How Stephen Shelesky Shot This Picture-Perfect Mountain Reflection
Capturing a mirror-like reflection in perfectly still water is a dream for many landscape photographers – and there’s no better place to do it than in the Rocky Mountains.
Originally published February 22, 2019, by Jessi Gowan. Updated October 16, 2026, by PHLEARN Staff: new sections, a settings box and a before/after pair; the story’s words unchanged.
This mountain reflection was shot at Eiffel Lake, in the Larch Valley above Moraine Lake in Banff National Park. Wyoming photographer Stephen Shelesky explains how he found the scene, the settings he used and how he edited it.
A Photographer Shaped by the Outdoors
Wyoming-based outdoor photographer Stephen Shelesky is pretty familiar with the snowy slopes. Although his interest in photography began when he was young, his experience shooting his friends during ski trips to Colorado turned a casual hobby into something more. As a nature lover, Stephen says capturing images of the mountain landscapes helps reinforce his passion for the outdoors.
“My love of photography continued to grow because of that connection to nature, for me,” he explains. “Being outside is where I’m most at peace, and it’s great to try and convey the feeling to others through my photography.”
Being outside is where I’m most at peace, and it’s great to try and convey the feeling to others through my photography.
Stephen Shelesky
The Wrong Place, the Right Shot
So, when Stephen headed to Eiffel Lake in the Larch Valley above the famous Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, he was on a mission to capture the beauty of the dramatic scenery. The destination was one of the last stops on a four-month road trip he was taking around western North America, and he’d worked out the perfect location.
“I originally arrived to photograph a sunrise with the famous view of the Ten Peaks Range behind Moraine Lake, but had planned to escape the crowds by hiking afterwards,” Stephen says. “I actually had a specific shot in mind ahead of time and through my research thought it would be found at Eiffel, but it turned out to be the wrong place.”
While Stephen might have been disappointed initially, his scramble down to Eiffel Lake had revealed a spectacular scene – an absolutely perfect reflection.
Camera and Settings
- CameraNikon D750
- Lens16-35mm f/4 at 32mm
- Settings1/200 sec, f/10, ISO 320
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Camera and lens
24.3MP FX-Format CMOS Sensor, Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps, 3.2″ RGBW Tilting LCD Monitor
Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22, Silent Wave Motor AF System
To make the shot more interesting, Stephen wanted to include a human element, so he set up his tripod and aimed at the pristine lake. He adjusted the settings on his Nikon D750, using a 16-35mm f/4 lens at a focal length of 32mm, a shutter speed of 1/200 sec, aperture of f/10, and ISO 320, and then, he got in front of the camera.
“I had my camera shooting on intervals while I ran in front of it to stand and stare down at the beautiful Ten Peaks Range,” Stephen says. “Originally, I was fixated on this being a wide shot, but quickly realized that created a less intense final product.”
Originally, I was fixated on this being a wide shot, but quickly realized that created a less intense final product.
Stephen Shelesky
Framing and Editing the Mountain Reflection
Framing the shot up close allowed Stephen to capture a more dramatic representation of the mountain peaks – displaying the tallest peak in the range, instead of including the full ridgeline of lower mountaintops.
With his composition tightened up and his timed shots captured, Stephen used Photoshop to lift the shadows a bit, add clarity and contrast, and did some light split toning to warm the highlights and cool the shadows.
Unedited
Final editInspiring Others to Get Outside
And, although his final shot might not have been the picture he had in mind when he headed up to Eiffel Lake, the end result is an eye-catching capture of an almost surreal natural scene – one he hopes will encourage others to get out and enjoy the world around them.
“I was able to get creative at Eiffel, capturing a unique perspective that I didn’t have in mind at all prior,” Stephen admits. “The goal with my work is always to inspire others to get outside, so they can gain an appreciation for our natural environments and gain motivation to protect the many areas that are being degraded by human activity.”
To see more of Stephen’s shots of the natural world, check out his website or follow him on Instagram.
Common Questions About the Mountain Reflection Shot
Who is Stephen Shelesky? When this article ran in 2019, a Wyoming-based outdoor photographer. His interest in photography started young, and shooting his friends on ski trips to Colorado turned it from a casual hobby into something more. He says the goal of his work is to inspire people to get outside and to protect natural places.
Where was this mountain reflection photographed? At Eiffel Lake, in the Larch Valley above Moraine Lake in Banff National Park; the peaks are the Ten Peaks Range. Stephen had come for a sunrise at Moraine Lake and hiked to Eiffel for a shot he had planned. It turned out to be the wrong place for that shot, but the lake was perfectly still.
What camera settings did Stephen Shelesky use? A Nikon D750 on a tripod with a 16-35mm f/4 lens at 32mm, 1/200 sec, f/10 and ISO 320. He set the camera to shoot on intervals and ran in front of it. He first wanted a wide shot, then framed tighter so the tallest peak dominates instead of the full ridgeline.
How was the mountain reflection edited? In Photoshop, he lifted the shadows a bit, added clarity and contrast, and used light split toning to warm the highlights and cool the shadows. The unedited frame and the final edit sit side by side above.
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