I’m sure the title piqued your interest. And, I bet your were expecting to see the perfect shot. Sorry for the bait and switch…

As many photographers will tell you, great photographs are the result being in the right place at the right time. What they don’t mention is that being in the right place at the right time often requires being in that place “MANY, MANY’ times. Bill Fortney tells us it could require up to 25 times.  An example is our sunrise shots of Dead Horse Point that we posted yesterday. They were nice, but not spectacular. I guess we will have to return – another vacation! 🙂

Now back to the perfect shot. As we were waiting for the sun to set on the famous Balanced Rock in Arches National Park, it looked like we missed again. The clouds moved in to the west and the sun disappeared behind the clouds. The huge rock, stood flat against the clouds. A few in our group called it a day and headed back to the hotel, while the rest of us prepped our cameras and gear for a late night star shoot. Even our fearless leader was ready to quit.

Balanced Rock when we almost called the shoot

Balanced Rock when we almost called the shoot

Just moments before the official sunset time as we were switching lens and packing up gear, the sun broke through the clouds … and Balanced Rock lit up like a flaming torch framed with the dark clouds behind.

Balanced Rock come alive just after we almost quit

Balanced Rock comes alive just after we almost quit

“This is by far the best I’ve ever seen”, said Bill, who has visited Arches over 25 times.

Now we don’t need to come back! 🙂