Sunrise on the Grand Teton Peaks Panorama

A panorama of the Teton Peaks glow in the first light of day in Grand Teton National Park.

One thing I’ve learned in the constant shooting with two different lenses, one being a 17-40mm and the other a 70-300mm, is not to let a shot get by. It can be easy to make up excuses, especially when you specifically have a wide angle on. However it would be much better to risk a little dirt that can always be cleaned off rather than missing a shot, such as this one.

In this example, I was out at sunrise near the summer solstice, which meant that I was up extra early specifically getting wildflowers on the floor of Jackson Hole. I was in Antelope Flats in Grand Teton National Park shooting all the balsamroot wildflowers with my wide angle as the sun came up. Upon seeing the first light of the day hit the Grand Teton and surrounding peaks I immediately saw a panorama that would only be possible with my telephoto lens on. That’s when I had to make a decision. Do I change lenses and potentially get some dirt on my sensor, or do I take the easy way out and make up excuses about the light changing too fast, not wanting dust in my camera or any other plethora of similar thoughts that can flood your mind in a crucial moment like that. Obviously, my instincts were telling me to change lenses, so I went with it and happily came away with this shot.

The next time you find yourself getting the itch to switch lenses in the middle of a beautiful moment, go with it. In addition to getting a shot you think you see, you’ll also stretch your creative mind a little farther by looking through the scene with a new focal length.

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