Spent last Thursday and Friday in a remote stretch of N. E. Arizona and didn't see a soul for two days. I consider a solo trip to the desert a success if I don't get hopelessly mired in sand and I don't have to amputate a limb.
I consider a solo trip to the desert a true success if I can get some images that I like. And so...
While I was down here, I saw two young 6 in. rattlesnakes that had fallen into the canyon from about 150 ft. up on the lip.
They were still alive, but pretty pissed off. I was fortunate to be able to jump over them, but I was awfully nervous about it!
John, first of all great set of images! #6 is stunning with the cool and warm tones and is easily my favorite. #1 and #2 are also amazing. I do have a suggestion for #3 though---you might want to consider using a larger diameter rope such as Perlon climbers rope, that one looks like it could break on a sharp rock edge leaving you stranded, and I would rather not think about a future without seeing more of your amazing imagery. The 2nd rattler image is definitely the better of the two because of its low viewing angle. If you hadn't said they were only 6 inches, I could easily have believed 3 feet or longer. In any case, though, they should be treated exactly like you treated them, with respect. Again, congrats on a successful mission!
Thanks!
Heh heh...I took my own picture (hence no daypack) and the rope has been retired, Don.
Posted by Jack Garrett on May 30, 2011 at 10:46 PM
You could improve the last 2 shots by getting rid of the snakes!!! Seriously though, those are some killer shots John.
Posted by Art Escobado on May 31, 2011 at 12:33 AM
Sweet series and your little slot canyon guardian? Icing on the cake! I especially liked Into The Void and The Void II. On the former there might be a strong vertical comp in there as well.
Cool series, John! Love the slot shots, as usual. I have yet to come across any creepies like yours in my desert travels, and I hope to maintain that trend!
Who needs Antelope Canyon when we have John to share his fantastic pics of his private slot canyons? Great work as usual! #1 is fantastic and love the colors in #2. Oh, and the slots are super! Good weekend John!
Fabulous work here, John! What a haul. I love the graphic nature of the first one. Great work on the sun star too. That's probably my favorite of the bunch, but "Symphony in Stone" and "Into the Void II" are really special too. I wish I had your backyard to play in. Keep up the great work.
Your photos never cease to amaze me, John. These are all gorgeous, w/ the exception of the rattlesnakes which wig me out despite having lived in the desert w/ them for 18 years. Of all the photos, I'm most drawn to the lichen image and "Into the Void".
And yes, please do retire that ratty rope. We need more of your images and more of your chocolate cake, my friend!
Great dividends from your trip. Cathedral II, Void II, and Symphony are my choices from this set.
With Cathedral, the placement and execution of the sunstar is excellent. Maybe try lightening the ceiling a little and see what you think.
The glow and sandy tears really show in Symphony.
Damn, John, what a haul! Desert Cathedral is decidedly my favorite, with the lichens and Void II close behind. And those are such cute little grumpy rattlesnakes!
I like the story that the snake shots tell, which is, "Morris, stay out of slot canyons."
Love the sunstar and your comp in the first one, and the sandstone shots are glorious! I'm partial to "Void II" also.
The Voids and Symphony + rattlesnake #2 are fantastic! I love the color pallette of purples and oranges and all shades in between in these sandstone intimate landscapes. Great stuff and I'm glad you didn't get any closer to the snakes - I hear the little guys really pack a punch.
Wow, excellent series John! Really like the 3 Void shots. Being a color junkie, The Void II gets the slim win for me. Gotta say the snakes don't motivate me to hike slots like the other shots.
John, these are amazing!!! The only one that I'm not as fond of is "The Void" and that's just because the parallel lines makes it feel a bit static. Otherwise, I'm ecstatic about the others!!! One and two are my favorites.
Excellent series John, I'm particularly fond of 'Symphony in stone' but I would like to see it with the top cropped off a bit, it feels a bit soft up there and draws the attention away from a stunning image.
Discussion
43 repliesSpent last Thursday and Friday in a remote stretch of N. E. Arizona and didn't see a soul for two days. I consider a solo trip to the desert a success if I don't get hopelessly mired in sand and I don't have to amputate a limb.
I consider a solo trip to the desert a true success if I can get some images that I like. And so...
This was a real surprise to find out where I was. Forgive the horrific compression it took to get this below 300kb.
They were still alive, but pretty pissed off. I was fortunate to be able to jump over them, but I was awfully nervous about it!
Errr.. who took the picture of you climbing down, the pissed off snake?
Joe Rogers
Heh heh...I took my own picture (hence no daypack) and the rope has been retired, Don.
And yes, please do retire that ratty rope. We need more of your images and more of your chocolate cake, my friend!
With Cathedral, the placement and execution of the sunstar is excellent. Maybe try lightening the ceiling a little and see what you think.
The glow and sandy tears really show in Symphony.
Love the sunstar and your comp in the first one, and the sandstone shots are glorious! I'm partial to "Void II" also.
Guy
Glad you didnt lose any limbs or have to suck out rattler venom...