Sanctuary

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 17, 2013410 views15 comments

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Last October, I went on my first backpacking trip with my 8x10 camera. I went with a buddy of mine, and it was a very painful and miserable experience. I was determined to learn from that experience, so I returned to the Southwest this past May on a solo backpacking trip. This time, it was an absolutely delightful experience.

A new backpack and sleeping pad made all the difference. My pack weighed in somewhere between 85 and 90lbs, but it was comfortable.

My destination for this trip was Neon Canyon — a place I have read a lot about over the years. Though you can easily hike Neon Canyon on a day hike, it will be somewhere around 8 to 9 miles round trip over rough cross country terrain, and you won't have much time to enjoy the canyon. It's nearly a 1,000 foot descent into the canyon, and the hike out takes a lot of work. I spent 3 days there, and had a blast.

For the rest of the story, please check out my video journals. The following photo was shot on Day 2.

Trip Preview Video: http://youtu.be/DjOgmb3KfRY
Day 1 Video Journal: http://youtu.be/VqTvASRXaqQ
Day 2 Video Journal: http://youtu.be/X88ALySr3V4

Ebony RW810 | Nikkor 300mm | Kodak Ektar 100 8x10 (color neg film) | ~30 seconds @ f/64

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on June 17, 2013 at 5:09 AM

Nice Ben, i like the colors & details

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on June 17, 2013 at 9:19 AM

Glad you had a more enjoyable experience. Sweet colors here in this one, good job!

Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on June 17, 2013 at 9:26 AM

I like the intimate comp. The horizontal (nearly) striations on the left hand face are an exceptional accent for the vertical lines on the bg cliff. Creates some interesting tension. I also like the way the lower branches lead right into the frame. Beautiful color and light, this is very nicely done.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 17, 2013 at 10:06 AM

I am really liking the composition, Ben. The different planes intersecting with the two walls and the trees works really well and those are some seriously popping greens. Beautiful light, too.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 17, 2013 at 11:24 AM

What a beautiful photograph this is! I like your composition here a lot, Ben, and the he light and colors are wonderful. So much depth and amazing detail. Fantastic work! Looking at your large version is a real treat.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Zhoen on June 17, 2013 at 12:07 PM

Nice light on the canyon wall, it shows off the texture nicely. I am looking forward to your videos!

Registered on May 16, 2013, 25 Posts, 188 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on June 17, 2013 at 2:04 PM

Gorgeous canyon light on the cottonwood. Beautiful.

Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 17, 2013 at 2:14 PM

The large version is a visual treat. Really nice detail, light, color, and comp.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Moore on June 17, 2013 at 3:06 PM

The thumbnail doesnt do this justice, the large version is a real treat to look at- nice subtle light on the cottonwood and well preserved detail.

Registered on January 12, 2010, 84 Posts, 388 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on June 17, 2013 at 3:53 PM

Most appealing mixture of elements working together here for me, Ben. I especially enjoy the delicate lighting in the background rock face.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 17, 2013 at 7:01 PM

Beautiful light here Ben. I especially love the lines of desert varnish on the walls. The light on the cotton woods is special and your wait certainly paid off. Thanks for providing links to your videos. Interesting to watch your process.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 17, 2013 at 7:10 PM

This is outstanding Ben! There is so much to love and appreciate about this image, the color combo being the most obvious and the patterns in the canyon walls. But there's one thing that really makes this image engaging and that is the fact that the canyon floor can be seen extending all the way through the frame with the distinct feeling of being able to continue around the corner deeper in to the canyon; that right there gives this image a great deal of depth.

Kudos on a great capture and getting this on the 8x10.

Lon

ps. I continue to enjoy your videos. Any dancing or singing in Day 3?

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on June 17, 2013 at 7:16 PM

Nice light and contrasting colors, Ben. I backpacked into a comparable looking this spring (the confluence of Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon), but with my D600 and less than 1/2 weight. My hat's off to you.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on June 17, 2013 at 10:23 PM

I haven't looked at the videos yet. But, to carry around a an 8" x 10" setup ( and I know the video setup you adorn your shooting with), inspiring for sure. Most on this forum have never shot or scene a 4" x 5" tx. Let alone a 8" x 10". I use to spin'em under oil years ago on the finest of drum scanners in my former life. I'd be all grins seeing this image on a light table with a loop. What a beauty. I'm not sure where your getting these done as of late, but back in the day, we use to do hdr scans. Once mounted on the drum, you scan three version. On the scanner you dial in a normal, and an over / under exposure, later sandwiched in Photoshop or Scitex Prismax. You know, before Photoshop, we'd run Scitex and Kodak proprietary digital compositing and imaging systems. Sure has changed. Instead of a few dozen high end post processing operators in the nation in 1996, it's.... enough reminiscing...

Wonderful isolated lighting, intimate scene, intriguing framing, and compelling processing all making for an intriguing vision of art.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on June 18, 2013 at 3:05 PM

The foliage looks great against the canyon walls Ben, the landscape and light comes alive in the larger upload.

Gary.

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