :-)

  • Alana Ranney

    Alana Ranney

    Very nice!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Alana!

  • TickerGirl

    TickerGirl

    Beautiful capture of our beautiful Canadian Rockies.
    This spot is very popular for photos, here is my version in sc from 2006, shot probably from the same point :)

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you TickerGirl… yes a very popular location which is why we got up at 3am to get the right shot!

  • Mel Brackstone

    Mel Brackstone

    I’d really love to see this part of the world sometime! Beautiful image and framing of that reflection, Paul!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Mel! There are so many stunning locations to visit… I’m sure we all have a list of places as long as our arms! I would definately recomend this place as well as a drive through the Icefields Parkway… the best drive ever!

  • Sharon Mau

    Sharon Mau

    It is very beautiful!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Sharon

  • Tatiana R

    Tatiana R

    Beautiful image, so peaceful!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Tatiana, it was indeed peaceful!

  • GabrielK

    GabrielK

    gorgeous landscape

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Gabriel

  • TaniaLosada

    TaniaLosada

    Wonderful!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Tania!

  • Rhana Griffin

    Rhana GriffinRedbubbley Schweppervescence

    Yay! Its here!

    You know what makes this image for me Paul? Aside from the lovely straight horizon of course giggles... I adore the way the v-shape light reflection caused by the inversion of the mountain reflections reaches out and captures that single rock in the foreground.

    The colours are splendiferous also. I do believe I may have a new all time Paul Tupman favourite.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    It’s here, it’s here! Thank you, thank you Rhana… indeed, the masters would be turning in their graves if they thought the young photographers of today couldn’t even get a straight horizon line!
    Very happy for this one to top your list and I think I may have equally found a new favourite Rhana Griffin superlative in “splendiferous” Great word!

  • Laurette Ruys

    Laurette Ruys

    amazing photo, certainly captures the majesty of the place. beautiful tones.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thanks Laurette… and to think that is the actual colours in the lake! Wonderful place.

  • Sue Kane

    Sue Kane

    Wonderful scene!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Sue

  • Lisa  Kenny

    Lisa Kenny

    very nice Paul….calming

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Lisa… :-)

  • Ken Thomas

    Ken Thomas

    Magnificent view!!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Ken

  • vagabondimages

    vagabondimages

    Stunning shot Paul, have always wanted to visit this location, maybe one day :)

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Simone… and I would recommend visiting this location a thousand times over. Just do it before the crowds!

  • Gary L. Suddath

    Gary L. Suddath

    masterful image

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Gary… :-)

  • Elana Bailey

    Elana Bailey

    Like Simone, this place is on my ‘places to visit’ list, too. Wonderful comp and capture. Well done, Paul. An instant fave.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you so much Elana… there’ll be a Redbubble meet at Lake Louise before we know it!

  • Gavin J Hawley

    Gavin J Hawley

    Absolute stunner of a shot. You have done a fantastic job on this. well done, :-))

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thanks so much Gavin… :-)

  • Shaun Whiteman

    Shaun Whiteman

    A beautifully composed shot, this is stunning Paul!!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Shaun… much appreciated.

  • John  Kowalski

    John Kowalski

    Spectacular shot Paul! looks like a wonderful place to be visiting, a beautifully captured image!!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you John, it certainly is a wonderful place to visit.

  • Michael Breitung

    Michael Breitung

    perfect composition!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Michael!

  • prbimages

    prbimages

    Spectacular image, beautiful!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you… much appreciated.

  • tinnieopener

    tinnieopener

    Pleased you could share this with the rest of us on RB….
    Thanks Mate
    Regards
    Mark

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thanks Mark and thats what it’s all about, sharing the experience. :-)

  • Bryan Freeman

    Bryan Freeman

    Beautifully framed and composed, I love it. Simply awesome.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Bryan… much appreciated.

  • Karin  Taylor

    Karin Taylorcommunity helper

    i love this cloudy blue, it’s heavenly

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Karin… you can’t go wrong with the colours of the lakes out there!

  • lorilee

    lorilee

    Beautiful!!!!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you lorilee

  • Blair Wainman

    Blair Wainman

    Beautiful capture!! I love the tones and the vertical composition!! Great depth in this shot!!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Blair… much appreciated.

  • Tracy Faught

    Tracy Faught

    Wow! Lucky you! It’s so worth getting up early to have the experince of a scene like this! Stunning! WELL DONE!! ;]

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Tracy… definately well worth getting up early for!

  • mimi yoon

    mimi yoon

    as if the earth stopped breathing and posed for you to have your moment….
    breathtaking, paul…. : )

  • Paul Tupman replied

    If the earth would do that for me, then I would never get any sleep!
    Thank you Mimi for writing a such a comment that would make anyones day!
    :-)

  • ViktoryiaN

    ViktoryiaN

    It´s breathtaking! The colors are stunning!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Viktoryia… :-)

  • Scott  d'Almeida

    Scott d'Almeida

    brilliant

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Scott.

