Saved Two Shots From Zion NP

[RbnDave]

Once again I am on call for work and am stuck home with nothing to do. It beats actually working, but I am getting a little bored. Tonight, I dug through the photos from my visit last september to Zion National Park. I thought I had already editted and posted anything worthy from that trip, but then I found these two. Tell me what you think. Display them, or keep them buried in my hard drive?

The Watchman Mountain and the Virgin River
http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/44194607.jpg

View from Angel's Landing
http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/44194600.jpg

[Belmondo]

Really nice.
We were there a couple weeks ago, and loved it.

[cfcRebel]

I like both of them and I'd definitely keep them.
Nice mix of sky, rock, trees and creek in #1.
The stone colors in #2 are amazing, but the shadow was alittle too hard. It's still beautiful nonetheless.

[RbnDave]

Thanks. Zion is great, but really hard to photograph. The canyon is very contrasty; very bright cliff faces and shadowed areas. The shadow kind of messes up the second shot and keeps it from going on my wall, but I like it enough to keep it in my web gallery... maybe?

Tom,

If I lived in your neck of the woods (or dessert), I think I would spend every weekend driving to different national parks. Glad you enjoyed zion :D .

[felix21685]

wow nicely done

[EOSAddict]

I kind of like the deep shadow in no 2 - not sure why! Makes me want to dig back into my slide archives from when I was there in 2001 and do some scanning!

[weemannie]

I like the shadow in No.2 as well. It gives a sense of depth and is quite dramatic:D

[RbnDave]

Thanks guys.

I really want to go out west on a photography trip. I thought looking at my old photos might help keep me satisfied for a few more weeks.

[Tel]

I think the shadow is a little too strong, it draws my eye in and I find myself concentrating too much on it.

[RbnDave]

Tel,

That's what I think too. Maybe if there was more detail inside the shadow it would be OK.

[sparker1]

As usual, Dave, you have posted excellent shots. The shadow doesn't offend me, but I see your point of view. I was in Zion last September also (what a coincidence) and had to contend with the contrasty light. It killed some shots, made others. Was it taken from Angel's Landing? If not, where?

BTW, in a week I'm headed to Colorado for the summer. Find a job that brings you out that way. There are great scenes waiting to be shot.

[Croasdail]

hey - great photos. I will be there in 3 weeks but only have a short time. I will have 1 day in Cedar City and 2 in Kanab. Based on your experience - what is the best use of my mornings and evenings shooting. I would love to come away with some stuff like you have here and on you pbase site. Sparker - your stuff is great too... so chime in if you like. Both of you have some great shots from that part of the world.

[RbnDave]

Stan,

Thanks for the compliments. I'd love to go to Colorado. In fact, I might be visiting a college buddy in Colorado Springs in a few weeks. That trip is still up in the air, but I am going to have to go out west sometime. I haven't had a chance to do any serious landscape photography in months. Right now, I have a new girl friend and am thinking of testing her affection by dragging her on a photography trip. BTW, that second pic was taken from angels landing.

Croadsdail,

Zion recomendations...hmm... In the morning I'd say check out the courtyard of the patriachs. The tourist overlook of the courtyard is good, but I'd recomend going on the other side of the road from the actual overlook. There is a trail that leads to a meadow that has a better vantage point and you won't have a bunch of japanese people walking into your view finder. Plus there are a bunch of photo ops along the short 1/4 mile trail. Here's the view http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/34224702 Here's a pic taken on the way back from the view http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/34224741

Another morniong spot is the bridge over the Virgin river. That's where I took the Watchman pic above. It's right near the Courtyard of the patriachs. You can hit both locations in less than a half hour and get good morning light on both if you get up early enough.

If you like to hike do the Angels Landing Trail. If you like to hike even further do the Overlook Trail. I've done both. the overlook Trail is better, but longer. Angel's Landing is Awesome, but crowded. The Overlook Trail goes higher than Angel's landing, has a better view, and you'll have the trail all to yourself. No matter which one you do, plan your hike so you get to the top around noon. That's the only time the entire canyon is sunlit. earlier or later and you'll have a ton of shadows. On the way up Angel's landing: http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/34224757
Fomm the top of angel's landing http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/22113688 http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/22104148 http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/21871454
From the Overlook Trail: http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/21871465 http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/21872383 http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/21872391
http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/21872475

Those pics were taken before I had a good lens a knew anything about photoshop, hence the hazy look.

Like I said before most of zion is hard to photograph because of the contrast. However there is one treat for the frustrated Zion Photographer. Go to the Kolob Canyons portion of the park for sunset. The rock formations are wonderfully lit and really easy to shoot. the road through Kolob canyons is made for photographers. There are tons of overlooks and turnouts. Also, no one goes to kolob canyons. You'll get some unique photos and avoid the crowds. From kolod canyons: http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/44198546 http://www.pbase.com/rbndave/image/34200514

[RockOne]

Simply beautiful. I don't mind the shadow in the second shot. I think it helps the other peaks stand out, and gives a bit of mystery to the photo (i.e. whats at the bottom? ).

[Croasdail]

Wow - thanks for the detailed information! This will help tons. The last thing I want to get is pictures of people taking pictures. Great info on the hikes too. Hopefully I will have something worth posting on my return. Cheers!

[sparker1]

Dave, the additional Zion shots are also great. I had a Sony P&S when there, so I'm ready to go back and try another set. (I've been going there since 1979 and my best shots are from my next visit.)

Croasdail, Dave has given you some excellent suggestions. I like to drive through the park toward the east gate early in the day. You can stop at numerous pull-offs and shoot back at wonderfully lit mountains, such as the West Temple and Altar of Sacrifice. For sunsets, in addition to Kolob Canyon, there is a section of the park few people ever get to. It is Kolob Terrace, and the road to it turns north off route 9 about 13 miles west of the south gate. I went up there 3 different nights and got great light from the setting sun. Finally, my favorite thing to do in Zion is hike The Narrows. This involves wading the Virgin River much of the time, but it is humbling to be in a narrow canyon looking up cliffs 1000 feet high. The entire hike is 15 miles or so, but I usually go 3-4 miles into the canyon, then return. Lighting is a real problem in such a narrow canyon, but that's part of the mystic. I've been to Zion 5 times, but I'm ready to go back. Same for all the other Utah parks.

[Croasdail]

Dave and Stan - thanks again. Didn't mean to hijack the thread but you all got me really excited to go out there and try some stuff. Now I am wishing I had more days. Thanks again and hopefully I will be able to put this all to good use. Cheers!