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I visited beautiful Bryce Canyon (in the southern state of Utah) on a brisk and stellar February day. It was truly an amazing day to say the least, and having never been there before I was in utter “Awe”! I was not only lucky to arrive on a sunny day but after a fresh snow fall too! Everywhere I looked the colours seemed saturated, especially in contrast with the shadow cast snow and the high altitude, deep blue sky (the rim is 8000 - 9000 ft. above sea level) . Albeit very cold (-5C, 23F) and very windy, we hiked to the valley floor below, were it was surprisingly warmer, I even peeled off our jacket! On the climb back up I happened upon this view and knew it would make an amazing abstract. With the "rule of thirds" in mind, I captured this shot as you see it. There were trees above the snow line however I chose not to include them in the shot. Notice the the colours! The snow in the distance is purple-blue in color (drawing from the blue sky). The brilliance of the orange and yellow sandstone was the result of reflective lighting from where I stood (I was standing on a vertical ledge and the sunlight bounced back off the wall of the ledge below me). Did you notice that the sun highlights the lip of the yellow sandstone? It's exactly what I looked for when I shot outdoor portraiture. I thoroughly enjoy abstract photography; I hope this photo leaves you wondering, “What is it and where is it?”.
Coming up with a unique, impactful and fitting name for a photograph isn't easy. I consider the subject, it's location, a mood, or a message it evokes. That said, I felt a my favorite message (quote) was most fitting for this photo, "To Rise Above".... “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” — Confucius
With plans to tour and photograph Monument Valley, we checked into the KOA campground (not far from the park’s entrance). A very polite and young clerk from behind the counter quickly informed us that the park was closed but she excitedly suggested we visit The Valley of the Gods instead. She had us intrigued, so off we went; not knowing that we were about to be astonished. We traveled north from Monument Valley (through the small community of Medicine Hat) before turning west down a side road and to the entrance of the 17 mile scenic route. The road was gravel, windy, very dusty and very bumpy and (honestly) it seemed like we had traveled for miles before we saw one towering pinnacle; and we thought, “Is this it?”. A few miles further though, I was captivated and enthralled by the tall, red, majestic, mesas, buttes, and cliffs that towered above the valley floor! “Oh wow!” My chin dropped, and then I quickly grabbed my camera because the sun was setting fast and I knew the mountain shadows would grow The “Valley of the Gods”, was truly “God-like”. My soul was truly captivated and I was moved to tears; I felt at peace with Mother Nature in the grandeur of the valley. It was hard to leave, knowing my many travels were coming to an end; it was time to go home. * Valley Of The Gods is located in the south-western Utah.
