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While in Scottsdale, I asked a friend where I might find some Sante Fe style homes that would be worthy of photographing. I was told we should visit Tubac (which is south of Tuscan and near the Mexican border). He also suggested that we visit the many great art galleries too; it sounded like a perfect excursion. We arrived in Tubac around 8:30 a.m., when the sun was still low, the streets where quiet and the businesses were still closed; we basically had the town to ourselves. It was so quaint, it was lovely. As we drove and then walked around this tiny town I spotted this brightly colored adobe home, with the stark contrast of the the casting shadows and white framed window. Then, while framing this photo, I also noticed how the tree, the shadows, fence and saguaro tree (together) created a natural frame around the entire photograph, and the white framed window too. This was the shot I was after. After completing our tour, we visited a coffee shop and soaked in the warm morning sun until the shops and galleries opened. We ended up spending the entire day in Tubac (really enjoyed the galleries), and although it was a 6 hour round trip, we had such a fantastic (fun) day that we considered the drive well worth it!
My favorite time to photograph the Grand Canyon is during the “golden hour”; the hour after sunrise and before sunset. The day we were there however, the colors of the setting sun (and subsequent bounced lighting) were lack luster; so I looked for other photographic opportunities. When I looked across the canyon, I noticed the many layers between foreground and background, I knew instantly that this was going to be a great shot. Notice how dark the foreground is (both in color and in density) then, notice how light the far-off mountains are (also both in color and density). What I love most about this photograph are the the many layers, the contrast and the vivid colors!
On a country road, just outside the Monument Valley National Park, I was happy to get some prized photographs, like this one. Here, at day’s end, the sunset lighting was incredibly vivid; it was spectacular! I was here to capture the sun-kissed Monument buttes in the far off distance but time slipped by (taking other photos) and I hadn't pre-planned a monumental sunset shot. As the golden rays of the sunset became vibrant, I spotted possible location but some trees and power polls were in the way. So to avoid them, I ran through sage and over rocks (I’d forgotten the threat of rattlesnakes!) until I found the perfect spot however by then the buttes were in the shade (darn)..... but then, I spotted this tree, "oh my!".
