Arizona Photos
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This image was as I saw it however in order to expose it properly I had to combine two identical photographs. One was exposed for the tree and the other one for Cathedral Rock. I found this location earlier in the day, and then returned during the golden hour. Timing (as always) was everything here, as was the planning and executing of it!
After the sun sets in Sedona, the glowing westerly sky produces a warm and radiant hue on the red rock mountains that surround the area but only for a few minutes, and then it's gone. I arrived prepared and early to wait for that warm glow to appear on Cathedral Rock. There wasn’t a lot of light so I knew I’d have to use my tripod to accommodate a slow shutter speed. I framed the shot and then as darkness drew I checked my exposure settings and adjust them accordingly until finally, the glow appeared! ....and then just like that, it was gone. My patience, perseverance (it was cold!) and determination paid off, I got the prized shot I was hoping for. That said, I equate my sense of joy in photography to an Easter egg hunt and this shot was finding a huge cream filled Easter Egg (minus the calories, lol)! To my naked eye, the sky was black and the shadows in the foreground were black but because of my 5 second exposure (with my Sony a7r iv camera) I able to capture that which I couldn’t see; the result of which you see here. Things I like about this photograph include; the STRONG composition, the subtle colors (or lack thereof), the contrast, the (visible) details in the cliffs (which are almost impossible to see during the bright daylight hours) and how the darkness on the bottom Cathedral rock and the bright of the sky frame this iconic Sedona mountain. This is definitely one of my favorite!
Imagine my surprise when at daybreak, I opened the blinds in the RV, and saw this! Oh WOW! I was giddy! Knowing I had only minutes before the sun would brake through the clouds and melt the snow I quickly got dressed and headed out into the serene calm of the white desert. It was so beautiful however it didn’t take long for my hiking boots to become wet and my fingers to freeze however I was SO excited it was easy to ignore. There wasn’t a lot of light so I placed my camera on a tripod and took a number of exposures at different focus points and then combined them in Photoshop. Fortunately there wasn’t any wind or else that would be impossible; nothing can move when you place multiple images on top of each other. What I love about this image is that most of the desert cacti are represented in the photograph and the small shrubbery disappeared beneath the snow. I also love the mountain is in the background because it adds a sense of depth to the overall image. Another keeper!
I get asked a lot about RVing; most of which are out of curiosity, or stem from their own aspirations. The first thing I mention is that a RVing lifestyle is not for everyone; although there are so many rewards, you also give up (or compromise) a lot too. I suppose, it’s what you choose to focus on :-) I usually don’t know where I’m going to park for the night because my curiosity leads my way. Yes, I’ve been caught from time to time (whoops!); searching in the dark for a place to park. Once I’ve parked however and the blinds are down, "I’m home”. Admittedly, sometimes I wake up and wonder, “Where am I?”. That said, it’s so amazingly freeing but I have to face my fears and the challenges too (as there are anywhere). I usually park were I think there could be a late evening or early morning shot. So, when I parked on this open plain, I parked facing some shapely mountains in the east. My thought was that the setting sun would cast some beautiful light on them but that was a bust. When I stepped outside the RV however and looked west, I was surprised by the amazing colors and cloud formations. The sun was setting fast, so I rushed to grab my camera! Fortunately this tree wasn't too far away (and the only one around, lucky me!). I didn’t want too much of the foreground in this photo and I wanted the sky to look REALLY grand so I laid down on the ground, with my head in the sand, and shot up at the tree. I then placed the setting sun directly behind it so it would glow from behind. The tree looks massive here but it was only 8 feet tall! LOL :-) A RV lifestyle does have its challenges but for me, it’s such a small price to pay when I get these kinds of shots.
