Arizona - Grand Canyon Photos
Read More
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".
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.
This photo is part of the Desert View Watchtower, at the East Entrance to the Grand Canyon. With the semi opaque canyon in the back ground, the main focus hear is most certainly the structure itself. That said, notice the many lines that lead your eyes to the door; don't you just want to know what's behind that closed door(?)! Considering the physical location of the door, I rightfully name it, “The Grand Door". Perhaps a door that leads to a vast number of opportunities and change. :-)
The Grand Canyon is most definitely "Mighty" and it's likely one of the most photographed (and sought after) locations in the world. This photo was taken at the "Desert View Watchtower" (located at the eastern entrance to the canyon) were we spent 4 hours (taking photos) as we waited for the golden hour (sunset). We knew that the warm casting light from the sunset would make the canyon colors come alive, and it did! I love the photographic elements in this photograph. That said, I must give thanks to the many professional artists whom have all openly shared their artistic principles with me; including flow, composition and contrast. All of which, I applied to this photograph.
I love seeing the "earth in abstract"; with eyes that see so much more. When I view Mother Nature's gifts I see beyond a glance.... I see lines, repeated patterns, mixed patterns, vivid colors (obviously!), textures, unique shadows and lighting, just to mention a few. These natural and unique abstracts often go unnoticed, unless you're looking for them. These colors are just as I saw them however some might think they're too vivid, or perhaps unreal. That said however I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to photography but I am also the artist. If "art is in the eye of the beholder", then I have artistic editing choices to make (and it doesn't matter what other's think). We all have our own personal preference(s) in art. I arrived early at the south rim of the Grand Canyon and although it was cold (well below freezing) I wanted to catch the first rays of sunlight. It wasn't long however before the sun filled the canyon and the warm reflective rays felt so amazing! At 7000 feet the sky was exceptionally blue and the sun was so bright that I could hardly see into the canyon. As held my hand over my eyes to see into the canyon, this is what I saw! Wow! The bright yellow cliff-side was being illuminated by the reflective light from the cliff-side I was standing on, and the early morning haze accentuated the colors within the canyon. I suspect most people wouldn't have noticed these vivid colors but I sure didn't! Wow!
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!
I’ve always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon when there was snow on the ground and as luck should have it, I had a small window of opportunity in the middle of December, 2022. I wanted to camp near the Grand Canyon but it was much to cold to park my RV (without winterizing it) so I boon-docked in Sedona instead, albeit below freezing there too. My goal was to be at the Grand Canyon before sunrise so I left at 4 a.m.; knowing that it was going to be a dark and slippery trip (especially Oak Creek Canyon). Wow, lucky me…. I arrived 10 minutes before sunrise with just enough time to set up my camera and count to 10 (lol)! The sunrise was incredibly pretty and the colors were colors I hadn’t seen in the Grand Canyon before; it was fun to watch the sun fill the canyon and the colors change as it did. There were approximately 40 other visitors watching the sunrise but because it was so cold (-15C/5) they all left, and I had the canyon to myself. It was nice to be the only one there but I was SO, so cold and although I was dressed for the cold my fingers were throbbing as I fumbled around with my camera settings. That said, I (almost) wanted to chuckle because my fingers wouldn’t work but sheesh the pain! I was so very thankful for this opportunity that it kept me “focused” :-) on my photography passion. That said, what photographers will do for a photograph! I braved the cold until 1 p.m. (I was so done). I have now visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in all types of weather, so my next visit will have to be from either the canyon floor (rafting) or the North Rim (which is closed during the winter months).
THE GRAND SUNRISE I’ve always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon when there was snow on the ground and as luck should have it, I had a small window of opportunity in the middle of December, 2022. I wanted to camp near the Grand Canyon but it was much to cold to park my RV (without winterizing it) so I boon-docked in Sedona instead, albeit below freezing there too. My goal was to be at the Grand Canyon before sunrise so I left at 4 a.m.; knowing that it was going to be a dark and slippery trip (especially Oak Creek Canyon). Wow, lucky me…. I arrived 10 minutes before sunrise with just enough time to set up my camera and count to 10 (lol)! The sunrise was incredibly pretty and the colors were colors I hadn’t seen in the Grand Canyon before; it was fun to watch the sun fill the canyon and the colors change as it did. There were approximately 40 other visitors watching the sunrise but because it was so cold (-15C/5) they all left, and I had the canyon to myself. It was nice to be the only one there but I was SO, so cold and although I was dressed for the cold my fingers were throbbing as I fumbled around with my camera settings. That said, I (almost) wanted to chuckle because my fingers wouldn’t work but sheesh, the pain! I was so very thankful for this opportunity that it kept me “focused” :-) on my photography passion. That said, what photographers will do for a photograph! I braved the cold until 1 p.m. (I was so done). I have now visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in all types of weather, so my next visit will have to be from either the canyon floor (rafting) or the North Rim (which is closed during the winter months).