Lake Louise View
This iconic viewpoint along the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail gives you one of the most photographed alpine scenes in Canada, where the impossibly turquoise glacial water stretches toward Victoria Glacier with the grand Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise anchoring the right side of the frame. The color of the lake comes from glacial rock flour suspended in the water, and it reads best in soft, diffused light rather than harsh midday sun. Early morning is ideal, arriving before sunrise to catch calm water that mirrors the surrounding peaks and the hotel's stone facade. Position yourself at the water's edge and shoot wide to include the reflections, or use a longer focal length to compress the glacier against the distant ridgeline. Polarizing filters help saturate the teal tones significantly. The trail is paved and accessible, but expect crowds by mid-morning, especially in summer. (Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada)
