Southwest Book
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White Sands Dawn
Long exposure photograph of flowing dune with dawn colors.
White Sand Curves
Long exposure photograph of flowing dune with dawn colors.
Sunrays
I couldn't have asked for better light on this particular evening. In addition to that, while dust is usually bad for visibility, in this case it created two effects that I absolutely find amazing. First, the sunrays. They are absolutely endless and amazing. Second is the seemingly endless supply of peaks that fade into the dusty distance of gold as the viewer peers down the Grand Canyon. This photograph was taken from near Desert View Point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. NOTE: I exposed for the clouds with a 2 stop Hard GND Filter at the time of exposure and later lightened the under the horizon portion of the photograph by one half stop. This replicates the view as seen that evening and is necessary to more closely recreate the dynamic range that one could have seen with the human eye at the time.
Afternoon Grand
To me this is the view that most folks associate with the Grand Canyon. It is a daytime view from the South Rim's Mather Point, the quintesential Grand Canyon. I find this scene of particular interest because of the clouds and singular break in them in the center of the exposure. NOTE: I used a polarizing filter to depen the colors and contrast of the sky. I also used a 2 stop Hard GND filter at time of the exposure to keep the bright sky in check and be able to exposure for the canyon.
Vortex
A photograph taken directly up in Antelop Canyon North of a vortex created by fast flowing and spiraling debris that pushed through this space during flash floods. NOTE: No major edits were made to this photo in post. The biggest thing I had to do was remove dust particles in post that I didn't see on the lens prior to taking the shot. While this is painstakingly time consuming, it doesn't alter the result away from what was obvserved at the time of the photograph.
Battleship Moon
I wish I could say I planned this shot, but I was actually on my way to Plateau Point with another view in mind at the time. We departed the South Rim around 3 int he morning, and as dawn approached I could see the waning moon trying to sneak below the horizon of the south rim. This forced me to increase my pace. Then, just as the first rays of dawn hit the south rim I was able to make this exposure that encompasses battleship rock, the moon, and three distincly different layers of strata as I looked up toward the south rim of the Grand Canyon. NOTE: I slightly increased contrast on this photo, but otherwise no major edits were made.
Layers
A photograph taken looking south at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon as first light reaches the top of the canyon. I wanted to communicate the sense of depth that is felt as you stand on the Tonto Plateau. On one hand you can look up at the rim, but you can also look down towards the base of the canyon and see that you aren't there yet. NOTE: The above the horizon portion of the photo was darkened with a one stop soft GND filter.
Left Fork Cascade
This 2 second exposure was taken before direct light entered the canyon. Prior to this point on the hike the bed of the river looked somewhat unremarkable, but then we hit this portion of the ascent and were blown away by the waterfalls and vertical navajo sandstone rock formations. NOTE: A one stop soft GND filter was applied to the top portion of this photograph and contrast was adjusted slightly.
LeftForkCascadeObservation PointThe NarrowsThe SubwayZion National Park
Waterfalls with Large "Subway" formation in background
5580Observation PointThe NarrowsThe SubwayZion National Park
Subway Icon
This 8 second exposure highlights an iconic view of "The Subway" formation inside Zion National Park. This photograph was taken a couple hours after sunrise, before direct sunlight entered the formation. NOTE: Highlights in the upper third of the photograph were slightly burned, but solely to reclaim the detail that the naked eye could see that morning as optimum exposure was set to the lower part of the formation.
SubwayIcon2019Observation PointThe NarrowsThe SubwayZion National Park
Candyland
This 13 second post sunset, dusk exposure highlights how swiftly the colors of the sandstone shift in the twilight hours in the White Pocket. I enjoyed watching teh whole area turn pink prior to the night's dark setting in. NOTE: A one half stop soft GND filter was used to darken the above the horizon portion of this photograph and more acurately reflect the scene as seen with the human eye that evening.
Candyland
This 13 second post sunset, dusk exposure highlights how swiftly the colors of the sandstone shift in the twilight hours in the White Pocket. I enjoyed watching teh whole area turn pink prior to the night's dark setting in. NOTE: A one half stop soft GND filter was used to darken the above the horizon portion of this photograph and more acurately reflect the scene as seen with the human eye that evening.
Candyland
This 13 second post sunset, dusk exposure highlights how swiftly the colors of the sandstone shift in the twilight hours in the White Pocket. I enjoyed watching teh whole area turn pink prior to the night's dark setting in. NOTE: A one half stop soft GND filter was used to darken the above the horizon portion of this photograph and more acurately reflect the scene as seen with the human eye that evening.
White Pocket Profile
This 15 second exposure highlights the profile of one of the most striking formations in the White Pocket area. The colors seem to be contrived, but rest assured they are not. NOTE: A one half stop soft GND filter was used to darken the above the horizon portion of this image and create a more acurate depiction of what they human eye would have seen that morning.
