Thursday, September 3, 2009

Desert View Watchtower-Grand Canyon

"Desert View" - Grand Canyon, AZ
For this "SkyWatch", I was perched on the edge of the Grand Canyon, watching and waiting (and hoping) for the sky to develop as it does many summer days around these parts. I won't say a clear blue sky can NEVER work for you, because it can if handled properly, but everything is so much more interesting and dramatic when there is some activity in the sky. It got even better than this in a few minutes, but I'll cover that in a future post:)
This view from the south rim includes the
Desert View Watchtower, designed by Mary Colter, architect for the Fred Harvey Company that developed many famous and still popular hotels and buildings around the southwest early last century. Colter's body of work is quite impressive and influential, especially considering that she was a successful female architect in a time when that was almost unheard of. A really interesting (but not too long) article about her history and work can be read here. Or, the super-short version on Wikipedia. As usual, check out all the great SkyWatch images of the week here.

On a side note, I know my posts and visits have been few and far between recently... I have been involved in relocating my entire office/studio, which as you might guess is a lot of work, but at last we're pretty much resettled and I hopefully won't have to devote quite so much of my time to that process anymore, allowing me to get back to some fun stuff.

20 comments:

bobbie said...

I really love black and white. And the watchtower is a stunner.

annalarssonphotography said...

Truly stunning!!
Thank you for sharing your work with us - it's an honor.

Anna

jabblog said...

This is a wonderful shot, made more powerful in monochrome - beautiful!

Esther Garvi said...

Beautiful!

Artlover said...

Stunning!! I like this photo very much, especially in black and white where the contrast comes into its own.
Well Done!

Joanne Olivieri said...

Dark, bold and beautiful. It speaks for itself.

Carolyn Ford said...

I can't stop looking at this beautiful black and white. The cloud layers are so impressive. That is stunning!

Jane Hards Photography said...

That is an amazing image and so powerful in monochrome.

earthtoholly.com said...

Hi Mark. This is so beautiful! We stopped here at the watchtower after a long day of touring the south rim and were lucky enough to have a gorgeous sunset. I never envisioned the canyon in black & white, but I love it...it is really nice!

betchai said...

your picture took my breath away, and my heart beat so fast, just marvelous, i feel like crying now, you really are such an inspiration in photography.

The Pink Geranium or Jan's Place said...

truly your patience paid off. what a wonderful image

Light and Voices said...

It is an honor to view your images. This black and white photograph leaves me speechless.
jfm

RogerB said...

Fantastic photo - and perfect for B & W.

Unknown said...

You have some beautiful shots... you should enter our photo contest to win a completely free tour in Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon or Washington D.C. (winner chooses):

http://www.tours4fun.com/contest/summer-travel-photo-2009/

Only a few days left to enter!

Mandy said...

Wonderful photography as always Mark. Did you take any in colour too?

storybeader said...

Love that you share your views with us! Don't remember seeing that building before... probably never have been to the south rim! Great B&W {:-Deb

Ashrays said...

fantastic sir full of drama and great tone!

you can have some of our clouds if you want... haven't been able to take a shot for days

Unknown said...

Thank's for this beautiful image Mark, and also for the interesting Wikipedia article !

floreta said...

absolutely love this. love the dramatic contrast!

The Retired One said...

A truly AWESOME shot! It doesn't even look real!