Once More Into The Valley

I’ve visited Monument Valley several times, most recently when I lead aLandscape Photography Workshopthere in the Spring of 2000. In December, 2000 I returned as part of a photographic journey throughIndian Country. 

This portfolio was shot completely with the digitalCanon D30. For more information on this, please read thetechnical discussionregarding the entire trip that this section is but one part of.

North Window Bush

Photographed with a Canon EOS D30 and 14mm f/2.8 Sigma lens at ISO 100.

I like this photograph a great deal because it is so reminiscent yet so different than a photograph taken at theNorth Windowsome 8 months earlier. When you viewthat imageit’s worth comparing the angle of view and sense of depth created by these two very different cameras and lens systems.

Though I don’t often use daylight fill-flash, in this case I did, using the D30’s built-in flash with E-TTL capability. It can’t provide enough coverage for a lens this wide (14mm) but because the bush is small and centrally located the fall-off isn’t visible or an issue.

NB: The current (Dec, 2000) hot movie,Vertical Limit, opens with an exciting scene shot right in this area. Of course this is also where the 1999Tom CruisemovieMission Impossible IIhas its opening sequence.

Three Sisters Sunset

Photographed with a Canon EOS D30 and 28~70mm f/2.8L lens at ISO 100.

This photograph was taken not long after the one above from just above the parking area for theNorth Window. After taking this shot, as we were finishing up and starting to load our gear, a workshop group of about a dozen photographers came screaming up in several vehicles, but alas the light was almost gone from the sky. Just moments too late.

Photographed with a Canon EOS D30 and 28~70mm f/2.8L lens at ISO 100.

Well, not quite. Just moments later and slightly to the east of the previous shot I noticed that a crescent moon was just visible through some high clouds which were being illuminated by the very last rays of the setting sun. A lovely close to a great day of photography. 

Mittens Dawn

Photographed with a Canon EOS D30 and 14mm f/2.8 Sigma lens at ISO 100.

No photographic journey toMonument Valleywould be complete without a shot of the famous “Mittens” at sunrise. It’s a total cliché, but still a great deal of fun. While we were standing in the cold pre-dawn light we commented to each other that there are few photographic pleasures as strong as shooting sunrise from this location â�¹ regardless that it’s been done, and done well, by everyone fromAnsel AdamstoDavid Meunch.