For all of the years I have been photographing the Colorado Plateau, there are two thoughts that come quickly to mind: I never, ever tire of seeing the land; and it’s almost always an matter of perspective.
I am constantly surprised to top some hill or go around some turn in the landscape and discover a view that stops me in my tracks. The physical geology and its relationships is constantly presenting itself in ways that I have never seen before and I’m given a completely new perspective of how this land “fits together”. And often it is the light that helps create the effect.
On an overcast and stormy October day as I crossed over the shoulder of Boulder Mountain between Boulder City and Torrey, Utah the sky opened long enough for the beams to help highlight what I instantly recognized to be Long Canyon, with the Burr Trail running through its length, yet from a perspective I had never previously observed. This beautiful gash on the face of the Earth will eventually empty into the drainage of the Escalante River.
Then I realized that I was also seeing the Henry Mountains in the distance from a perspective that was completely novel for me, as a passing shower washed the desert toward Bullfrog and Hite; and it was the contrast between the overshadowed foreground and the land beyond that encouraged the recognition.
A focal length of 300mm allowed me the reach out for magnification and compression and a narrowed angle-of-view. An aperture of f/16 provided depth-of-field from the camera-to-subject distance; and a shutter speed of 1/40th second at ISO 200 gave me an overall somewhat darker-than-medium exposure.
Within this Image are some great examples of our wonderful public lands. How could we ever allow this Beauty to be compromised for the sake of money?
Thank you Don for sharing another fantastic image. I’m not sure how you ever made it back from the Southwest Adventure before Christmas. Everywhere you look out there makes you want to stop and capture its beauty. Stay safe my friend.
Hey Chris, it’s great to hear from you. I hope yours and Sue’s new year is off to a great start. The truth is that I almost did not make it back. There were so many times when I had to tug on the steering wheel to make it come back to the road and keep from wandering. I know that I’m already planning my return, just don’t know whether I’ll go north to begin, or west. I suspect it will be north which means I won’t be back in the Southwest until summer at the earliest and will have to find somewhere in the mountains to stay cool. I have some thoughts for an adventure with you and Sue, so stay tuned. Walk in Beauty.
Gorgeous capture Don. I haven’t taken a picture with my camera in a very long time. I need to get back at it; your photos are inspirational.
Hi Mary Ellen. I really do appreciate your thoughtful comments and kind words. I must admit that in this moment my heart is very heavy as I think about the loss of our dear friend. It has occurred to me that the best way I can honor her memory is to immerse myself in the creativity that was do dear to her; and perhaps it might be the same for you. If at any time toy want to talk about this, please feel free to give me a call. May it be well with you. Take very good care.
I agree with Chris, I would have a problem passing by the photo opportunities on that drive in October. I probably
would not get home in time for the holidays.
In this image you captured a special moment in nature that not many others will ever witness. Thanks for sharing it.
Hi Nancy T. If I remember your text accurately, you are still in Florida for a while, but I will definitely try to call you shortly. It’s been way too long. Aren’t there so many serendipitous moments when we look and see the most amazing things before us so that all we have to do is raise the camera to our eyes with an understanding of the mechanics of exposure in our minds and create something we will always remember. What was it Ansel Adams used to say, “Chance favors the prepared mind.”? It was a chance encounter with light, and I was delighted it turned out the way it did.
Thank you all so very much for joining me and for your delightful comments. I hope you all have an amazingly wonderful new year filled with creativity and happiness. May we all Walk in Beauty.