Stella Lake, Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 2018
As part of his NEA Imagine Your Parks grant, Cody Brothers was asked to photograph Great Basin National Park—an often-overlooked gem. One location there stood out: Stella Lake, an alpine lake nestled near Wheeler Peak at nearly 11,000 feet. Reaching it required a steep hike and careful timing to capture the dramatic skies he envisioned.
On the day of the shoot, storm clouds rolled in as Brothers worked quickly to frame the lake’s receding shoreline and scattered driftwood. The hike back became a race against hail and blinding rain, a reminder of nature’s unpredictability. Later, the experience became more meaningful when Cody learned that his aunt, who had encouraged him to visit Stella Lake, had a watercolor painting of the same spot in her home. She passed away soon after, so this photograph became a lasting tribute to her and the place they shared.
4 x 5” Large Format Infrared Analog Capture, scanned and printed on Epson Exhibition Fiber Paper, Collection of the Artist
American Film
Pavement Ends West Begins
