Channeling My Inner David Muench

Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake. Mid-morning. September 24, 2015.
Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake, Colorado. September 24, 2015.

The Maroon Bells is considered to be one of the top scenic photo locations in Colorado, and it certainly one of the most popular. The Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake are a stunning sight by both day and night (photo below).

The Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake by Moonlight with the Milky Way. Colorado.

The Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake by Moonlight with the Milky Way. Colorado. September 23, 2015.

David Muench is one of our finest landscape photographers. He has traveled the world but his life-long primary focus has been on the landscapes of the American west. His work has inspired me for years. The photography in the book Primal Forces is stunning and features a collection of some of his finest work along with beautiful images by his son Marc.

Colorful Colorado, Winter 1966 issue.

It runs in the family. When I was a teenager growing up in Colorado I was captivated by the photography of his father, Josef Muench. I would look forward to every issue of Colorful Colorado. The magazine was filled with articles but I was mostly interested in the scenic photos of Colorado. A special treat was the beautiful two page spread of some gorgeous Colorado scene. I soon learned that many of the best images in the magazine were created by Josef Muench, so I especially looked forward to seeing his photos. Years later when I came across his book Pro Techniques of Landscape Photography, it was like going back home to Colorado as a teenager, so I bought it. My appreciation for the photography by the Muench family goes back several decades.

Dawn Reflections, Maroon Bells, 1978, by David Muench

So for two fine days in September (photos at the top) I was at Maroon Lake and the Maroon Bells for the first time in my life. I had a wonderful time and had a chance to channel my inner David Muench.

Three generations: Primal forces by David and Marc Muench. Pro Techniques of Landscape Photography by Josef Muench.

Links

David Muench – official web site

You can see dozens of David Muench’s images at 12 portfolio pages here.

David Muench – Books

David Muench Fine Art Gallery Prints

You can buy several books by David and Marc Muench in this section of my Amazon powered photography store.

Nature Photography Books: The Three Essentials. If you only read three nature photography books, put these on your “must read” list.

My Two Favorite Introductions to Landscape Photography. If you only get two books on landscape photography, these are the books to get.

The Best “How To” Nature Photography Books