Enchanted Canyon

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 25, 2011373 views17 comments

A wonderful moment for me this fall in the Narrows of Zion. While I'm sure the view is recognizeable, I felt the reflected light in the water and around the canyon was pretty special. The trees seemed to glow against the canyon walls. Still conditions eliminated any blur problems, but high water levels created new compositions that were not available during my virgin trip up the Virgin. Many of my shots in the Narrows were about the water, since some unusual patterns were created by the flow over and around rocks.

A single exposure, process 2x for dynamic range.
Partial polarizer so as not to eliminat ethe reflected warm tones in the river.

17-40L, f16, ISO 200

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Hillary Younger on November 25, 2011 at 6:22 PM

The light here is special and beautifully exposed....the f/g flow patterns complex and textural at this shutter speed. Nothing I'd improve here....beautiful image.

Registered on October 2, 2011, 17 Posts, 167 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on November 25, 2011 at 7:04 PM

I like the symmetry Harry especially that of the canyon walls and the trees that grace it. The foreground has wonderful texture and motion. Beautiful color and light.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 25, 2011 at 9:12 PM

Harry,

Classic view and beautifully executed. Even with the low angle viewpoint, I like that the river and it's texture and flow is showcased so well. Great color and processing. No nits.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on November 25, 2011 at 10:28 PM

Nicely composed. My eye is lead right to the beautiful background glow.

Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on November 25, 2011 at 10:34 PM

Very well done in a kind of understated way - captures the feel of this place well!

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Taylor Reed on November 26, 2011 at 2:18 AM

Superb work here, love the subtle light on the water

Registered on February 18, 2010, 26 Posts, 556 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on November 26, 2011 at 9:56 AM

Really great shot Harry, super DOF and comp. The water has a nice flow and movement to it.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 26, 2011 at 10:19 AM

Everything looks great here, Harry. I like the delicacy of the trees here in this place of powerful water and massive stone.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 26, 2011 at 4:55 PM

This looks really good, Harry. Great comp! The light and colors are beautiful, andI love the wonderful detail in this.

Excellent work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on November 26, 2011 at 5:27 PM

I never tire of images like this from the Narrows. Well composed and
exposed, Harry. Good shutter speed for the water, and I like the fall
color in the bankshide foliage.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on November 26, 2011 at 11:06 PM

On my monitor maybe a little understated in color but a very nice classic take of the Narrows.

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on November 26, 2011 at 11:25 PM

Mark - Loks pretty vibrant on my monitor, though I did see another comment that was similar, so maybe I do need to boost sat a little. With so many different monitors and web browser issues, It can be difficult to present one's vision. It seems you have had this issue in the past, or maybe still do. I guess with such colorful scenes to begin with, I don't want to go over the top.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on November 27, 2011 at 11:05 AM

Harry, the glow you have caught reflecting off the water is nice.
As a thought, if you want to showcase the water, cropping the top half of the canyon may be an option. Right now. it seems to me that the water and walls are fighting each other with the 50/50 split.

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on November 28, 2011 at 3:18 AM

harry, this is a perfect balance to my eye between the massive rocks and the flow as well as between colors. The diverse areas of interest complement each other well in my opinion. An impressive composition to me that keeps my attention.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on November 28, 2011 at 6:14 PM

Thanks for the feedback -
Doug - I see what you mean about the 50/50 split, but I didn't want to crop/disrupt the balance that the trees on each side provided.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Ben Horne on November 28, 2011 at 10:17 PM

I really like the cool look of the water, combined with the glow of the distant cliff. Though the glow itself is quite subtle, it balances very nicely with the other elements within the scene. Also, very good use of the polarizer to give a natural effect. Having spent many combined weeks in the narrows, I can also commend you for setting up your camera in one of the more precarious crossings with the most slippery rocks and strongest currents. I've watched several people eat it big time where you were standing. :-)

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on November 28, 2011 at 10:57 PM

gorgeous use of wide angle perspective, Harry. I love it. one of the better Zion shots of this fall.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments