The Moment

To me there is nothing more amazing than the exact moment the sun cracks the horizon and those long rays of light spills across the landscape. Or the converse, when the sun goes to bed, and the last rays of the day creep ever upwards into the heavens. Most folks know about "the golden hour", but few stick around for "the purple hour". Sunrise and Sunset are subject to the laws of physics, the de-fraction of light in the atmosphere, and it's why the sky lights up at those times of day. A once heard an old timer speak of waiting on "a second sunset". It's relative to the technical discussion, but this is a spiritual and philosophical conversation. If you've ever witnessed it, you know what I'm talking about.

Regardless if I get a shot or not, on those mornings when I wake up early, crawl out of bed, stand around groggy in the cold, waiting on "the moment", it's worth it. It's worth it because I get to see things that 99.99% of people never get to see, simply because they are too lazy to get up at the time required to witness "the magic". When I am lucky, I get to bring those moments to people through photography.  Getting to share just a little bit of this wonderful world with people makes me smile.

Menu Falls Zion NP

Not everyday is epic.  Even when we are in epic places, sometimes things just don't work out.  Those are the times when creativity and experience are at a premium.  My trip to Zion NP back in May was an example of that.

• Epic scenery, check.  
• Small crowds, check.  
• Wildflowers, check. 
• Awesome light, EHHH!  Try again!  

I got to the park late enough in the afternoon that on a normal day, there should have been beautiful golden light reflecting off the red canyon walls.  Instead, I got gray nasty skies and soft, flat light.  Flat light equals low contrast, which generally conveys softness, gentleness and mildness in photographs.  Not the look I was going for on that day.  So, I started thinking.  I could shoot wildflower macros, or moving water or I didn't know.  Sigh...

Undaunted, I put on my pack and started to hike one of the easier trails, just to see what I could see and if I could find any inspiration.  I did get a few frames I liked, but nothing spectacular.  I made my way to the Zion Lodge and caught an uncrowded up canyon shuttle.  Sitting at the front of the bus near the driver, I asked her "So, what do you have for a photographer that's off the beaten path?"

"Well", she replied, "Have you ever heard of menu falls?"

"Menu falls?  No, I've never heard of it.  It's not mentioned in any of my guide books.  Where is that?"

"Well, it's a little know spot in the park, near the Temple of Sinawava.  Since there aren't many people on the bus, I can drop you there, but you'll have to walk to one of the bus stops to be picked up."

So the bus made a really quick stop in the middle of the road, I jumped off and made my way up the little boardwalk.  I jumped the rail, pulled out my gear and set up.  This place was a little oasis in the desert.  If it wasn't for the red rocks, I would have thought I was in the pacific northwest, or any number of mountain streams back "home" in North Carolina.  Even with an hour or so to go before sunset, it was starting to get dark beneath the high walls of the canyon.   I clicked off a few frames.  Success.  With a little help, I had managed to find the perfect location to shoot given the conditions of the day.  Not what I had hoped to come away with from my trip, but a solid image nevertheless.     I knew that nobody else in the park that day, got anything similar to this shot.  In fact, I've only seen a few images of this location, which is normally overlooked by folks wanting to shoot the classics of the Subway, the Narrows or Arch Angel Cascades.

So be prepared.  Have a plan, but be willing to shoot what you are given.  Even with guide books, and research before hand, don't be afraid to ask for local knowledge.  Sometimes, you might just be pleasantly surprised by the results.

Until next time,
Lonnie

Arches NP Sunrise Junkshow

Turret Arch thru the North Window



 I love shooting the classics of the Southwest.  I don't always love the junk show that goes along with it.  Scottie and I were headed down to meet my parents for our annual gathering in the Four Corners Area.  I arranged my work schedule to get some work done in that part of the world on Friday. Fortunately, that allowed my some photo time in Canyonlands and Arches. 






South Window Sun-up



Not having a real plan on where I wanted to shoot Friday AM beyond "Arches", we got up before sunrise and got in the car.  I scoped a few areas on the drive in and wasn't feeling the love at any of them.  Knowing the geography and layout of the park I ended up, along with every other photographer in the park that day it seemed, in the windows section.  The windows are most likely the best area to shoot sunrise in arches.  The rocks face the right direction (generally east), and are easy to get to.  As we got out of the car in early twilight, I could already see 1 person standing in the North Window.  As we crested the hill, I saw what looked like 5-10 photographers lined up to shoot turret arch thru the north window.  Ugh.  Junkshow.  So I started looking around.  After about 10 mins, I found a spot that would give me some good foreground interest and a good view of the south window.  I set up and waited.  Facing west, I could see the sun working it's way up to the east.  As the first rays of light touched the top of the sandstone, I snapped a few forgettable images, and waited for the rock to really light up.  A few moments later, magic. The rock came to life as it always does this time of day.  Five mins later, and it was over.  The rocks got too hot and too flat.  I was done.

North Window Reflection



Not be be out done, all of my friends done with shooting Turret arch headed my way to see what was so interesting that I skipped the classic (I have shot turret arch a couple of times in the past).  I was already packed up and headed out.  As Scottie and I were walking, I noticed a very small puddle on the slick rock.  A little light went off in my head, remembering and reminded of some of Tom Tills work.  I pulled out my camera put on my widest lens, dialed up F22, bumped up the ISO and got down on my belly, my lens only an inch or two above the puddle.  I hurried to fire off a few frames before anyone else saw what I was shooting. 

The image on the right was what I got.  I like it not because it's the greatest image I have ever shot, but because I took advantage of what was handed to me on that day.  I'm sure that of all the other photographers there that day, nobody else got this one.  That I can be proud of.

Until next time,

L



Getting the shot.