This photo was taken at Bartlett Lake, a reservoir lake located north-east of Scottsdale and slightly north of Rio Verde, Arizona. Popular with anglers and campers, it’s quite unique lake with rugged mountains surrounding it and saguaros growing along its shoreline. Sometimes, we photographers have to be very persistent; I went to Bartlett Lake 4 times to get this shot! It was a 45 minute drive from my RV so I left early (in the darkness of night) so that I’d be there before the sunrise. The first time I went, I chose to go on a day when there was snow on the mountain tops but unfortunately the combination of cloud cover, rain and the (icy cold) winds made it impossible to get any kind of shot. On my second attempt I didn’t have much luck either. I was disappointed by the dark and dreary sky so I spent the morning hiking and searching for future compositions; so it wasn’t a total loss. Eventually I found this one and vowed to come back on a sunny day. The next time I went, everything was perfect until I had a run in with a *Cholla, and it won…. Ouch! So, that quickly ended that photo shoot! Regardless, I wasn’t going to give up and with visions of this pre-planned composition in mind, I head out there for yet another visit. Finally, I got the shot I was hoping for! A Chollas are a desert plant that are completely covered with barbed needles. They are also known as a Jumping Cholla, for its habit of jumping (rolling) along the ground in the wind. They easily fall off their mother plant and then have a tendency to “jump” (if you will) on to the skin or clothing of a passerby…. it’s pure 100% OUCH! I must say this was on of my most “painful” shots! LOL
Oh my gosh! Split second decisions can be the best; this photo was the result of 2 last minute decisions! As I drove a long a busy freeway, I noticed some nasty weather in a secluded desert valley to my east. From a photographer’s standpoint, the “weather” was absolutely amazing! Big and puffy storm clouds draped over snow capped mountains, while the sunlight made its way, here and there, to the valley floor. It was so beautiful, I decided to head into the storm. As I drove, I couldn’t help but notice the many remarkable scenes; so much so that when I exited the valley I considered turning around and driving back through it! Upon further consideration however, I decided to go to Sedona (only an hour away); knowing the inclement weather on the red rocks of Sedona would be spectacular, and it was! I arrived in Sedona with only minutes to spare before sundown(!). Fortunately however I knew exactly where to go to get this epic shot of Sedona’s most iconic mountain, “Cathedral Rock”. Although I already have a few photographs of Cathedral Rock, none are this dramatic. Cathedral Rock is just one of the many sandstone buttes that surround the city of Sedona, Arizona. The towering Red Rock Mountains of Sedona are world famous and attracts over 3 million visitors every year. Cathedral Rock is one of the most-photographed landmarks in Sedona, and of Arizona too. Typically, those who fly into Phoenix, with plans to visit The Grand Canyon, will take the short detour into Sedona. The south rim of the Grand Canyon is 2 hours north of Sedona.
We often walk through life without paying much attention to the obvious, however with an intent to “see” (beyond a glance) we will discover a world that we never noticed. If I asked you what color shade is, you would likely say it’s black (or grey) however if you pay attention you’ll discover that’s not the case, and this photograph is a prime example. No doubt you’ve noticed how snow looks blue (or pink, or purple); that’s because the snow picks up the colors of the sky. Just like the snow, in this photograph the pale (almost white) colored cliffs behind the saguaro picked up the incredibly vibrancy of the blue sky. When I walked towards this saguaro tree the very first thing I noticed was the color of the shade. Wow!... it made me stop in my tracks! In that moment of wonderment, I noticed three things; the blue colored shade, all the back-lighting, and the vivid greens. When I combined these three things with my composition, I knew that I had a “keeper” and I could hardly wait to get it into post processing! As a matter of fact, I was so excited by the scene that I immediately sent an iPhone shot to daughter before taking this shot with my Sony a7r IV. This photo was taken near Dutchman State Park (just east of Mesa, AZ), at the base of Superstition Mountain; just after a week of rain, which made the sky SO vibrant! *Notice how "fat" the saguaro is? Interestingly, saguaro's retain water, which is key for it's survival.
Every place I visit, there's unique beauty to be found and the deserts of Arizona are no exception. With it's stately mountains, rolling hills and desert cacti, it's not what you might expect a desert to look like. With visions of capturing a desert sunset view like this one, I choose to park my RV near a cluster of saguaros, chollas and other desert cacti and then prior to sunset I scouted for a composition. Once found, I waited patiently for the sun to set (and then hoped that the distant clouds wouldn’t block the sun), and as you can see I was lucky! That said, sometimes "luck" does play a big roll in photography! What I love about desert sunset scenes are the rainbow of colors the setting sun creates (not only in the sky but in the foreground too). It was dark by the time I got back to the RV and once I shut the blinds, I was “home” and anxious to look at my shots! :-)
I called this image, “A Moment In Time” because it lasted for only a moment! After I parked my RV for the night, just east of Fountain Hills Arizona, I noticed a storm brewing to the towards 4 peaks Mountain range. I soon noticed lightning and took that as an opportunity to try my hand at capturing a lightning strike. I walked up a little hill to where there was massive view of the valley below and beyond. I put my camera on my tripod and faced the easterly storm when I noticed a hint of color developing over my left shoulder and within mere minutes the sky was on fire! It was truly unbelievable! Another photographer happened to be there trying to capture some lightning strikes too and when the fire in the sky developed we were both so busy taking shots that afterwards we exclaimed, “Did you see that!!” We were both so excited! I felt so fortunate to witness this view; I couldn’t have planned it! That said, one of the reasons I love photography is that I can now share this view with you!
