A year ago we visited Moab, Utah for a photo workshop at Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Unfortunately, we spent too much time in the classroom and not enough time shooting. We didn’t even get to see the top attraction in Arches – Delicate Arch. Frustrated, we vowed to come back and see what we missed. Luckily, Rachel chose Moab as one of our destinations during her graduation trip. This provided us our chance to shoot what we missed before.
This morning it is sunrise at Dead Horse Point followed by Mesa Arch, easily the two best locations in Canyonlands.
Last year our shots from Dead Horse Point were disappointing. We arrived at the Point a little late and could not find a decent spot to shoot from – all of our classmates beat us to the best spots. We vowed this was not going to happen again. We got up very early, picked up coffee at the gas station, and headed to the Point. We arrived over an hour before sunrise and 30 minutes before anyone else showed up. After a PB&J (thanks to Rachel’s excellent PB&J making skills – something she learned at UMASS), we staked out the prime spots and started shooting. The sun was a bit tardy due to some lingering clouds. But once the light started peaking trough, the magic began.
The sun was a bit tardy but all was forgiven for a view like this.
Because of the sun’s tardiness we got a late start to Mesa Arch. There was a good chance the sun would be too high and the Arch would be, well, an arch. It would be disappointing from a photographic point of view. At least Rachel will get to see it. When we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised – very few people and the Arch was still glowing.
A couple hours after sunrise and the arch still glowed.
Of course, we couldn’t keep Rachel from climbing. She certainly didn’t get her monkey genes from her father or her mother.
Rachel wasn’t scared being 1000 feet up, but I certainly was.
Now it’s on to a big breakfast, and a nap. On our way back to Moab we came across a herd of baby cows (is that where we get petite filet?) at the side of the road. I am sure their mothers told them not to play in traffic.
Overall a much better experience than last year.
Thanks for reading and remember, it’s all about the light.