Red Rock Crossing Sedona, Arizona When photographing Red Rock Crossing, it is very helpful to bring a pair of waders… or at least a change of clothes in case you get wet. That’s because there are so many fascinating compositions available, but the best ones can be found by exploring in the river on foot. In this shot I set my tripod between these two rocks and used a neutral density filter to allow a long shutter speed, blurring the waters motion. By waiting for the perfect moment when the setting sun washed Cathedral Rock in light, I had captured an image that became a real keeper. Image Code: A021
The Watchman Mountain Zion National Park, Utah The final light of day shown on the great watchman mountain, highlighting its dramatic power over the landscape! The Watchman is a fitting name for this mountain. It stands prominently at the gate of the parks main entrance – like a protecting force, welcoming in all visitors. The powerful Virgin River flows through Zion canyon and past the foot of the watchman, and acts as a strong foreground for the image. This is a prime spot for photography and it is directly off the road near the parks entrance. Don't miss this amazing shooting location! Image Code: A091
Sunshine Mountain San Juan National Forest, Colorado I took this photo right on the cusp of spring. At the time, there was still a considerable amount of snow in the forests, especially on Sunshine Mountain in the background. The resulting photo out of the camera was rather dull, underexposed and lifeless. As a photographer, I messed up by shooting the image too dark. However, the scene itself was quite stunning, so I knew there was still a great photo hidden within the file. This is where the magic of post processing comes in, or as photographers call it: the digital darkroom. Sometimes a photo exudes beauty right from the camera and these are often the most exciting images to capture. However, in most cases, snapping the shutter is simply the first step of the photographic process. Post processing is often where the most creativity is poured into the final image. I spent a great deal of time working on this photo in Photoshop and Lightroom, drawing out the color in the clouds, correcting white balance and adjusting the exposure. The end result was dramatically different than what I had initially captured! This is one of the things that I love so much about digital photography. Most times the image can stand on its own without post-processing. But sometimes the photographer has to know when to peel away the uninteresting layers of the digital file to uncover a beautiful photo underneath! Image Code: A025