The desert, is so much greener than you might think and when there's been a lot of rain it becomes exceptionally green, as in this photograph. On the morning of this photo shoot, I not only woke to this view but to snow on the desert floor too. Fortunately, even though it melted quickly it remained on the mountainside (the south side of Superstition Mountain, AZ). I was thrilled!! I had planned to travel south that morning but because of the unexpected snowfall, I decided to stay. That said, I'm so glad did because by golden hour my mountain view was absolutely breathtaking! I love how the clouds cast its shadows in this photograph, and how the sun’s rays highlighted only certain spots. Together the highlights (sun) and lowlights (shadows) help define the depth of field. If you want this view every day, be sure to reach out to me for enlargement details; I’m here to help. Romi :-)
True to my nature (curiously; wondering what’s down that road), I was on my way to Wickenburg, when I decided to look for some photographic opportunities and potential boondocking sites in the Lake Pleasant area, south-west of Phoenix. A short distant from the Phoenix area, the world changes. To arrive here, I drove down a dusty gravel road, through small mountainous valleys and rocky gorges. The area was notably, densely covered with saguaro trees. As the lake came into view, I noted how intriguing it was to see both saguaro trees and a lake in one “frame”. Driving further north I noticed the sun’s reflection in the lake and stopped to take a photo. I carefully placed my feet as I made my way down the prickly pear embankment and framed this shot when suddenly a truck barreled past. Seeing the dust, my first instinct was to run back to the truck however I knew I wouldn’t make it there in time (so I ate the dust, lol) but to my surprise the dust lofted down into my frame! Although my camera (and myself) got sugar coated with dust, I was elated to get this shot! I absolutely love the softness and muted colors of this photo and how the dust (which looks like fog) adds to the interesting combination of sun, lake reflections and sky.
I am at the Grand Canyon! I had the pleasure of visiting the canyon last winter too however I lost all (yes ALL), of my photos when my hard-drive crashed; a valuable lesson... use more than one hard drive! Now that the days are getting shorter and the cold weather is keeping you inside, I'll post photos more often and "report in", for those whom are following my travels :-) I often come across a scene that just takes my breath away, and I ask myself "Does anyone else see what I see?". I guess that's why I enjoy sharing my photos with you so much, in hopes that they'll take your breath away too. I cycled the south rim and got a few fantastic shots, what fun! I had such a grand time at the Grand Canyon. that I named this photo "A Grand Life".
How lucky to be there when the moon appeared! Once I stopped to take a photo, so to did many others :-)
As darkness filled the floor of canyon, the chilly breeze chased most of the tourists away; it was time to call it a day. It was really quite dark and I should have headed back to my RV but the temptation to stay for this “one last shot” was too great. These colors are somewhat unique for the Grand Canyon but as the sun slowly sets the canyon’s colors change (and surprisingly quickly!). First, the vibrant hues are replaced with a warm glow, then a cool blue and then there’s complete darkness. You can see these varying colors in this photo. There was very little light so I had to use my tripod. I set my ISO/ASA to 640 and my shutter speed at 1/4 of a second. I could tell from the viewfinder that this was going to be a great shot, and a uniquely different one too. That said, I absolutley love how soft this photo is and how very painterly it looks too. I sat in the canyon’s beauty for a while; with my heartfelt thoughts and in appreciation of the many dreams I have yet to live. I named this photo “Grandview Nightfall” because it was taken at Grandview Point at nightfall.
Located on the border of Arizona and California, Lake Havasu is 3 hours west of Phoenix, 2.5 hours south of Las Vegas and 5 hours east of Los Angeles. As part of the Colorado river, the lake was created with the completion of the Parker dam in 1938, and has since become a year round tourist destination with more than 400 miles of coastline and a multitude of outdoor activities including boating, fishing, camping, hiking and camping. The nearby planned community of Lake Havasu City was founded in 1964 and was really “put on the map”, when the original London Bridge was moved and re-built brick by brick. Before dismantling the original bridge, each brick was numbered, then shipped to Long Beach California where it was then transported overland to Lake Havasu. Reassembly began in 1968 and was completed in 1971. This photo was taken along the south-east shores of Lake Havasu. I drove past it on the way to Lake Havasu City, and then returned before the sunrise the next morning. As I waited for the sun to fill the bay with its warm rays, I found this composition; yikes, it was on a ridge that was very steep on both sides, with a 6 foot landing to stand on (I watched my step!). You’ve likely noticed the color of the water, which occurs when the sun hits the naturally dissolving magnesium and calcium carbonate but did you notice how it’s so different than the blue sky? What I love about this photo is how the peninsulas lead your eyes to the bay, and then they keep your eyes in the bay. This, by the way, what is called a “settling point” (where the viewer’s eyes settle). Also, notice the white sand-hill crane at the end of the right peninsula, it sat perched there for about a hour. *Two 36 mm horizontal images were stitched together in post processing to create this photograph.
