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For the past 5 years or so, I've gone to Death Valley and Zion each winter. This year it was a pretty wild trip that resulted in many broken cameras and even my vehicle was disabled by a rodent in Death Valley. Despite all that, it was a productive trip, and I exposed a lot of film. If you are interested in seeing my video journals from this trip, you will find them on my youtube channel: youtube.com/c/benhorne
All of these photos were taken on 8x10 Velvia 50 slide film with my Ritter 8x10 camera.
The first photo was taken with my 600mm fuji lens on the Ritter camera in absolutely calm conditions. This camera is easily shaken in the wind, especially when used with a long lens, so I was very happy to have no wind.
The second photo was taken in Death Valley on my return trip. There was some water on the salt flats, so I setup my camera and waited a few hours. It looked like it was going to be a gloomy overcast sunset, but at the very last minute, some of the clouds began to dissipate, and the color was quite nice.
The final photo is a closeup of a frosty tree trunk deep in the shade on the East side of Zion. The rock was wedged in the root ball of the tree. I liked how it looked like a feathered creature guarding an egg.
Great stuff Ben. Nice of the Ritter to give you a parting gift. Just the other day I was experiencing quite cloudy conditions and not unlike your photo I was completely surprised when for a real brief moment a splash of color lit up the clouds through some unseen gap to the west. You were ready, while I was taken by complete surprise. Just goes to show you have to wait it out until it's truly done like you did.
Great stuff as always Ben, I love the 2nd shot. I've been a fan of your work for some time now. Also follow your vids on you tube. You probably don't remember but you saved my butt years ago in Zion when hiking out of the subway in darkness with a twisted ankle.
I have seen most of the video diaries from the Zion trips...have to dig into the DV ones...its a great insight into your workflow and really shows your dedication...you have quite a unique eye...
Great images all. My preference is #1 for the palette of colors from Velvia & exposure.
The salt flat scene is classic.
Your comments about the wind remind me of trying to shoot a windy Zabriskie point with my 4x5
I had to use my BIL holding his coat out like a flasher to block the wind
A great image has scalability. That's the case with your entire set and especially the first one. The light and the way you composed creates order and interesting layers from a otherwise chaotic scene.
Thanks for sharing them Ben!
Fred
Mar 24, 2017 at 11:30 AM
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