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The inversions happen. Usually 2-3 times a year in Canyonlands. The irony is that when you're in Moab, it just looks overcast. Don't know how unusual further south in the Grand Canyon, but it's more being opportunistic when it hits, and knowing where to go. The Canyonlands shot is awesome, although a remake of a Tom Till shot from long ago. I'm jealous, but also trapped in Colorado with no gear (makes me wonder about the Black Canyon)... One on my bucket list!
Chris S. wrote:
I was on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon several years ago, on a May day when snow had fallen during the night and the canyon was transformed into a lake of clouds. Not sure if this was an official inversion, but have no doubt it was visually compelling. Unfortunately for me, this occurred on a planned rest day between a 10-mile trail run laden with photo gear, and a fast, night-time rim-to-rim hike. As planned, I slept in to recharge, and had no idea of the photographic opportunities until almost midday--far too late to get the best of it, or hike to favorite overlooks away from the road system. So I have fond memories of the day, but no outstanding images.
One thing still makes me chuckle: I did what I could, under the circumstances--drove to overlooks popular with car-borne visitors--and quite a few of these folks were outspokenly disappointed that the weather was not clear. Most of them put away their cameras and complained that they couldn't get their expected (dull?) pictures of the canyon under plain, midday, blue sky. I was happily shooting cliffs and outcrops as they appeared and disappeared, moment by moment, among the mists--grateful for an opportunity to shoot the canyon in a way that wasn't a shopworn visual cliché . Quite a few folks looked at me as if I didn't have enough sense to put away my camera. One asked sarcastically if I had a cloud-penetrating lens.
Odd how so many folk don't know when a gift-wrapped opportunity comes their way.
Cheers,
--Chris ...Show more →
Chris, you were there, you slept in. It would make me cry, not chuckle. You're a photographer, they are just tourists. I have many, many memories where I did not alter my plans and just "get out there" and drop what I was doing. Classic landscape lesson, when opportunity knocks, open the door.
I hope Derek and the others from the Arizona contingent went and caught some shots also.
As photographers, we far too often miss an opportunity, failing to recognize that "this is now," never to be repeated. Our job, if you can call it that, is to record such rare events. If you are a serious landscape photographer, it get's back to the same old thing, always be ready and follow the weather!
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