Friday, January 16, 2009

Fall in the Narrows

Utah is one my favorite photographic destinations, relatively "close" to home at only 500 miles or so, but always worth the trip. This was shot over 1 year ago, mid-October, on a trip up the Virgin River Narrows. I like this image, but to be honest I never print it bigger than greeting card size, because I managed to get some slight camera movement even though I was using a tripod... not too surprising since the tripod and I were both in moving water and on slippery rocks at the time. A whole day of cold wet feet doesn't help your concentration, either. The contrast of the delicate trees hanging on in the stream against the massive painted walls walls caught my eye, even though it was a rather inconvenient spot to stop and set up. I passed it by on the way upstream, but decided to try it on the return.
Relative to my previous post about B&W vs. Color, this is a case where I would say the color is indeed an important element of the image.

"Fall Saplings" - Utah, 2007

12 comments:

Ashrays said...

Another superb shot, lovely movement on the water! Don't know how you managed that in such a bright colourful shot.

Oh and spectacular foliage colour.

Anonymous said...

I was in Utah for the first time in 2005 and think it's one of the prettiest places I've ever seen---all of those red rocks.

This is beautiful...I like the effect of the running water.

storybeader said...

very strange rocks. I'm guessing that's natural, but it doesn't look it! There's so many things to look at - the moving water, yellow leaves, painted rock! I think a like the water the best!

roentare said...

The colour and the texture of the rock are simply stunning

Goddess said...

Oh this is gorgeous! It's the sort of photo one could just stare at for hours picking out all the wonderful details and nuances. Just beautiful!

Erik said...

Nicely done! Great capture.

Mark Alan Meader said...

Yes, the colors in this area just blow me away every time I go.. like a watercolorist gone mad with a giant brush! I like to say that nature does all the work, I just try to find and appreciate it.
Thanks for all the nice comments.

Unknown said...

Thank's for sharing Mark,
That's just the kind of image which make me dream of american parks since i was a child.

One day somebody asked me why i often use zoom instead of primes for my landscape work and i replied "because it's really more easy when i set up my tripod on some slippery rocks in the middle of a stream."
Not sure he really understood ...

Mark Alan Meader said...

Yeah.. I think anyone who actually gets out and does this stuff soon realizes that the slight compromise in quality is more than made up by the shots that you would never get at all without a zoom. Maybe we are just spoiled by modern technology, but that's one that I will continue to take advantage of.

Struinkunst by Lisette said...

This is so very beautiful: the colours and the softness of that water. Wonderful job!

Gregorio said...

This is also another amazing photo.It is almost like a counter part with your article about Mr.Wyeth.The space,composition and detail are right on.As an abstract painter these are the images that inspire and create a sense of awe.Nature can be so profound upon the human psyche.Thank you for a wonderful shot.

Jill Berry said...

Mark, Thanks for commenting on my artwork. You have some fine art over here as well. This one reminds me of a trip to Petra - cool sandstone formations!