  • Ronald Rockman

    Ronald Rockman

    Excellent, well done
    Rock

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Rock.

  • Terence Russell

    Terence Russell

    I was recently just across the border from this park in Glacier NP, USA. I would expect the scenery to be similar, but saw nothing like this. Marvelous capture, What causes the milkiness?

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Terrence… we did stop and chat with an American guy who turned up and stopped to watch as we took our photos. He did actually say that he felt that the Canadian Rockies were more rugged than over the border in the US, so give it a look if you get the opportunity. The lakes get their emerald and turquoise colours from a clay like substance called Rock Flour which enters the lakes from the glacial melt water, turning the water milky. Aside from that, a long exposure will always add to that effect!
    Thanks again.

  • Kelly d

    Kelly d

    Stunning image:)

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Kelly… :-)

  • WilliamJoseph

    WilliamJoseph

    spectacular shot. I’m sure the surroundings helped!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you William… to be honest I am in awe of that part of the world… stunning surroundings!

  • Peter Zentjens

    Peter Zentjens

    We have just returned from a trip to Iceland and even there we were already discussing our next “target”. The Canadian Rockies with Banff as the centrepiece just keep on cropping up more and more.
    A superbly beautiful landscape like this makes me want to go and experience it myself even more!
    Thank you for sharing, thank you for inspiring!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Hi Peter and thank you. This is the second time I have been to the Rockies now and I would recommend it to anyone. Banff is a great base to start from with so much on offer in and around the town. My biggest recommendation though would have to be the drive from Banff to Jasper through the Icefields Parkway… simply stunning! Last time we drove this in March as part of a long road trip from Vancouver and the scenery was spectacular. To see it again, but in a different season was no less breathtaking… in fact we did the drive twice on a return trip from Banff-Jasper. You can never have enough time for this place!
    Iceland is a place that I would like to vivit too one day, so perhaps you’ll have a few pointers for me one day… thanks again.

  • Peter Zentjens

    Peter Zentjens

    Thanks for the tips Paul! When we go it probably will be something like a 3 week Vancouver – Vancouver tour. It could be something for next year but I’m not sure yet, keeping our options open. Banff & Jasper and the drive inbetween are most certainly already on the list! :)

    If you ever need any Iceland info, just give a yell, we have tons! I’ll upload some of my photography from there later this year in one or two calendars. It’s a stunningly beautiful country I can assure you, and with there monetary crisis a lot cheaper then it used to be.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thanks again Peter. The first road trip that I did was vancouver-Vancouver, taking in the rockies, the prairie lands, the gold route as well as Vancouver Island… so much to see!
    I’ll be sure to come to you for tips on Iceland.

  • Pascal Lee

    Pascal Lee

    Fantastic Shot paul, love the stilness of the water very well composed,

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Pascal… very much appreciated.

  • Marcela Diaz

    Marcela Diaz

    I have no words to express how beautiful and perfect your composition is! Everybody has already said it all :) It is just breathtaking! You did an excellent job Paul! Straight to my favorites! :)

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you very much Marcela, as well as for the favourite. :-)

  • netcybergirl

    netcybergirl

    JUST PERFECT.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you netcybergirl.

  • katka2132

    katka2132

    So amazing colours, capture and light. I love it!!!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thanks again katka

  • Jayme Rutherford

    Jayme Rutherford

    Lovely capture! I love the blue tones.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Jayme.

  • Luka Skracic

    Luka Skracic

    Stunning work Paul, it all comes together so flawlessly, ace image.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thanks very much Luka… very much appreciated.

  • 3XEternity

    3XEternity

    Wow! Love this!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you 3XEternity… :-)

  • LTPhotography

    LTPhotography

    Fond memories also of this lovely area and lake, well captured here!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you… yes, lots of fond memories to take from this place!

  • Donald Cameron

    Donald Cameron

    Majestic image, not a bad location at all!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Donald. Yes, not a bad lcation at all!

  • jennaloke

    jennaloke

    this is so beautifull

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you jennaloke.

  • Allise Fountain

    Allise Fountain

    Crazy, the perspective is like it’s not real

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Allise.

  • Sue Nueckel

    Sue Nueckel

    Sublime Paul!!!!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Sue!

  • Tara Lemana

    Tara Lemana

    Stunning shot Paul, the glass-like quality of the lake is just mesmerising. Instant fave, very, very good!!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Tara, very much appreciated.

  • AmandaH

    AmandaH

    Stunning shot… :o)

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Amanda… :-)

  • Matthew Reilly

    Matthew Reilly

    Sensational!!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Matthew!

  • Ian Stevenson

    Ian Stevenson

    very nice, great atmosphere

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Ian.

