Sunrise on Mary's Nipple, Fishlake National Forest Utah
I remembered something while on the road last week, a bit of
conventional photographic wisdom which says that the best images are made at
the edges. Edges of storms, light, or
seasons for example.
Predawn pink over Death Hollow Drainage, Dixie National Forest Utah
We were on the edge of canyons, from the Grand to the
ominously named Death Hollow Drainage in Utah.
 |
| Meadow's Edge, Kaibab National Forest Arizona |
I’m often drawn to the edges of meadows (which is likewise
the edge of a stand of trees) for forest photography. Stands of trees are
chaotic by nature, and this is one way to simplify the composition.
 |
| Almost winter, Fishlake National Forest Utah |
Metaphorically this trip was at the edge of seasons. We didn’t see the drama of snow
on yellow aspens that we caught last year, but the juxtaposition of bare
and the buttery trees conveys the same concept.
 |
| Storm and aspens in a canyon, Dixie National Forest Utah |
There was a small storm which provided brooding drama in the
sky. I’m happy to have been on the edge
this time.
 |
| Bentonite Hills Utah. MDRS at upper center |
We were, at one point, on the edge of Mars. Sort of.
On the way to photograph some bentonite hills in Utah, we passed the Mars Desert Research Center.
Apparently this landscape is one of the most Mars-like in the country.
 |
| Hell's Backbone, Dixie National Forest Utah |
 |
| Sand Canyon and aspen studded hills, Dixie National Forest Utah |
Here’s sunrise down one of the two, Sand Creek. This spot was lovely when we pulled up midday, but waxed spectacular at sunrise the next morning. I confess that when light takes my breath away like this, my fear is that I’m on the edge of screwing something up. Thank goodness it worked out fine this time.
 |
| Detail, Kaibab National Forest Arizona |
Thanks for joining me on the edge. There are more images in the Autumn 2024 Galley on the
website.
