I've been going to Factory Butte for many years to ride dirt bikes. That place is like no other for fun off road riding. But unfortunately, like many other dirt biking, off road places, it was closed down by environmentalists last year, and we aren't allowed to ride it anymore due to some rare cactus on the endangered list. A cactus none of us have ever seen in all our years riding there.
The ground changes often around there, sometimes with every few hundred feet. Consistency, color and sometimes in spring huge fields of small yellow and purple flowers bloom. I'm going to miss riding there.
These are truly gorgeous, but like many others, I prefer the muted version #1. I'd love to know more about this place and how you go about hiking at 1 a.m.!
Have you considered b&w coversions? I'm wondering about the first one in particular....seems there's some potential there.
As presented, I'm inclined to think I'd choose the 2nd if I was in a buying mood. Though I can kinda understand why some might think it a bit oversaturated, I think it works well for this scene.
I've been going to Factory Butte for many years to ride dirt bikes. That place is like no other for fun off road riding. But unfortunately, like many other dirt biking, off road places, it was closed down by environmentalists last year, and we aren't allowed to ride it anymore due to some rare cactus on the endangered list. A cactus none of us have ever seen in all our years riding there.
The ground changes often around there, sometimes with every few hundred feet. Consistency, color and sometimes in spring huge fields of small yellow and purple flowers bloom. I'm going to miss riding there. ...Show more →
Thanks for the info. I checked the new rules and one of the rules says that "Stay on designated routes except where cross country travel is permitted (Swing Arm City). ". Does it mean that we can no longer hike on foot off road to take photos of the butte like the OP did?
The yellow color of these would work best with blue sky. Sunset will make that texture really pop too. I've shot the same types of geology north of Lake Powell (see Mustard Point) and most of the time I've been cursed by grey skies. When the light is right, the blue/yellow dirt and stone look amazing. If you make it there again, I'd put even more emphasis on the foreground and maybe get up close and personal with some of the cracked dirt. Maybe venture close to the buttes to alleviate the slant caused by the alluvium.
These are beautiful and interesting images. I couldn't help but think the cows didn't stop, but were sucked into that pit in the foreground of #1, which then closed behind them....
LSExplorer wrote:
Thanks for the info. I checked the new rules and one of the rules says that "Stay on designated routes except where cross country travel is permitted (Swing Arm City). ". Does it mean that we can no longer hike on foot off road to take photos of the butte like the OP did?
Anyone has any answer?
I don't know the answer but I'll find out one month from now when I spend a week in that region.
Mitchell Derr wrote:
Really nice Jim. These look natural. I would love for you to throw in a BW shot now and then. The dynamic range on your shots scream for it.
Hey Mitchell,
Thanks so much! Believe it or not I do convert to B&W once in a while... It's funny that back in the film days I always shot with 2 bodies, 1 with color slide or film, and the 2nd body was usually Tri-X B&W film.... Somehow though now a days I just have gotten away from doing as much B&W. I will keep your suggestion in mind.
ben egbert wrote:
That first one is still one of my favorites of your images Jim. Maybe because of its uniqueness.
Thanks Ben, I am glad you still like it! What's amazing about these shots is that it was my first time at Factory Butte. Other than my normal research and trying to get a lay of the land and how best to access it, I started out in the dark hiking towards Factory Butte, basically just feeling my way in the dark. It was a very fun adventure, and I am glad that somehow my meandering brought me to that location where everything just came together!
JimFox wrote:
Thanks Ben, I am glad you still like it! What's amazing about these shots is that it was my first time at Factory Butte. Other than my normal research and trying to get a lay of the land and how best to access it, I started out in the dark hiking towards Factory Butte, basically just feeling my way in the dark. It was a very fun adventure, and I am glad that somehow my meandering brought me to that location where everything just came together!
Jim
I thought I had a good Factory Butte until I saw yours. Now I want to return and find that location, but I will scout the day before.
These are both so nice and so different from shots I took at these same locations last October on two mornings. The light and your interpretations make me want to return again....and again...
It's funny that back in the film days I always shot with 2 bodies, 1 with color slide or film, and the 2nd body was usually Tri-X B&W film.... Somehow though now a days I just have gotten away from doing as much B&W. I will keep your suggestion in mind.