Superstition Mountain is located east of Phoenix and Apache Junction. It was once volcanic but now this sleeping giant is a popular recreational area for bikers, ATV'rs, and horseback riders too. It's rugged and sheer sided peaks are well over 5000 feet and can be seen for miles. I camped at the Lost Dutchman State Park, which is conveniently located behind from where I took this photo. I left my campsite early; giving myself plenty time to find the perfect composition. It wasn't easy to get here; I climbed over boulders, around bushes and dodge the prickly cacti too (ouch!) and it seemed to never end (lol). As the mountain grew larger, I stopped to take a series of focus stacked shots until I eventually parked myself here. I stayed until it was dark and watched as the light changed, and took photos as it did. There is a trail at the bottom of the mountain that runs from left to right, and then into the shaded canyon on the right. Those that are agile climb to the top of the mountain on the far right. I did hiked into the canyon a few years back but I wasn't prepared to go that far on a hot day. Arizona is known for it's amazing sunsets which casts some amazing colors on the desert floor (just like this photo). I headed back after I got some blue hour shots but boy, was it dark and walking back in darkness wasn't fun! Oh well, I made a new memory and I chuckle at the new (more) scratches on my legs (which seems to go hand in hand to get the shots I want, lol).
Located on the border of Arizona and California, Lake Havasu is 3 hours west of Phoenix, 2.5 hours south of Las Vegas and 5 hours east of Los Angeles. As part of the Colorado river, the lake was created with the completion of the Parker dam 1938 and has since become a year round tourist destination, with more than 400 miles of coastline and a multitude of outdoor activities including boating, fishing, camping, hiking and camping. The planned community of Lake Havasu City was founded in 1964 and was really “put on the map”, when the original London Bridge was moved and re-built brick by brick. Before dismantling the original bridge, each brick was numbered, then shipped to Long Beach California where it was then transported overland to Lake Havasu. Reassembly began in 1968 and was completed in 1971. The beaches around Lake Havasu reminded me of a tropical destination. Wow! It was easy to imagine I was in the Caribbean; with the lush palm trees, sandy beaches, the lapping of the turquoise water and the warmth of the sun too. This image was taken from one of the many local beach parks.
Finding and planning photographic locations takes time (sometimes multiple visits) and physical effort but the rewards often yield some amazing photographs! The physical effort however doesn’t seem like a chore when I’m engulfed in my passions (early morning starts, cycling, hiking and photography); it’s then that I’m in my “happy place”! What could possibly be more fun than searching for spectacular locations, and then later have a prize photograph to go along with the memory! That said however, both weather and lighting play such a big roll and sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate but oftentimes I end up with the most amazing unexpected shots! This photograph has such a story. I had been searching for quite some time for a desert scene that wasn’t cluttered with desert debris (the overgrown desert and the fuzzy bushes (as I call them!). The overgrown vegetation often fills the entire foreground scene which stops the viewer’s eye from traveling through the photograph. That said, I was thrilled to find this location with its uncluttered foreground and strong composition. Notice the diamond shape of the predominant shadow and how your eyes follow its lines to the cholla and ocotillo. Then the ocotillo leads your eye up and back over to the top of the rocks; creating a circular path for your eyes to travel. The other thing I like is the combination of darks and lights. The shadows and highlights (which is often referred to as the darkest darks and the brightest whites) are complimentary in any photograph or painting. I found this location on an early morning bike ride at Brown’s Desert Ranch (a hiking/biking area in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale) but unfortunately the best light was long gone so I made a mental note to return. That said, checking the next day’s weather forecast is always a big part in planning my photography shoots and although (on this day) it was more overcast than I had expected the sun did poke through occasionally; just enough to get this shot!
