Archive 2025 · Utah: Timeless and Elegant
p.1 #1Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Congratulations to Al Trujillo for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 9 votes - View Previous Winners
We made it home yesterday from our third trip in three years to the deserts of Utah. Our truck and camper are covered with mud, our boots are filled with sand but we would go back today if possible. Utah really is an incredible place and I'm already planning next year's trip.
I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed being there in those moments!
Sunset over Factory Butte:
DSC07764-Factory Butte by Al Trujillo, on FlickrView Point Rock near Hanksville:
DSC07609 View Pt Rk by Al Trujillo, on FlickrA wash in the Bentonite Hills:
DSC07576 Cow Dung by Al Trujillo, on FlickrAlong the Fremont River:
DSC07494 Fremont II by Al Trujillo, on FlickrAnother from the Fremont River:
DSC07491 Fremont by Al Trujillo, on FlickrHow slot canyons begin:
DSC07395 Baby Slot by Al Trujillo, on FlickrBeautiful Hoodoo during blue hour with the Henry's in the background:
DSC07332 White Hoodoo by Al Trujillo, on FlickrMilky Way at Temple of the Sun. A little explaining is warranted with this image (and I have debated whether I should post it or not)...we are fully aware that light painting is not permitted here and we had no (repeat - NO!) intentions of doing so ourselves. If you look at the Temple you can see the light came from a source to my left where there was another group who had no qualms about painting. They told us their plan was to remain there and shoot all night and so it didn't appear that it would stop. We had driven a long way over an insufferable road and wanted to get our shots and leave. It was likely we would never return to Cathedral Valley so we set up and tried to take pictures between the other groups efforts. It didn't happen for long though so we shot away. Definitely an ethical dilemma whether to post this one.
DSC07230 MW Temple of the Sun by Al Trujillo, on FlickrTwo drone images from the Bentonite Hills:
DJI_0073 Bentonite 1.1 by Al Trujillo, on Flickr
DJI_0056 Bentonite 2.2 by Al Trujillo, on FlickrEdited on Oct 28, 2025 at 10:08 AM · View previous versions
Oct 26, 2025 at 07:49 PM
p.1 #3Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Fantastic set, Al! Love the variety you captured. And I’m happy to see your love for Utah. I’m with you on that, it is a stunning state that has my heart also. I will feel a sense of loss when it is time for me to leave and return to home base in Ohio.
Oct 26, 2025 at 08:57 PM
p.1 #4Utah: Timeless and Elegant
You got some fantastic images there Al. Well done.
Oct 26, 2025 at 09:43 PM
p.1 #5Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Love the drama in the first and the color in some of the latter, Al!
Douglas
Douglas
Oct 27, 2025 at 03:45 AM
p.1 #6Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Looks like a fun successful trip Al with all the great images you captured there!
Oct 27, 2025 at 09:31 AM
p.1 #7Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Great set, love the stars over the Temple. What truck & camper do you have? How was the road into the Temples? We have a RAM 3500 & Northern lite camper and love it.
Oct 27, 2025 at 10:01 AM
p.1 #8Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Great set, Al! Love the light on Factory Butte and on the cottonwoods with the dark hills behind.
I'll be making my trips to Utah soon.......
I'll be making my trips to Utah soon.......
Oct 27, 2025 at 10:29 AM
p.1 #9Utah: Timeless and Elegant
This is a really strong collection of images. Lots of nice variation in texture, color and light. They are very enjoyable images, and they help me imagine what your experiences were like.
Since you expressed being conflicted over the final non-drone shot, it doesn't sound to me like you violated anything ethically. It wasn't your actions that created the breach of rules, and you wouldn't have even used it if you had the choice. If anything, IMO, your conscientiousness demonstrates a high regard for ethics, not low.
Since you expressed being conflicted over the final non-drone shot, it doesn't sound to me like you violated anything ethically. It wasn't your actions that created the breach of rules, and you wouldn't have even used it if you had the choice. If anything, IMO, your conscientiousness demonstrates a high regard for ethics, not low.
Oct 27, 2025 at 11:44 AM
p.1 #10Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Nice landscape image collection from Factory Butte
Oct 27, 2025 at 12:29 PM
p.1 #11Utah: Timeless and Elegant
The gray mountain and the yellow foliage formed a striking contrast, well done!
Oct 27, 2025 at 07:14 PM
p.1 #12Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Al, seems like you had an amazing time and captured some stunning images. Like them all. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Oct 27, 2025 at 07:28 PM
p.1 #13Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Creative Edge wrote:
Al,
Stunning set!!!!
Thanks!!
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Ross Martin wrote:
Fantastic set, Al! Love the variety you captured. And I’m happy to see your love for Utah. I’m with you on that, it is a stunning state that has my heart also. I will feel a sense of loss when it is time for me to leave and return to home base in Ohio.
It really is a remarkable place and I wish I had started visiting it many years ago.
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dakel wrote:
You got some fantastic images there Al. Well done.
Thank you, dale!
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douter wrote:
Love the drama in the first and the color in some of the latter, Al!
Douglas
Thanks, Douglas!
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adventure_photo wrote:
Looks like a fun successful trip Al with all the great images you captured there!
We had a great time. I'm thankful that my wife enjoys visiting as much as I do.
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Jim Dockery wrote:
Great set, love the stars over the Temple. What truck & camper do you have? How was the road into the Temples? We have a RAM 3500 & Northern lite camper and love it.
