Grand Canyon Light and Shadow 7-16-07

As a photographer, I am drawn to contrast, which is basically the difference in light intensity between the darkest shadows and the brightest highlights.  In this photo, the contrast is not quite as intense as it is in those photos taken closer to sunrise or sunset.  Here the sun is almost directly overhead, which would typically render the light dull and flat. But the overlying clouds cast shadows on the canyon floor, resulting in a dappled pattern that adds drama and interest. Canon 20D f/22 1/25 sec. ISO 100 28-200mm lens @110mm To see a larger version of this photograph, click here.

Grand Canyon in Morning Light 7-20-07

This photograph from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon taken in Golden Hour light typifies the interplay of light and shadow that excites me. Two shafts of light draw the eye to different areas of the photo. Further exploration reveals a gradation from foreground shadow to mid-ground mid-tones and finally background highlights. The combination of light, shadow and atmospheric perspective creates a feeling of depth, and it evokes in me a quiet, moody sense of awe. Canon 20D f/22 1/8 sec. ISO 100 75-300mm lens @300mm 6:31 AM  To see a larger version of this photograph, click here.

Mount Hayden at Sunrise - Grand Canyon N.P. 7-19-07

Artists often use a technique called Atmospheric Perspective to create a feeling of depth by depicting distant objects in hazy details and faded colors and tones. In this photograph, Mount Hayden, which is actually a butte, is side-lit by the Golden Hour sunshine, giving it the appearance of facing left into the photograph. The atmospheric perspective is obvious in the background buttes that roll gently from right to left, creating a repeating visual rhythm until they eventually disappear in the morning haze. Taken at Imperial Point, Grand Canyon National Park. Canon 20D f/22 0.5sec. ISO 100 28-200mm lens @28mm 5:56 AM To see a larger version of this photograph, click here.

Grand Canyon in Morning Light 7-15-07

The Golden Hour refers to the first hour and last hour of daylight. Also called the Magic Hour, this is the time of day when the sun is low in the sky, and its golden light can make even the most mundane subject extraordinary. In this photograph, taken about 15 minutes after sunrise, the Grand Canyon is illuminated by Magic Hour light. The side-lighting adds more texture to the rock formations, and the warm light results in a richer color palette. The canyon shadow creates a sense of depth. And the clouds, lit from below, make for a more dramatic sky. Canon 20D f/22 0.5sec. ISO 100 28-200mm lens @28mm 5:44AM To see a larger version of this photograph, click here.

Sunrise at Grand Canyon 7-17-07

There is nothing that I have ever seen that matches the light show in the floor of the Grand Canyon at sunrise. In a matter of moments, the canyon goes from total blackness to a spectacular display of light and shadow. Once it gets started, it changes so rapidly that it is hard to keep up. On this morning, I would often find a compelling subject and establish my composition, only to see the light move to another place before I could capture the scene. But when one door closed, two more would open, and there was no shortage of great shots. Here the repeated diagonal patterns of the eroded buttes is broken up by the uneven lighting of the morning sun. Canon 20D f/22 0.4 sec. ISO 100 28-200mm lens @100mm To see a larger version of this photograph, click here.

Sunrise at Grand Canyon 7-17-07

As I mentioned in a previous post, sunrise at the Grand Canyon is an eerie and beautiful experience. As the sun clears the rim, it illuminates the buttes in the canyon floor.  Taller buttes act as foils, resulting in an uneven distribution of the sun’s rays. The interplay of light and shadow is a spectacle that rewards the early visitor to the canyon’s rim. By midday, when most people view the canyon, the overhead light is flat. Although any view of the Grand Canyon is awe-inspiring, nothing matches the quiet resplendent glory of this early morning light show. Canon 20D f/22 20.3 sec. ISO 100 28-200mm lens @135mm To see a larger version of this photograph, click here.

Sunrise at Grand Canyon 7-17-07

If you ever go to the Grand Canyon National Park, I highly recommend viewing a sunrise from one of the many viewing sites within the park.  If you wake up early enough to arrive at dawn, this is typical of what you will see. Notice that the canyon rim is not visible from this location. Large buttes in the foreground project upward, partially obstructing your view of the rising sun. Also notice the clouds, which come into play as the sun rises higher in the sky. Take a minute or two to enjoy the sun playing peek-a-boo with the buttes, then spend the next several hours watching the spectacle of light and shadow in the canyon below. Canon 20D f/8 1/50 sec. ISO 100 28-200mm lens @64mm 5:29 AM To see a larger version of this photograph, click here.