Zion Iconic
The iconic scenic vista taken from the first bridge you hit when entering Zion National Park. And, what a vista it is, especially in Fall. Missed the clouds t...
Read more
The iconic scenic vista taken from the first bridge you hit when entering Zion National Park. And, what a vista it is, especially in Fall. Missed the clouds this day, by I still stare...
Read less
Read less
Nov, 2015Views
87
Likes
Awards
Great Shot
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Top Ranks
Top 20 rank
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 30 rankTop 30 rank week 1
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
Zion National ParkTime
This was taken from the bridge over the Virgin River at sunset, late Fall of 2016. Finger were getting numb as I kept taking long exposures in the ever changing light.Lighting
The lighting that day could have been a bit nicer should the atmosphere have provided it, along with a few more clouds, but the one day I was there, I was still able to capture the beauty that is Zion National.Equipment
Shot with a Nikon D750, 24-110mm f/4 Nikkor, bracketed - 5 shots, compiled into an HDR using Lightroom. Of course, a tripod was used. I think I started at a shutter of about 20 secs. down, spaced 1-1/2 stops apart, at f16.Inspiration
This IS THE PINNACLE photo that everyone should attempt to take at Zion. Photographers line the bridge at sunset to grab their captures. Some with simple cameras and some with the best gear out there. But, either way, it's just such a great view of the Virigin River as it wraps around to the Watchmen (the mountains in the distance); and, with the Fall foliage is just an amazing view. And, being right at the entrance of the Park, very easy to get to quick if you stay around the entrance.Editing
Of course, being an HDR, processing was done, but not much other than some dodging and burning to bring out some more of the shadow detail and tone down some of the highlights just a bit.In my camera bag
LowePro 300, Nikon D750, 24-110mm f/4, 70-200mm f/2.8, 4/6/10 ND grads, polarizer, lens pen, Neweer extended grip for extra battery, portrait shutter release, and remote release for long exposures to reduce camera shake, Dolica Proline tripod, extra SD cards, batteries, Joby Gorillapod SLR-Zoom tripod, and everything under the sun, it seems. Constantly expanding too.Feedback
To best capture this, have multiple days in the park, not ONE like myself. The fall is, without question, the best time to shoot -- gauge when the leaves are turning and at their brightest, which has to be judged carefully since that's about just when they are ready to fall. And, in this image, you can see where some have already dropped theirs. I, again, was just lucky on being there in the Fall. So, this capture was the best I could make for that time of year (lucky) and for being in the park only one day -- again, the atmosphere changes CONSTANTLY, so there are so many different skies you might encounter that would add drama to the shot. Get there early and take multiple shots as the light changes. You never can gauge by the day and blazingly fast changing conditions, what you'll encounter.