  • Darlene Virgin

    Darlene Virgin

    Love this shot!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Darlene!

  • Brad McEvoy

    Brad McEvoy

    Brilliant!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thanks Brad!

  • Sean Jansen

    Sean Jansen

    Awesome capture, glad you had a chance to visit our diamond of the Rockies !! You photographed this brilliantly !!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thanks Sean… second time visiting this diamond!

  • Alf Caruana

    Alf Caruana

    what a magical capture just wonderful

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Alf.

  • funkybunch

    funkybunch

    great shot of one of my favourite places in the world

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you funkybunch… one of my favourites too!

  • Brook Gerard

    Brook Gerard

    Reminds me of 4400, Awesome work. :) Cheers

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thanks Brook… I just had to Google 4400 to see what you meant. I get you now!

  • Elysia Ranking

    Elysia Ranking

    wow.. such a beautiful shot. Id love to be there.

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Elysia… :-)

  • Melinda Gaal

    Melinda Gaal

    Stunning photo! Stunning location!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Melinda… it is a stunning location!

  • Christian Froehlich

    Christian Froe...

    simply amazing!

  • Paul Tupman replied

    Thank you Christian… :-)

  • Ruben Vicente

    Ruben Vicente

    Awsome blue tone, great view.

  • ratscat

    ratscat

    really great capture – the blue is amazing.

    I have happy memories of sitting here just watching the world go by. I would love to visit again sometime – meanwhile shots like this remind me….

  • Christine  Wilson

    Christine Wilson

    this was certainly worth the early start

  • Birgitta

    Birgitta

    There seem to be about 20 shades of blue here!
    And I feel like I could walk right in to this..
    simply amazing. :)

  • RavenSoul

    RavenSoul

    AMAZING such a Beautiful spot!

  • Lucindawind

    Lucindawind

    stunning shot . .I was there last summer and the whole area left me speechless ! its sooooo beautiful

  • bobculshaw

    bobculshaw

    Beautiful shot Paul. Have emailed to my son – he got married at Lake Louise two years ago.

  • Jennifer Promenzio

    Jennifer Prome...

    great composition, the water is like silk. beautiful tones. great work

  • Laurie Search

    Laurie Search

    This is just so beautiful!

  • Lemonn

    Lemonn

    Great place love it !!!

  • Cathleen Tarawhiti

    Cathleen Taraw...

    Now that is a very good reason to get up early. Beautifully taken Paul.

  • Carmen  Cilliers

    Carmen Cilliers

    I seem to always miss your new uploads Paul – mind you I’m probably one of the slackest R-bubblers around! Glad to see you are still taking such stunning photographs. You remind us how beautiful the world still is.

  • Harry Snowden

    Harry Snowden

    Awesome point of view…great place… eh?

  • Mary Campbell

    Mary Campbell

    Supberb, lighting and the stillness of the water in the morning is the best, you captured it really well.

  • Dream Vision Images

    Dream Vision I...

    Beautiful! Have always wanted to visit…maybe one day :-) cheers!

  • Cathleen Tarawhiti

    Cathleen Taraw...

    Congratulations, you are featured on the Photography Fun group homepage :)

  • Andrew Pearce

    Andrew Pearce

    pristene & beautiful. love it :D

  • pmistric

    pmistric

    Wonderful. My eye leads to the triangle. Goodness..all of your images are always such stunners.

  • Rebecca Cozart

    Rebecca Cozart

    Stunning. You have a fabulous portfolio.

  • Crystal Williams

    Crystal Williams

    Wow…beautiful spot.

  • Brendan Schoon

    Brendan Schoon

    An amazing picture, great composition! I can see you’ve thought about the composition as always and the exposure is more than perfect! The overall picture is a masterpiece which would be a great asset for the Lake Louise visitor center… And not just a small version, no the big version XXXL… lol! So that every person would see it when they’ll visit the visitor’s center! The italic text below is posted on the magnificent journal with the story behind this picture! An instant favorite, for sure!!

    Paul, you did an amazing job to create a shot like this. I enjoyed reading the story behind it and was very surprised about the amazingly long exposure 300 sec!! Truly amazing! I wonder how you did this, my long exposures (more than 100 sec) always start to turn overexposed.
    Excellent story and an excellent photograph, I’ve seen Lake Louise on midday, and, Yep it was way to crowded, even when I’d hiked all the way up to the tea-house! When I visit Lake Louise again, I would like to make a picture of it, during sunrise, from the highest tea-house. The sun will rise right behind the hotel if I’m not mistaken…
    Fabulous work!

    Brendan

  • Heather Davies

    Heather Davies 12 days ago

    What a wonderful start to your day, peace, surrounded by such amazing beauty. :)

  • Ann J. Przyojski

    Ann J. Przyojski 11 days ago

    Outstanding. Incredible gallery Paul

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