28mm | 1/15s | f/7.1 | ISO 100

It had been a slow year for photography, but lately I had been eager to get out for some proper landscape shooting. The forecast looked promising, with possible clear skies into the early evening—ideal for photographing the Milky Way. I decided to try capturing it above the Three Sisters near Canmore, Alberta. I pulled out my camera gear, dusted it off, cleaned the sensor and lenses, and charged the batteries. Although the weather at home was cool and cloudy, Canmore’s live cameras showed a mix of sun and clouds, giving me hope for good conditions. I set out in the late afternoon for the two-hour drive, wondering whether the clouds would break. They finally opened as I reached Canmore, letting me enjoy the warmth of the sun.

I don’t recall ever seeing clouds move eastward into the mountains; the weather usually travels from west to east. Watching them press against the peaks and begin to spill over made me uneasy, as they could soon hide the Three Sisters Mountains and, later, the stars.

The Three Sisters Mountain Viewpoint has grown increasingly popular in recent years, and I passed many people along the trail. The popular reflection pond’s water level was much lower than in previous years, so I explored farther into the area for another vantage point. After some bushwhacking, I found a promising spot where the late-afternoon light looked beautiful. I took a test photo to see how the Milky Way would align.

14mm | 1/200s | f/8 | ISO 100

The clouds pressing against the mountain’s base looked striking, but I was increasingly worried they would take over and eventually obscure the sky from this location.

261mm | 1/1250s | f/8 | ISO 450

After saving the location on my GPS so I could find my way back, I headed out for dinner. While eating, I considered driving farther west into Banff National Park to escape the clouds moving in from the east. However, the forecast showed similar conditions there, so I decided to stick with my plan to photograph the Three Sisters.

When I returned, the golden-hour light was stunning, and I captured several memorable images.

70mm | 13s | f/8 | ISO 100

300mm | 1/1250s | f/8 | ISO 100

70mm | 1/100s | f/8 | ISO 100

By sunset, the clouds had overtaken the clear sky, tucking the Three Sisters into bed for the night.

200mm | 1/25s | f/7.1 | ISO 100

I followed suit, packed up, and headed home at a reasonable hour. It was an enjoyable outing and a welcome chance to practice landscape photography craft. I hope you enjoyed it, and until next time, Cheers.