When I visited Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah I had to find a way to make sense of the hoodoo chaos. It is quite amazing to behold such a vast landscape with so much detail.
I asked myself what the main attractions were in the grand scene. I like to give myself some time to consider my subject and what I want to say about it before I start photographing so the images have more impact.
In this case, I decided the main attractions were the texture of the rocks and the overall scale of the scene. Because I wanted to emphasize the texture I needed to photograph when there were some shadows.
Please click the images to view a larger versions.
Normally my favourite time to photograph is during twilight, but without direct light the texture would not have been as visible and the effect greatly diminished. I made the image about an hour after sunrise. At Bryce, I found the best time to photograph was an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset when the sun was still high enough in the sky to cast shadows, yet low enough in the sky to produce softer light.
With hoodoos all around me, I started hiking on the trails seeking groups of hoodoos that made a pattern or ones that I could isolate from all the others. I needed to make order out of the chaos.
In the scene of Fairyland, below, I really liked how the hoodoos behind the lone tree resembled a house without a roof, baring each of the room’s walls. It almost looks like a castle.
Also at Fairyland I found this small grouping of hoodoos that I could isolate from the others.
Next time you are photographing a landscape with a lot of detail, think of making order out of the chaos by finding patterns or isolating a small part of the scene.
Very nice advice on photographing Bryce Anne. With all of it’s awesomeness, it’s quite a challenge conveying it to an image. You’ve done a great job of it here.
Thank you so much Len, I appreciate your comments.
That lonely tree between rocks looks good. And I agree with you on trying to focus on one thing in the chaos – the chaos will become as a very nice background.
Hi Armands, thank you very much for your visit and comments, much appreciated.
nice ‘Family Picture’ (the 3rd one), I even can see a pet (dog or a cat may be).
1st one: troop lining up for a battle?, assembling for a sermon?, a rally?
Evocative..
Thanks.
Hi Kaz, you have a great imagination! Excellent comments, thanks!
Great work Anne! Isolating the hoodoos from the larger view is always tough but you did a great job. I really like the second and third photos.
Thank you so much Jason. It’s a bit of a challenge isolating them like you say, but so rewarding when you find a pattern or small grouping to work with.
Tremendous photos. The real beauty of those rocks got caught in your photos. Really artistic.
Order out of chaos – that’s a great idea. I can understand the problem – there’s almost too much of it. I love those two close-ups.