Coal Mine Canyon

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 24, 20184,483 views8 comments

I recall having seen an NPN member's posts of this remote spot in NE Arizona, which prompted my visit there in 2014. The erosion reminds me of Bryce, except with more variation in the layers and lots less people. I tried to deal with unfavorable hazy light conditions for the brief time there, and probably should have considered stopping down for more DOF. Slight crop from bottom.

E-5 ZD 50-200 @70 tripod, ISO 100 1/200 f5.6 -2/3EV

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on January 24, 2018 at 6:07 PM

Stunning colours Bill and actually I quite like the soft haze as it creates a little extra depth. A place I have never heard of.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on January 24, 2018 at 10:42 PM

Wonderful forms, textures and colors. Before reading your description, I guessed that this was some seldom-seen part of Bryce. It's great to hear that there are other places like that, especially this one with such distinct layers. To me, the light appears to be very favorable, with the highlights and shadows showing off the area. I would not guess you had problems. You did well capturing the details.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on January 25, 2018 at 8:55 AM

Looks like a great place to visit. Speaking of Bryce, how was surprised how quiet it was once you left the rim to hike the many trails in the Park. Like the layering in the image and the depth you have here. Beautiful formations. Wondering if there are trails within these formations? I think you made the most of the conditions, as a wider view might have been too hazy for the nice detail you captured here.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 25, 2018 at 11:53 AM

Bill,

YOu did a great job isolating this composition and really concentrating on the formations, layers and of course the story of erosion. You also handled the exposure and processing well considering the hazy light you described.

Only minor thing for me is the space up top. Perhaps there was a constraint? You've included enough space up top to tell the view it was intentional; just wishing for a bit more.

Nice work.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on January 25, 2018 at 12:39 PM

I like the red bands, subtle backlight and bounce glow on the far pinnacles. It reminds me of Bryce in that regard. I hope you got to enjoy a sunset at CM too on your visit.

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on January 25, 2018 at 1:14 PM

Really nice layers of color and texture. This tells a nice geology story. The quality of the light is wonderful. I agree with Lon about having a bit more of the strata at the top, but this works well as it is. I like hoodoo in the lower right corner as a nice anchor.
--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on January 25, 2018 at 2:37 PM

Excellent image from this place, Bill. I've never been there myself, but images like this one tell me it is certainly worth a visit. The light looks good for bringing out the formations and bands of color. The hazy conditions you referenced are not noticeable at all.

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

Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on January 26, 2018 at 1:42 PM

Wonderful colors, shapes and textures. I could see burning down the brightness at the very top of the frame to direct the eye more to the central parts of the image.

Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments