The family was feeling a need to get out and do something in the warm sun this past weekend. I guess 6 cool and wet weekends in a row can do that. And so we joined some friends out at the Arches campground. I did my best to get some shooting in while battling a cold, allergies and family duties.
This image was taken late Saturday afternoon as I was walking up Courthouse wash. The mid-level clouds were blocking the sun most of the time, but every now and then it would break out. When I looked north to the organ formation it was lit up really nicely. I scrambled up the side and snagged this image before the clouds blocked the sun for a while again.
I like the colors, and the clouds leading in to the rock. I find I am wishing for a stronger foreground element, but as you say, you were chasing the light, so limited by time.
Thanks for the comments. As you noted, I too would have loved to have found a strong foreground element as well. There was nothing really to be had given my location except for the green brush. The good flowers were down in the wash and the bank blocked the view. Just had to go with what I had in front of me before the moment was gone. Guess I will need to return one day and try again.
Love the clouds, light, and composition, but I agree with those above and you in wanting a stronger foreground element or even a tighter crop closer to the rock. Excellent image!
I like this already as horizontal, showing the gossips in the bg is a plus. As said before, the clouds are wonderful, it is nice how the seem to lead to the rock tower.
The clouds and light on the rock make this work well.
I like the addition of the monolith to the left, but would be interested in seeing a vertical composition if it captured more of those clouds.
The gossips?! Oh yes, I see the formation. I am a little slow as it was my first time ever in the area. (I hope it isn't a sin to admit to this to a group that appears to be rather familiar with SW Utah.)
I do agree with the clouds really adding to the image. They were roughly N-S aligned bands moving to the east. The perspective provided by using the wide end of a 17-40 on an XTi gives the leading lines in the sky.
Some rock formations in Utah are known by nicknames to a few (sometimes more than one for the same formation!) On the left side of your photo, some people call the rocks at the upper part of the formation with the boulders on them that look like people "The Three Gossips" or "The Three Wisemen." Don't worry, I still hear new names for places I've visited several times already!
I am familiar with the 3 gossips - they are on the park map and I recall seeing them from the road. But from the south I did not fully recognize the formation. I know, I am slow with some things. Once you mentioned them and I looked at the formation and thought about where I was did it make sense.
Discussion
12 repliesThe family was feeling a need to get out and do something in the warm sun this past weekend. I guess 6 cool and wet weekends in a row can do that. And so we joined some friends out at the Arches campground. I did my best to get some shooting in while battling a cold, allergies and family duties.
This image was taken late Saturday afternoon as I was walking up Courthouse wash. The mid-level clouds were blocking the sun most of the time, but every now and then it would break out. When I looked north to the organ formation it was lit up really nicely. I scrambled up the side and snagged this image before the clouds blocked the sun for a while again.
C&C always welcome.
Nick, Morris:
Thanks for the comments. As you noted, I too would have loved to have found a strong foreground element as well. There was nothing really to be had given my location except for the green brush. The good flowers were down in the wash and the bank blocked the view. Just had to go with what I had in front of me before the moment was gone. Guess I will need to return one day and try again.
Love the clouds, light, and composition, but I agree with those above and you in wanting a stronger foreground element or even a tighter crop closer to the rock. Excellent image!
Thanks Justin,
Looks like I will shouldbgo back and see if I did the vertical composition after the horizontal with this image. Hopefully I did.
I like the addition of the monolith to the left, but would be interested in seeing a vertical composition if it captured more of those clouds.
Thanks for the comments Joshua!
The gossips?! Oh yes, I see the formation. I am a little slow as it was my first time ever in the area. (I hope it isn't a sin to admit to this to a group that appears to be rather familiar with SW Utah.)
I do agree with the clouds really adding to the image. They were roughly N-S aligned bands moving to the east. The perspective provided by using the wide end of a 17-40 on an XTi gives the leading lines in the sky.
Oh, not at all!
However, I would swear that this scene is located in SE Utah.
o.k. John, you got me there.
Sure felt like I was driving all the way to SW Utah with the kids in the back of the van.
Joshua,
I am familiar with the 3 gossips - they are on the park map and I recall seeing them from the road. But from the south I did not fully recognize the formation. I know, I am slow with some things. Once you mentioned them and I looked at the formation and thought about where I was did it make sense.