Light & Layers at the Grand Canyon
As 2022 begins to wind down, I have come to realize that I am way behind on developing the photographs I have made over the past year. I've been very productive and have lots of new photos to share including these from the Grand Canyon. Up next will be photos from fall color in Colorado, which I hope to have on the website by next week!
A hoodoo rock glows in early morning light. From Walhalla Overlook on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
A cloud forms across the top of Isis Temple as a monsoon storm clears. From Point Sublime on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
A split in a rock outcropping glows in low-angle light. In the distance, the Colorado River is briefly visible from the within the depths of the Inner Gorge.
It took me five attempts to make this photograph before I finally got the conditions I needed and all of the elements came together. I had discovered this scene just a couple of months ago while exploring along the canyon's rim in search of new compositions. I came close to making the photo just a couple of weeks ago when there was good color in the sky, but a splotchy dusting of snow on the trees and brush below the rim left me still wanting something a bit different. I had visited the location several more times, but each time either the sky didn't light up as expected, or the wind was howling.
On the day I made this photo, there seemed to be a fifty-fifty chance that things would work out in my favor. There were interesting clouds over the canyon, but a line of clouds on the horizon meant that the sun might be obscured just as it sets. With the moment approaching, and anticipation building, the clouds on the horizon began to thin out, and the sky lit up beautifully.
Clouds over the Navajo lands. From Point Imperial on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The full moon rises over the Watchtower at Desert View as the last remnants of sunset color fade away. From the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Duck on a Rock basks in the warm morngin light of a summer sunrise. South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
Shadows fall across the Colorado River as golden light illuminates the cliffs of the Grand Canyon.
The distant Colorado River falls into deep shadow as the final light of the day cast warm hues across the landscape. From the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
I discovered this view of Coronado Butte on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon while hiking along the rim of the canyon in search of new vistas.
Freya Castle basks in the warm glow of morning light. From the Walhalla Plateau on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
A colorful sunset over the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. From Desert View on the South Rim of the park.
As the sun sets, the Inner Gorge and Colorado River descend into the shadowy depths of the Grand Canyon.
A Utah agave stands tall above the Grand Canyon and Colorado River.
Rays of sunlight descend upon the Grand Canyon and the distant Colorado River. In the foreground atop a rock pilar, a the stalk of a Utha agave seems to stand guard voer the canyon.
Mount Hayden is illuminated by the warm glow of morning light. From Point Imperial on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Leading up to sunset, a touch of light falls upon a butte in the Grand Canyon. From Grandview on the South Rim of the park.
Rays of sunlight descend upon the Grand Canyon and the distant Colorado River. In the foreground atop a rock pilar, a the stalk of a Utha agave seems to stand guard voer the canyon.
Last light falls upon Brahma Temple and Zoroaster Temple. From the Rim Trail on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Early morning light paints Wotans Throne in a warm glow as the full moon is close to setting on the western horizon. From Cape Royal on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon and Colorado River in late afternoon light. The river is seen here as it bends around the Unkar Delta. From Lipan Point on the South Rim of the park.
A panoramic view of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River in late afternoon light. From Lipan Point on the South Rim of the park.
Duck on a Rock basks in the warm morngin light of a summer sunrise. South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
Dappled light and shadows roll across the Grand Canyon landscape. From Point Imperial on the North Rim.
Early morning light on Cardenas Butte. From the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
The Duck on a Rock during the blue hour. From the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
The warm glow of morning light falls across Unkar Creek. If you follow Unkar Creek to the bottom of the canyon, you will see the Colorado River as it bends around Unkar Delta. From the Walhalla Plateau on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Earth shadow rises above Marble Canyon. From Marble View on the Kaibab Plateau near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
A veil of rain falls from a summer storm at sunrise. Looking north towards Nzvajo Mountain from Point Imperial on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
An endless sea of ridges in the Grand Canyon fade away towards the setting sun as the distant Colorado River disappears into the Granite Gorge.
Fine Art Prints
The photos are available as large fine art prints. I still have more photographs to add to this gallery, so please check back often to see new photos as they are added. Thank you for stopping by, I hope you enjoy the photos.
Photo Gear
The photographs on this page were all made with my Fujifilm GFX 100S, a 102-megapixel medium format mirrorless camera, and Fujifilm lenses. I also used a Really Right Stuff tripod and Acratech Panoramic Head. You can learn more about the equipment I used by clicking on the links below.