Illumination
One of the amazing things about living in Alaska is that I get to live in a place where dramatic lighting is equally matched by dramatic landscapes. When I was looking back at the month of September, trying to pick which of the many amazing excursions I would use for the monthly highlight, the sun-drenched day in Hatcher Pass and on the Glenn Highway stood out above the rest. The biggest reason for this was the unmatched lighting that touched the mountains and trees throughout the day. From the earliest hour to the blue hour the sky was various shades of perfect. My favorite shot of the day, one of Hatcher’s peaks in the blue darkness, dusted with snow and fog, is just a perfect example of the drama that Alaska can bring. While the shot itself is dark, there is a small sliver of light to add just the smallest dose of warmth to an otherwise chilly photograph. Another image, shot from afar, shows the clouds parting and the sun coming out in full force to spotlight the old Independence Mine—almost as if nature itself was highlighting the mountains’ past. There is no feeling quite like that of being surrounded by massive, looming peaks. Every time I get to be out there I am reminded how amazing it is that I get to live HERE.
Eventually, we grew hungry and decided to drive a couple of hours North bound on the Glenn for lunch. Since it was mid-September we were treated to a triple layer of color: snow-capped peaks, warm fall leaves, and a sprinkling of dark green pines to contrast the bright and the bold colors. The stretch of road between Sutton and the Eureka Roadhouse is some of my favorite scenery Alaska has to offer. Whenever I meet someone who wishes to travel here (something that happened a lot while I lived in Pittsburgh) I always stress the best thing to do is fly into Anchorage and rent a car to explore with. This drive is a large part of why I give that advice. The vastness, the view of Matanuska Glacier, the miles of wilderness dotted with spruce and hemlock, and, of course, the thriving wildlife provide travelers with something that many people will never get to experience. I myself, someone who grew up driving on this road multiple times per year, find new ways to appreciate and marvel at what I am seeing each time I drive through. On this particular day, the lighting was begging me to stop at every pull-off and photograph what I was seeing. Despite not seeing any wildlife on this trip, I ended up with a lot of practice photographing dramatic light and quite a few shots I am proud of. Plus it is always nostalgic fun for me to visit the Eureka Roadhouse for 25 cent coffee.
It’s funny—I used to hate the drive between Valdez and Anchorage as a kid. It was my six-hour nightmare and a major reason I was excited when my parents moved our family to Anchorage. Finally, no more long family trips to the city. Now I go out of my way to hang out anywhere between Moose Creek and Thompson Pass. It is perhaps only topped by just north of Atigun Pass and the Amphitheater Mountains for my favorite place in Alaska (that I have been to).
But those are stories for another time.
