Winter sunrise at Mesa Arch

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 6, 20043,532 views14 comments

Wisner Expedition 4x5 field camera
Schneider Symmar-S 135mm lens
Fujichrome Velvia Classic film

When I set out from the trailhead to photograph this popular arch, my heart sunk as I noticed I was following footprints in the fresh snow the entire way. I just knew I'd get there and find another photographer all set up and occupying the most prime real estate. To my surprise, the footprints kept going right past the arch. All I can figure (and anyone who has been there might concur) is that, due to the arch's rather inconspicuous position close to the canyon rim, this hiker never even saw the arch. Lucky me!

Then, as the sunburst began to clear the horizon, I reached around to cock the shutter of the lens, and accidentally hit the little slider that keeps the lensboard attached to the camera. TIMBER! The lens took a tumble to the rocks and snow below. The snow actually dampened the impact, and after blowing off as much of the snow and dirt as I could, I got off about 5 sheets of film.

The downside of this story is that I had a friend "steal" this lens from me several months later. He still rubs my nose in it every chance he gets!

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Doug Dolde on April 6, 2004 at 2:20 PM

Great capture of the setting sun under the arch. It does seem a bit overly blue for my tastes however.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 305 Posts, 3900 Comments

Comment posted by Juza on April 6, 2004 at 2:50 PM

Hi Todd,
lovely image. The blue cast in the shadows looks very natural IMO and I think that it contrasts well with the warm tones of the sky and the sun. My only wish is for a bit more room to the right side.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Bowden on April 6, 2004 at 2:52 PM

I really like this...it doesn't look real...more
like a painting. I'm not sure if it is the
clouds or the lay of the land but it looks
as though it is tipped about a degree CCW.

Registered on January 13, 2004, 143 Posts, 168 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on April 6, 2004 at 3:05 PM

Very lovely. The snow deninitely adds a new twist to this scene.

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

Comment posted by Eric A. Rosen on April 6, 2004 at 5:53 PM

Great image love the sunburst. and the snow.

Doug Doodle this is a shot of the sun rising under the arch.

Eric

Registered on November 1, 2003, 139 Posts, 264 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Greer on April 6, 2004 at 7:32 PM

What do you mean steal! You ripped me off!

I should’ve done my homework before paying such a high price for this cheap lens and to beat it all, I can’t even get a sharp image out of it!

Great image DudeWest!

DudeEast

Registered on November 1, 2003, 404 Posts, 1977 Comments

Comment posted by Bret Edge on April 6, 2004 at 11:05 PM

The snow definitely adds a little somethin' somethin' to this image. I'm glad the other footprints didn't end up at the arch.

Very nice, Todd!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Kayne on April 7, 2004 at 12:01 AM

Todd, I would really like to see the original chrome of this image. I am sure the shadow detail is better than the web can portray. Very nice work.

Thanks.

Joe.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Todd Caudle on April 7, 2004 at 12:53 AM

Hey Joe, what's your address? (hehe) The chrome looks good, all the shadow detail one could ask for.

Registered on November 9, 2003, 472 Posts, 3705 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Crabbe on April 7, 2004 at 2:35 AM

New Word: Icondy; (as in eye candy made at an Icon)
Could the sunstar be any more perfect? :)

Cheers, and as with all candy: Sweet!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 182 Posts, 1840 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Ross on April 7, 2004 at 8:59 AM

I quite like the dull red glow under the arch, the blue is likely qute natural and contrasts well with the warm glow of the rising sun. I might crop a little sky off the top of this one.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2729 Comments

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on April 7, 2004 at 9:03 AM

This is wonderful....

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Dale Proctor on April 7, 2004 at 7:43 PM

Hold on you white kuncklers, I'm taken the plane under that sucker!

Registered on December 11, 2003, 24 Posts, 297 Comments

Comment posted by Justin on April 12, 2004 at 4:57 AM

An interesting story and a fine image.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 106 Posts, 1697 Comments