We arrived at Monument Valley with plans to tour and photograph the valley; we were so excited! We didn’t however do our homework prior to our arrival, and were disappointed to find out the park was closed because of Covid. So, we made the most of our time here and decided to explore the area around Monument Valley instead. We chose to explore a side road that was paved to begin with, then it turned to gravel and then it turned into a forestry service road. We were alone and it felt freeing to be alone; the only car in the middle of nowhere and away from civilization. Suddenly I saw something move across the rocky desert scape, “Wild donkeys!” I said with excitement (I had never seen them before). They were a far distance away so with my camera and long lens in hand I slowly walked towards them; not knowing anything about wild donkeys, I wondered if they’d be curious about me. Then with some trepidation I wondered what would I do if they did! Quit quickly however, they ran off and I didn’t even get a single shot. We continued on and as we turned a corner, these four wild donkeys stood right in front of us! Now, knowing how skittish they are, I quietly (and quickly) got out of the truck to take aim. Initially, they were huddled together but as I approached them (ever so carefully) they backed off and stood as you see them here; just as curious about me as I was about them. I knew how very, very blessed I was for this once in a lifetime opportunity, so with that in mind, I made sure all my settings were I wanted them and held my camera steady. What I love about this photo is how perfectly lined up they are!
I captured this photograph inside the Tumacácori National Historical Park (just south of Tubac, Arizona and north of the Mexican border). The park consists of the ruins of 3 Spanish mission communities, including a restored church and a museum. It was originally established in 1961, in a different location, and then after the Pima rebellion of 1751 the mission moved to its present location, on the west Sid of the Santa Cruze River. By 1848 the mission was abandoned and efforts to restore and stabilize it began in 1908. These clay pots were inside the mission's storeroom (also known as the granary). The granary pots were filled with seeds and grains and were stored for next season’s crops (keeping them safe from rodents). The pine beams you see here were hauled from the heights of the Santa Rita Mountains, which in turn supported the thick adobe columns. These pots where in a small room, so small as a matter of fact, that I had to push myself into a corner to get this shot. What I love about this photo are tapering lines and how they’re in contrast with the circular pots. Notice how the dominate color of the pots demand your attention. This, together the linear photographic components, lead your eyes around and about the image but always back to the pots. *Notice how the pots are inset and that there’s room for more.
This location is often used for weddings and as luck should have it, a small wedding was taking place as I was shooting this photo. They stood slightly left of this photo but close enough for me to hear them share their loving and touching vows....as I stood in the red mud with tears in my eyes :-) Years ago I owned and operated a photo lab and when the snowbirds came back with their rolls of film, their photos were often red; red foregrounds, red roads, and red mountains too. Well, my assistants Donna, Sharon and I thought that this just couldn't be, so we tried to fix them but then we'd ruin the other colors! At the time, this was quite the dilemma (lol). Fast forward to 2013, when I visited Sedona for the first time, and to my surprise, everything was red! So, you may be wondering what that story has to do with this photo? Well, there's actually another puddle directly behind this one and in order to get this shot, I had to stand in the puddle AND the red/clay mud. I should have taken a photo of my hiking boots! LOL
Finding and planning photographic locations takes time, patience and physical effort but the reward can often yield more than some fantastic photographs but some absolutely amazing memories too! That said, finding a desert scene isn’t easy because it's cluttered but when you enjoy hiking, the sunshine and desert life, scoping out a location isn't a chore! This photograph was taken not far from where I stayed in my RV in North Scottsdale. I had parked here many times and I always felt so very privileged by the many meandering desert trails that were right at my doorstep; they were perfect for cycling and hiking and I used them a lot. I noticed this scene (not far from my RV) many times but I waited patiently for not only the right lighting conditions, but for the right cloud formations too. Notice how the clouds have a powerful and dramatic impact on this image. Notice how the clouds have a powerful and dramatic impact on this image. Then, to add to that sense of drama, I also converted it to a sepia tone. It took patience for everything to come together, but I got the shot I wanted, and I now have many lifelong and heartfelt memories of this location too.
Every place has its magic and Gold Canyon is one of my favorite majestic locations in the state of Arizona. The area is surrounded by stately mountains on three sides, as well as good variety of desert cacti, and of course, those beautiful sunrises and sunsets that Arizona is known for. I boon-docked just outside of Gold Canyon, on a very large area of BLM land for 10 days. From their it was an easy drive to Apache Junction, Superior and Queen Valley; I loved exploring them all. I shot photos during the day and then in the tranquility of the desert evenings, I sorted and edited the raw files. With visions of capturing a sunset view, with desert cacti in the foreground, I scouted many back roads. Some of the roads were actually ATV trails; like the road leading to this location. In 4-wheel low, I drove up a hillside as far as I dared but when I had keep getting out of my Jeep to make sure I was keeping my tires in line with the rocks and ridges in the road, I knew I had gone far enough. With darkness falling, backing back down by myself (blindly) wasn’t much fun. It wasn’t long however that I found a spot to turn around and it was from this random spot that I ascended a nearby hill; wondering if the view I was searching for was at the top... and there it was! It was dark by the time I got back to my RV but I was “home”…. and very thankful to be there (and for my memorable day too!).