This post is accompanied by a video – check it out below
I’d had some big news dropped on my lap at the end of January, and I needed a chance to reset and think about nothing but photography.
I. Arrival
After checking in, I realized the destination I wanted to be at for the nights photography was going to be a 1.5-mile hike out to reach. The distance wasn’t an issue but I was going to need to spend quite some time driving out and then it would take time to get there, the several hours till sunset rapidly was seeming like less of a time for relaxation than originally anticipated.
The hike was easy, it was only ~550′ of elevation – and a bit over a mile and a half, and I got warm while hiking from the exercise however the air was cool – and when I stopped moving I quickly cooled off (taking out my jacket at the destination while waiting for the sunset). Moving after a day solidly sedentary (driving out) felt phenomenal.
Almost as quickly as the light came to the arch, it had gone.
I stayed around for a bit longer after watching the sunset, however I didn’t wait too long. Last time Sophie and I had to do a hike in the desert we nearly got lost, and I didn’t have backup this time.
Near the end of the trail – I came upon the ranch. The ranch ended up being what I’d spend the rest of the evening photographing. I waited through twilight for quite some time until the horizon’s light was dark enough to not blow out the sky and stars above.
In the lot near the ranch a camper van was idling with it’s lights on. Their illumination lit up just one side of the ranch, and offered a good bit of emphasis and depth to what would otherwise be a fairly monochromatic scene.
II. Settling In
The next morning I started the day earlier than necessary – but it gave me time to familiarize myself with the landscape that lay ahead of me, and decide what I wanted to photograph. I played around with putting other images in the foreground, however in the end the classic panoramic was what I captured that made me happiest.
After taking the above scene I walked along the canyon rim for a ways – along the way capturing this image. I love the way that the illumination is such a clear line throughout the scene no matter the depth of the subject. It just is clear where the canyon’s keeping parts of the scene in shadow. The moon works as a wonderful bit of interest in the sky as well – it feels a quintessential desert scene.
After this I took a walk through the Lathrop trail in Canyonlands. I did take some photos but frankly it was more about getting out and moving than the photography on that hike.
Later that day I had gone into Arches to photograph the sunset. I was debating where I wanted to setup camp, but ended up revisiting the Windows area of the park. I went to a part I hadn’t been to before and got a whole new perspective. It worked out well – the side light of the setting sun brought the sandstone to life in a wonderful way.
As I was driving home after sunset, I noticed this rock formation and decided it merited a photograph. This ended up being one of my highlights from the trip. I love the gradient of color in the sky from the shadowy blues of the east to the fading warmth of the west.
III. Exploring
The following morning – I didn’t do much hiking. The destination I went to was the overlook and from there I was able to get the vista pretty easy, I think total I clocked about a half mile walking around the location looking for different perspectives on the scene.
The drive home took me through the grasslands again. I love the images that landscape produces with the moon so close to full and setting as it is positioned in this part of the year. This feels like a somewhat alien landscape to me – it’s hard to place why. It just feels like barren and full of life at the same time.
After this, I went to the library for several hours, and then back into Arches for one final sunset.
On the drive in I took my time, anything that even slightly interested me I’d stop and take a picture of. That’s how I captured these scenes. The wispy clouds complimented the tones of the rock well, and I began to have inklings that we’d be in for a treat of a sunset, but little did I know how right I was.
I didn’t have a particular destination in mind – I was looking to get a good view of the mountains alongside the arches I had been photographing the night before from a different perspective. The orange tones of the rock as the sun set came back again – and it works wonders complimented against the hazy clouds in the sky.
Before long though the sun had set enough that only the peaks of the La Sal Mountains were still visible. This scene works well – and shows the variety in the landscape of this part of the world. The petrified dunes, arches, and mountains all in one image.
As I was expecting based on the type of cloud cover we had, once the sun had set the light came on and was just unbelievable. There were waves and ripples in the sky as the clouds were illuminated in the perfect hues that only come after the sun has set.
Moab
I didn’t have much planned for this trip, I just wanted to get out and take some nice photographs. I was able to do that and the results are some that I’m proud to have added to my collection.
When I go back next, I have more parts of the parks I’d love to explore. I still haven’t seen the area of Canyonlands known as “The Needles” and Hanksville about two hours outside of Moab would be great to go and spend a few days exploring. But that will have to be for another time.