Grand Canyon & Beyond ~ The Magic of Light and Atmosphere: Video
My favorite time of year to capture the majesty of the Grand Canyon is the summer monsoon, also known as the Southwest or North American monsoon. Why is the monsoon my favorite time of year to photograph the Grand Canyon? Simple, because magic happens during the monsoon.
Many people come to the canyon during the monsoon season to photograph lightning, and I frequently do as well, but over the years, I've come to love other qualities of the monsoon even more. What has captured me is the quality of light and atmosphere typically only experienced after it has rained. The humidity left behind by the rain adds a dreamy quality to the space within the canyon when sunlight pierces it. The light is diffused and scattered by the atmosphere. The details of the distant rim of the canyon are softened, creating a beautiful sense of depth in the scene.
After a prolonged rainfall, and if the other weather conditions are just right, the canyon can fill with clouds. The countless peaks, temples, and buttes that pierce through the clouds resemble ships drifting at sea. I was grateful to witness and photograph this event again this year, and it was made even more magical as I captured it at sunrise from Point Imperial, the highest viewpoint in the park, on the North Rim.
This video highlights a selection of the photographs I made this year during incredible monsoon conditions. I hope you enjoy the photographs, and if you have a favorite or even two, I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.
