Scorched Tree
The harsh environment of the Utah desert in all its beauty. The play of light in the canyons is beyond sublime here.
The harsh environment of the Utah desert in all its beauty. The play of light in the canyons is beyond sublime here.
Read less
Read less
Oct, 2015Views
1292
Likes
Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 22
Legendary Award
Featured Store
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Top Ranks
Top 30 rank
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 30 rankTop 30 rank week 1
Categories
ScribblersNest
October 14, 2015
Sorry, I have to ask! What is that tire shaped thing the bottom left corner of each of your photos? It detracts from the ht! Sorry!
Platinum
Platinum
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
The Scorched Tree photo was taken at Canyonlands National Park, Needles District. The Joint Trail.Time
This shot was perhaps one of the most spontaneous photos I have ever taken. My wife and I were hiking The Joint Trail in Canyonlands National Park, Needles District and after a morning full of exploration, we stopped for lunch. We found a very cool slot canyon to sit in the shade, which is hard to find around high-noon in Utah. It was a late Spring hike and a very warm day. I was eating my sandwich and marveling at the wonderful colors of the sandstone that towered above my wife and I. All of a sudden, I notice a beam of sunlight peaking through one of the spaces between the canyon wall. The Scorched Tree looked very interesting with the red rocks and sunlight behind it. I snapped one shot and when I got home, I couldn't believe what I had captured!Lighting
The natural sunlight that beamed through a small opening in the canyon wall was very brief. Minutes later, the canyon was completely in shade.Equipment
I carry a Nikon D7100 and this shot was a hand-held snap. The lens I used was a Nikon AF-S 55-300mm 5.6. Hand held shot.Inspiration
I captured a moment when a very interesting tree became backlit by a brief beam of sunlight. I thought the tree looked so interesting with all the colors of the canyon lit up.Editing
I use Lightroom and import my images in RAW format and work with them. The Scorched Tree was not processed with any presets but this is what I usually do. I change the color to Adobe Landscape, I adjust the exposure, then Contrast to 50. I then adjust the shadow to my liking. With white and black, I hold the control button and double click white and black settings and leave it at that!In my camera bag
I transport my camera gear in an ammo can lined with foam. I then transport minimal gear for long day hikes from my ammo can into a day pack. I shoot with a Nikon D7100. I carry a Nikon 55-300 mm DX, a SIGMA 17-50mm 2:8 when I'm in the canyon. I adore my MeFoto A1350 Aluminum tripod. (It's fairly lightweight and is very sturdy, plus it fits on my daypack.) I also carry a filter kit with 10 shades and various colors. Since I shoot in the desert, I always carry a dust bulb and a lens brush.Feedback
Photographing the canyons of Southern Utah is a landscape photographer's dream! I highly recommend carrying a wide angle lens with an NG filter. The Blue hour and the Golden hour can be incredible here, so don't miss the light show! (Especially during Fall and Winter) My advice is slow down while you're in the canyons and look closely at natures details. Allow the magic of the canyon light, its colors, shapes, and textures unfold before your eyes. Let your imagination guide you.
