Slickrock and Shadow

Yovimpa Point is the end of Bryce Plateau and looks over a vast south land Yovimpa Point and Rainbow Point are the south-most views in Bryce Canyon National Park.  The lovely drive down takes time as the road curves and wanders.  Rainbow point is right off the parking lot and looks to the north and east.  This is a wonderful and classic Bryce-type view.   Rainbow Point has the delicate spires typical of Bryce Canyon As lovely as Rainbow Point is, it's not really unique nor are the spires near enough to make you feel like you're touching the heart of Bryce.  The views are too distant.  Better viewpoints are to be had along the road and at Fairyland Point, Agua Canyon, and other spots.   Yovimpa Point is a 10 minute stroll on a paved path through the pine trees and then ends at the south-most point of this plateau.  The views here extend 70 miles to Mollie's Nipple, Coyote Buttes, Paria and many other landmarks visible to the educated eye....

Sunrise at Fairyland Point is GORGEOUS! Fairyland Point is the most easily accessible Bryce Canyon location.  Fairyland Point is the first viewpoint when entering the park, before the park entrance and before you pay to enter.   Bryce Canyon doesn't advertise this hidden gem to those entering the park, but there is a sign you see as you exit.  Sneaky, isn't it?  Well, if you know where to turn, you can see this yourself.   Directions:  from the Sinclair gas station across from Ruby's Inn, drive 1.5 miles south.  Take the unmarked  paved road on your left and you'll be gazing over Bryce in less than 60 seconds.    

Darwin Falls with the reeds on the left.  What a beauty! I found myself passing Darwin Falls trailhead this past summer en route to the Sierra Mountains.  As cool as they would be, Death Valley was roasting at 118° F.  Though I'm no stranger to triple-digit temperature, this was a new record for hiking conditions.  I was literally passing through in the middle of the day, with the sun directly overhead.  One step out of the air-conditioned Subaru and I was uncomfortably hot.  I felt like I was standing too close to a roaring campfire the whole time.   2 miles and I could see no sign of shade.  Taking only my hat, water bottle, camera and tripod, I marched off as efficiently as I could.  Marching in place in a sauna would be the best training for this hike.  After 20 minutes of hiking up the wash, water and trees appeared in the canyon.  Grateful for the shade, I hopped over a few puddles and then water flowed slowly down the sh...

  Columbine Spring is the source of a clear Leeds Creek.  Water just emerges from under these rocks! The origin of Leeds Creek is Columbine Spring.  Columbine Spring emerges from the ground in the foothills of Pine Valley Mountain, the largest mountain in the St. George region.  From the spring, Leeds Creek rambles down the mountain to eventually drop into Harrisburg Creek and then Quail Creek Reservoir.  Leeds provides more water for the reservoir than any other source.   Recently on a training hike I saw "Columbine Spring" listed on a map near Oak Grove campground.  Knowing this is a beautiful region, I wanted to find this spring myself.  After hiking to Oak Grove, I set off in the direction of Columbine Spring.  Be warned that travel to this water is not easy.  Shoulder-height bushes prevent easy movement and travel is slow for the whole 1-2 miles.  It feels like torture.   Having committed myself to go, and gettin...

Reflections in Death Hollow  Today I'll use a recent photoshoot in Death Hollow to discuss photographing reflections in landscape photography.  Reflections are a great aspect to landscape photography that come into play whenever water is nearby.  These reflections have to be accounted for when that body of water is especially still, such as an undisturbed lake or pond.  First things first . . . Q:  Do you want a reflection? A:  No.  Use the polarizer and you will see less reflection and see more what is under the water surface.   A:  Yes.  In this case, do not use a polarizing filter because it specially cuts down on reflection.  If the reflected image is especially interest or adds a desired symmetrical element, I want to include that.  Keep reading for other tips. Next you need to compose your photo to include the right amount of reflection.  Getting lower to the water surface can actually make your reflected surfac...

Lost Lake Dock -- near Whistler, Canada Photography composition is an essential element to any quality photograph.  Even when light may not be "golden", composition can make or break a photo.  Composition is personal.  Two photographers at the same location, photographing the same subject in the same light will come up with different results because their composition choices.   What are the elements of composition?  These things spring to mind for me.  There are others.   1.  Focal length of lens 2.  Distance from subject 3.  Height of camera 4.  Angle of camera (looking up or down towards the subject, or even on the side) 5.  Shutter speed (adding motion blur or smoothing water) 6.  Aperture (for depth of field) 7.  Symmetry or Asymmetry 8.  Lines and curves 9.  Dark and light areas Simply by changing any one of these, the whole photographic expression changes.  An example of  how shutte...

  Poverty Wash glowing slot canyon walls My blog seems to be turning into a homage to Parunuweap Canyon and its' tributaries.  Poverty Wash is another lucky place.  If you make it here, you are lucky.  If you see the walls, wade through shallow but totally clear waters, you are lucky.  If you reach the last section ending in a circular room, you are lucky.   Getting into Parunuweap can be done in several ways.  I've come through Rock and French Canyons.  That's the hard part.  Once you're in, Poverty wash is a walk in the park without any obstacles.   French Canyon short cut into Parunuweap Traditional Route with good photos As you may guess, visiting Poverty Wash is a highlight for anybody's life.  Now that I've explored several sections of Parunuweap (Rock Canyon, French Canyon, Mineral Gulch, Fat Man's Misery and Poverty Wash) I'm thinking Poverty is my favorite of them all.   Poverty Wash curves around smooth...