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Supreme Subway Splendor
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Supreme Subway Splendor

by Jim Greenwood

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 5, 2010596 views23 comments
I don't really know, but an educated guess would be that this was not a "typical" visit to the Subway these days, especially at this time of year. It was just about perfect. I had hiked to the Subway last Friday (see my previous post), and it probably was closer to a "typical" visit, except for a chance encounter with Guy Tal. So I decided to try it again on Wednesday. This time the weather was perfect; sunny, warm, little or no wind. There were less people on the trail, and at the Subway, than there were on my earlier hike last Friday. I, and two other hikers/photographers who just happened to be heading out at the same time, were the first people on the trail. It was their first attempt to hike the Left Fork. We hiked up together. They stopped to photograph a couple of locations along the trail before the Subway. I was the only person at Arch Angel Falls for about fifteen minutes until they arrived. Then I was the only person in the Subway for about fifteen minutes again until they arrived. We were the only people in the Subway for well over an hour until a few other people arrived.

The autumn colors in Zion seem to be arriving quite late this year compared to the past several years. However, the colors also seem quite vibrant this year. I'd say that the colors were just about peaking on Wednesday (11/3/10) along the Left Fork. In Zion Canyon, the colors don't seem to have peaked yet.

Canon 5DII
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II
16mm, f/13, 25 seconds, ISO 50
Hoya Polarizer, Tiffen .6 soft edge GND filter

Comments

23 comments
Comment posted by Jeff Hackett on November 5, 2010 at 10:40 AM
An iconic scene that I never tire of. Beautiful!
:toast:
Registered on March 13, 2006, 65 Posts, 1119 Comments
Comment posted by Mitch Moraski on November 5, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Great capture Jim. I really like the graphic design of the rocks. The foreground lichen adds a nice splash of color to the scene. Well done! :toast:
Registered on August 3, 2008, 105 Posts, 590 Comments
Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on November 5, 2010 at 11:47 AM
Hi Jim,

I am glad you faired better this trip to the Subway. Looks like conditions were awesome. Your processing looks awesome too, except for that bit of clipping in the water, which isn't too noticeable by the way. Honestly, I am not crazy about the composition here. It seems like there is particular interest in the foliage above the cliffs resulting in the tunnel placement at approximatley 60% up the frame. It also allows the cliff on the right hand side to play a prominent role in the image, which I don't find to be too interesting. While I applaud your originality and processing, I find this composition takes some of the mystery out of the location and I would prefer a tighter, more traditional, crop down on the glow tunnel.

Michael
Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments
Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on November 5, 2010 at 11:48 AM
This is really gorgeous with lots of nice features, including the colorful leaves and the "glow" on the walls in the background. Great capture!
Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments
Comment posted by Daniel Ewert on November 5, 2010 at 11:54 AM
This is really outstanding stuff. Love it. I was in the Subway last Saturday but it had a bit less color in the trees and the overcast sky killed the "glow." Great image. :toast:
Registered on June 2, 2009, 103 Posts, 1500 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Greenwood on November 5, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Michael, thanks for your honest critique. I did get some more traditional comps as well. But I was so enchanted by the vibrant autumn foliage on the cliffs above the tunnel, and I felt (and feel) that it complements the warm glow in the tunnel very well.

Mitch, thanks for your comment. Those are fallen leaves in the foreground, not lichen.
Registered on November 9, 2003, 229 Posts, 1523 Comments
Comment posted by Joshua Hardin on November 5, 2010 at 12:18 PM
"Just about perfect" is right. Beautiful foliage color and light in the tunnel. I disagree with Michael and like the composition including the color on the walls above, when it's that nice why not include it? I also like that it's a little different from the same comp we've seen over and over again from here before. Nicely done.
Registered on July 29, 2006, 40 Posts, 414 Comments
Comment posted by David W. Kelly on November 5, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Beautifully executed. Beautiful :toast:
Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments
Comment posted by Art Escobado on November 5, 2010 at 12:50 PM
:toast: :toast:
Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments
Comment posted by Andreas Resch on November 5, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Very nice - love the comp and the vivid colors. Great shot, Jim.
Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on November 5, 2010 at 1:51 PM
A beautiful take on an iconic location. Love the reflected color on the walls and the color of the pool. Very nice Jim.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on November 5, 2010 at 2:03 PM
Very nice shot, I like the inclusion of the upper portion, above the tunnel. Great light and glow all around, very well crafted imho.
Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 5, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Great image of the subway - don't recall seeing an image showing so much of the gorge wall so you get points for creativity!

- Luke
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Kate Silvia on November 5, 2010 at 3:53 PM
Just Awesome Jim...Love IT!! Makes me want to visit Zion again...one of my favorite National Parks!
Registered on January 12, 2009, 56 Posts, 158 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Dayton on November 5, 2010 at 4:50 PM
Beautiful, Jim! I have no nits on this image. The colors and lighting
are gorgeous. Your posting reminds me that this particular area in Zion
is still on my must see list.
Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments
Comment posted by Mat Malone on November 5, 2010 at 4:52 PM
Hey Jim, I hate to say it but I am getting a little tired of the usual Zion locations (hardly your fault). That being said, this is a pretty impressive shot, I wish it was mine. I appreciate the vertical presentation with more of the surrounding environment above.
Registered on December 15, 2008, 91 Posts, 882 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 5, 2010 at 5:35 PM
This is as quintessential an image could be of this great icon. The comp includes all the best of this place, and the light and color are grand! :toast:
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Adam Gibbs on November 5, 2010 at 5:50 PM
I'm surprised the NPS haven't put a boardwalk in yet :rolleyes:

Lovely image Jim
Registered on November 1, 2003, 168 Posts, 870 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on November 5, 2010 at 6:23 PM
Superb, Jim. Love the flow of the lines of your composition and the incredible light and color. Fantastic.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments
Comment posted by Eric Good on November 5, 2010 at 6:34 PM
Processing looks very nice here. I particularly enjoy how the tunnel acts like a link between the upper and lower worlds. Beautiful work!
Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 5, 2010 at 8:53 PM
Beautiful, Jim. I really like the light and the colors. The water flowing over the rocks looks fantastic. Well done.

Nick Bristol
lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on November 5, 2010 at 11:02 PM
I really like the comp here and how you included the upper part of the canyon. Great colors, too.
Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments
Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on November 6, 2010 at 12:02 AM
What a great shot Jim. Top to bottom beautiful colors. I really like the added color on top which makes it different from what I have seen of this scene. Lovely!
Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments