An icon, I know. The massive cliffs of Zion in dawn's first light. I decided to climb into the hills above the valley for a different and more inclusive perspective, detailing these sandstone boulders beneath the towers. There were no clouds at 5am but as the sun rose, the clouds materialized and by 8 a series of thunderstorms rolled through. The timing was close to perfect for a capture of the light and dramatic skies. Some grad-darkening of the cliffs on either side uncorrected due to the emphisis it puts on the illuminated centerpeices. Canon 5D, about 24mm, 2-stop hard and soft grads. Compression not doing me any favors here.
Beautiful and dynamic scene, Marc. I can appreciate the effort to get a different look to a much photographed scene. I think you accomplished your goal here.
Ah, Marc, you're a victim of your own success! I think that if most people had taken this shot it would be a pretty good one. For you, it's nice but it's pretty common.
I think it's missing some elements that would have brought the scene together more or given more WOW factor. Some middle-ground interest and light on the clouds would have really worked nicely. Just shrubby desert out there. I was lucky to find these rocks. Thanks Mark. This one isn't on my 30x40 print list.
Marc...stop kicking yourself.....you put a great deal of effort into getting into the area as well as taking the shot. You walked away with a solid shot. Be proud. So what if it is not on your 30x40 list - it's a darn site better than anything I have from Zion (not been there), and we can all learn from you as to what it took to make this shot happen.
What it took to make this shot happen: I arrived at Zion at 9am the 24'th after shooting the sunrise in Bryce. I had prepared a list of locations I wanted to scout for images based on study of topographic maps, previous visits, reports from locals and from other photographers. My first objective was to find an ideal location to photograph the West Temple and surrounding cliffs shown here. I spent 4-6 hours hiking. Mostly above the Muesem through areas I'm not entirely sure whether they want you hiking (most of the area is closed and listed as "authorized personel only" and is housing for rangers and staff - one of the dumbest possible places in the whole park to house rangers and staff). I hiked over many, many hills, down by the stream, along the river and the meadows in the valley taking test exposures and analysing compositions. Eventually, I came back to these boulders, as my feeling was that it offered the most complimentary composition in the early light. This saves me a frantic scurry-about if the good light ever comes or setting up at the same typical spot behind the meusem photographed by thousands of others. Sometimes, after all that effort the light and conditions I'm looking for actually come and an image is made. More often, I spend hours hiking for no worthwhile shots. Fortunately, I love the hiking as much as I love the photography. This is similar to how most of my images are created.
I agree with Mahesh I find this image amazing as well. I like more then some of your latest ones. It has a great depth and feel to it. Well processed as well.
Marc,
When I was back here in January, I made it up to these cliffs/hills you shot from here. It's a great angle...and I've not seen anyone post something from this angle before. I had never been to Zion b4, and I had Guy's recommendations, and for behind the Museum, Jim Leigh had pointed me during a sort of panic~4:30am call on my cell. It was pitch black when I got there...and couldn't see a single cliff. Anyway...there weren't any signs that said "no trespassing" or any of the sort. I had a ranger watch me come off that hill, and never said anything...so I think it's OK.
Trying to scour that hillside for forground material isn't very easy. I had a tree and maybe a cactus to work with from what I found. THese elements you found work out pretty well...as they are indicative of the environment. The overall scene and exposure work well (perhaps just a tad flat)...but what really doesn't work for me, is the shadow on the Towers. I think you over curved the shadows, and lost some drama in the process. Darken that some...and you'll have a pretty decent image.
Here's a link to my towers closeup...but the shadows moght be too dark. http://gallery.photo.net/photo/4389921-md.jpg
Discussion
9 repliesRandy
I think this is great. Not as dramatic as some of your previous shots but well worth the effort.
When I was back here in January, I made it up to these cliffs/hills you shot from here. It's a great angle...and I've not seen anyone post something from this angle before. I had never been to Zion b4, and I had Guy's recommendations, and for behind the Museum, Jim Leigh had pointed me during a sort of panic~4:30am call on my cell. It was pitch black when I got there...and couldn't see a single cliff. Anyway...there weren't any signs that said "no trespassing" or any of the sort. I had a ranger watch me come off that hill, and never said anything...so I think it's OK.
Trying to scour that hillside for forground material isn't very easy. I had a tree and maybe a cactus to work with from what I found. THese elements you found work out pretty well...as they are indicative of the environment. The overall scene and exposure work well (perhaps just a tad flat)...but what really doesn't work for me, is the shadow on the Towers. I think you over curved the shadows, and lost some drama in the process. Darken that some...and you'll have a pretty decent image.
Here's a link to my towers closeup...but the shadows moght be too dark. http://gallery.photo.net/photo/4389921-md.jpg