I have a 2017 Tundra and 2018 Lance 2285 (we left the camper at an RV place in Hanksville - not a road to pull one of these on). We started in to the Temples from the Caineville access point and the first 1/2 wasn't too bad, but the second part of it was the worst washboard I've ever driven...even worse than the miserable road to Chaco Canyon. We had to drive 10-15 mph to keep from tearing up the truck.
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Monika C wrote:
Great set, Al! Love the light on Factory Butte and on the cottonwoods with the dark hills behind.
I'll be making my trips to Utah soon.......
I had never visited that particular FB vantage point before a friend suggested it. Worth being there for a sunset.
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JWRisinger wrote:
This is a really strong collection of images. Lots of nice variation in texture, color and light. They are very enjoyable images, and they help me imagine what your experiences were like.
Since you expressed being conflicted over the final non-drone shot, it doesn't sound to me like you violated anything ethically. It wasn't your actions that created the breach of rules, and you wouldn't have even used it if you had the choice. If anything, IMO, your conscientiousness demonstrates a high regard for ethics, not low.
I appreciate your comment.
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junglialoh wrote:
Nice landscape image collection from Factory Butte
Thanks, jung!
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ambushy wrote:
The gray mountain and the yellow foliage formed a striking contrast, well done!
When we arrived only about 1/3 of the trees were actively turning color but that number was up to about 2/3's after five days. Finding the right spot wasn't hard as the highway parallels the river with these canyons forming a backdrop. Target rich environment!
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keepclicking wrote:
Al, seems like you had an amazing time and captured some stunning images. Like them all. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Definitely worth the time to visit. Thanks for your comment.
Al,
Stunning set!!!!
Thanks!!
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Ross Martin wrote:
Fantastic set, Al! Love the variety you captured. And I’m happy to see your love for Utah. I’m with you on that, it is a stunning state that has my heart also. I will feel a sense of loss when it is time for me to leave and return to home base in Ohio.
It really is a remarkable place and I wish I had started visiting it many years ago.
---------------------------------------------
dakel wrote:
You got some fantastic images there Al. Well done.
Thank you, dale!
---------------------------------------------
douter wrote:
Love the drama in the first and the color in some of the latter, Al!
Douglas
Thanks, Douglas!
---------------------------------------------
adventure_photo wrote:
Looks like a fun successful trip Al with all the great images you captured there!
We had a great time. I'm thankful that my wife enjoys visiting as much as I do.
---------------------------------------------
Jim Dockery wrote:
Great set, love the stars over the Temple. What truck & camper do you have? How was the road into the Temples? We have a RAM 3500 & Northern lite camper and love it.
I have a 2017 Tundra and 2018 Lance 2285 (we left the camper at an RV place in Hanksville - not a road to pull one of these on). We started in to the Temples from the Caineville access point and the first 1/2 wasn't too bad, but the second part of it was the worst washboard I've ever driven...even worse than the miserable road to Chaco Canyon. We had to drive 10-15 mph to keep from tearing up the truck.
---------------------------------------------
Monika C wrote:
Great set, Al! Love the light on Factory Butte and on the cottonwoods with the dark hills behind.
I'll be making my trips to Utah soon.......
I had never visited that particular FB vantage point before a friend suggested it. Worth being there for a sunset.
---------------------------------------------
JWRisinger wrote:
This is a really strong collection of images. Lots of nice variation in texture, color and light. They are very enjoyable images, and they help me imagine what your experiences were like.
Since you expressed being conflicted over the final non-drone shot, it doesn't sound to me like you violated anything ethically. It wasn't your actions that created the breach of rules, and you wouldn't have even used it if you had the choice. If anything, IMO, your conscientiousness demonstrates a high regard for ethics, not low.
I appreciate your comment.
---------------------------------------------
junglialoh wrote:
Nice landscape image collection from Factory Butte
Thanks, jung!
---------------------------------------------
ambushy wrote:
The gray mountain and the yellow foliage formed a striking contrast, well done!
When we arrived only about 1/3 of the trees were actively turning color but that number was up to about 2/3's after five days. Finding the right spot wasn't hard as the highway parallels the river with these canyons forming a backdrop. Target rich environment!
---------------------------------------------
keepclicking wrote:
Al, seems like you had an amazing time and captured some stunning images. Like them all. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Definitely worth the time to visit. Thanks for your comment.
Oct 27, 2025 at 07:49 PM
p.1 #15Utah: Timeless and Elegant
J. Pow wrote:
Super cool set!
Joel
Thanks, Joel!
Super cool set!
Joel
Thanks, Joel!
Oct 28, 2025 at 10:09 AM
p.1 #16Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Splendid work. The first image is my pick, although "How slot canyons begin" is also compelling.
Oct 28, 2025 at 10:29 AM
p.1 #18Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Rajan Parrikar wrote:
Splendid work. The first image is my pick, although "How slot canyons begin" is also compelling.
I'd like to dedicate an entire season to shooting environmental abstracts in that area. It was a goal but I didn't dedicate enough time to get what I wanted. I like this one as well and appreciate your comment.
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Ross Martin wrote:
Back to enjoy these again, Al. Voted 👍🏼
Thanks Ross!
Splendid work. The first image is my pick, although "How slot canyons begin" is also compelling.
I'd like to dedicate an entire season to shooting environmental abstracts in that area. It was a goal but I didn't dedicate enough time to get what I wanted. I like this one as well and appreciate your comment.
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Ross Martin wrote:
Back to enjoy these again, Al. Voted 👍🏼
Thanks Ross!
Oct 28, 2025 at 04:28 PM
p.1 #19Utah: Timeless and Elegant
Lovely shots and light you've captured! I like the mix between the large scale shots and the intimate details.
Nov 04, 2025 at 10:35 AM