Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes sits at the base of the Sawatch Range in central Colorado, offering a sweeping foreground of two connected glacial lakes with Mount Elbert and Mount Massive rising dramatically behind them. The classic composition lines up along the northern shoreline, where you can use the water as a mirror for the peaks on calm mornings before the wind picks up. Golden hour at sunrise is the strongest light for this shot, with warm tones hitting the summits while the lake surface stays glassy and reflective. A wide angle lens in the 16-24mm range works well to capture both the foreground water and the full height of the mountains. The small historic village at the eastern end also offers interesting foreground elements like old cabins and docks. The area is easily accessible off Highway 82, and you can park near the lake edge without much of a walk. (Twin Lakes, Colorado, United States)