Posted by Doug Koepsel on March 11, 2013 at 10:57 AM
The storm that swept across Arizona the past weekend brought some of the better light conditions that I have seen at the Grand Canyon. I kicked myself for not going after the last storm, so was sure to be on the rim when this storm was clearing.
Here are three selections, and more are placed in a trip gallery on my website. Canyon Stormlight
#1 Zoroaster Red.
The sunlight Saturday evening was very warm and brought out the red in the canyon extremely well. Larger version provided.
As always, your feedback is welcome.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on March 11, 2013 at 11:00 AM
#2 The Framing of Isis
This is one shot I wanted to redo from a few years ago if the light cooperated, and it did not dissappoint Saturday evening. This is a blend of two images for DOF and exposure.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on March 11, 2013 at 11:02 AM
#3 Angel's Light
A swath of light cuts across Bright Angel Canyon.
Posted by Bob Maynard on March 11, 2013 at 12:13 PM
Were these from the south rim?
Posted by Doug Koepsel on March 11, 2013 at 12:31 PM
Bob, the evening shots were from Yavapai Point, and morning from east of Mather on the south rim.
The north rim won't be open until mid-May.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on March 11, 2013 at 2:50 PM
Absolutely infectious lighting. The biggest problem with these images is that I didn't drive up with you.
I usually donlt have time to offer thoughts on images but today I'm home with standard cough/cold/sore throat, so I'd like to share some thoughts because you've gotten images that I have been itching to drive up there and get.
The larger version of #1 really shows the way you have the contrast of lighting captured, awesome. The lit rocks vs shadow just pulls your eye right in and holds it. I'd love to see that one full screen on my 30" monitor! Actually, it's that second image that I'm itching to see larger, what a great POV you found there, I can see why you wanted to return there. Laying the shadowed evergreens against the searing red rock is an awesome combination. My eye keeps wanting to rotate the image just 1 degree CW, does it seem a hair tilted to the left, or was that just the lay of the land? Regardless, I think the 2nd is my fave. As for the 3rd, wow, the detail in the rock and especially how that canyon cuts the lower third in half makes my eye want to walk right into it. The second plus is how the canyon then leads into this more mysterious shadowed "unknown" area, quite dramatic. If you don't mind a suggestion, I don't feel the top cloud layer adds anything, when I slid the image up so my monitor edge cropped that top edge off (leaving just a bit of sky above the top land edge), then all of the attention to me fell right into place with those two amazing lower areas of the image. Just a thought, others may feel it'd be a bit cramped in composition. Nonetheless, what a great trip, what I would have given to be there that night. I saw your full collection from your link, and without question, Yaki Star is my fave. Great job Doug!
Now that's what I call GAP LIGHT HEAVEN! Number one is my favorite but of course I'm going to nitpick composition. I think I would prefer a closer zoom, a focal length that eliminates most of the framing shadow areas. I have no idea if you own a lens that can do that but that's just what seems right to my eye.
All quite gorgeous indeed! I haven't been to the Canyon in many years, primarily because the haze was getting so bad. So, great to see opportunities after storms.
I totally anticipate that first image to be on the cover of Arizona Highways sometime soon.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on March 11, 2013 at 11:35 PM
Thank you Ken, Don, Richard and Bob for your comments.
Paul- the canyon rims are tilted by uplift, so it seems the horizon is never level. I think I leveled with a strata layer in processing #2 to appease my eye, but i'll recheck.
Kane- Your nit-picks are always welcome. I do have tighter lenses, but in this case, my preference was having the lit temple and ridges seemingly floating in shadow. I did not think to get a tighter shot with the nice red light, but I did take one a little earlier in the evening. While processing, I contemplated a little tighter crop on the left to the middle of the shadowed canyon, which is still a valid consideration.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on March 12, 2013 at 11:18 AM
Fabulous stuff here, Doug. The first image is especially powerful. I'm with Ken about it being an Arizona Highways shot.
Posted by Rodney Ninow on March 12, 2013 at 2:46 PM
Holy moley! I've been gone for a few days and look what you got. These are all just absolutely incredible, Doug!
Right time, right place. I have got to join you on your next jaunt there.
Discussion
19 repliesHere are three selections, and more are placed in a trip gallery on my website.
Canyon Stormlight
#1 Zoroaster Red.
The sunlight Saturday evening was very warm and brought out the red in the canyon extremely well. Larger version provided.
As always, your feedback is welcome.
This is one shot I wanted to redo from a few years ago if the light cooperated, and it did not dissappoint Saturday evening. This is a blend of two images for DOF and exposure.
A swath of light cuts across Bright Angel Canyon.
The north rim won't be open until mid-May.
I usually donlt have time to offer thoughts on images but today I'm home with standard cough/cold/sore throat, so I'd like to share some thoughts because you've gotten images that I have been itching to drive up there and get.
The larger version of #1 really shows the way you have the contrast of lighting captured, awesome. The lit rocks vs shadow just pulls your eye right in and holds it. I'd love to see that one full screen on my 30" monitor! Actually, it's that second image that I'm itching to see larger, what a great POV you found there, I can see why you wanted to return there. Laying the shadowed evergreens against the searing red rock is an awesome combination. My eye keeps wanting to rotate the image just 1 degree CW, does it seem a hair tilted to the left, or was that just the lay of the land? Regardless, I think the 2nd is my fave. As for the 3rd, wow, the detail in the rock and especially how that canyon cuts the lower third in half makes my eye want to walk right into it. The second plus is how the canyon then leads into this more mysterious shadowed "unknown" area, quite dramatic. If you don't mind a suggestion, I don't feel the top cloud layer adds anything, when I slid the image up so my monitor edge cropped that top edge off (leaving just a bit of sky above the top land edge), then all of the attention to me fell right into place with those two amazing lower areas of the image. Just a thought, others may feel it'd be a bit cramped in composition. Nonetheless, what a great trip, what I would have given to be there that night. I saw your full collection from your link, and without question, Yaki Star is my fave. Great job Doug!
I totally anticipate that first image to be on the cover of Arizona Highways sometime soon.
Paul- the canyon rims are tilted by uplift, so it seems the horizon is never level. I think I leveled with a strata layer in processing #2 to appease my eye, but i'll recheck.
Kane- Your nit-picks are always welcome. I do have tighter lenses, but in this case, my preference was having the lit temple and ridges seemingly floating in shadow. I did not think to get a tighter shot with the nice red light, but I did take one a little earlier in the evening. While processing, I contemplated a little tighter crop on the left to the middle of the shadowed canyon, which is still a valid consideration.
Right time, right place. I have got to join you on your next jaunt there.