In late March of 2022 I spent a few days in the Moab area of Utah, shooting at Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park. These places are amazing to behold, and a joy to explore.  I didn’t have great luck with light, but I did get a couple nice mornings, and took advantage of them with iconic shots of Mesa Arch in Canyonlands at sunrise, and Dead Horse Point State Park at sunrise.

With canyons, it’s often when there is no direct sunlight that the views are the nicest, as there are no hard shadows concealing crevices and valleys, and the textures can really show. My favorite images of Dead Horse Point are those I captured before the sun rose above the horizon. This being said, it was an awe inspiring scene to witness as the sun lit more and more of the canyon as it rose.

All in all, it was a great experience, and I got some images that sell well, so the trip was a joy and success.

Pre-dawn light at Dead Horse Point

Pre-dawn light at Dead Horse Point

Afternoon light on Delicate Arch

Double Arch

Looking thru Mesa Arch in Canyonlands NP, mid afternoon

Shafer Canyon

A view of the San Juan mountains from Arches NP

Before sunrise looking thru Mesa Arch in Canyonlands

Mesa Arch in Canyonlands at sunrise–it is famous for glowing orange as the sun rises. I call the print of this Majestic Morning

Landscape arch. The light wasn’t good the day I made this hike.

The area near the Courthouse in Arches NP. A short rain created some flow in the arroyo.

A random spire in Arches NP

Park Avenue section of Arches NP

Turret Arch group in front of the San Juan Mountains

Turret Arch–this was taken for a couple miles away. Too much atmosphere for great detail, but pretty clear to get as much as I did.