Arizona Photos
Read More
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!
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
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.
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.
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".
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.
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).
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!).
Rightfully named, not only because of the golden colors but because this photo was taken in Gold Canyon, Arizona. I LOVE the colors! One can only see these sunrise colors for minutes/seconds before they're gone. This is my favorite time of day to be out on the desert, I just wish this beautiful lighting would last longer! I had to take three (identical) photos to create this one photo. I exposed one shot for the sky, one for the sun and one the foreground. I then combine them in Photoshop
This photograph of Cathedral Rock took some planning. A couple years back, we drove along the base of Cathedral Rock, in search of the perfect spot to photograph this regal mountain. When we arrived, I knew with the setting sun, that the mountain's vibrancy and clarity would only last minutes. I scurried up a gravel covered hillside to my pre-planned vantage point. I didn’t look back; I had one thing in mind; get I high as I could, as quickly as you I could! 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.
Clear skies are not what a photographer wants, including me. A beautiful sky (along with lighting), can make or break a photograph, that's why you'll see me out on the desert when most people are at home enjoying their morning coffee or having dinner. When there is a storm brewing my eyes are focused on the sky and if I feel it's warranted, I'll make my way to a previously found composition (which was the case here). Finding a composition in the desert can be very difficult, and at times downright frustrating! I can walk miles just to find one, or none. "Why?", because the perfect composition is usually ruined by the surrounding vegetation, especially by the fuzzy trees (as I call them). In this photography however, they add to the composition by separating the foreground from the background. This photo was taken during one of Arizona's famous sunsets; which illuminated the desert floor with a vivid glow and gave the storm clouds these beautiful colors. This moment lasted seconds, so my efforts of pre-planning paid off. :-)
The Grand Canyon is definitely both "Mighty" and "Grand"! Not only is it one of the most photographed locations in the world but it's also one of the most visited too. This photo was taken from the Desert View Point area (which is located near the eastern entrance to the Grand Canyon). I spent hours here, meandering the trails and taking photos as I did (I watched my step!). I had so much fun looking for a perfect shot, and when I came across this scene, I knew that this was it! It was mid-day however and the canyon was filled with sunlight, and as a result the canyon looked flat; lacked vibrancy, contrast and texture. Hmmm.... who wants to see a flat Grand Canyon!? (lol). So, I decided to return when the sun was about to set; I was determined to get the shot I envisioned! With the sun lower in the sky and some contrasting shadows, this image now has depth, and with the inclusion of the foreground, it it has perspective too. Notice too how the warm light from the setting sun make the colors of the canyon walls pop, and come alive. Now the Grand Canyon looks “grand” and the Colorado River below, looks “mighty”, as it should be! I’d like to give thanks to my many Arizonian professional artist friends whom have so openly shared their artistic principles with me over the years; including composition, visual flow and perspective; all of which I’ve applied to this photograph. Thank you all, for being such a huge part of my artistic journey.
As many of you already know (from a previous entry), years ago I had quite a run-in with Cholla (also known as a jumping Cholla for its tendency to drop pods that blow in the wind). They’re barbed needles are very sharp and very sturdy so when they penetrate the skin they’re like a fishing hook they’re there to stay. I have deep respect for this cacti; good luck removing them painlessly! This photo was taken within Brown’s Desert Ranch; a public land use area (parkland), just outside of North Scottsdale. I arrived well before sunrise so that I had enough time to find “the” perfect composition of Pinnacle Peak (a famous mountain), but walked away empty handed, until I spotted this on the way back to my car. The Cholla grows in a higley piggly fashion. With its random branches of various heights and widths, they usually grow in clusters (which often block the way!). This one caught my eye because it was just so symmetrical and balanced; an anomaly!
The "Desert Agave" grows in the lower elevations of the Sonoran and Majavi deserts where it is hot and dry. The leaves have a distinct cyan/bluish tinge and are quite thick, and can grow up to 27 inches in length. The pronounced teeth along leaf edges are dark-tipped, a third of an inch long, and like most agave the underside of each leaf bears a permanent imprint of the teeth from the once underlying leaf (created when the two were growing together). The black tips are really sharp so you don’t want to back into one by accident (!), as I found out not long ago when I recently transplanted one ....ouch! I cropped this photo so that it leans (if you will) towards an abstract view; notice how I’m only showing part of agave. I love the flow (the diagonal and horizontal lines), the “teeth” and subtle colors. This photo would look great as a stand alone statement piece or blend well with a busier desert photo.
Imagine if you will, my surprise when I saw this lake in the middle of the desert for the first time. It seemed so odd to see a lake in the middle of the desert, surrounded by saguaros and cacti but it was so very beautiful and quite captivating. I visited this exact spot last year and actually captured fantastic shot (see “Pleasantly Arizona”). This time however my goal was to capture lake view at sunset. I arrived about an hour before the sunset hour so that I’d have time to find a composition but that proved to be more difficult than I had expected. Gosh, saguaros can sometimes be hard to photograph because they line up with one another, making them look like a massive oversized tree. Oh, and then there’s the “fuzzy bushes” (as I call them) that seem to be everywhere; destroying the scene by blocking the valued components of my composition or even blocking everything! Eventually though, I came across this composition. The foreground elements in this photograph are very important to the overall composition of this photo. The dead tree and two saguaro skeletons lying on the ground lead your eyes from the bottom (entry point) of this photograph to the saguaro trees. From there your eyes are drawn up to the distant mountains, then over to the sun kissed clouds and then finally down the dark ridge on the right, which then leads you back to center. This “line” of view (if you will) is called the “Golden Ratio”, a circular compositional tool used by many photographers and artists. This photograph is a HDR image, meaning I took multiple images of the same scene using different exposure values, and then combined them into a single image. As a result I captured the full range of tonal values (darks and lights) within the scene. Lake pleasant is a dammed lake within the municipal boundaries of Peoria. Not far from Phoenix, It serves as a major recreation hub for boaters, hikers, camping and ATVer’s too. With more than 23,000 acres of water and beautiful, Lake Pleasant Regional Park is one of the most scenic recreation areas in the region. This man made lake (dam) is fed by both the Agua Fria River the Colorado river via an aqueduct. Note: This photograph looks great as a “split”, which can be viewed here on my website under “Sampled - Framed & Hung”.
How lucky to be there when the moon appeared! Once I stopped to take a photo, so to did many others :-)
Our mornings at the Art Expo (in Scottsdale, Arizona), often start with a bike ride through the desert; it’s such an awesome and privileged way to start a winter day. The sandy trail is narrow, undulating and curves around a myriad of saguaro trees and desert plants; it's an entertainingly delightful ride! While cycling, I’ve noticed many great compositions, and have pledged to return with my camera, but only when the lighting was right. On this particular day, as the sun rose and the blue sky was awakening, the dark grey clouds were highlighted in yellow, the contrast was striking. I remembered a grouping of chollas that were not far from our RV so I gathered up my camera gear and hightailed it to that very spot; my timing was perfect!
